The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Takht takes serious view of anand karaj violation
Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 13
The Akal Takht, Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, has taken serious view of the violation of ‘anand karaj’ maryada by some Sikh missionaries at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj, New Delhi, some days ago.

Talking to TNS here today, Mr Prithipal Singh Sandhu, personal assistant to Jathedar Vedanti, said notices were being issued to the missionaries who had arranged a wedding at the DSGMC-controlled gurdwara in violation of the traditional maryada of anand karaj. He appreciated the action taken by DSGMC chief, Harwinder Singh Sarna who blacklisted the “missionaries”, apart from suspending the granthi .

Taking moral responsibility, Mr Tarsem Singh, Chairman, Dharam Parchar Committee of the DSGMC, had resigned.

As per convention, the groom walks ahead of the bride and circumambulates Guru Granth Sahib amid recitation of hymns. However, in this case two circumambulations were taken in the traditional way but the bride walked ahead of the groom in the remaining two. This led to chaos and the wedding party was divided into two groups.

The DSGMC had constituted a three-member committee to probe the matter within seven days.

It is learnt that Akal Takht may summon missionaries Vir Bhupinder Singh (USA), Granthi Jai Kishan Singh and Mr Surjit Singh of the Gurmat Parchar Sabha.

	Baby girl found abandoned Tribune News Service Patiala, September 13 An unidentified three-day- old baby girl was found abandoned near Phulkian Enclave, a posh area located near the Mini Secretariat here today. The infant was found by Mr Davinder Kumar, proprietor of Sneh Medical. After closing the shop, Mr Davinder Kumar was going towards his house when he and some other persons heard the wailing of the child lying between two walls. Mr Davinder Kumar informed the police, who took the infant to Government Rajindra Hospital. The girl was after handed over to ASI Ranjit Singh. The incident comes close on the heels of the Patran incident where scores of female foetuses were found dug in two wells within the precincts of a nursing home.
	55 get letters of appointment Our Correspondent Mohali, September 13 Letters of appointment were given to 55 persons on compassionate grounds by an official of the Education Department at a camp held on the premises of the Punjab School Education Board here today. As Mr Partap Singh Bajwa, Education Minister, and Mr Sarvesh Kaushal, Education Secretary, failed to turn up at the camp, letters were handed over by Ms Harcharanjit Kaur Brar, DPI, Schools. Letters were given to 47 persons for the post of clerk and 7 to the post of master cadre. Employment was being provided on compassionate grounds by the Education Department to persons whose kin had died during service. Ms Gauri Singh, who had come from Ludhiana to get the appointment letter, returned back disappointed as the authorities concerned again asked her to complete the formalities in this regard. She said her husband, who was a clerk in a school falling under Ludhiana district, had died in 2002. She was promised a job by the department on compassionate grounds. She said that four years had passed and she had still not been given the appointment letter even when she had completed the formalities required many times. She said she hoped to get the appointment letter today, but was again asked to give proof that she had not got remarried and proof of her income. She alleged that the department was unnecessarily harassing her instead of providing any sort of help.
	Phase-II of Ropar bypass okayed Tribune News Service Ropar, September 13 The apex committee of the Punjab Government has sanctioned the construction of the second phase of the Ropar bypass. The bypass will link the Bella road to Nawanshahr and reduce the inflow of traffic passing through the city, said the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Alok Shekhar, here today. Two bridges, one over the Sutlej and the other over the Bist Doab canal, would also be constructed. The Central Government had sanctioned Rs 295 crore projects to widen National Highway-21 to four lane from Kurali to Kiratpur Sahib. Work on the national highway would start within six months. Mr Shekhar said construction work on the bridge over the Sutlej at Bunga Sahib would start in October. He said work on the first phase of the bypass linking the national highway to Bella road would start soon. All formalities had been completed in this regard.
	Christians condemn attack on school Our correspondent Hoshiarpur, September 13 The members of Christian community of Hoshiarpur district unitedly condemned the attack on Loretto Convent School, Lucknow, on last Sunday evening. At a press conference here today, C.N.I. pastor William Jospeh, Pentecostal pastor Sunder Lal, and Mr Lawrance Chaudhry, president, Christian Front Punjab, stated that the school conducted a prayer session in which staff and students participated. The school management had informed students regarding the prayer session, but said the attendance was not compulsory. It was true that some students volunteered to attend the service. They turtle said the attackers alleged that an occult practice was held. According to them Christian doctrines out rightly condemned occult practices.

COURTS

Mr Justice Bedi to take over next week
Maneesh Chhibber
Our High Court Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 13
The Punjab and Haryana High Court Acting Chief Justice Mr Justice H.S. Bedi is expected to take over as Chief Justice of the Mumbai High Court next week.

It is learnt that the President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, today cleared the proposal sent by the Supreme Court collegium to appoint Mr Justice Bedi as Chief Justice of Mumbai High Court.

The warrants of appointment of Mr Justice Bedi as Chief Justice are likely to be sent to Chandigarh before this weekend.

Sources said Mr Justice Bedi would be asked to take oath as Chief Justice on or before September 23.

Mr Justice Bedi is continuing as Acting Chief Justice since the past many months after the elevation of the then Chief Justice, Mr Justice D.K. Jain, to the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Mr Justice S.S. Nijjar, the senior-most Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court after Mr Justice Bedi, is going to be appointed Acting Chief Justice. Sources said Mr Justice Nijjar will remain Acting Chief Justice for about two weeks, after which Mr Justice Vijender Jain is expected to take over as Chief Justice.

Mr Justice Jain is presently the Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court and a proposal to appoint him as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court is pending with the Union Government.

Capt’s counsel questions authenticity of cassette
Our High Court Correspondent

Chandigarh, September 13
The counsel for Chief Minister, Punjab, Capt Amarinder Singh, today asserted in the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the audio cassette containing the alleged offer made by the Chief Minister’s Media Advisor, Mr B.I.S. Chahal, to the petitioner in the petition challenging Capt Amarinder’s election to the Vidhan Sabha was doctored and ante-dated.

Making this claim during resumed hearing of the election petition filed by the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) activist Harkirat Singh, who has challenged the election of Capt Amarinder Singh from the Patiala Assembly constituency, the Chief Minister’s counsel said even if one went by the claim made by the petitioner while submitting the cassette, it become clear that the purported conversation had never taken place on the date on which the petitioner claimed it did.

During a previous hearing, the petitioner’s counsel had submitted an audio cassette containing an alleged conversation that Mr Harkirat Singh had with Mr Chahal wherein the latter had asked him to withdraw the petition for which he would be compensated later.

Today, the Chief Minister’s counsel told the court that while the petitioner had contended that the conversation took place on September 1, the same could not be factually correct as a replication, about which there is mention in the conversation, was filed in the court only on September 23.

The petition is being heard afresh by Mr Justice S.K. Mittal after it was remanded back to the High Court by the Supreme Court on an appeal filed by the petitioner.

Today, Capt Amarinder Singh’s counsel also asserted that the petitioner had brought up on trumped up charges against his client at the bidding of Shiormani Akali Dal chief and former Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal against whom serious charges of corruption had been levelled during the poll campaign in the 2002 general election by the respondent.

Hearing will resume on September 27.

CRIME

SHO ‘manhandles’ father
Tribune News Service

Sangrur, September 13
Mr Baldev Singh, father of Mr Harmeek Singh, SHO, Moonak, police station, today alleged that Mr Harmeek and his wife manhandled him here when he demanded some money from the amount of Rs 1.92 lakh given to them by him about a month ago. He said he had also been beaten up. Mr Harmeek has, however, refuted the allegation.

Mr Baldev was admitted to the local Civil Hospital this morning. A doctor on duty had informed the police about his injuries.

As per the medical report, Mr Baldev had four blunt injuries. The police would not register a case against any one as Mr Baldev had not signed the statement. Only an entry would be made in the DDR.

Mr Harmeek said he was not present at his home when the alleged incident occurred.

EDUCATION

Students protest assault on leader
Our Correspondent

Barnala, September 13
Members of the Punjab Radical Students Union (PRSU) held a rally here yesterday to lodge their protest against the assault on the president of the state unit, Mr Sanjeev Mintoo, by Himmatpura transporters.

PRSU state secretary Sukhwinder Singh addressed the rally held at S.D.College Barnala.

Addressing the rallyists, state secretary Sukhwinder Singh alleged private transporters in connivance with the local police wanted to suspend the free bus pass facility for students.

Local unit president Navkiran alleged that Himmatpura Transport was owned by Mr Ajaib Singh who was a head munshi at the local police station.

Meanwhile, the Bharti Kisan Union (Sidhpur) has strongly condemned the assault on the PRSU leader. The Democratic Teachers Front and the Democratic Employees Front have also lent their support to the students and have demanded action against those responsible for the assault on Mintoo.

PTU introduces four courses
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 13
The 26th Academic Council meeting of the Punjab Technical University (PTU) held at the Chitkara Institute of Engineering and Technology, Rajpura, today decided to introduce four new courses with 440 new seats.

The new courses were B.Sc Biotech (240 seats), B.Sc . Media Entertainment and Film Technology (80 seats), B.Sc. Hotel Management and Catering Technology (200 seats) and M.Sc Medical Lab Technology (20 seats).

The meeting was attended by at least 90 directors and principals of various colleges affiliated to the PTU and was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. S. K. Salwan. Dr V.P. Sandlas, a distinguished scientist, was the guest of honour.

Dr Salwan congratulated deans and principals of various colleges on the applications received by the PTU for the different courses because of the placements that took place in the region last year. He felt that demand for MBA and MCA courses had also risen considerably.

The other points discussed were the amendment to the Academic Regulation 2001-2004, approval of affiliation of colleges for the session 2006-07, approval of the syllabi, fee structure and eligibility conditions of new courses and the proposal to set up a regional centre of the university at Khadoor Sahib.