25072024-CT-01.qxd 7/24/2024 11:42 PM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune POOR HYGIENE REASON BEHIND CHOLERA OUTBREAK SCHOOL KIDS USE BRIDGE MADE WITH FRAIL LADDER FRENCH MUSEUM ISSUES COINS IN HONOUR OF SRK Health Department officials said the hygiene was very poor in the densely populated Kumbhra area. P2 A 10-year-old boy had fallen into the seasonal rivulet at the same spot in Rajiv Colony a week ago. P2 The Grevin Museum in French capital has honoured Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan with a set of gold coins. P4 » » WHAT’S ON CHANDIGARH Meg Malhar Utsav by the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi: Folk singing performance by Dr Shailesh Shrivastva at the auditorium, Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10; 6:30 pm Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi’s annual art exhibition: Galleries of the Punjab Arts Council, Sector 16-B, on till July 30 from 11 am to 7 pm (Sunday open) APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 34, 56 and Ram Darbar Mohali: Sector 76 Panchkula: Sector 5 INBRIEF MAID BOOKED FOR STEALING CASH Chandigarh: A maid has been booked by the UT police for stealing Rs 45,000 from a house in Sector 29. The house owner reported that the money kept in an almirah was allegedly stolen by her maid, Tania (28), a resident of Ram Darbar. She came to know about the theft on July 21. A case has been registered. TNS BIKER RUN OVER BY SPEEDING TRUCK Fatehgarh Sahib: Balbir Singh of Charnarath Khurd village was killed when a speeding truck hit his bike near Harbans Pura village on Wednesday. He was rushed to the local Civil Hospital where the doctors declared him dead on arrival. The Sirhind police have registered a case against the truck driver. TNS TWITTER/THETRIBUNECHD Ministry junks shorter rail route for Mohali, Rajpura Bittu cites land acquisition hiccups, also blames farm union Shubhadeep Choudhury Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 24 After posing hurdles to major highway projects in Punjab, the land acquisition issue has also scuttled a much-awaited railway project in the state. Talking to The Tribune today, Ravneet Singh Bittu, Minister of State for Railways, said the Mohali-Rajpura rail link project had been dropped by the ministry due to difficulties in the acquisition of land. If the link had materialised, it would have been extended up to Chandigarh. Bittu said generous compensations being offered for acquisition of land were being turned down by landowners. If landowners agree to part with their land, then the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) will not let them,” said Bittu. The link, which was a longstanding demand of people of Punjab, would have shortened the distance between Mohali and Rajpura by 55 km compared to the present route between the two locations. The detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed Man electrocuted, contractor booked Tribune News Service Panchkula, July 24 The police have booked a contractor after a resident of Sector 21 was killed while carrying out an electricityrelated work. Pooja Devi, a resident of Sector 21, reported that her husband, Jitender Kumar, worked for contractor Pawan Kumar. He left for work at Sector 28 on July 22. Pawan told her over the phone that Jatinder was electrocuted at work. The woman alleged her husband was not provided any safety gear by the contractor at the workplace. The police have registered a case against Pawan under Section 106 (causing death by negligence) of the BNS. WOULD HAVE CUT DISTANCE BY 55 KM The link, which was a long-standing demand of people of Punjab, would have shortened the distance between Mohali and Rajpura by 55 km compared to the present route between the two locations. The detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed link was prepared in 2016-17 with a cost of ~312.53 crore. link was prepared in 2016-17 with a cost of Rs 312.53 crore. The ministry had asked the Punjab Government for its consent to cost-sharing and to providing the land free of cost. “The state government recently informed the ministry that it is unable to procure the land,” said Bittu. The decision by the Railways came close on the heels of the cancellation of three major highway projects in Punjab by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) due to persistent hurdles in land acquisition. The step also brought to light the challenges faced in the state regarding the execution of infrastructure projects. Underscoring the landowner’s refusal to part with land despite offering handsome compensations, Bittu said the issue at hand was a political one and had nothing to do with the market value of land in the area. Bittu criticised the SKM for forcing the blockade on the Shambhu border. He said as a result of the blockade, commuters had to take detours and spend more money on fuel. Bittu welcomed Rs 5,147 crore allocation in the Budget for railway network in Punjab. The fund allocated on account of the Railways for 2024-25 was 23 times the Rs 225 crore allocated to the state in the past railway budget passed by the UPA, said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw addressing a press conference earlier in the day. ESTATE OFFICE CASE Amit Sharma Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 24 An Estate Office employee, who has been arrested by the CBI in a graft case, had allegedly told the complainant that it was customary to pay 50 per cent of the dues, which are waived, in bribe. This was allegedly revealed in the transcripts of a purported conversation between the complainant and the employee, which is part of the CBI FIR. The CBI caught Raj Kamal, a Dealing Assistant at the Estate Office, Sector 17, on July 22 for allegedly accepting Rs 20,000 in bribe. He was accused of demanding graft from the complainant in lieu of partly waiving the dues pending against his booth in the Sector 46 market. The complainant had dues worth Rs 12.57 lakh and Raj Kamal is alleged to have claimed he could reduce the amount to Rs 4.75 lakh. During their purported conversation, the accused eventually lowered the bribe amount to Rs 1.40 lakht. The CBI, in its FIR, has stated that the conversation clearly established the gal. He had bought an illegal weapon from Kanpur when he came back on leave. The suspects took away vehicles by threatening passersby with illegal arms and used those with fake number plates.” On the night of July 21, the trio booked a taxi through Indrive App and took away the vehicle by spraying pepper on the driver’s face near Chappar Chiri. When the taxi driver resisted, one of them fired a shot before fleeing the spot. A case under Sections 303(2), 307, 308(3), 317(2), 341(2) and 3(5) of the BNS, and 25-5459 of the Arms Act was registered at the Sadar Kurali police station on July 23. FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE EXCERPTS OF THE CONVERSATION Complainant: 7.58 (referred to as ~7.58 lakh) mae matlab aap mota mota 4.50 ka discount dilwa rahe ho (this means approximately ~4.50 lakh discount) Suspect: Kaise 12.57 ke uppar hai...12.57 mae se aap ye ghatao...12,57,971 hai na apna (The discount will be on total dues of ~12.57 lakh) Complainant: Vo hi...vo hi kareeb kareeb... To issme apka kaise rahega (Yes, so how much would be your cut) Suspect: Dekho vo ese hae yaar as per rule agar chalte hai...vo lete hai 50 per cent ...Jo bhe matlab waive karte hai uska lete hai 50 per cent (50 per cent of the amount waived is charged) Complainant: Haan (Yes) Suspect: Baki aapke hisab se...apko kya theek lagta hai (What, according to you, is the right amount) Complainant: To aap bata do phir mereko mai baat kar leta hu (You tell me the amount and I will see to it) Suspect: Aap 1.40 (lakh) de dena baki aapko 3.60 ka fayda ho jayega ..or is se zyada kya ho sakta hai (Pay me ~1.40 lakh and the rest of ~3.60 after the work is done. Not more than this.) Complainant: 1.40 aur ye dene kab padenge apko (When do I have to pay ~1.40 lakh) Suspect: 60 per cent pehle baki baad mai dena (60 per cent upfront and the rest later on) accused’s alleged demand for Rs 1.40 lakh in lieu of reducing the dues. The booth in Sector 46 was allotted to the complainant’s father in 2002. The following year, his father passed away. After the death of his father, the complainant was unable to pay the full amount required for the allotment of the booth. The complainant received a notice from the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) regarding the dues, which he cleared. He was then informed about the dues to be paid to the Estate Office. The complainant met Raj Kamal, who handed him a handwritten slip which mentioned 12.50 lakh as the due amount. HC warns against misuse of quashing HC ORDER ON EMPLOYEES’ HOUSING SCHEME UT employees powers in serious offence cases Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 24 The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a word of caution regarding the misuse of its powers to quash criminal proceedings, particularly in cases involving serious offences. The court asserted it possessed the authority to intervene and quash proceedings in the interest of justice, but the power was required to be exercised with utmost caution. Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul asserted the primary objective was to uphold justice and protect societal interests. A meticulous and careful evaluation of each case was essential to ensure that the invoking of TWO PRIMARY CRITERIA Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul asserted it was essential to recognise that the Court's decision to quash proceedings when parties had settled their disputes was required to be based on two primary criteria -— whether quashing would serve the broader cause of justice and whether continuing proceedings would constitute an abuse of the judicial process. such exceptional powers was warranted. The court’s role was to balance individual rights with the broader implications for society, particularly in cases involving non-compoundable offences such as attempted murder. Justice Kaul asserted: “In cases where the offences are private in nature and the parties have amicably settled their disputes, the court should unhesitatingly quash the FIR based on the compromise reached between the parties. While the inherent powers of the court under Section 482 of the CrPC/Section 528 of the BNSS are undoubtedly wide, they are not without limits and must be exercised with great caution and circumspection.” Quashing the FIR required no hesitation in cases primarily involving private disputes and civil matters, such as commercial transactions or family conflicts where the parties resolved their issues. But certain offences were not required to be quashed due to their severe nature and societal impact merely because the parties had settled their disputes. Offences such as murder, rape, dacoity and ones involving mental depravity, under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and committed by public servants in their official capacity should be excluded, even if the parties had resolved their disputes, as these offences were crime against society at large, not just the individual victim. Tribune News Service Were involved in several incidents in Mohali area SUNRISE FRIDAY 5.38 AM Had demanded money in lieu of partly waiving shop dues Sandeep Rana Mohali, July 24 Three youths of Fazilka, including a serving Agniveer, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in several incidents of carjacking in Mohali area. One countrymade pistol, two rounds, one car with a fake number, two two-wheelers and two mobile phones have been recovered from them. The suspects, identified as Agniveer Ishmeet Singh, alias Ishu; Prabhpreet Singh, alias Prabh; and Balkaran Singh, all residents of Tahliwala Bandla, Fazilka, were residing in a PG accommodation in Balongi. Mohali SSP Sandeep Garg said, “Suspect Ishmeet Singh joined the Army as an Agniveer in 2022. He took one-month leave but did not rejoin the Army in West Ben- MAX 35°C | MIN 28°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 29°C 50% bribe cut customary, accused told complainant Agniveer among 3 MC likely to e-auction taxi stands held for carjacking Tribune News Service PARTLY CLOUDY SUNSET THURSDAY 7.21 PM » THURSDAY | 25 JULY 2024 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST Chandigarh, July 24 Having recovered Rs 4.21 crore worth of dues from 50 taxi stands in a few months, the local Municipal Corporation has now proposed to eauction all 61 taxi stands in the city. According to the civic body, of the 61 stands, the physical possession of three was already with the MC and the control of eight was taken by it on June 26 for non-payment of dues. The possession of the remaining 50 stands continue to be with occupiers/allottees, who have cleared their dues. An amount of Rs 4.21 crore has been recovered from these 50 taxi stands against the total dues of Rs 6 crore as on October 2023. The corporation has proposed that the taxi stands under its possession may be allotted for three years extendable up to five years, A taxi stand in Sector 29, Chandigarh. TRIBUNE PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI PROPOSED CHARGES ■ Area up to 1,500 sq ft: ~16, 105 per month (10 taxis allowed) through an e-auction. An e-auction for the taxi stands, which have cleared their dues, will be held after one year. The corporation had cancelled the allotment of a few stands for non-payment of dues last year. It had to halt the auction, as the allottees moved c m y b ■ More than 1,500 sq ft and up to 2,500 sq ft: ~24,158 per month (15 taxis) the Punjab and Haryana High Court praying for the quashing of the MC order. They claimed the exorbitant rent along with 24% interest and 18% GST has been imposed on them without hearing them. The court had directed the MC to open the locks of the temporary structures meant ■ Above 2,500 sq ft: ~32,210 per month (20 taxis) for taxi drivers. The MC has ruled that the licensee will construct a prefabricated shelter/structure of the stipulated size at his/her own cost. This will include a toilet as per the approved drawing. Penalties for various violation have also been fixed. file caveat in Supreme Court Dushyant Singh Pundir Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 24 Members of the UT Employees Housing Welfare Society have filed a caveat in the Supreme Court. They filed the caveat after they learned that the UT Administration has planned to move the Supreme Court against the order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court wherein the UT Administration and the Chandigarh Housing Board were directed to start the construction of flats under the self-financing housing scheme for government employees and complete the process within a year. The judgment was pronounced on May 30. Dharamender Shastri, general secretary of the society, stated that a caveat was filed in the Supreme Court on July 22. He said they would fight for their rights until death. “We have full faith in the judiciary and we will get justice. Nearly 100 employees have already died fighting the case with the UT Administration,” he stated. Sources said the UT Administration was planning to file a review petition in the apex court within the stipulated period of 90 days. They said it was not possible to construct the flats within a year, as floating of tenders would take nearly two months. Also, the Administration would suffer a huge loss if the land was allotted at the collector rate of 2008. As many as 3,930 applicants/employees were declared successful in the draw of lots for the scheme more than a decade ago. The HAVE FULL FAITH IN THE JUDICIARY “We have full faith in the judiciary and we will get justice. Nearly 100 employees have already died fighting the case with the UT Administration,” said Dharamender Shastri, general secretary of the society. applicants/employees had deposited Rs 57 crore as earnest money with the CHB, whereas the latter was required to deposit approximately Rs 43 crore with the UT Administration to comply with the letters of intent dated January 10, 2008. The petition in the matter was filed way back in 2013. A substantial number of employees have since retired from service upon attaining the age of superannuation and some of them are staying in rented accommodation. Many applicants have even died over the years. The housing scheme for the employees was launched in February 2008 by the Administration. The draw of lots was held on November 4, 2010, and approximately 3,950 employees were successful. The flats were to be constructed in Sectors 52, 53 and 56. However, nothing has been done by the CHB and even acceptance-cum-demand letters were not issued to the successful applicants. The cost of construction would be borne by the employees at the current rates. Thus, a three-bedroom flat will cost around Rs 50 lakh, a two-bedroom flat around Rs 40 lakh, a one-bedroom flat around Rs 35 lakh and an EWS flat around Rs 15 lakh.
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