Woman duped of jewellery
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 7 — A resident of Sector 40 has been reportedly duped by two women and their male accomplice of her jewellery on the pretext of solving her worldly problems, besides doubling her fortune.

According to police sources, Mrs Rajwanti Bajaj, lodged a compliant that she was approached by two women and their male companion and was made to believe that she was being haunted by spirits. They claimed to know how to tackle such matters and for a fee could solve her problems by reciting some mantras.

To entice her further, the accused said that they possessed the powers to double her money and ornaments. Falling in their trap, she handed over her jewellery (gold chain, bangles, rings, besides Rs 1,885 in cash) bundled in a cloth to them.

Following this, the man told her to close her eyes and recited some mantras. The bundle was handed over to her with instructions that she was open it only after having a bath. When she opened it later, to her shock, she discovered that the bundle was full of junk.

While the police is on the lookout for the tricksters, a case under Sections 420 and 120-B of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 39 police station.

Harassment alleged: Mrs Jaswant Kaur, a resident of Sector 38, has lodged a compliant with the police alleging that her in-laws were harassing her for dowry. The police has registered a case under Sections 406 and 498-A of the IPC.

Thief arrested: The police has arrested Sandeep Kumar, a resident of Sector 22, for stealing Rs 500 from Mr Jagjot Singh, a resident of SAS Nagar. The the money was recovered from the accused. A case under Sections 379 and 411 of the IPC has been registered at the Sector 36 police station.

Bootleggers caught: The police has arrested Kanhaya Lal and Ashok Kumar, living in a cluster of jhuggis near the lake, for possessing two cases of liquor. Also, Suresh Kumar, a resident of Bapu Dham Colony was arrested for possessing seven bottles of whisky. Separate cases under Section 61-1-14 of the Excise Act have been registered against them.

Two arrested: In separate incidents in the city, Prem Sagar and Surinder Kumar were arrested for roaming around under mysterious circumstances. Cases under Section 34-5-61 of the Police Act have been registered against them.

Bail-jumper nabbed: The police has also arrested Kamal Singh, a resident of Mani Majra, for jumping bail.

SAS NAGAR

Nurse robbed: Two unidentified scooter-borne youth today robbed a staff nurse of about Rs 35,000 while she was returning to the Phase V dispensary after withdrawing salary from a bank in the area.

According to the police, Ms Shashi Bala, the complainant, was about to approach the gate of the dispensary when two scooter-borne youth came to her and started inquiring about the way to the ITI. As soon as she stopped to answer their query, one of them snatched the bag containing Rs 34,587, the salary of herself and her colleagues and zoomed off on their scooter.

No arrest has been made so far by the police in this connection. A case under Section 356 of the IPC has been registered.

PANCHKULA

Unnatural act: A 28-year-old resident of Sector 25 has been arrested by the police for allegedly committing an unnatural act with a seven-year-old boy of Saketri village on Tuesday. According to the information available, the boy left his home on July 3 after an altercation with his parents.

The accused, Ashok Kumar, lured the boy near the Manav Kendra and took him to Sector 25, where he committed the act. He has been booked under Sections 377 and 506 of the IPC.

A medical examination of the two was conducted at the General Hospital. The accused has been sent to judicial custody.

Soulful numbers by ghazal singer
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 7 — Salim Iqbal, a Mumbai based ghazal singer enlivened the PGI Auditorium with the recital of a couple of soulful numbers in his sonorous voice at a ‘ghazal evening’, organised by the Association of Resident Doctors and SM Vision with the aim of raising funds for Kargil heroes.

Salim Iqbal, an exponent of ‘Amanat Khani Gharana’, set the mood of the audience with rendition of a Qalam of Jaffar Gorakhpuri, “Ishq Mein Kya Kya Mere Junoon Ki, Ki Na Burai Longon Ne, Kuchh Tumne Badnaam Kiya Kuchh Aag Lagai Logon Ne.” Later, he went on to shift the focus to a romantic realm by singing, “Hans Ke Bola Karo”.

There was a direct contrast to the ambience created by him earlier, when he suddenly plunged into spiritual arena along with a number of attentive listeners with ‘Mar Na Mullah Bol Bolrian’, a work of Sheikh Baba Farid. Then came another surprise in the shape of ‘Yaar Mangian See Rabba Taithon Roke, Kehree Main Khudai Mang Lai,” aptly depicting the pangs of separation of a lover from his beloved with a ‘velvet touch’ in his voice and with a full hold over ‘alaaps and taans’, and by using these in all of his presentations judiciously.

Earlier, Mr B.K. Sharma, the Director of the PGI, who inaugurated the ghazal evening, urged people to contribute their might by making maximum contribution towards the cause of those who have laid their lives by fighting the infiltrators in the Kargil sector. He appreciated the effort made by the association in this regard.

Hike in vegetable prices
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 7 — Barring a few, almost all commonly used vegetables have witnessed a considerable hike in their prices in the local market during the past two days.

During a survey today, it was found that a kg of cauliflower, priced at Rs 16 two days back, was available at Rs 20. The wholesale price of the same increased from Rs 60 to Rs 80 per 5 kg.

A kg of cabbage, priced at Rs 10 a kg two days back, could be purchased at Rs 14. Its wholesale price went up from Rs 40 to Rs 50 per 5 kg.

Carrot, a vegetable coming from Himachal Pradesh, became costly as its price increased from Rs 20 to Rs 32 a kg in the retail market and from Rs 75 to Rs 130 per 5 kg in the wholesale market.

The same was the case with cucumber as its retail price increased from Rs 12 to Rs 20 a kg and the wholesale price from Rs 50 to Rs 75 per 5 kg. The traders attributed the hike to the decreased arrival of vegetables from Himachal Pradesh and other parts of the region due to rains.

The price of beans too witnessed a considerable hike. A kg of the vegetable, priced at Rs 24 just two days ago, could be purchased at Rs 30. The wholesale price of the vegetable increased from Rs 100 to Rs 120 per 5 kg.

Capsicum also became dearer as a kg of it, priced at Rs 12 two days back, was available at Rs 20. In the wholesale market, the vegetable was selling at Rs 80 per 5 kg.

Lady's finger was also available at double price. A kg of the vegetable, priced at Rs 8 two days ago, could be purchased at Rs 16. Its wholesale price increased from Rs 32 to Rs 60 per 5 kg.

The price of garlic increased from Rs 40 to Rs 48 a kg in retail and Rs 175 to Rs 200 per 5 kg in the wholesale market.

There was no fluctuation in the prices of some of the vegetables. A kg of peas was still available at Rs 40 in retail and Rs 170 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. Similarly, a kg of lemon and tomato was priced at Rs 20 and Rs 10, respectively. Ginger was available at its old price of Rs 60 a kg in retail and Rs 250 per 5 kg in the wholesale market. Onion and potato were priced at Rs 10 and Rs 5 a kg, respectively.