Chandigarh, November 19
A local court today granted bail to Suneeta, an accused in the Pinki murder case, almost 10 months after she was jailed. The court granted bail to Suneeta, alias Billa. Dispute between Pinki’s family and Suneeta is supposed to be the reason behind the crime, though the police are still investigating on other aspects as well.

On January 20 this year, the police had achieved breakthrough in the case with the arrest of two drug addicts identified as Anirudh and Rajkumar. These two accused, who are in police custody disclosed in their interrogation that they were promised money amounting to Rs 30,000 each by Bhagat Singh, alias Manga, who was allotted the task by Suneeta to kidnap Pinki.

the police said Suneeta had a dispute with Pinki’s family and planned to kidnapped Pinki to avenge them and also for money. She used to be her neighbour in the past and Pinki used to visit her home often.

Pinky, an 11-year-old student of class VI, was found strangled to death with her body put dumped in a jute sack and thrown in the jungle area of Sector 52 on December 1. The victim, Pinki, a Pulsora resident, went missing and her family had lodged a missing complaint with the police.

Chandigarh, November 19
The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Anshu Shukla today sentenced three members of a family to seven years imprisonment in a dowry death case. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 each on them.

Those convicted include Choti Devi (62), her son Ashwani and daughter Sanjana, all residents of Jattanwala Mohalla, Mani Majra. The court held them responsible for the death of Davinder Kaur (26) in October 2011. The court acquitted Nitu Rani, sister-in-law of the deceased, after she produced a medical certificate showing that she was admitted to the hospital when Davinder Kaur had died.

According to the prosecution case, the UT police had on October 21, 2011, registered a case after Davinder Kaur, mother of twin girls, died of poisoning. Davinder Kaur, a resident of Patiala, had married Vijay, who was staying in Italy. The couple had twin daughters.

Davinder’s family had alleged that after killing her, Davinder’s in-laws had killed one of her daughters as well. 

Panchkula/Mohali, Nov 19
Two persons ended ended their lives in Panchkula and Mohali this evening. The victim, identified as Jasbir (28), alias Jassi, a resident of Budanpur, hung himself from the ceiling fan of his room. He was reportedly under depression as his property-dealing business didn’t work well.

In another case, Satpal Singh (60) ended his life by consuming medicinal tablets at his residence in Phase IX, Mohali, on Wednesday evening. Singh had recenlty returned from Canada where his son resides. The police claimed that Satpal was under depression.

Chandigarh, November 19
The Chandigarh Police have booked a former BJP Councillor and three others for assaulting and threatening Rakesh Rai, a BJP worker, at Vikas Nagar, Mauli Jagran, on Tuesday.

The police said former councillor Anil Dube who is the convener of the colony cell, along with Ronak Dube and Sanu Dube (sons) and Rakesh Dube (brother) intercepted the complainant at Vikas Nagar and assaulted him. They even threatened him.

Police sources said that Anil was allegedly pressurising Rakesh to settle a case against him that is pending against him in the court. A case has been registered against all the accused at the Mani Majra police station. — TNS

Chandigarh, November 19
The Chandigarh Police arrested a resident of Bhiwani at a nakka laid near the Punjab and Haryana High Court and recovered one revolver and six live cartridges from his possession.

The police said a nakka to keep an eye on supporters of self-styled godman Rampal was laid, when the police signaled a car bearing a temporary number of Haryana to stop. The police said that the car was driven by Dalip Kumar and on checking the car a revolver and ammunition was recovered. A case under the Arms Act was registered at the Sector 3 police station.

Rs 3.95 lakh stolen from car

Unidentified thieves managed to steal Rs 3.95 lakh from a car after breaking its windowpane at Sector 44. The police said complainant Santosh Kumar reported that on November 14, after collecing cash from his hospital, he had kept it inside his car and went for a walk at a park in Sector 44. The complainant claimed that on returning he found the three envelopes in which the cash was kept was missing. Thieves also decamped with some important documents. After investigating the matter a case of theft was registered at the Sector 34 police station.

2 inmates go missing from Snehalaya

The Chandigarh Police have registered a case of kidnapping on the complaint of the warden of Snehalaya. The complaint said that two inmates who had gone to school didn’t return. Narinder Kaur, warden, complained that two boys had gone to school from Snehalaya, but did not return.

Chandigarh, November 19
The local franchisee of Punjab Marshalls today announced free entry to all for the upcoming ties of the Champions Tennis League (CTL) to be held at the CLTA sports complex in Sector 10.

The decision has been taken keeping in mind the cold response received from the stands during the matches in the past few days’ in various cities as well as to promote the sport. The home team is scheduled to play two home matches at the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) courts in Sector 10 on November 20 and 21 against Mumbai Tennis Masters and Delhi Dreams, respectively.

“We wanted to promote the game and give this region a chance to witness their favourite stars playing live here. The step is being taken to attach the local masses with Punjab Marshalls. Playing at home turf is entirely different than playing home-away matches. The decision has been initiated with the consensus of senior players,” said Gurpreet Singh (Kiki), owner of Punjab Marshalls.

However, his team claimed to have sold maximum number of online tickets, even before the decision of free entry was made. Also, the announcement a day before the match has raised doubts on the expectations of the franchisee over the crowd coming to witness the matches in Chandigarh.

Nevertheless, the step to allow free entry is well appreciated by the local players and tennis fraternity. “This decision will surely boost not only tennis players but other youngsters as well. Watching these players live in action is like watching a live-presentation on one’s favourite topic,” said Rishab Sharda, local top seed player.

On the other hand, “It’s a good gesture by the franchisee owners. It will help the youngsters as well as their families to see what tennis all about was. A star-studded competition is different and exciting to watch than the other normal competitions,” said Birbal Wadhera, a local tennis coach.

Gajendra Singh, director coaching, CLTA, said: “It’s a very good step to encourage city youth. Now more number of people will get a chance to encourage the local side.”

Meanwhile, players of Punjab Marshalls held a practice session at the CLTA courts today evening. The practice session was attended by Leander Paes, Garbine Muguruza, Somdev Devvarman and Greg Rusedski. While interacting with the media, team’s leader Leander Paes said, “It’s always good to play here in Chandigarh and we have also the advantage of being supported by the crowd. Hopefully, we will register a comeback at our home ground.”

While his mixed doubles partner, Garbine Muguruza said, “The courts here are fast and it will be an exciting tie. Fast courts are always unpredictable and good to play,” she said.

Somdev supported the fact that the fast courts will make the game exciting. Punjab Marshalls lost their opening game against Delhi Dreams by 25-19 in New Delhi. 

Legend Greg Rusedski hurt, out of league

British-Canadian legend Greg Rusedski, who was among the top runners for Punjab Marshalls, has been ruled out of the tournament following a foot-injury during a practice session on Wednesday. According to the team management, Leander Paes will replace him in all the matches. “It’s unfortunate that Greg had to pull out following a bad injury. It is a big loss but Paes will be taking his place,” said Gurpreet Singh, team owner. Paes will replace Greg in the singles and men’s doubles event with Somdev Devvarman. He will also be playing the mixed doubles with Spanish Garbine Muguruza. 

Chandigarh, November 19
City girls’ fencing team won the overall trophy of the 60th National School Games held at Rangareddy (Tilangana) from November 8 to 12.

The team won the title by securing 39 points ahead of Manipur fencers, who scored 28 points. Overall, the local team bagged four gold medals and two silver medals. Epee and Sabre girls’ team won two gold medals while foil team won a silver medal.

In the individual category, Hardeep Kaur of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 10, won three gold medals. She was also adjudged as the best fencer of the championship. Another fencer Kashish won gold medal in foil event while Sonika won a silver medal in the same event.

In the boys’ foil category, the local team bagged a bronze medal. While in the individual (foil) category, Mansimranjeet Singh won the gold. 

Chandigarh, November 19
Cagers of SD Public School, Sector 32, lifted the coveted trophy of the Inter-School Basketball Championship for (U-19) Boys at the basketball courts in Sector 46 here today.

In the finals, the title winners defeated Sri Guru Gobind Singh Collegiate Public School (SGGSCPS), Sector 26, by a score of 104- 83. While DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8, attained the third spot by defeating Moti Ram Arya School, Sector 27, by 59-40. 

Chandigarh, November 19
Government Middle School, Sector 46, claimed the first place in the boys’ category during the concluding day of the 5th Luxmi Arya Memorial Kho-Kho Trophy for (U-14) Boys and Girls at MDAV Senior Secondary School in Sector 22 here today.

The hosts finished second in the championship while Government High School, Sector 35, claimed the third spot.

In the girls’ category, Government High School, Sector 35, claimed the top spot followed by Government Middle School, Sector 46, and IS Dev Samaj School, Sector 21.

Results (league stage)

(U-14) boys: MDAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 22, beat SHR RSVM School, Sector 43, by 10 points; Paragon Convent School, Mohali, beat BMD Public School, Sector 63, by 10 points; SGGS School, Sector 35, beat Paragon Convent School by 05 points; Government High School, Sector 35, beat BMD Public School, Sector 63, by 08 points; Government Model School, Sector 46, beat Government Model High School, Sector 41, by 01 point; (U-14) girls: Government Model School, Sector 46, beat Ishwar Singh Dev Samaj Senior Secondary School, Sector 21, by 01 point; Government High School, Sector 35D, beat Vidya Niketan Senior Secondary School, Mohali, by 10 points; Government Model School, Sector 46, beat SHR RSVM School, Sector 43, by 04 points.

Chandigarh, November 19
Anmol Kaur of Government College for Girls, Ludhiana, set a new meet record in the hammer throw event of the women’s category during the ongoing Panjab University Annual Athletics Meet at the athletics grounds of PU campus here today.

Anmol secured the gold medal by throwing the four-kg heavy metal ball at a distance of 52.28 m. Rishu Tyagi of Ramgharia Girls College, Ludhiana, secured the second spot in the same event with a total distance of 51.34 m while Upneet Kaur of Guru Nanak National College, Doraha, and Nisha of Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26, secured the third and fourth position with 37.64 m and 28.93 m, respectively.

In the 400m men’s hurdle finals, Deepankar of DAV College, Sector 10, claimed the first spot with sprinting the patch in 55.82 seconds while Ramneek Singh of Shri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26, secured the second spot in 58.17 seconds. Tarundeep Singh from Gobindgarh Public College, Alour, and Pawan of Shri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26, attained the third and fourth spot in 58.21 seconds and 59.35 seconds, respectively.

Meanwhile, in the 20 km walk event, Ravinder of Gobindgarh Public College, Alour, claimed a gold medal in 1:57.28 hours while Sanjiv Kumar of PU Campus followed him and won a silver medal in 1:57.46 hours. Sukhdev of DAV College, Sector 10, claimed the bronze medal in 1:57.48 hours while Makhan Singh of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Mahilpur, claimed the fourth spot in 2:04.31 hours.

(Clockwise from top left) A girl takes part in the javelin throw event; sprinters during the 400 m hurdle race; and an athlete in action during the high jump event of the ongoing Panjab University Annual Athletics Meet at the PU campus grounds in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune Photos: Manoj Mahajan