08012023-TTC-01.qxd 1/8/2023 12:49 AM Page 1 123 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 143 NO. 8 | 20 PAGES | ~7.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2021-2023 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 INFILTRATORS MARRYING TRIBAL GIRLS TO GRAB LAND: SHAH NATION /thetribunechd 18 DETAINED AS SEARCH OPs CONTINUE IN RAJOURI J&K THEATRE FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE SPECTRUM INDIA BEAT SL BY 91 RUNS IN THIRD T20I, CLINCH SERIES 2-1 SPORT sunday | 8 january 2023 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com In touch with India to end Ukraine war, impose costs on Russia: US Tribune News Service Pant undergoes knee surgery New Delhi, January 7 Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who miraculously escaped a horrific car accident last week, has successfully undergone a knee surgery at a Mumbai hospital, according to BCCI sources. “Pant has successfully undergone a knee ligament surgery. He will be under observation. The further course of action and rehabilitation will be advised by Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala and followed by the BCCI sports science and medicine team,” a BCCI source said. The surgery took place at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri West under the supervision of Dr Pardiwala, head of the Centre for Sports Medicine, and Director of Arthroscopy and Shoulder Service. Pant was taken to Mumbai by an air ambulance from Dehradun since he was not in a position to fly by a commercial airline. The 25-year-old, who was driving from Delhi to Roorkee to surprise his family members in the early hours of December 30, suffered multiple injuries after his speeding car hit the divider and caught fire. — PTI New Delhi, January 7 India can be among the countries that can have a role in diplomacy to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict even though New Delhi and Washington may not see eye to eye on policy issues, State Department spokesman Ned Price said. “We do believe that countries like India, countries that have a relationship with Russia and with Ukraine, may be in a position to help bring about dialogue and diplomacy that could one day put an end to this war,” Price said on Friday at a briefing for foreign correspondents. Moscow also viewed the observations approvingly with its state media prominently running Price’s comments. Turkey has for long been trying to become a selfappointed mediator, but such a development is unpalatable Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 7 The Chandigarh Police have slapped fresh charges against former Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sandeep Singh, who was booked for allegedly sexually harassing a junior athletics coach. The police have included Section 509 of the IPC in the FIR, which deals with “word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman”. Earlier, a case under Sections 354, 354-A, 354-B, 342 and 506 of the IPC was registered against the former Indian hockey team captain at the Sector 26 police station. Sources in the police said the clothes that the alleged ❝ We do believe that countries like India may be in a position to help bring about dialogue and diplomacy that could one day put an end to this war. Ned Price, STATE DEPT SPOKESMAN MOSCOW VIEWS OBSERVATIONS APPROVINGLY ■ Moscow viewed the observa- ■ It is unpalatable for both tions approvingly with its state media prominently running Price’s comments ■ Turkey has been trying to become a self-appointed mediator Moscow and New Delhi due to Ankara’s NATO ties ■ India is better positioned to act as a mediator to end the war as it is not a bloc member for both Moscow and New Delhi due to Ankara’s NATO ties as well as involvement with Azerbaijan and Pakistan. Speaking of the possible diplomatic role for India in helping end the Ukraine war, Price did not see it as a near- term possibility. “I put this in the conditional because there is one country that, of course, has demonstrated no willingness to put an end to this war, to end the brutal aggression, and that, of course, is Russia,” he said. Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 7 Punjab Horticulture Minister Fauja Singh Sarari today resigned as the AAP government reshuffled the portfolios of five ministers, with one new addition. Sarari’s ouster was imminent as he failed to reply to a show-cause notice issued to him after an audio clip in which he was purportedly heard discussing a plan to extort money from transporters went viral a few months ago. The Opposition parties had been seeking his ouster since then. Sarari becomes the second minister in the Bhagwant Mann-led Cabinet to be dropped on alleged corruption charges after Vijay Singla. Sarari’s ouster paved the way for the induction of Dr Balbir Singh, Patiala Rural MLA, into the Cabinet. He has been given the portfolio of Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education and Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 7 Shankar Mishra, the man accused of urinating on a woman co-passenger in the business class of Air India’s New York-Delhi flight on November 26 last year in an inebriated condition, was arrested from Bengaluru on Saturday and remanded by a Delhi court in 14-day judicial custody. The arrest came as Campbell Wilson, Air India CEO, apologised for the incident, saying that four cabin crew and a pilot had been de-ros- SEXUAL HARASSMENT SEC 509 INCLUDED ■ The police have added Section 509 of the IPC to the FIR, which deals with ‘word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman’ ■ Earlier, a case under Sections 354, 354-A, 354-B, 342 and 506 of the IPC was registered against the former Indian hockey team captain victim wore on the day of the incident had also been seized. The special investigation team (SIT) is also looking into the allegation of rape attempt levelled by the coach. The SIT had also asked an office-bearer of the Haryana State continued on page 6 ACCUSED MISHRA HELD, IN JUDICIAL REMAND VICTIM WAITED 2 HOURS FOR ANOTHER SEAT The Delhi Police arrested Shankar Mishra from Bengaluru after tracing his whereabouts using technical surveillance The traumatised flyer had to wait for close to two hours before being allotted another seat, a co-flyer said in his complaint, alleging the woman was made to return to her soiled seat despite four seats in the First Class being vacant AI TO REVIEW POLICY ON SERVING ALCOHOL In view of an inebriated flyer urinating on a co-passenger, Air India is learnt to be reviewing its policy on serving alcohol on flights tered. “There is no ground for police custody. Just because there is public pressure, don’t do this... go by the law. << Accused Shankar Mishra being taken away by the police from the DCP office at IGI Airport in Delhi. PTI Everything is known already. No one else is to be arrested,” Metropolitan Magistrate Anamika said when the Delhi Police sought three-day police custody saying the accused was required to be identified by Air India staff and statements of other witnesses were to be recorded. The Delhi Police arrested Mishra after tracing his Jupinderjit Singh Tribune News Service ORANGE ALERT in the next two days ■ With mercury falling to 2.2°C, Delhi on Saturday woke up to coldest morning of the season ■ Dense to very dense fog over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi on Sunday & Monday Yatra not meant to project Rahul as PM face: Jairam Parveen Arora Punjab Governor administers oath to Dr Balbir Singh at Raj Bhavan. AUDIO CLIP ROW ■ Sarari courted controversy in Sept last year over a viral audio clip ■ Was purportedly heard planning to extort money from transporters ■ Though he rejected charge, CM Mann was insistent on his ouster Research and Elections. Dr Balbir Singh was administered the oath of office by Governor Banwarilal Purohit at a simple ceremony held in the continued on page 6 Chandigarh, January 7 Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma has cautioned Indian students to make proper checks before joining private universities in Canada. In an exclusive interview with The Tribune, Verma said though 99 per cent of the Canadian institutions were genuine and offered world-class education, about 10 private institutes had whereabouts using technical surveillance. An FIR was lodged against him on January 4 on a complaint given by the woman, a senior citizen, to Air India. Mishra, who was working with US multinational firm Wells Fargo in India, was sacked on Friday. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Airport) Ravi Kumar Singh said, “Accused Shankar Mishra has been brought to Delhi and further investigation into the case is in progress.” Mishra was living in his sister’s house in Bengaluru’s Sanjay Nagar continued on page 6 Tribune News Service Madhuban (Karnal), January7 Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Saturday said the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ had been organised not to project Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but to counter the politics of “hate, fear and division” in the country. “It is an ideological yatra and Rahul is its main face, but it is not an individual’s yatra. It is meant to highlight three key issues concerning the nation — economic disparity, social polarisation and political dictatorship — and to fight the ideology of the BJP and the RSS,” Ramesh said, while interacting with the media near here. He was accompanied by state party in-charge Shaktisinh Gohil, state president Udai Bhan and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The Congress leader said, “The yatra is not aimed at elections, but has a bigger motive to combat the politics of hate and fear. It is meant to strengthen the Congress and its ideology.” The former minister accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of playing “divisive politics” and said they had promised maximum continued on page 6 Victim Anjali’s friend was held for drug smuggling in 2020, currently out on bail Karam Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 7 Delhi car horror victim Anjali Singh’s friend Nidhi, an eyewitness who was riding pillion when the 20-year-old’s two-wheeler was hit by a car in Sultanpuri on January 1 and dragged to death under its wheels for 12 km, is learnt to have been arrested in a drug smuggling case in 2020. Nidhi was arrested at the Agra railway station on December 6, 2020, for allegedly bringing cannabis by train from Telangana. She was booked under the NDPS Act and is currently out on bail. She is then learnt to have told the police that she was allegedly smuggling the ACCUSED DEEPAK MAY HAVE ROLE IN BOTH CASES ■ Nidhi was arrested in Agra for An FSL team inspects the Baleno car involved in the incident. FILE drugs for Deepak, who was based in Delhi. Incidentally, one of the seven persons arrested in the Anjali case too is named Deepak, though the police are yet to confirm whether he was the same person for whom Nidhi allegedly allegedly bringing cannabis by train from Telangana ■ She then told the police that she allegedly smuggled the drugs for one Deepak ■ One of the seven persons arrested in the Anjali case too is named Deepak ■ The police, however, are yet to confirm whether he’s the same person smuggled cannabis. Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal also asked the police to come clean on the issue. “The Delhi Police should clarify whether there was any connection between Nidhi and the accused before Anjali’s death. They should also clarify whether accused Deepak in the Anjali case and Deepak in the Nidhi drug smuggling case is the same person?” she said. Maliwal expressed her dissatisfaction over the probe being conducted by the Delhi Police and reiterated her demand for handing it over to the CBI. Citing her call records, the Delhi Police had earlier claimed that Nidhi had no connection with the accused arrested in the Anjali case. Seven persons arrested in the case are Deepak Khanna, Amit Khanna, Krishan, Mithun, Manoj Mittal, Ashutosh and Ankush. The last accused was granted bail today. Verify Canadian varsities, Indian envoy warns students ■ Biting cold, no relief expected Sarari resigns Air India CEO apologises, says pilot, crew de-rostered More trouble for Sandeep, UT cops slap fresh charges Amit Sharma DIALOGUE AND DIPLOMACY “Even in the context of recent discussions, we took note of the Kremlin’s statement that it is willing to engage in dialogue but only if the new territorial realities are recognised. That is as clear a sign as any that Moscow has no genuine appetite to engage in dialogue and diplomacy that will lead to just and durable peace,” he said. “We have been in regular, close contact with India regarding what we can do to hold Russia accountable and to impose additional costs on Russia for its war. We may not always share precisely the same policy approaches, but we both share a commitment to upholding a rules-based international order that respects territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he said while downplaying differences between the two countries. continued on page 6 Dr Balbir is Punjab’s new Health Minister fleeced several students with false claims. “Several visas (sought on the basis of these institutes) were rejected, causing hardships to students and their families. I have more concern about India where falsified information is being spread by unscrupulous agents and recruiters sitting in India itself. The most disturbing aspect is that students are taking decisions based on factually incorrect information provided by these unscrupulous UNSCRUPULOUS AGENTS have more ❝ IIndia whereconcern about falsified information is being spread by unscrupulous agents and recruiters. Sanjay Kumar Verma, INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER TO CANADA recruiting agents,” he said. Verma pointed out that students must follow a checklist provided online by Canada’s IRCC (Immigration, Refugees Citizenship Canada) before investing huge money in seeking a life in the foreign country. He said his office was also concerned about the use of Canadian soil by gangsters and pro-Khalistani elements. “This issue is of particular concern,” he said. Nearly 10 gangsters and drug smugglers, besides members of radical organisations, are stated to be operating from Canada and causing violence in Punjab. Today’s issue is of 20 pages, including six-page additional pullout (Spectrum). The High Commissioner said his office was constantly working towards facilitating more talks between the Indian and Canadian authorities on such issues as part of measures to build trust. “It is imperative for India and Canada to keep talking on such sensitive matters at the political and diplomatic level so that positive results emerge and speedy action can be taken against the anti-national elements,” he said. MORE INSIDE CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu arrives in Shimla from Delhi on Saturday. Himachal Cabinet expansion today, up to 7 to be inducted Subhash Rajta Tribune News Service Shimla, January 7 After much dillydallying, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet expansion would take place tomorrow, nearly a month after Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and his deputy Mukesh Agnihotri were sworn in on December 11. Till late in the evening, there was no official word on how many ministers would be administered the oath at Raj Bhavan in the morning, though sources said five to seven MLAs could be included in the Cabinet. Among the Gave list of 10 to high command: Sukhu FRONTRUNNERS Dhani Ram Shandil | Jagat Singh Negi | Harshwardhan Chauhan | Chander Kumar | Rohit Thakur | Sudhir Sharma | Vikramaditya Singh | Rajesh Dharmani | Sunder Singh Thakur frontrunners are Dhani Ram Shandil (Solan district), Jagat Singh Negi (Kinnaur), Harshwardhan Chauhan continued on page 6 IN BRIEF Harvard ‘Award for Global Leadership’ for CJI NEW DELHI: CJI DY Chandrachud will be conferred with the “Award for Global Leadership” by Harvard Law School Center for his lifetime service to legal profession in the country and around the world. TNS MHA bans People’s Anti-Fascist Front under UAPA NEW DELHI: The MHA on Friday declared the People’s Anti-Fascist Front and all its manifestations and front organisations as unlawful associations under provisions of the UAPA. INSIDE