Ludhiana, June 13, 2013: Finally, the Ludhiana police on Thursday registered a case under various sections of the IPC, including 376 (rape) against Punjabi singer Nachhatar Gill and his three accomplices.
Local police took about 120 days to register an FIR against the accused after a thorough inquiry.
The accused have been booked on the charges of rape, issuing threats and making obscene video of an aspiring model.
The accused are still to be arrested.
The Punjabi singer and his accomplices have been booked on the complaint of an aspiring model residing in a locality on Humbran Road here. She has alleged that the accused exploited her sexually on the pretext of giving her role in films and music videos. She has also alleged that the accused also exploited on the pretext of making her a top model.
It was way back in February this year when the alleged victim had appeared before the then Ludhiana Police Commissioner Ishwar Singh, complaining against the accused. She had alleged that she come in contact with Gill when she was adjudged first runners-up at a beauty pageant held at Jalandhar in the year 2006. The accused Punjabi singer was one of the judges in that contest.
 

With the discontinuation of the Dots and Dashes systems based on the codes in which letters and numbers are represented by strings of short and long signals, will be vanished from the history of communication of messages which has done a yeoman’s service – both in war and peace.

I still recollect when in 70s, when two telegrams were delivered by the postal authorities to one of the residents of our colony late night with contents as ‘Father serious, reach immediately’ and ‘Congratulations. Blessed with son’.  Earlier, the telegrams were used to be on the same format irrespective of the contents.  Later on, to differentiate between the joy and sorrow, the telegram of good news was changed to colourful paper. Both the above telegrams delivered on the same day show the sign of happiness and sad tidings.

Telegram which used to be the main source of quick and urgent communication, the service delivered much happy and sad news as well, to people spread all over the country. 

The telegram made the recipient anxious about its contents until he opened and read it. Nevertheless, a sense of urgency was always there. The Department of Telegraphs realised it and transmitted the text with a sense of urgency it deserved.

The BSNL deciding to discontinue the 160-year-old telegraph service from July 15, under orders of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs because its clientele was dwindling as the Smart phones, emails and SMS seem to have pushed the humble telegram service to a quiet corner with.

The service regulated by the Indian Telegraph Act will cease to exist but we can’t say it a sad day or its own sad demise despite the fact that Telegraph Department  had been bringing in all types of news, personal and public, good, bad or indifferent as we have to adopt the new system of communications with the passage of time.

Chandigarh, June 13, 2013: Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul today administered the oath of office to Justice Paramjeet Singh, Justice Naresh Kumar Sanghi and Justice Rameshwar Singh Malik as permanent judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court at Chandigarh.

The swearing-in-ceremony took place in Court Room No.1 of the Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court. The above Judges were earlier working as Additional Judges of Punjab & Haryana High Court.  After taking oath, they will now perform their duties as Permanent Judges of the Punjab & Haryana High Court.

Chief Justice also administered oath of office to Justice Bharat Bhushan Parsoon as Additional Judge of this Court. Dr. Bharat Bhushan Parsoon, who was earlier posted as District & Session Judge, Gurgaon was administered oath as Additional Judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court by the Chief Justice.  Now, the strength of the Judges in Punjab & Haryana High Court has risen 42.

Oath ceremony was attended by Hon’ble Sitting and Retired Judges, Sr. Advocates, Family Members of the Judges and other distinguished guests.

Jalandhar,June 14, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a charge sheet before the CJM Court, Ernakulam (Kerala) against M/S Greenwoods India Ltd., Kalathi Building, Hospital Road, Ernakulam, Kochi, represented by Somaraj Nair as Managing Director of the form and, Somaraj Nair, Anantha Narayana Bhat, K. N. Ramachandran, Biju George, Paul Anthony Adhav, Ajai Baburao Kad, Raja Chandrashankhara Khara and Kailash Ankushbhai Wadkar, eight accused persons and a Ernakulam (Kochi) based firm in a bank fraud case involving discounting of a forged Letter of Credit (LC) wherein the sister concern of SBI namely, State Bank of India Global Factors Ltd. (SBIGFL) was cheated to the tune of about Rs.4.91 crores.

Based on a complaint, a case was registered by the CBI on February 6, 2012 on the allegations of discounting of a forged LC submitted in the name of a Kochi (Kerala) based private company, represented by its two Partners wherein fake documents such as invoices, delivery charlatans and lorry receipts were submitted along with the forged LC by the accused persons. The eight accused conspired with each other to prepare/get prepared the fake/forged and false documents and submitted these documents as genuine ones and got discounted an amount of about Rs.4.65 crore into the bank account held in the name of firm. The proceeds of crime were later withdrawn by two partners of the said firm and shared among themselves and other accused persons.

During the investigation, an organised racket behind the forgery of the LC which extended from Kerala to different parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat was unearthed. The forged LC for Rs.4.91 crores(approx), purported to be issued by Union Bank of India, Narasanda Branch, Gujarat, was submitted to the Kochi Branch of SBIGFL along with fake & false supporting documents by the accused persons and got the LC discounted at Kochi. The amount discounted at SBI GFL, Kochi, was credited into the Bank account of the Kochi(Kerala) based private firm represented by its two partners in the Bank of Baroda, Ernakulam Branch.  

SBI Global Factors Limited (SBIGFL), a Public Sector company of Govt. of India, provides international factoring, domestic factoring and  also offers Letter of Credit Bill Discounting (LCBD) facility.The LC is discounted only after receipt of confirmation of the LC from the issuing Bank.

After investigation, CBI filed a chargesheet.

The public is reminded that the above findings are based on the investigation done by CBI and evidence collected by it.  Under the Indian Law, the accused are presumed to be innocent till their guilt is finally established after a fair trial.

Ferozepur, June 15, 2013: A Border Security Force Constable during duty hours posted at Lakha Singh Wala Tent Post in Mamdot Sector reportedly committed suicide by shooting himself dead with his service rifle on the tower.

The dead body of the jawan was sent to the civil hospital for post mortem.

The victim, identified as Gurlal Singh, was a resident of Mansa district in Punjab. He was posted as a Constable in the 137 Battalion of BSF, along the India-Pakistan Border.

Malkiat Singh Toor, Commandant BSF informed that Gurlal Singh resident of Mansa had joined the BSF during last year only and posted in Mamdot Sector.

However, the exact reason behind his death could not be ascertained but in a suicide note, recovered from his uniform, he claimed that nobody be held responsible for his death as he himself decided to end his life, claimed the officials.

According to police official, proceedings under section 174 have been initiated after taking into possession the rifle used for committing suicide.

Ludhiana, June 16, 2013: Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana Rahul Tewari,  shall be felicitated on the occasion of UN Public Service Day on June 23 at New Delhi. The UN Resident Coordinator is felicitating those District Magistrates of the country who have played a remarkable role in penetrating e-Governance in their districts.

The State Governments had been asked to send the names of such DCs of their states who did some remarkable work in the field of e-Governance and the Punjab Government has recommended the name of Rahul Tewari for this felicitation. The initiatives that Tewari has taken in district Ludhiana in the field of e-Governance are Online feeding and monitoring of mutations, Online payment of traffic challans and Online monitoring of government letters. He in collaboration with NIC has prepared an ambitious project of scanning and putting on web 76 lakh old documents for which a lot of common people keep applying to DC office for obtaining Nakals. This initiative is stranded at the level of Government for sanction of rupees 91 lakhs which is the project cost but Tewari is hopeful that it will see the light of the day. He is of the view that the benefit to the common people in comparison to the cost of the project, is very high, because people have to make umpteen rounds of offices and are fleeced by some gullible employees to get a copy of a record which is their own. By putting such old record on web this problem of the people shall end permanently as the project also envisages regular scanning and uploading the record that is continuously getting created.

It is worth mentioning that Rahul Tewari, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana was also selected by the Election Commission of India as one of the 13 best DCs in the country for leadership/innovations in Election Management.

He has earlier represented Government of Punjab at the national level for the best practises in the field of revenue administration. He was also nominated for the prestigious National Award for NAREGA. The UN felicitation as per him would encourage him further to do things which are people friendly and help the common man.

Ludhiana, June 16, 2013: Vinayakrao Deshpande, a senior functionary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has announced that the VHP would undertake a 19-day march from August 25 in Uttar Pradesh to press upon the government for the construction of a Ram mandir in Ayodhya.

Addressing a gathering at the week-long training camp from June 11-17 organised by Bajrang Dal, Punjab, here today, he added the “padyatra” would conclude in Ayodhya on September 13.

He added if the government failed to enact a law paving the way for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, the VHP would hold a huge congregation under the banner “Chalo Ayodhya” of sadhus and seers in Ayodhya on October 18. He also said people across the country would be awakened on the issue.

He alleged that the UP government was in a move to gain political mileage out of issue in view of coming elections to the Parliament.

On being contact, Bajrang Dal (Punjab), Ludhiana co-convener Karan Sharma told that around 175 youths (15 plus age) were participating in the training camp.

Participants were being imparted training in different segments, including religion and self defence, he said, adding the participants were also being told about various aspects of the nation.

Participants were trained in self defence by using air guns, he revealed.  Besides, participants were trained in using “lathis” for self protection. Participants were also imparted training in judo-karate.

Among others, Bajrang Dal (Punjab) convener Pt Naresh was also present.   

(WATCH A VIDEO CLIP OF THE TRAINING CAMP WITH THIS REPORT.)

See more related videos:

http://youtu.be/rhxhfCMhDCo

http://youtu.be/c1nEDYO_toI

Ludhiana, June 17, 2013: Mohd Hanif and Noorbano of Srinagar are extremely happy parents today. Their lovely angelic child – Baby Rakina – aged 2 years was suffering from a major heart defect (large hole in the heart) which was damaging her heart and lungs. Rakina was not growing according to their age and would get recurrent infections. She would land up in the emergency room of the hospital in J & K time and again.

The parents were told that Rakina needed an early heart surgery. However Mohd Hanif – a labourer was unable to collect the money required. He was then were referred to Dr Harinder Singh Bedi – Head of Cardiac Surgery at the CMC & H Ludhiana.

On investigation it was realised that only a major open heart surgery could save Rakina as her heart was close to its terminal condition. Dr Bedi who has had advanced training in the treatment of such cases at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in Australia said that if untreated the lungs of such children get damaged beyond repair. In co-ordination with the Director – Dr Abraham G Thomas and Dr Jugesh Chattwal Prof and Head Paediatrics – it was decided to perform the high risk case under the Gift of Life scheme funded by the CMC Alumni USA and the UMSF USA.

A major heart surgery was done wherein Rakina’s body was placed on a heart lung machine, the heart stopped and put on ice and the hole in the heart repaired. Dr Bedi said that there were some tense moments when the heart lung machine was stopped. However by Gods grace – Rakina’s heart recovered immediately. Dr Chattwal said that Rakina’s heart is now normal and she can now lead a normal healthy life. The other members of the team during the marathon surgery were Dr S Garg, Dr Melchi, Dr Allen, Dr Anish, Dr Aradhana, Dr Shipra and Dr Neethu . The delicate control of the heart lung machine was done by William and Jairus.

Dr Abraham G Thomas – Director of CMC said that the Institute is fully geared to take care of such children with heart defects. Dr Bedi told that it was only because of the strong backup of the CMC faculty and infrastructure that most of the heart defects could be safely treated in CMC.

Jalandhar, June 17, 2013: A motivational tour namely ‘Watan ki Sair’ for the elders of Lolab Valley (The Valley of Love and Beauty) Jammu & Kashmir was organised by Rashtriya Rifles under aegis of Headquarters 8 Sector Rashtriya Rifles.  
The tour comprised of 27 elders of Lolab valley J&K and visited Amritsar on Monday.
With national integration as the aim, the elders visited the ‘Golden Temple’ where they tasted ‘Langar’ in the platform shared by people from all religions and all parts of the country highlighting the secular mindset rich cultural diversity of the country. Subsequently they went to the famous Amritsar market to pick gifts for their dear ones back home and visited Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum followed by the famous Jallianwala Bagh.
In the evening they got a rare opportunity to visit the Wagha Border and were enthralled to see the famous ‘Retreat Ceremony’ conducted by the para-military forces of the two nations. There was a sense of pride evident in their eyes to see their forces performing the ceremony with immaculate perfection. There was an important lesson of the fruits of progress and globalisation and an impact on population which these elders would take back home with them. The ‘Watan Ki Sair’ was a part of OP Sadhbhavana and was flagged off on June 14 this year from Gujjarpatti, Sogam, district of Lolab Valley Jammu & Kashmir.
 

Chandigarh, June 17, 2013: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today directed the Punjab Chief Secretary to extend all help and support to the Uttrakhand Government in launching a massive operation to rescue the victims who had been stuck on the way to Sri Hemkund Sahib due to heavy rain causing road blockades at several places

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that the chief Minister also directed the state government to take immediate necessary measures to ensuring the safe home coming of the Sikh pilgrims. Thousands of pilgrims had been trapped as Sri Hemkund Sahib had been cut off from rest of the state due to bad weather followed by floods.

The spokesperson informed that the Chief Secretary Punjab Rakesh Singh and MLA Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema were in continues touch with Uttrakhand government. The Punjab government was providing all type of assistance to the Uttrakhand where rescue operation was going on at war footing, added the spokesperson.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, June 17, 2013:  The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed Charge Sheet in the Court of  Special Judge, CBI cases Guwahati (Assam) against then Senior Manager, Engg (C), Jorhat Airport, Assam U/s 7 and 13(2) r/w 13(i)(d) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 in a bribery case.

A case was registered on December 24, 2012 against Senior Manager, Engineering (Civil) AAI, Jorhat Airport, Jorhat regarding demand of bribe for Rs. 75,000 from the complainant  for clearing and passing his pending bills for the works executed by him in Jorhat Airport. Accordingly a trap was laid by the CBI and the accused was caught red handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 50,000 from the complainant. The accused was arrested on December 26, 2012 and released on bail on February 26, 2013.

After investigation, CBI filed a chargesheet.

The public is reminded that the above findings are based on the investigation done by CBI and evidence collected by it.  Under the Indian Law, the accused are presumed to be innocent till their guilt is finally established after a fair trial, the release said.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, June 17, 2013: The Special Judge for CBI cases, Hyderabad has convicted  M. S. Roy, then SDE (PR & Marketing), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.(BSNL), Warangal(Andhra Pradesh) U/s 7 of PC Act, for accepting a bribe of Rs.3,750 from the complainant for issuing SIM cards to him. The accused was sentenced to undergo five years Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs. 30,000.  Rs.10,000 will be given to complainant as victim compensation and also Rs.20,000 will go to state after completion of appeal time.  In this case, false defence witness has also been sentenced to undergo RI for a period of 3 months. 

In another case the Special Judge for CBI Cases, Nagpur has convicted  Bapurao P. Meshram, then Branch Manager, Dena Bank, Khaparkheda Branch, Distt. Nagpur and sentenced him to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs.3,000.

CBI sleuths registered a case against  Bapurao P. Meshram, Branch Manager, Dena Bank, Khaparkheda Branch, District Nagpur on the basis of a complaint alleging that he had demanded a bribe of Rs.3000/- for issuance of second installment cheque against the sanctioned loan amount of Rs. 80,000. After registration of the case, CBI laid a trap. Bapurao Meshram was caught red handed while demanding and accepting the bribe of Rs.3000 from the complainant. After investigation, CBI had filed the charge sheet on November 19, 2008.

About dozen's villages cut-off from India

Ferozepur, June 17, 2013:  A bridge over Sutlej river near Indo-Pak border Hussaniwala in village Hazara Singh Wala, connecting to the city, washed away due to heavy rains on Sunday resulting in cut off of about a dozen villages with India besides affecting hundreds of acres of land.

According to the sources, with the breaking of bridge, the people of villages Hazara Singh Wala, Gatti Rajo Ke, Jhuge Sheena Singh Wale, Navi Gatti Rajo Ke, Tendi Wala, Jalle Ke, Bhane Wala, Khunder Gatti, Chandi Wala, Kamale Wala, Bhakhra, Churi Wala and others were affected with heavy rains. Due to facing problem for their routine visits to the city, the new bridge under construction was inaugurated before its completion.

The people of border area said, whenever there is such a problem of cut off from the city, the major problem is to take the patient to the city for immediately treatment in case of any emergency.

On this occasion, Punjab Singh, a social activist demanded that the bridge under construction should be completed on priority. He further said, the people of border area living on the bank of Sutlej river, have to face a lot of problem in event of heavy rains or war like situation.

Due to heavy rains during the last two days, the recent sowing of paddy plants and vegetables, have badly affected.  Since the small farmers are dependent on the sale of vegetables in the nearby city, the government must compensate the small farmers on account of damage of their crops, he added.   

Jalandhar, June 18, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested an Inspector of Works (Construction) and an Assistant Divisional Mechanical Engineer, both of Northern Railway, Ambala Cantt. in two separate cases of bribery.
The CBI sleuths registered  a case under Prevention of Corruption Act alleging demand of bribe of Rs.16,000 later reduced to Rs.15,000 by IOW (Construction), working in the office of Executive Engineer, Northern Railway, Ambala Cantt, for releasing bank guarantee, securities and earnest money of the complainant. CBI laid a trap and the accused official was caught red handed while demanding and accepting bribe of Rs.15,000 from the complainant. Search was conducted at his premises which yielded a recovery of cash Rs.1.75 lakh and some incriminating documents.
The arrested accused was produced before the Designated Court and remanded to Judicial custody.
CBI arrests ADME Northern Railway Ambala Cantt
In another case, CBI has arrested  Bhipinder Singh an Assistant Divisional Mechanical Engineer (ADME), Northern Railway, Ambala Cantt. for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs.2,000 from the complainant.
A complaint was received from an Ambala based Contractor alleging, demand of bribe by ADME, Northern Railway, Ambala Cantt. in lieu of passing monthly bills pertaining to the works awarded to the complainant. The Railway official had told the complainant that as he is passing his bills every month, he should pay him bribe on monthly basis, failing which his bill payments would be stopped. CBI registered a case against ADME, Northern Railway, Ambala. Subsequently, a trap was laid and the accused was caught red handed while demanding and accepting bribe of Rs.2,000 as monthly installment. Searches are being conducted at the office and residential premises of accused.
Further investigation in both the cases are continuing.

Chandigarh, June 18, 2013: The Concept committee of historian has been set up to envisage the memorial of Baba Jeevan Singh (Bhai Jaita Ji) at Sri Anandpur Sahib to show case the holy services of Baba Ji.

This was disclosed by Jathedar Avtar Singh, President, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) while presiding over the meeting of the Sikh historians here. He was accompanied by Dr. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker, Punjab Legislative Assembly and Gulzar Singh Ranike, Cabinet Minister, Punjab.

He said that Dr. Jaspal Singh, VC, Punjabi University, Patiala has been appointed as the Chairman while Prof. Kirpal Singh Badunger, Former President, SGPC appointed as the Coordinator of the committee. He further said Dr. J.S. Grewal, Prof. Kirpal Singh, Prof. Indu Baga and Prof. Pirthipal Singh Kapoor, all historians, incorporated as members of the committee. Jathedar Avtar Singh said that this committee would visit several historic places to seek vital inputs to conceptualise prestigious memorial within month to show case the life, sacrifice, holy services and martyrdom of Baba Jeevan Singh Ji.

Dr. Jaspal Singh, VC, Punjabi University, Patiala, Prof. Indu Baga and Prof. Pirthipal Singh Kapoor (both historians) were present in the meeting.

Jalandhar, June 19, 2013: BJP national executive member Manoranjan Kalia, MLA, has urged upon the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to announce  natural disaster in Uttrakhand as national calamity.

In a statement here on Wednesday, he added the Centre should dispatch additional funds to deal with the situation and similarly announce Rs 5 lacks to the next kin of the deceased who lost their lives in the natural disaster.

He has also sought that the relief work be geared up and necessary medicines and team of specialised doctors be rushed to Uttrakhand. 

Chandigarh, June 19, 2013: The Punjab Government has hired a private Helicopter to airlift the pilgrims stuck at Sri Hemkund Sahib and its surrounding areas.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that on the directions of the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal the Punjab Government had also constituted a 4-member team of senior officers that has already left for Dehradun to monitor the entire ongoing rescue operation to ensure the safe return of the Sikh pilgrims who had been trapped at Sri Hemkund Sahib due to inclement weather followed by flash floods causing road blockades at several places. This team would further visit Joshimath and Sri Hemkund Sahib to minutely observe and coordinate the rescue operations.
Punjab Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh alongwith his officers is keeping constant liaison with the Uttrakhand administration to provide all types of help and support for this massive rescue operation at war footing.

Chandigarh, June 19, 2013: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Mr. Partap Singh Bajwa today talked to Uttrakhand Chief Minister Mr. Vijay Bahuguna over phone and inquired about the rescue operation being carried to evacuate standed pilgrims from Punjab and other states.

Mr.Bajwa requested Mr.Bahuguna to expedite the rescue operation and informed him that hundreds of Sikh pilgrims from Punjab were trapped in the hills. He said that Mr.Bahuguna has assured him that all possible steps were being taken to evacuate stranded pilgrims.

Mr.Bajwa prayed for the safety of stranded pilgrims and said that center government was extending full help to the Uttrakhand government. He assured the relatives of pilgrims from Punjab that all pilgrims are safe and efforts are being made to rescue them at an earliest.

Jalandhar, June 19, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case U/s 120-B r/w 420 of IPC and 13(1) (d) read with 13(2) of PC Act against, Udit RathI the CEO of a private Steel & Power company at Delhi; the private company & its Directors and others in connection with allocation of Kesla North coal block in State of Chhattisgarh.

It is alleged that the Delhi based private Steel & Power company misrepresented on account of stage of preparedness in terms of possession of land to get the coal block. It is also alleged that the company was favoured for allocation of coal block over other better placed applicants.

Searches are being conducted at 9 locations in Delhi, Ghaziabad and Sambalpur (Orissa) in connection with the case.     

 A preliminary enquiry to examine the irregularities in allocation of coal blocks during the period 2006-2009 was registered on reference of CVC in June, 2012. Earlier, CBI has registered 13 cases in the allocations so far.

            Further investigation is continuing.

Dharamsala, June 19, 2013: Except the Baspa hydropower project ,all the hydropower plants in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh remained shut for the fourth consecutive day today following a high silt level in the Sutlej river.

Official sources said that this has created  a power crisis in the northern states of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. The plants in Kinnaur district were shut down on Sunday as the silt level in the river shot up following incessant rains. And according to Vijay Verma, deputy general manager of Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd. (SJVNL),the generation may  not start for another couple of days. He said power generation cannot be resumed till the silt content comes down.

“The silt level in the river is still alarmingly higher than the permissible limit,” said Vijay Verma, deputy general manager of Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd. (SJVNL), the company that owns and operates the 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri power project. Jaypee Group’s 1,000 MW Karcham Wangtoo Hydroelectric Project has also been shut.

However, its other 300 MW Baspa hydropower project, located upstream of the Karcham Wangtoo project, resumed generation Tuesday.