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DIG deputed to probe molestation case Ludhiana, December 5 Ms Surinder Kaur Grewal, chairperson of the commission, has in orders dated December 3 also recommended to the Department of Home, Punjab, to ensure that no harm was done to the life, liberty and safety of the said woman constable. The orders stated, "The commission has perused the news item dated December-1, 2003, published in The Tribune. The allegations mentioned in the news report were made by a woman constable who has accused a senior officer of molesting her. The commission suo motu takes cognizance of this news item. It would be relevant to mention here that such sensitive issues are generally suppressed and never reported. The commission also applauds the role of the press in bringing to light such cases." The alleged molestation incident took place at Satluj Club, Ludhiana, where the victim woman was posted for duty at some function. She accused DSP Sandeep Goel of molestation. Former SP (Headquarters) had indicted the police official in an inquiry but the accused had demanded change of the inquiry officer on personal grounds. The state police appointed another inquiry officer but this time the woman demanded change of the inquiry officer. Meanwhile, she was allegedly pressurised by two SP-level officers. Alleging harassment, she shot off letters to the DGP and Chief Minister claiming that the two officers along with the accused DSP had pressurised her to the extent that she was made to sign a blank paper on which some compromise deal was written. Family members of the victim told The Tribune that in view of the extreme pulls and pressures on her with each passing day, the victim had no alternative left, except to approach the Chief Minister. They said the manner in which the recommendations of Mr Arunpal Singh, SP (HQ), have been ignored shows no seriousness about the case of the people in command. The copy of the inquiry report given by Mr Arunpal Singh that is in possession of The Tribune was infact kept a secret. The Tribune procured the copy which has recommended registration of a case under Sections 354 and 294, IPC, against the said DSP for “sexually molesting the lady” and to transfer him out to the district. The DSP, Sandeep Goel, has already denied the charges and called it a conspiracy. He said he had never molested the woman nor had any intention of doing so. He said despite this he had apologised to the lady in case she had some misunderstanding who later willingly signed a compromise document. He said he had demanded change of inquiry from SP Arunpal Singh due to personal reasons. He said the lady in question had specifically asked for the inquiry against him to be conducted by Mr Arunpal Singh, so he was not surprised to learn that the inquiry report was against him. In his inquiry report, Mr Arunpal Singh has stated "the DSP called the woman aside and tried to kiss her. He also caressed her hair. The DSP was not on duty at Sutluj Club". He has cited nearly half-a-dozen witnesses, including those present at the scene of the 'molestation bid', that corroborate the victim's allegations. |
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Seven-year
RI in rape case Ludhiana, December 5 The accused was booked under Sections 363 and 366 of the IPC at Sadar police station on April 8, 1998, following the statement of Phoolan Rani of Salem Tabri, mother. Later on, the accused was also booked under Section 376 of IPC, following the allegation of rape by the
prosecutor. The complainant had stated to the police that the accused was residing as a tenant with them. On March 30, 1998, when they returned back to their home, the girl and accused were not at home. Upon enquiry, it was revealed that the accused had kidnapped their minor daughter. The police recovered the girl after about three months. In her statement recorded with the police, the prosecutor alleged that the accused gave her some medicine and she got unconscious. Thereafter, she regained
consciousness in Delhi. The accused committed rape with her at Delhi, Lucknow and Fatehpur. On the other hand, the defence counsel argued that the prosecutor was a consenting party and had left her home voluntarily. He argued that her consent can be inferred from the circumstances that she did not raised any hue and cry, when she was taken to various places by the accused. He also stressed that during cross-examination, she had admitted that she had seen the police officials on the bus stand of Delhi but not lodged any protest. She also admitted that her marriage was registered with the accused at Allahabad by the Registrar of Marriages. But the court rejected the submissions made by the defence counsel with the observation that the prosecutor was below the age of 16 at the time of occurrence. “In that eventuality, as per provision of Section 375 of IPC, the consent of prosecutor loses significance. Clause six attached with Section 375, IPC, defines the act of sexual intercourse by a man with a woman with or without her consent if she is under 16 of age as rape. Thus
in case a prosecutor is under 16, it is immaterial whether she was a consenting party to the act
of sexual intercourse or not,’’ remarked Mr Arora, while pronouncing the judgement. |
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Voting rights to
Sehajdharis: HC notice Ludhiana, December 5 It may be recalled that the SGPC had passed resolutions in this context which were sent to the Union Government. The Sehajdhari Sikhs were debarred on the basis of the recommendations of the SGPC vide a notification under Section 72 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, wherein any Sikh who trimmed or shaved his beards and hair would be ineligible
In the PIL, it has been contended that as per the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, a person who believes in Guru Granth Sahib and the 10 Gurus and no other religion is a Sikh. Those Sikhs, who undergo initiation by adopting baptism and adhere to the five kakars viz Kesh, Kacha, Kanga, Kada and Kirpan are Amritdhari Sikhs; and those Sikhs who are indifferent to these tenants and do opt for baptism, but are followers of Guru Granth Sahib and the 10 Masters, are the ‘Sehajdhari Sikhs’. Sehajdhari Sikhs have been voting in the SGPC elections for the past 59 years and this notification has snatched away their voting right and had hurt their religious sentiments. Moreover, it is a matter of record that more than eight lakh Sehajdhari Sikhs have been enrolled as voters by the Gurdwara Election Commission. |
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BJP celebrates win in Assembly poll Ludhiana, December 5 Addressing an impromptu gathering of party activists at Clock Tower Chowk, the district president of the BJP, Dr Subhash Verma, congratulated the electorate and the central leadership for the win. He said the country had achieved remarkable progress under the able leadership of the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He further remarked that the BJP leaders were able to project the true picture of the development agenda of the NDA government in the states, which saw the BJP win the elections. “The verdict in the Assembly elections is going to be repeated in the next Lok Sabha elections and the NDA combine is bound to achieve a two-thirds majority,” Dr Verma claimed. The BJP leader charged the Congress government in Punjab with vindictiveness against its political opponents to settle scores. He said every section of society was fed up and frustrated with the wrong policies of the government, which had done virtually nothing for the welfare of the common people. Even the welfare schemes and facilities available to the masses under the previous SAD-BJP regime had been withdrawn by the government. Meanwhile, the state general secretary of the BJP, Mr Rajinder Bhandari, has termed the victory of the party in Assembly elections in three states as a mandate against Congress policies and the total rejection of the central leadership of the Congress headed by Ms Sonia Gandhi. In a statement here today, Mr Bhandari said the poor performance of the Congress at the hustings had exposed the hollowness of the Congress leadership and had further proved that the electioneering by the ruling party in these states did not focus on the masses and their aspirations. On the other hand, the electorate in these states had expressed their total confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Vajpayee and the functioning of the NDA government headed by him. Mandi Gobindgarh: The Assembly results of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh have exposed the hollowness of the media, especially Punjab Today which tried to create an opinion in favour of the Congress and present the personality of the Punjab Chief Minister as greater that of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. This was stated by Mr Ram Niwas Jain, mandal chief of the BJP. He was addressing a meeting of BJP workers last evening at the office of the district chief of the party. He called it a big victory for the BJP and its policies. Sweets were distributed in the public. Mr Lal Chand Jindal, Mr Charan Dass, Mr Baldev Pandey and Mr Ravinder Gupta, all BJP leaders, also addressed the meeting. Former minister Dalip Singh Pandhi said the victory was the verdict of the people and in favour of Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It was a clear indication of the victory of the NDA in the Lok Sabha elections scheduled next year, he said. |
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Online IT returns from April Ludhiana, December 5 Disclosing this here today, Mr D. Saran, member of the Central Board of Direct Taxes, told The Tribune that the department had launched the computerisation on a war-footing. He said while right now the facility was available only in the four metros of the country, from April it will be available at all the 501 centres across the country. He said the purpose was to provide maximum facilities to the customers. Earlier, he exhorted upon the officers of the department to ensure that they act as the servants of the public and not as officers. He urged them that the department should ensure a people-friendly image as it was one of the most respected departments. Referring to the targets, he said, the 2003-2004 budget had set a target of 17 per cent more than the collections during the previous year. He stated that from the indications available from across the country, the target will not only be achieved but would be taken to 20 per cent. He said Punjab, particularly Ludhiana, was one of the important centres in the country where the income tax collections were substantial. To a question about the IT refund, he said the department did not take much time for the same. He said there was no pendancy and the assessees would get the refund within four months of the filing of their returns. He disclosed that the department had already started the process of crediting the refund amount into the accounts of the assessees. It will further speed up the process. He maintained that the department had also speeded up the process of issuing PAN numbers. While earlier it would take years, now it is issued within a few months. He said the department was being provided with the infrastructure and equipment and the PAN numbers will now be issued within 10 days from the date of application. Mr Saran hinted that the transaction of cars may soon be included in the high value purchases, which will have to be reported to the Income Tax Department. He said the department was thinking whether all types of cars would be included in the high value purchase disclosure or only those above a specific price range. Mr Saran was here on a three-day visit to the city. Here he had interaction with senior and middle rung officers of the department, besides various representatives of industry. He addressed a meeting of the income tax officers also. He was accompanied by the Chief Commissioners of Delhi, Mr Sikander Talwar, and Ludhiana, Mr Sudhakar Verma. |
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Villagers seek quashing of FIR against sarpanch Khanna, December 5 It may be mentioned here that the Khanna police registered a case under Sections 452, 427, 506, 148 and 149 of the IPC at Sadar police station against Mr Yadwinder Singh, Mr Inderjit Singh, Mr Sukhwinder Singh, Mr Gurmukh Singh, Mr Mangat Singh, Mr Baljinder Singh and Mr Malkit Singh. It was alleged by the complainant, Mr Gurdeep Singh, a relative of MP Shamsher Singh Dullo, that Mr Yadwinder and six other persons had forcibly entered his house. They all were armed with iron rods and sticks. They asked their servant Bhajan Singh to leave the house and then started demolishing the house. The servant informed Mr Gurdeep Singh, who lodged a complaint with the police. Today, panchayat members of the village along with other influential persons of the village and the city met the DSP city, Mr Mukand Singh
Mallhi, and asked him to quash the FIR. |
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Staff contribute to Flag Day fund Ludhiana, December 5 The DC, other officers and employees of the mini secretariat made donations towards the fund. Highlighting the importance of Flag Day, he said residents should reinforce their solidarity with the armed forces on this day and it was a reassuring gesture for defence personnel since it gaves them a feeling that the entire nation was behind them. He said the day was an occasion for the nation to honour its brave and the dead for their supreme sacrifice as well as to salute valiant soldiers, sailors and airmen, both serving and veterans. Flag Day collections were utilised for the welfare of serving soldiers, ex- servicemen and widows. He exhorted voluntary and social organisations to mobilise maximum assistance for the families of Army martyrs. The DC said Ludhiana had the privilege of producing some finest soldiers who had fought valiantly. Referring to different services of the Sainik Welfare Board, he said during this year Rs 45 lakh had been spent on the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families under different schemes of the Punjab Government. He said out of these, Rs 16.64 lakh had been disbursed as financial assistance among 821 ex-servicemen and Rs 2.32 lakh had been distributed among 50 families affected during Operation Blue Star. He said to rehabilitate 24 beneficiaries under the ex-gratia grant scheme, financial assistance of Rs 19.15 lakh had been disbursed. Mr Verma appealed to all residents of the district to donate liberally towards this noble cause and make this day a success. Lt Cdr Tarlochan Singh said on the persuasion of the Sanik Welfare Department, Coca Cola and Ralson India company had donated Rs 5,000 each and Seiko Steel India and the Principal of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Public School had donated Rs 1,000 each. Earlier, another function was organised at the Sainik Welfare Office under the chairmanship of Brig Jagdev Singh, vice-president of the District Sanik Welfare Board.
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Dr
Tarsem awarded Ludhiana, December 5 Dr Tarsem is a prominent poet, critic and ghazal writer. The award carries a sum of Rs 2,100, a citation and a shawl. Prof Ms Cheema, Prof Niranjan
Tasneem, Mr Nachitar Singh, Mr Mahender Singh Grewal, Mr Surjit Patar, Dr Gulzar Pandher and Mr Surinder Rampuri attended the meeting. The award had been instituted in the memory of mother of Mohinder Deep
Grewal. Jagprit wins first prize:
Prabhjot Kaur, a science student of the college, received the first prize in the inter-college debate held at DD College yesterday. Students of Shanti Tara College excel:
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Nostalgic get-together of retired officers Ludhiana, December 5 Many officers recalled the fighting on December 3 - 4 when they successfully repulsed seven attacks launched by the enemy on the Ranian sector. Lt. Colonel (then Captain), Harbant Singh Kahlon was at the observation post which was manned by a platoon of each of the BSF and 9 Punjab, when he saw the enemy advancing in large numbers. The attackers were in overwhelming strength under heavy artillery support. Ranian was of immense importance to the enemy as its fall would enable the enemy to have control of the Ranian-Chugawan-Amritsar axis. As such, the Pakistanis were desperate and tried their level best to capture their post. From the very outbreak of hostility i.e. December 3, the determined and bold efforts of the motivated soldiers caused heavy casualties on the enemy and repulsed all the seven attacks launched. Captain Gurmel Singh, then 2 Lt, whose hand was in plaster and was not medically fit to go to war, disregarded all medical advice and proceeded to take part in the war. A young 2 Lt with a plastered hand was a motivating factor for the troops who were ready for any sacrifice for the honour of the regiment and for safety of their motherland, particularly, the holy town of Amritsar. Col. Narinder Gill and Col. S.S. Bedi, then Captains, were observation post officers at Channamala and Col. B.V. Sharma and Capt. Gurmel Singh, then 2 Lts, were gun position officers. The defensive battle at Ranian was attributed largely to tireless, determined and bold efforts of Lt. Col. H.S. Kahlon. He was awarded a Vir Chakra for gallantry, initiative, professional skill and devotion to duty of a high order. |
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Pensioners Day on December 17 Ludhiana, December 5 Giving details, Mr Kaushal said sub-committees had been set up to make arrangements for the function and to involve the pensioners’ bodies to ensure maximum participation of the pensioners in the function. The PIC had decided to release a souvenir to mark the occasion, which would contain messages and articles from eminent personalities. The meeting also placed on record the gesture of goodwill and assistance lent by Zonal Office of Punjab National Bank in equipping Pensioners’ Bhavan with additional infrastructure. |
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Kashmiri Sabha congregation Ludhiana, December 5 Disclosing this here today, the general secretary of the sabha, Mr A.K. Pandita said the havan would be performed at Vishwanath Mandir, Metro Road, Jamalpur, Ludhiana. He said, about 200 Kashmiri families living in Ludhiana were expected to participate in the
congregation. |
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Bhai Veer Singh remembered Ludhiana, December 5 Dr Aulakh announced that every year the university would hold a chrysanthemum show on his birthday as a real homage to the great lover of nature. Dr Surjit Patar, a noted poet and president of Punjabi Sahit Akademi enthralled the gathering by reciting selected couplets from the poetry penned by Bhai Veer Singh. Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill, senior vice-president of the akademi, Dr Joginder Singh Nirala, Dr Jagtar Dhiman, Dr Jagdish Kaur and Dr Amarjeet Kaur Khokhar were among others who paid tributes to Bhai Veer Singh. |
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Industrialist drugged, looted Ludhiana, December 5 He had consumed some eatables offered by the two persons. The victim woke up with a heavy head at Ludhiana and reported the matter to the police. He was admitted in Civil Hospital. Darshan Singh lost Rs 11,000.
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Claims, counter-claims over rising steel prices Ludhiana, December 5 Much against the expectations of consumers, the Union Minister of State for Steel, Mr B.K. Tripathi, has also justified the hike in the prices of steel. The Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU) and the Apex Chamber of Commerce and Industry have reminded the minister that he had promised that he would ensure that the steel prices would not go up. But within a month, the steel prices had gone up by about Rs 1,000 per tonne. The president of the CICU, Mr Inderjeet Singh Pradhan and the general secretary, Mr Avtar Singh, said the “sudden, unjustified and arbitrary” hike in the prices by five major steel producers added to the woes of the engineering industry in Ludhiana and the state. They said, the bicycle, the bicycle parts, auto, machine and auto parts industry would be severely hit by this “unjust” hike. They pointed out while the prices of the finished products had not shown any increase, the raw material prices were increasing every month. On the other hand, the steel producers are justifying the hike by attributing it to the rising input costs. A senior official of a private steel manufacturing company said, on the condition of anonymity, that during the past one year the input costs of various raw materials like iron ore, coke, scrap, iron ore pellets and pig iron had risen between 100 and 200 per cent. |
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Honey not such a sweet business Ludhiana, December 5 Dr Jogeshwar Singh, president of the club, said the business of the local traders was being affected in the wake of some exporters trying to establish their monopoly in the business. He alleged that they were compromising on both quality and rates while exporting the same, which was a setback to the traders. Dr Gurbaz Singh, who has been in the business for long, was of the view that a government agency should be made a nodal agency for handling exports. They should procure honey from the bee-keepers at a fixed rate and export it at competitive prices. He said that Punjab Bee-keeping Federation had earlier mooted a proposal suggesting that honey should be exported through Punjab Agro, Markfed or any such agency. The farmers were of the view that testing laboratories should be set up in all districts of the state to check adulteration and ensure that the quality of honey did not suffer. In fact, the honey from China, which is presently coming via Nepal and Thailand should be banned just as had been done by many European countries and the USA. This would go a long way in increasing the demand for honey in foreign countries also. Dr Jogeshwar Singh also stressed on the need to grow honey-producing plants. Organic honey should be used in pharmaceuticals and bakeries, he said. Highlighting their “exploitation” at the hand of forest officials and guards, they suggested that the government should take up a forest and charge them per box for keeping their bees there. Later the members of the club held a meeting with the Volunteers of Farmer’s Clubs from UP and Gujarat. |
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Bank holds
customers meet Ludhiana, December 5 Dr Jain said, traders were provided information about various bank services. He said for quick money remittances, bank was having BoB Money Express and BoB Cash reach schemes. |
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