IT Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH/MOGA: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe the Moga sex scam and extortion case. The bench observed that the probe couldn’t go further if the case stayed with Punjab police because names of influential individuals, including politicians, police officials, municipal councillors and others, came up during the probe conducted so far.

A division bench of justices Mehtab Singh Gill and Harbans Lal also directed the cancellation of interim bail granted to accused Raman Kumar suspended SHO of police station, city-I, Moga.

Source: The Times of India News Service

CHANDIGARH/MOGA: The Punjab and Haryana High Court while ordering probe in the presence of CBI counsel Rajan Gupta, asked suspended SHO Raman Kumar to surrender on December 12 before the SP/DSP special crime branch, CBI, Chandigarh.

“Raman Kumar seems to be the kingpin, who knows a lot about the scam and those involved,” the bench observed. While cancelling his bail, the bench said he had abused the concession of bail by not divulging anything truthfully to the investigating officer.

During investigation, names of at least eight police officials, politicians, advocates, municipal councillors and others cropped up, including Barjinder Singh the son of former minister and senior SAD leader Tota Singh, former Moga SSP Devinder Singh Garcha. The bench also observed that IO Bhupinder Singh will not be able to probe fairly and truthfully as senior officials and politicians were involved.

However, it made clear, “By this, we are not casting any doubts on the investigating team but it seems that administrative and political compulsions are making it difficult for the team to go any further to bring out the truth.” In fact, the team including DSP Bhupinder Singh, Moga SSP LK Yadav and Ferozepur range DIG Ishwar Chandra, have done a commendable job.”

In his affidavit dated November 20, 2007 accused Raman Kumar had stated that he was ready to divulge truth if interrogated by CBI, and going by this, the custodial interrogation of the accused is necessary, the bench observed.
(more…)

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab police discussed increasing road accidents in the state during the December crime meeting held on Tuesday. During the meeting, DGP NPS Aulakh directed strict enforcement of the use of seat belts and wearing of safety helmets as well as proper parking of vehicles on roads, keeping in mind the foggy conditions. He assured that he would take up the matter of simplifying speed limit circular with the chief secretary during the next meeting. It may be recalled that the Times of India had carried a story about the depilating traffic scenario in Punjab on Tuesday.

Stressing upon the need to take strict action against unscrupulous travel agents, DGP Aulakh said the campaign had lost some steam in the recent past, due to which the agents were still cheating gullible youth.

He directed field officers to not only book these agents but also ensure expeditious challans to get them convicted. He emphasised on the need to look into grievances of NRIs, who were facing problems regarding their land and other properties.

Source: The Times of India News Service

MOHALI: With rains making farms wet for wheat-growers in the state, the change in weather has brought smiles on the faces of farmers. The fall in temperature, both the experts and farmers believe, is good for the crop in the state. Adding to their joy, meteorological department predicts that the weather would continue to be like this for the next two days.

The minimum temperature in the region was in variants of 10 degree Celsius. This was enough indicator for good winter, and beginning of the ‘profitable’ Rabi season for the farmers of Mohali and of the entire Punjab. The Union government has already increased the MSP to Rs 1,000 from the last year’s figures of Rs 850. Unhappy with the prices given and discouraged with private players buying wheat from the market, farmers have been compelled to hold the crop. “It seems the weather would be good, and crop would be better and it puts in us the hope for the best possible market,” said Balbir Singh Rajewal, chief of BKU (Rajewal faction). “It is for sure a good beginning,” he added.

The experts at PAU, Ludhiana, are happy, but are keeping their fingers crossed before making any statements. Duleep Singh, head of agronomy department, PAU, told TOI that the weather is good but it has to continue like this for more than a fortnight to give a noticeable advantage to the yield. He said for this, the minimum temperature has to be between 12 and 15 degree. Ninety per cent of irrigation in Punjab is through canals and other water bodies, and there are very few areas in Kandi belt which are rain-fed. “The first blessings of the weather god are profitable; now we have to see that all other chapters also have good scripts,” he said. He is hopeful that if weather continues to be like this, there would be a bumper crop in Punjab.
(more…)

Photography expo tomorrow too

Chandigarh: The beauty of life, a fleeting moment of nature, an expressive face - all this and more captured in lens awaits you at a photo exhibition which was inaugurated by Chandigarh home secretary Krishan Mohan at Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10, today. The exhibition is on till December 13.

The exhibition features works of first photographer of the city Satya Pal Handa and has jointly been organised by the Rotary Club of Chandigarh as part of its golden jubilee celebrations. Rich splendour of photographs is sure to provide an awesome experience to the onlookers.

Capturing a wide range of human emotions and exhibiting the early years of the making of Chandigarh, the photos speak volumes of the art.

A photograph of Sector 17 taken in 1958, showcasing the life of labourers, evokes interest so does the photographs of Sectors 14 and 25 clicked in the 1960s which display labourers residing in huts. All in black and white, the varied moods of the snaps take you to a different era.

(more…)

Chandigarh: Riyaz, 27, who was on a scooter, was killed in an accident in Sector 18 here this evening. The victim worked in a shop. He was hit by an Esteem car (CH01-M- 0302).

The driver car has absconded. Riyaz was rushed to the Sector 16 hospital where he was declared ‘brought dead.’ A case of rash and negligent driving has been registered.

Source: TNS

Chandigarh: The MC today held a special meeting of the house to discuss the framing of a policy for providing basic amenities to colonies on a par with other sectors of the city.

Cutting across party lines, councillors discussed issues concerning colony residents. The MC has formulated a core committee to look into the points raised today and file a report within 15 days.

The MC has 11 colonies under its control. There were more issues bothering these colonies than just encroachments. There were people living there and their welfare needed to be kept in mind, former mayor Kamlesh said.

“When colony dwellers pay equal tax to the government and enjoy no subsidy on electricity and water bills, they deserve equal rights to basic facilities,” she stated.

“Please de-link the issue of encroachments from the basic problems being faced by the residents,” stated former mayor Anu Chatrath.
(more…)