P’kula admn lacks record of illegal guest houses in Morni

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, July 21

The Panchkula administration does not have any record of guest houses in Morni. A majority of these guest houses are illegal. Even Lovely Guest House, where a 21-year-old woman was allegedly gangraped, is also illegal.

Panchkula DCP Rajender Kumar Meena has instructed the policemen to compile a list of all guest houses in Morni.

Confirming the development, a police official said after compiling the report, they would check the record with the district administration and take action against illegal guest houses. Meanwhile, the police recovered empty beer and whisky bottles from Lovely Guest House.

Residents blame officials

Residents of the Morni area blamed the district administration, police and the Forest Department for not initiating action against illegal guest houses. Joginder Singh, a resident of Morni, said in the past they had lodged complaints against illegal guest houses in the area, but to no avail. Meanwhile, Panchkula DC Mukul Kumar said he would check it with the department concerned and act accordingly.

Biz of guest houses hit

Though the authorities have sealed Lovely Guest House, the business of other guest houses was also hit. A manager of a guest house in Morni said Lovely Guest House was given to an outsider, Sunny, on rent. “His activities were dubious. We had informed the owner of the guest house about it, but to no avail. Now, after the gang rape, our business has been hit,” he said.

Police seek custody of accused

• The Panchkula police on Saturday moved an application for obtaining production warrant of the two persons arrested in the Morni gang rape case.The Panchkula police also rounded up three more suspects. 
• DCP Rajender Kumar Meena said they were hopeful of getting their custody on Monday. 
• Sources revealed that the SIT constituted for the case will also check the CCTV footage of the hospital and the Sector 5 women police station, which were approached by the victim and her husband.

Rahul raises issue 

“The rape of a young woman in Haryana, by 40 men, has shocked & disgusted me. Ironically, today in Parliament, I had drawn attention to the issue of growing violence against women. As a nation, we must hang our heads in shame, for our inability to protect this daughter of India”.