Panchkula, September 17
Even as Tahira’s mother, Zubeda Begum, her maternal grandfather Kalandeen and Gayur, her maternal uncle, turned hostile as they stepped into the witness box yet father Shaukeen and Salim were not spared.It was the circumstantial evidence that led to the court awarding them capital punishment.

Though the three turned hostile, yet their statements proved that the excavated dead body was that of Tahira and she was buried after being killed.

It was also stated in the support of prosecution, that the police must have got a tip-off that Tahira was buried outside the Khangesra village.

“ Once it is proved that the dead body of the deceased was excavated from a place which was not known to anybody except the accused persons, it itself shows that she was killed and buriedsaid the court.

Mohali, September 17
Certain residents of Sohana village, whose land was acquired by the PUDA around 30 years ago, have accused the authorities of not giving them benefits under the national rehabilitation policy despite the court’s orders.

Gopal Attri, one of the 16 persons who had filed a civil writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, lamented that the court had issued orders in their favour on January 23 this year, directing the authorities concerned to consider their claim. ‘If the competent authority decides not to alter the existing policy framework, in that event, the benefits admissible to the petitioners under the existing policy shall be considered and if found eligible, the same shall be granted to them within a period of four months from the date of receiving a copy of the order’, stated the order.

Attri and other petitioners lamented that even as eight months have passed since the issuance of the court order, the PUDA/GMADA authorities did nothing to comply with it.

GMADA law adviser Harmail Singh said he had to check the record before commenting on the issue.

Mohali, September 17
The Permanent Lok Adalat (Public Utility Services), Mohali, has partly allowed an application moved by Ranjit Singh of Badanpur village in Kharar tehsil in which he had stated that Rs 35,027 was being demanded from him by the respondent, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), on an allegation that he was committing theft of electricity through a “kundi” connection.

The respondent had issued him a notice and thereafter, the final assessment of penalty was made. The respondent also demanded Rs 9,520 from him as sundry charges, which was paid by him. The contention of the respondent was that during a surprise raid, meter inspectors caught the applicant committing theft and therefore, the penalty was accordingly assessed.

After hearing both parties, the Permanent Lok Adalat (PUS), headed by Jagroop Singh Mahal, held that in view of Section 22 C, the court had the jurisdiction to entertain and try the case relating to the theft of electricity because the said offence was compoundable. The demand of Rs 35,027 was maintained because the applicant had never denied in his application or affidavit that he was committing theft of electricity whereas the respondent produced the affidavits of the meter inspectors who detected the alleged theft.

It was held that the mere fact that no notice of the raid was given to the applicant or his family members were not joined or the wires were not taken into custody or photographs or videography was not done, could not disprove the theft, which had not been denied by the applicant himself. The demand of Rs 35,027 was, therefore, upheld.

However, the PSPCL did not give any details as to why the sundry charges were sought. So, the Permanent Lok Adalat allowed the application with respect to the sundry charges and directed the Powercom to adjust Rs 9,299 in the future bill while recovering Rs 35,027.

Mohali, September 17
A local court today sent four persons to seven-year jail in an attempt to murder case. Eight other accused in the case have been acquitted.

Mohali Additional District and Sessions Judge held Rupinder Singh Rockey (24), Simranjit Singh (22), Satpreet Singh Satti (22) and Malkit Singh (22) guilty of the crime and sentenced them to seven years in jail along with a fine of Rs 10,000. In case of non-payment of fine, the term would be increased by five months, stated the order.

Those acquitted were Pappu, Nirmal, Jimmy, Timmy, Sandeep and three unidentified youths.

The case in this connection was registered in May 2012 on the complaint of a Derabassi resident, Rishipal Sharma. The complainant had alleged that the accused had attacked his brother with an intention to kill him.

Chandigarh, September 17
The Chandigarh Police have claimed to have solved the murder case of a labourer whose body was found near Labour Chowk, Sector 20, on September 10. The deceased was identified as Ram Kishan, a resident of Kushi Nagar district, in UP.

Police officials said the accused, Sriniwas Yadav, a resident of Gorakhpur district had been arrested in the case. During investigation, it came to the fore that Ram Kishan was working as a labourer and was an alcoholic. It was found that September 9, the deceased and a person named Lambu were seen together at Badheri Chowk, where they had consumed liquor together. Apart from the name “Lambu” there was no clue about his identity or whereabouts.

A police parties then started locating Lambu, raids were conducted during late hours at all roundabouts, night shelters, Gurdwara Nada Sahib, Mansa Devi and even at Patiala. Finally, Lambu was identified and his name was confirmed as Sriniwas Yadav. The police arrested the accused today.

Panchkula, September 17
A 64-year-old woman was robbed of her gold jewellery, worth Rs 70,000, by two persons in the Sector 12 market here today.

In her complaint, the victim, Usha, a resident of Sector 12, stated that she was walking towards the market when she was approached by a woman, who appeared to be from a well-off family.

She added that the woman struck a friendly conversation with her. After that, a man in white ‘kurta’ came, whom the woman introduced as a ‘saint’. The woman said she could tell him if he had some problem.

Then, Usha was asked to keep all her gold jewellery in a handkerchief, following which the ‘saint’ chanted some ‘mantras’. The victim was asked to open the handkerchief at home.

On reaching home, she opened the handkerchief and found two silver bangles in it.

A case has been registered at the Sector 5 police station. The police have procured a footage of the CCTV installed in the market. 

Chandigarh, September 17
The much awaited Chandigarh’s first indoor basketball stadium, at the Sports Complex, Sector 42, is now open for players. The venue, expected to get ready by 2009-10, has finally received a green signal from the UT Engineering Department, and opened for the players.

The venue will host the 31st Youth National Basketball Championship. The tournament is scheduled to be held from October 7 to 14. And the stadium is expected to host a formal inauguration ceremony on September 6.

“The arena is open for players and they are allowed to practice on the turf under supervision of an appointed coach. The engineering department is yet to complete some work however the major construction work is over. The arena is fully equipped with flood lights and other facilities giving the players facilities of international standards,” said Sanjay Sharma, manager of the Sports Complex.

Chandigarh, September 17
Table tennis players Kalyani and Dev Saini claimed the glittering trophy in the women’s and men’s category, respectively, on the concluding day of 2nd Chandigarh State Table Tennis Ranking Tournament, here. In the final of the women’s category, Kalyani of SD College defeated Naina Suri of same college 4-3. In final the title winner went down in first two sets by 7-11 and 4-11 while in the third gathered win at 11-9. In the next Kalyani again tasted dust at 10-12 however in the next three sets she bounced at 11-4, 11-4 and 11-2.

Chandigarh, September 17
Chandigarh lads failed to perform against Ludhiana, in the ongoing match of the Katoch Shield, held in Ludhiana. After resuming from their overnight score of 215 runs, Chandigarh side was bowled out for 279 runs in 81 overs, conceding a vital 51 runs lead to Ludhiana on first innings.

For Chandigarh, Gurinder Singh, who bagged 7 wickets, scored unbeaten 31 runs. Amritpal Bajwa, Simranjit Singh, Rahul Singla and Vaibhav Narang of Ludhiana claimed two wickets each. In reply, Ludhiana, in their 2nd innings, lost two quick wickets for 13 runs in 16.1 overs. Skipper Gitansh Khera (48 runs) and Vaibhav Narang (38 runs) played a fruitful partnership of 81 runs for the 5th wicket.

Chandigarh, September 17
Kings XI Punjab may not have enough support on its home turf during the opening game of Champions League T20 Championship against Hobart Hurricanes, on Thursday (8pm), at the PCA stadium.

Sale at ticket counters reveal a grim picture, as only handful of tickets were sold, till date, leaving the organisers worried. The authorities are planning to devise methods to attract crowd. “The sale is less this time. We were expecting a good business.

The performance of the teams in the opening game will attract the spectators to watch the upcoming matches,” said a ticket seller.

However, the demand for free passes is high.

“Mostly everyone looks for free passes. However, with no option left, later they buy tickets.

We have booked the entire members’ block for our members and rest the trend could be seen in tomorrow’s match. Let’s see if the presence of home team can attract nice crowd,” said an official of the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA).

Last year, PCA stadium witnessed a very low turnout for the Champions League matches. However, this time, the presence of home team is expected to attract some crowd. 

Chandigarh, September 17
Spikers of SGGS College, Sector 26, defeated Guru Nanak College, Moga, 2-0, during the ongoing Panjab University Inter-College Volleyball Championship for Men (A-division) Championship, held at PU, here today. In ongoing league matches, the team registered a 25-18 and 25-18 victory over the rivals.

In the second match, BBPUCC, Balachaur College, defeated Malwa College, Samrala, 2-0 (25-20, 25-19). GP College, Alour, defeated JCDAV College, Dasuya, 2-0 (25-12, 25-15). In aother match, Panjab University Campus defeated DAV College, Sector 10, 2-0 (25-15, 25-21). However, in their previous league match DAV College beat BAM Khalsa College, Garhshankar, 2-0 (25-18 and 25-18). In other league matches, held in evening session, DAV College, Hoshiarpur, beat BB PUCC, Balachaur, 2-0.

Chandigarh, September 17
Local skating officials, Harpreet Singh of Principal Accountant General (A&E), Punjab, and Sarabjit Singh, skating coach, UT Sports Department, have been nominated to officiate in the 16th Asian Roller Skating Championship. The tournament is scheduled to be held at Haining (China) from September 19 to September 29. Harpreet Singh has already officiated in more than 40 international matches while Sarabjit Singh will officiate for first time in any international championship.