C H A N D I G A R H   S T O R I E S



NEIGHBOURHOOD

114 structures to face demolition
Suman Bhatnagar

Ambala, December 23
The municipal corporation has issued demolition notices to the owners of 114 commercial structures located on the Old Delhi road in Ambala City for not getting their site plan approved before the construction.

A number of these structures are multi-storeyed.

One of the main roads of the city, where these constructions have been carried out, comes under the town planning (TP) scheme. No commercial constructions can be done on the land.

Sources said the area was earmarked for residential constructions, which was why neither the then municipal council nor the present municipal corporation approved the commercial site plan.

The commercial constructions were carried out on the road during the period of municipal council.

Even after the formation of municipal corporation two years ago, illegal construction continues on the road.

The then municipal council had sent a proposal to the director of local bodies to allow commercial construction on the road.

Mechanical engineer of the corporation Vijay Goel said the proposal was dismissed by the directorate.

Most of the residential buildings located on the road were converted into commercial ones without the approval of the municipal council. In MC’s record, commercial structures are still mentioned as residential buildings.

The corporation can earn crores of rupees by imposing commercial development charges at the rate of Rs 5,000/m on commercial constructions, but it seems that it is not keen on doing so since the land comes under the town planning scheme. 

Back

 

Shopkeepers manhandle taxation officials
Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, December 23
A group of excise and taxation officials from Fatehgarh Sahib had to run for their lives to avoid being manhandled by angry shopkeepers, who were protesting against their action of forcible collection of cheques on the pretext of penalty.

The shopkeepers closed their shops and staged a dharna on the GT Road against the alleged highhandedness of the tax officials. The shopkeepers chased the officials and the officials had to save their lives by taking shelter at a dhaba, where they were confronted by the union leaders of shopkeepers and the collected cheques were returned back to the shopkeepers.

Pankaj Goyal, chairman of the Shopkeepers Association, told that last evening, a group of taxation officials accompanied by the security officials created panic in the main bazaar as they started searching the shops of petty shopkeepers and threatened that there is variation between their stock in registers and in actual. They imposed hefty penalty on petty shopkeepers. Pankaj alleged that they also pressurised the shopkeepers to pay cheques of the penalty amount otherwise cases would be registered against them.

He said they collected cheques worth lakhs of rupees from the shopkeepers. In the meantime, apprehending penalties the other shopkeepers started gathering and called their union leaders and started raising slogans against the high handedness of the officials. It was then that the angry shopkeepers besieged the officials. Apprehending risk to their life, the officials ran away and the shopkeepers chased them. The officials entered into a dhabha and the angry shopkeepers closed their shops to stage a dharna on the GT Road and blocked the traffic. The union leaders also reached the dhaba and held negotiation with the taxation officials and their higher officials. Ultimately, the cheques collected forcibly were returned to shopkeepers, said Pankaj.

While talking to the media persons the taxation officials told that they had come for checking on the direction of the AETC, Fatehgarh Sahib, and collected the cheques on his direction.

When contacted the AETC, he said that the officials did not go to collect cheques but on a routine checking. He said there was variation in stock so they imposed the penalty. He said the shopkeepers, themselves, handed over the cheques. He said it is human psyche that when mob gathers, they start attacking, which is against the rules. He said that he has directed the ETO to call those shopkeepers to office and to sort out the matter. When asked why the junior officials without accompanying any higher officials searched the shops, he said better contact the ETO.

Back

 

Man gets 2-year jail term in kidnapping case
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 23
District and Sessions Judge SK Goel today awarded two years imprisonment to Kaimbwala resident for kidnapping a girl. The case dates back to June this year. More importantly, the trial of this case was completed in just two months and five days, one of the fastest trails of recent times.

The court has awarded imprisonment to Shankar, a 22-year-old resident of Kaimbwala village, under Section 363 (kidnapping) and 366 (kidnapping, abducting or inducing woman to compel her into marriage,) of the IPC. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 2,000 on the guilty.

On June 9, the UT police had registered an FIR against Shankar on the complaint of the girl’s father. The girl’s father had alleged that Shankar had induced his daughter to run away from her house on allurement of marriage to her. Thereafter on June 27, acting on secret information, the police arrested Shankar and the girl in front of ISBT at Delhi.

Though the police had registered an FIR under Sections 363, 366 and 376 (rape) of the IPC but as prosecution failed to establish rape therefore the court acquitted Shankar from rape charges and awarded punishment only under kidnapping charges.

Back

 

FCI employee gets jail term
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, December 23
A special CBI Judge has sentenced a Food Corporation of India employee to one-year rigorous imprisonment for misusing his official position here today. The guilty, Mahabir Parshad, a technical assistant at the FCI, Sirsa, had demanded a bribe of Rs 3,000 from a contractor.

He was also sentenced to a six-year imprisonment, along with a penalty of Rs 1,000, for demanding bribe.

CBI public prosecutor DS Chawla said the CBI on June 5, 2007, received a complaint from Puran Chand, a contractor, at Sirsa that Mahabir had been demanding Rs 3,000 from him for clearing his bills. A trap was laid by the CBI and Mahabir was nabbed red-handed next day, said Chawla. A case under Sections 13(2)r/w 13(I)D and 7 was registered against him.

Man commits suicide

Chandigarh: A 45-year old resident of Sector 35, Ravi Bhardwaj, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan at his residence. He was under depression. He is survived by wife and two children.

Back

 

Appoint nodal officer for Nari Niketan, HC orders UT admn
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 23
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today asked the UT administration to appoint a nodal officer for Nari Niketan.

The Bench headed by Justice Surya Kant has also made it clear that the officer should preferably be a woman for looking after the day-to-day needs of the daughter of the Nari Niketan rape victim.

The 19-year-old victim was raped when she was staying in Nari Niketan. She was shifted to Sector-47 based ‘Aasherya’. She was found pregnant on May 16 last year by the Aasherya authorities. The administration moved the High Court for the termination of her pregnancy on the medical grounds.

The High Court ordered to terminate the pregnancy, which later was overturned by the Supreme Court. Later, she delivered a baby girl. Both mother and daughter are presently living in Ashreya, a UT-run shelter home.

Back

 

SDO told to compensate complainant
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 23
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-I has directed SDO, sub-division office, electricity department, Sector 40-B, to pay Rs 5,000 as litigation charges to a resident of Maloya village near Chandigarh.

The forum comprising president PD Goel and members Rajinder Singh Gill and Madanjit Kaur Sahota also quashed the sundry charges raised in the bills from the month of October, 2010, to June, 2011, as the respondents failed to prove any evidence.

The complainant, Lakhmir Singh, submitted that in the month of September, 2010, the said tubewell did not work due to some defect and he installed a new tubewell about 60m away from the old one, and thereafter, requested the opposite party to transfer the connection on October 1, 2010, so that he could use the new tubewell. However, on October 7, he received a provisional assessment letter with regard to illegal demand of Rs 42,195 on account of theft of energy. The opposite party again sent bill dated November 9, 2010, in which the amount of Rs 42,602 was added as sundry charges. He received another bill dated December 10, 2010, for Rs 47,148.

The counsel for the opposite party averred that the electricity connection of the complainant was checked on September 30, 2010, and the complainant was found using “kundi connection”. Accordingly an amount of Rs 42,195 was charged on account of average for the period April 30, 2009, to September 30, 2010, at the rate of Rs 882 per unit, (per month) at domestic rate as the tubewell connection was being used for cattle shed as well as for service station. The complainant was advised to apply on proper A & A Form, along with proof of ownership, and also to pay the pending electricity bills for shifting the meter. However, he shifted the meter without any approval from the opposite party. It was further averred that the amount of Rs 49,187 was still outstanding, which the complainant had not paid.

The forum further observed that the report given by the checking officer had not been supported by any affidavit. “The report loses its evidential value and is not sufficient to prove that the complainant committed any theft.”

Back

 

Show-cause notice to former judge
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, December 23
Taking suo motu notice of the news report published in these columns on Friday, the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana has issued a show-cause notice to Dr Mewa Singh, an advocate practising in the Panchkula court here.

Dr Mewa Singh, a former judge, practising in the local court, had been using the nameplate of a “judge” on a car being used by him to visit the court. He was placed under suspension on September 12, 2007, when he was posted as the Chief Judicial Magistrate at Narnaul and later he retired in public interest in January this year.

The notice issued to the advocate stated that it was a violation of the Rule 36 of Bar Council of India Rules. Why the proceedings of professional misconduct be not initiated against him, asked the notice while directing him to be present before the chairman of bar council on January 3, 2011, for his comments. Failing this, his right of practice would remain suspended till further orders, said the notice.

Back

 

Non-signatory can’t be made accused: HC
Saurabh Malik/TNS

Chandigarh, December 23
In a significant judgment, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear that a bounced cheque complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act is not maintainable against a person, “who has neither issued the cheque nor the same has been issued from his account.”

Taking up a petition filed by Navjot Kaur against INSCOL, Justice Alok Singh of the High Court asserted: “The short question involved in the present case is as to whether a person, who is neither a signatory of the cheque, nor has issued cheque, can be made accused in a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act?.

“No complaint under Section 138 is maintainable against the person who has neither issued the cheque nor the same was issued from her account.”

INSCOL had earlier filed a complaint against Avtar Singh and his daughter Navjot Kaur. The complainant alleged that Navjot Kaur had secured admission to foreign nursing course; and her father issued an account payee cheque dated September 16, 2007, for Rs 1,25,000.

On the presentation, the cheque was dishonoured due to insufficient funds, after which a complaint was filed before a Magistrate on November 27, 2007.

After hearing the arguments and going through the documents, Justice Alok Singh ruled: “From the perusal of Section 138, I have no hesitation to hold that complaint under Section 138 can only be filed against the person, who has drawn the cheque on an account maintained by him with the banker for payment of any amount of money. 

Back

 

Thieves shoot at policeman
Our Correspondent

The injured constable
The injured constable

Mohali, December 23
A cop sustained bullet injuries after two thieves fired at him. The accused had come to rob a house in Phase I here last night. The injured policeman, Pawan Kumar, who received a bullet injury in his right arm, was admitted to the PGI, Chandigarh.

SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the name of the constable would be recommended for a gallantry award and promotion. The names of other police personnel in the team would also be recommended for commendation certificates. He also appreciated the role of residents of that area who helped the police in nabbing the accused.

As per reports, the thieves struck at house number 467. As soon as the two entered the premises, they were spotted by two youths, who were staying in a rented accommodation in the adjoining building.

The two youths, Robin and Gagan, had come back home around 1.30 am after work. After parking their motorcycle when they were entering their house, they noticed some movements in the locked building.

On seeing the thieves, they informed their landlord about it, who in turn approached the police control room.

The police reached the spot. On seeing the police, one of the accused fired at Pawan Kumar. The thieves tried to run away from the spot, but the injured policeman chased the two and managed to nab one of them. The other suspect managed to escape but was arrested later.

The accused have been identified as Rajesh Tiwari hailing from Lehria Saran village falling in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh and Pankaj from Bihar. A case under Sections 307 and 459 of the IPC and Sections 25-54-59 of the Arms Act has been registered. 

Back

 

Man killed in mishap
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, December 23
In a fatal accident, an unidentified motorcyclist was killed near Ramgarh here today. The deceased apparently was hit by an unknown vehicle, said the police.

It was around 8 pm, when the police got information about the accident and the victim was shifted to the hospital, where he was declared brought dead, added the police.

The body has been kept in the mortuary for identification.

Back

 

St John’s gymnasts log victory
Tribune News Service

A gymnast performs during the ongoing 38th Chandigarh State Gymnastics Championship at Sports Complex in Sector 7, Chandigarh, on Friday.
A gymnast performs during the ongoing 38th Chandigarh State Gymnastics Championship at Sports Complex in Sector 7, Chandigarh, on Friday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Chandigarh, December 23
Martin of St John’s School, Sector 26, secured first with 10.50 points during the vaulting table event of ongoing 38th Chandigarh State Gymnastics Championship, being held here today.

In the boys’ (U-12) category, Karandeep of SGGS School, Sector 26, scored 10.20 points while Kamal Bhatt of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector, 10 got 10.10 points to finish second and third, respectively.

In the floor event, Karandeep scored 10.30 points while Varun of Stepping Stone scored 10 points and Sandeep of GGSS School, Sector 10, scored 9.20 points.

In the High Bar category, Kamal Bhatt (8 points), Karandeep (7.60 points) and Martin (6.20 points) while Pole Bars in event Karandeep (7.50 points), Shivam (6.10 points) and Virender (6 points) secured top positions.

Results:

Rings: Varun (7.50 points), Karandeep (7 points), Martin (6.50 points); P Hourse: Karandeep (7 points), Martin (6.40 points), Ankit Kumar (5.80 points); best gymnast: Karandeep (49.40 points), Kamal Bhatt (41 points), Martin (32.30 points); boys (U-14): vaulting table-Arun (12.50 points), Sandeep (11.20 points), Mohit (10 points); floor: Sandeep (9.50 points), Davinder (8.10 points), Akash (8 points); h bars: Arun (7.60 points), Akash (7.40 points), Sandeep (6.70 points); P Bars: Akash (7.10 points), Sandeep (6.50 points), Davinder (5.70 points); rings: Sandeep (7.00 points), Kulbir (5.60 points), Arun (4.70 points); P Hourse: Sandeep (7.10 points), Arun (6.30 points), Akash (5.40 points); best gymnast: Sandeep, Akash, Sandeep; artistic: boys (U-10): Dibeyanshu (6.90 points), Gurchandan (6 points), Lavin (5 points); floor: Gurchandan (7.20 points), Dibeyanshu (7 points), Himanshu (6.20 points), Dev (6.20 points).

Back

 

City trounce Vidarbain in kabaddi
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 23
The kabaddi team of Chandigarh routed Vidarbain in the first match of 23rd Senior National Circle Kabaddi Championship for Boys and Girls being held here.

The hosts defeated Vidarbain by 47- 22 points. For the winning side, Manish and Anil scored 10 and 8 points, respectively while catchers Sampuran and Jatinder scored 8 and 6 points for the team.

For the visitors, Vikas, Sagar, Ruhat and Karan were the point getters. Maharashtra won the second match after defeating Madhya Pradesh by 23-22 points.

For Maharastra, Dalip(six points) and Kunal(three points), Swanit (seven points) and Dynu (three points) were the main scorers.

Results

J&K bt Jharkhand by 44-25 points; Jammu: Viky 12 points, Harjeet 7 points, Gurjeet 10 points, Babu 8 points; Jhakhand: Ravider 8 points , Pyious 7points , Laken 6 points , Mantosh 4 points;

Delhi bt Gujrat by 28-24 points; Delhi: Sanjeet 6 points, Yogesh 6 points, Satveer 4 points, Somveer 5 points , Deepak 5 points; Gujrat: Parvinder 5 points ,Satver 3 points , Gangan Rinku 6 points; Himachal Pradesh bt Maharashtra by 25-15; Himachal: Rinku 6 points , Parveen 4 points, Pardeep 6 points , Anil 4 points; Maharastra :Ravinder 3 points, Govinder 3 points, Dhanyeswr 4 points; Rajisthan bt UP by 26-15; Rajisthan: Joginder 6 points , Vinod 3 points, Anil 6 points , Rakesh 4 points; UP :Subash 5 points and Sachan 4 points.

Women: HP bt Maharastra by 33-13 points; HP: Sapna 8 points, Satbir 6 points, Shiwani 9 points and Madhu 6 points; Maharashtra: Nisha 5 points, Laxmi 4 points, Seema 5 points; Madhya Pradesh bt Chattisgarh by 18-11 points; Madhya Pradesh: Rukshad 6 points, Savita 2 points, Priyanka 4 points, Pooja 2 points; Chattishgarh :Rubby 3 points , Ashrati 2 points, Ekta 3 points. 

Back

 

Sohal hits century
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 23
The Punjab’s batsman Sachin Sohal scored an unbeaten ton against Baroda during the second day’s play of Cooch Behar League match, being held at the PCA Stadium, Mohali.

Resuming from their overnight score, the host team scored 306 for 4 in 96 overs at the close of day’s play and took 98 runs lead against Baroda.

Earlier, opener Manan Vohra and Ankit put on a 104-run partnership before, Manan Vohra (68) was run out.

Thereafter, Sachin Sohal joined Ankit and scored 67 runs for the second wicket before Ankit gave away his wicket to Shabir Shekh for 64 off 151. Later the fifth wicket stand between Sachin Sohal (102 off 192) and Navneet Singh (53 off 95) helped the team to surpass Baroda’s total. For the visiting team, Smit Ghosh, Kakarde and Shabbir Shekh took one wicket each.

Brief scores:

Baroda: 208 all out in 81.4 overs.

Punjab (1st innings): 306 for 4 in 96 overs (Manan Vohra 68 , Ankit Pursharthy 64, Sachin Sohal not out 102 and Nnavneet Singh 53, Shabir shekh 86 for 1, Smit Ghosh 56 for 1, K R Kakarde 53 for 1).

Back

 

Khalsa College thrash GN College
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 23
The handball team of Khalsa College, Garhdiwala, defeated GN College, Narangwal, to win the Panjab University Inter-College Volleyball (B-Division) for Men, held here today.

The Khalsa College, Garhdiwala, outfits defeated GN College by 3-2 (25-19, 25-14, 25-27, 13-25, 15-12).

In another wonderful match, the Government College, Karamsar (Ludhiana), finished third in the Inter-College Volleyball tournament.

Back

 

Simratbir, Asmi, Kuljit win laurels
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 23
The junior wing of Millennium School, continue to win top honours in the ongoing Inter-House Athletics Meet being held at Sports Complex, Sector 7, here today. The third day events included 200 mt, 800 mt and 400 mt races and finals of high jump and long jump. In the discus throw event of boys (U-14) category, Deepal of Prithvi house won top position while in Sumedha secured first place in the girls’ (U-14) category.

Winners of today’s event:

Simratbir (Prithvi house), Asmi (Akash house), Kuljit (Agni house), Aaryan (Prithvi house), Siya (Prithvi house), Amved (Prithvi house), Japleen (Jal house), Anum (Agni house), Maneet (Jal house), Zaheen (Aakash house), Vishesh (Akash house), Alisha (Prithvi house), Gurjot (Jal house), Mahima Gupta (Aakash house), Manpreet (Agni house), Manveer Singh (Jal house), Priyanshu (Aakash house), Desbir (Agni house), Mahima Gupta (Aakash house), Amandeep (Agni house), Harpreet Kaur(Jal house).

Back

 

DAV-10 begin campaign with win
Tribune News service

Chandigarh, December 23
Local lads of DAV College, Sector 10, thrashed AD College, Daharmkot, by 29-13 in the first league match of the PU Inter-College Handball Tournament for Men (A-Division), held here today.

In another match, the GN College, Narangwal defeated GN College, Killianwali by 27-12 while in their second match DAV College overcame RSD College, Ferozepur, by 28-10. 

Back

 


HOME PAGE | Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Opinions |
| Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi |
| Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail |