20092023-CT-01.qxd 9/20/2023 12:11 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune SEC 18 MAN GETS TWO-YEAR JAIL FOR ATTACKING COPS PGI DIRECTOR VIVEK LAL VISITS SATELLITE CENTRE PCA TO START SHUTTLE SERVICE FOR SEPT 22 ODI Ajay Kumar awarded 2-year simple imprisonment for injuring policemen while they were on duty. P3 Prof Vivek Lal, PGI Director, visits the satellite centre at Una along with a team of engineers. P3 Association will start a mini-bus shuttle service to ferry spectators to the stadium for India-Oz tie. P3 » » 53 MOHALI 51 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE Panel rejects multi-level parking near Lake Club 56 PANCHKULA MAX 34°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 33.6°C | MIN 26.3°C SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:10 AM TWITTER/THETRIBUNECHD AIR QUALITY INDEX CHANDIGARH PARTLY CLOUDY SUNSET WEDNESDAY 6:22 PM » WEDNESDAY | 20 SEPTEMBER 2023 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD Member says project will hinder Sukhna’s view from Uttar Marg Dushyant Singh Pundir Tribune News Service INBRIEF LAPTOP, CASH STOLEN FROM SHOP Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit inspects the forensic investigation van at the UT Secretariat in Chandigarh on Tuesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: NITIN MITTAL Chandigarh: A theft has been reported at a shop in Sector 18. In a complaint to the police, Sanjeev Sharma said one laptop, DVR, hard disk and about Rs 12,000 were stolen from his shop between September 17 and 18. The police have registered a case at the Sector 19 police station and started investigation. TNS Tech boost for UT Police Dept’s forensic capabilities MAN ARRESTED WITH CHARAS Chandigarh, September 19 The UT police have bolstered their investigative capabilities with the introduction of a mobile forensic investigation van, designed to swiftly collect scientific evidence from crime scene. Besides, they have added an armoured vehicle, “Kavach”, for anti-terror operations within the city. New mobile jammer and water cannon vehicles have also been provided to the police. The newly inducted vehicles were flagged off by UT Administrator Banwarilal Purohit today. The mobile forensic van, acquired from the National Forensic Scientifics University in Gujarat, is equipped with a range of investigation tools, including a research microscope, laptop, printer, DSLR camera and various specialised kits for gunshot residue, narcotic and explosives, DNA collection, sexual assault, blood detection, Chandigarh: The police have arrested a man with 200 grams of charas. The suspect, identified as Dharminder (40), a resident of New Indira Colony (NIC), Mani Majra, was nabbed near the level crossing. A case has been registered under the NDPS Act at the IT Park police station. TNS ONE HELD FOR STEALING MOBILE Chandigarh: The police have arrested a man for stealing a mobile phone. Pinku Kumar, a resident of Mani Majra, reported that an unidentified person had stolen a mobile phone from his house on September 17. During investigation, the suspect, identified as Suraj, alias Langra, a resident of Shanti Nagar, was arrested. TNS Van equipped with gadgets to aid crime scene experts Tribune News Service NEWLY INDUCTED VEHICLES ■ Mobile forensic investigation van ■ Jammer for VIP security ■ “Kavach” to counter terror activities ■ Water cannon to deal with law and order situations latent fingerprints etc. This van will be used at the scenes fo heinous crime scenes and any other crimes carrying a minimum imprisonment of six years. The facility enables on-the-spot analysis of evidence such as voice, wound and bullet, greatly aiding in proving criminal cases during trial. The armoured vehicle acquired for the Operations Cell will enhance its ability to effectively respond to terror threats. The mobile jammer vehicle has been procured to secure VVIPs and the water cannon, with a 60-metre reach, to manage law and order during rallies and agitations. To support investigating officers in dealing with scientific evidence, appointment letters have been issued to 14 forensic consultants who specialise in various areas such as biological, ballistic, chemical, psychological and cyber investigation. These experts will guide and assist in the collection of scientific evidence from crime scenes, ensuring cases are investigated in a scientific and thorough manner. At present, three forensic scientific teams are active within the Chandigarh Police, covering crime scenes and gathering scientific evidence. Additionally, in a gesture of support, appointment letters for the post of constable have been given to five wards of deceased Chandigarh Police personnel. The day also marked the inauguration of the first batch of the Advanced Executive Course in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics by Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. Chandigarh, September 19 Keeping in view the aesthetic look of the area, the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee (CHCC) has turned down the proposal of the UT Administration to construct a multi-level parking in front of the Sukhna Lake. The proposal was placed before the committee during a meeting held here on September 14. During discussions, the SSP (Traffic) apprised the committee that there was a proposal to convert the existing parking lot in front of the Lake Club into a multi-level underground parking with two basements and the ground floor. The committee was informed that the parking, which is at present reserved for members of the Lake Club, could be converted into a public facility, where a fee would be charged, to ease the rush on weekends. Expressing concern, a member of the committee stated that the adjacent Lake Club building was so carefully planned by Le Corbusier at a lower level, so that the view of the lake from Uttar Marg was not hindered. After thorough discussions, it was decided that it would not be feasible to construct the ground floor of the parking and underground parking can be considered, if required, instead. For this, data analysis should be provided by the Municipal Corporation and the Traffic Police Department. After deliberations, the The parking lot in front of the Lake Club in Chandigarh. TRIBUNE PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR UNDERGROUND PARKING CAN BE CONSIDERED After thorough discussions, the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee decided that it would not be feasible to construct the ground floor of the parking and underground parking can be considered, if required, instead. For this, data analysis should be provided by the Municipal Corporation and the Traffic Police Department. committee advised that a proper proposal might be prepared in view of the demand for the underground parking and put up before the SubCommittee of the CHCC for consideration. To address the increasing traffic chaos around the Sukhna Lake caused by influx of visitors to the Rock Garden, the Bird Park and the lake, the Administration had recently decided to explore the option of intro- ADMN’S PLANS TO EASE TRAFFIC RUSH AT SUKHNA ■ The Administration recently decided to explore the option of introducing a shuttle bus service for Rock Garden, Bird Park and Sukhna Lake ■ UT is also planning to create additional parking facilities near the lake ■ Though the area witnesses heavy traffic on all weekdays, the problem aggravates during weekends ducing the shuttle bus service from the designated parking sites to these closely located tourist spots. An official said the Administration was also planning to create additional parking facilities near the lake to address the problem of traffic congestion. Though the area witnesses heavy traffic on all week days, the problem aggravates during weekends. Home Secretary Nitin Yadav had also instructed the department concerned to study the feasibility of introducing the shuttle bus service for the Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden and the Bird Park. With regard to the proposed cycle track along the Purv Marg, the UT Chief Engineer placed a proposal of cycle tracks meandering through the Mango Garden. The committee decided to refer this issue to the Sub-Committee of the CHCC for comments or recommendation, if any. Three proclaimed Work begins on Sector 40-D drainage CA caught taking ~50,000 in bribe offenders nabbed Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 19 Three proclaimed offenders (POs) have been arrested by the PO and Summon Staff of the UT police. A PO, Prashant Lodhi, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, has been arrested from Burail, Sector 45. He was booked in a case of the Excise Act in February 2019 and released on bail. During the trial, the accused didn’t appear before the court and was declared a PO in July this year. Another accused, Sher Khan, a resident of Burail, who was booked in a case of theft in September 2020, has also been arrested. The police said during trial, the accused failed to appear before the court, following The arrested POs. which he was declared a PO in August this year. The third accused, Ajay Pal, alias Chhangam, a resident of Mohali, was wanted in a theft case was registered at the Maloya police station in August 2019 for stealing a motorcycle. During trial, he failed to appear before the court, following which he was declared a PO. All accused were produced before the court that sent them to judicial custody. Chandigarh, September 19 The Municipal Corporation has started laying a storm water drainage system under the “Swachhata hi Sewa” campaign. The aim is to strengthen the drainage system in lowlying areas of the city. Mayor Anup Gupta today laid the foundation stone for the storm water pipeline along the Vikas Marg from Sector 40-D to N-Choe, near Beant Singh Memorial, Sector 42. Municipal Commissioner Anindita Mitra and local councillor Hardeep Singh were also present. The Mayor said, “During monsoon, rainwater gets accumulated near the forest Chandigarh Mayor Anup Gupta lays stone for the storm water drainage line from Sector 40-D to N-Choe on Tuesday. area of Sector 40-C, at the Aayushman Bharat Dispensary in the Badheri complex and at Sector 41-A that are situated in a low-lying area. During heavy rain, the existing line proves too small to handle rainwater flowing into it from Sectors 39, 40, 41 and 42. “The existing system is not capable of draining the huge quantity of rainwater. The area becomes like a pond during monsoon. The residents and general public of this area suffer from waterlogging. Sometimes, rainwater floods entrances to houses in the forest area of Sector 40-C and 41-A,” he added. The proposal to lay the drainage line with new machine-hole chambers was approved by the MC General House at an estimated cost of Rs 4.17 crore. The Mayor said the work would be completed within six months. Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 19 The CBI has arrested a Chartered Accountant (CA) for accepting Rs 50,000 in bribe. The CBI said it was alleged that the suspect, Vikas Aggarwal, an empanelled Chartered Accountant of Canara Bank, had informed the complainant, Suraj Sharma, that he was deputed by the zonal office of the bank for a stock audit. He allegedly demanded Rs 1.50 lakh in lieu of giving a favourable stock audit report to the complainant’s firm that deals in art work. The bribe was allegedly negotiated and the suspect agreed to take Rs 50,000. He asked the complainant to deposit the remaining Rs 1 lakh in his account. The CBI laid a trap and nabbed the accused while taking the bribe money yesterday. The CBI sleuths also conducted searches on his premises in Chandigarh. He was produced before the court today and sent to judicial custody. GMCH probes negligence during HIV+ve patient’s surgery Surgeon allegedly performed operation without waiting for ‘confirmation’ report through serology sample 12 gold biscuits seized at airport Tribune News Service Mohali, September 19 Acting on passengers’ profiling, the Customs staff of Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport intercepted two persons arriving from a DubaiChandigarh flight and recovered 12 gold biscuits weighing 1,400 gm worth Rs 83 lakh. Officials said the gold biscuits were being smuggled in a cigarette pack. The duo was arrested. On December 31 last year, Customs officials seized gold worth Rs 1.60 crore from a passenger arriving from Dubai. The Chandigarh, September 19 The Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, has launched an investigation into a complaint of serious protocol violations during the surgical procedure of an HIV-positive patient. The complainant has alleged that an attending ENT surgeon did not inform the operation theatre (OT) staff about the patient’s condition, potentially endangering their health. The patient was admitted to the ENT ward on August 25 with an ear infection and a The gold biscuits seized from two passengers. officials recovered six rectangular pouches pasted inside the underwear of the passenger. — TNS painful swelling. Despite undergoing a course of antibiotics and other treatments, the patient’s condition did not improve. Consequently, on September 5, she underwent surgery. The standard procedure says all patients undergo a triple HIV screening using a commercially available kit before any surgical operation. In this case, the initial test yielded a faintly positive result. Subsequently, a serology sample was dispatched to the laboratory for confirmation. However, the issue at hand revolves around the surgeon’s c m y b STANDARD PROCEDURE The standard procedure says all patients undergo a triple HIV screening using a commercially available kit before any surgical operation. In this case, the initial test yielded a faintly positive result. Subsequently, a serology sample was dispatched to the laboratory for confirmation. actions. Rather than awaiting the serology report, which could have confirmed the patient’s HIV status, the surgeon allegedly proceeded with the surgery without informing the OT staff. This decision led to a lack of precautions during the procedure. Shockingly, the serology report was returned as positive only after the surgery had concluded, leaving the OT staff in a state of panic. Although the OT complex and surgical instruments were promptly sterilised, the linen used during the surgery had already been mixed with laundry from other operation theatres, potentially increasing the risk of contamination. This incident has raised concerns and allegations of gross negligence on the part of the surgeon. The actions taken during the surgery have potentially exposed the OT staff to the risk of HIV infection, leading to emotional distress among many of them. In response to this grave matter, the GMCH authorities have begun a thorough investigation into the complaint. The investigation is aimed at ascertaining the full scope of the protocol breach and any negligence involved in this incident. Depending on the findings, legal and ethical consequences will follow, said Dr Jasbinder Kaur, Director, GMCH.