GLASGOW, Aug 4:
IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta and unattached wrestling referee Virender Malik, who were arrested on different reasons, were today released after charges against them were dropped for lack of evidence, putting an end to their unsavoury ordeal.
The charges against both the Indian officials were dropped after the prosecution failed to produce enough evidence against the duo in the Glasgow Magistrate’s Court.
“Both Rajeev Mehta and Virender Malik have been liberated as the prosecution did not press the cases against them owing to lack of evidence,” a spokeswoman of the Glasgow Magistrate’s Court said.
The decision to let off the two officials came as huge relief for the Indian contingent, which had to face a lot of embarrassment on the last day of the 20th Commonwealth Games because of the development.
While Mehta was arrested for alleged drunken driving, Malik, who is not a part of the official contingent, was facing a more serious charge of alleged sexual assault.
The duo was, however, not staying with the official 215-strong contingent which was putting up at the Games village. Both of them were reportedly lodged at a local hotel.
An official of the Indian High Commission also confirmed the development.
“Charges against both of them have been dropped due to lack of evidence. They have been released without any charges being framed,” the High Commission official said.
The Indian Consulate in Edinburgh was liaising with the police on the matter.
The Consulate in Edinburgh had deputed an official to Glasgow to keep in close touch with the police authorities to ascertain full factual details of the case.
A relieved Mehta later said that the entire case has been “represented in a wrong manner as he wasn’t driving in a drunken state”.
“The facts have been misrepresented and I have been projected in a wrong manner. I was not drunk and my test reports (alcohol intake) have all come negative. There is nothing in it to show that I was in a drunken state. I am thankful to the court that they didn’t accept the evidences that were put forward,” Mehta said after the charges were dropped against him.
Asked about what transpired on Saturday night, Mehta recollected the incident.
“I had come out of a party and was on my way to somewhere else. Then the accident happened but I was not at fault. The girls who were inside the other car were driving on the wrong side of the road. That’s the reason that the case didn’t even come up for hearing as it was dropped at the prosecution level. There was nothing found in any of my medical reports and that’s why there were no charges framed against me,” he concluded.
Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association secretary Anandeshwar Pandey, who is part of the IOA delegation and was at the court, said the officials were released after primary investigation.
“During primary investigation, they (Scotland Police) couldn’t find enough evidence to frame charges. So they were let off without being produced before the court,” Pandey said.
Elaborating on the incident, Pandey said that Mehta was driving a friend’s car and there was a minor accident while coming out of the parking lot. (PTI)
Mehta, Malik released for lack of evidence; no charges framed
Excise Deptt launches bhung destruction drive
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 4: The Department of Excise in collaboration with Narcotics Central Bureau, Crime Branch Kashmir, Police and Revenue Departments today launched an intensified drive for bhung destruction in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
The drive was started from Dupatyar village of Bejbehara Tehsil in South Kashmir and bhung on 40 kanals of the land was destroyed on the first day. As per preliminary reports and surveys conducted over a thousand kanals of agricultural, orchid and non-agricultural land is under illegal cultivation of hemp in the valley during the current Kharief season.
The Commissioner of Excise, Zaffer Ahmad Bhat who took the charge recently held a meeting with officers of the Excise Department and directed them to go for mass destruction of Bhung and other narcotic plant cultivations. Following this the Department framed a well evolved and multi pronged strategy for Bhung destruction which took of formally today. He asked the officers and officials of the department to intensify their efforts for making the state especially the valley Bhung and narcotic free. He also directed for establishment of complaint cells at Srinagar and Jammu and also sub-complaint cells at district levels.
The Excise Commissioner has appealed the people to provide the cooperation to the Excise Department in its efforts for Bhung destruction and curbing the menace of smuggling, stocking, sale and use of illicit liquor, narcotics, intoxicating drugs.
Mr. Bhat lauded the role of NCB, Crime Branch, Police and Revenue Departments and also general public for making the efforts of Excise Department in eradication of poppy, bhung and other narcotic cultivation, across the state.
The bhung destruction was conducted under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Excise (Executive) Kashmir, Gulzar Ahmad Shabnum.
Deputations call on CM
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 4: Various deputations and individuals including Parliament Members and Legislators called on Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah here today and discussed various issues relating to their concerns.
A deputation of transporters in its meeting with the Chief Minister brought to his notice various issues relating to their welfare and the strengthening of transport sector in the State.
A deputation of Field Doctors Association in its meeting with the Chief Minister discussed matters pertaining to their services, promotions, transfers, perks, etc. They also discussed issues relating to the functioning of the hospitals and delivery of services to the patients.
A deputation of DDR (Forest) Trained Graduates during their meeting with the Chief Minister demanded their appointment in the Government service.
The Chief Minister gave patient hearing to the deputations and said that the genuine demands would be given due consideration.
Pakistani scribe pens book about ancient temples in Pakistan
NEW DELHI, Aug 4:
Karachi-based journalist and author Reema Abbasi has attempted to document ancient temples dating back to over 1,500 years in Pakistan.
Filled with her text together with vivid pictures shot by photographer Madiha Aijaz, the book ‘Historic Temples in Pakistan: a Call to Conscience’ was released here recently.
It chronicles ancient pilgrimage sites like ‘Hinglaj’, ‘Katas Raj’, ‘Kalka Cave’ temple, ‘Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir’, and ‘Shivala Mandir’ amongst the many others in present day Pakistan with elaborate details accompanying the evocative photographs of archaic Hindu Shrines, rituals, festivals and regional populace.
A Niyogi books publication, the tome has been documented after an extensive research work in order to keep ancient emblems of faith alive in the memories of both India and Pakistan with a foreward by renowned journalist Jawed Naqvi.
“For the past 10 years my writings have maintained a focus on the values of secularism, tolerance and a pluralistic milieu. This book is basically a culmination of that journey. This particular journey has culminated but the quest is on”, says Reema Abbasi about her decision to travel rigorously for a year and write this book. (PTI)
Installation of generator at Jagti school demanded
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 4: Jagti Migrants Welfare Committee in its meeting today held under the chairmanship of Veer Ji Belove has demanded immediate installation of generator for the Jagti Higher Secondary School as the students were facing hardships due to power cut in this hot and humid Summer.
The meeting said due to the 14 to 16 hour routine power cut in a day, it is not possible to study by children in the school without fans in such intensive heat. They said that repeated pleas to PDD authorities to improve power supply to the camp have failed to yield results.
The meeting, which was also addressed by Pintoo Ji another office bearer of the Committee said that the authorities should take immediate steps in installing a generator in the School for running the fans during school hour so that the students don’t feel suffocated due to intense heat while studying in the class rooms.
The duo have also sought intervention of Relief and Rehabilitation Minister and Relief Commissioner in the matter and urged them to take immediate steps to save the students from humid and hot temperature.
Army organizes tailoring classes for women
Excelsior Correspondent
RAMBAN, Aug 4: Rashtriya Rifles Battalion based at Banihal under the aegis of Headquarter, 11 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, has organized month-long tailoring classes at Fagu village of tehsil Banihal, for local women.
Commanding Officer, Rashtriya Rifles Unit based at Banihal, inaugurated the tailoring classes in the presence of Panchs, Sarpanchs and local populace.
The classes for the first batch of 18 women were also started in the presence of the Commanding Officer.
While speaking on the occasion, the Commanding Officer emphasised on the need to work hard towards empowering young ladies of the area and achieving self reliance. He said this project will help in improving the talent of the unemployed women as also provides them with opportunities for living.
“The class would also be useful for the ladies who wish to start their own business, such as establishing a tailoring unit. The same would also assuage the feelings of alienation by bringing such ladies to mainstream by giving them an opportunity to earn as also empower them by developing their skills”, he added.
Manhas inaugurates laying of slab of waiting, bathing ghat
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 4: Advocate Maheshwar Singh Manhas, general secretary, Congress Committee inaugurated the laying of concrete slab of waiting hall and bathing ghat adjacent to Lohan Park, Paloura, today.
While speaking to the gatherings, Manhas told that laying of concrete slab of waiting hall and bathing ghat could not have been possible without the help of Rt Director Finance Ravinder Gupta who made it possible by obtaining funds from Vijay Bakaya, MLC out of his constituency development scheme.
Singh assured the gathering that in future too he will be available to the society for their welfare and leave no stone unturned to fulfill their demands. He disclosed that on the instructions of Urban Development Minister Nawang Rigzin Zora, Kiran Wattal, Commissioner Municipal Corporation, Jammu has given approval to the estimate for the construction of passenger shed in the locality and the work is expected to be started very shortly.
Prominent among those present were Adeep Singh Manhas, Madan Pal Singh, Rajeshwar Singh, Arun Singh Manhas, Manik Manhas, Naman Manhas, Ajit Singh, Rajinder Abrol, Subash Kesar, Sanjeev Kumar, Sanjeev Sharma, Pankaj Sharma, Mangal Dass, Varinder Gupta and others.
ICF organizes musical evening
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 4: Indian Culture Forum (ICF) organized a musical evening Parvez Rang at K L Sehgal Hall here today. This cultural evening was based on yet another noted poet from Darhal Rajouri Parvez Malik.
The objective of the ICF is to attract more and more people towards literature and music and imbibe much more performers from younger generation of the musicians and singers.
This was stated by Sham Sajan, president ICF who delivered welcome address during the programme.
Six Ghazals of Parvez Malik were sung by Manju Bala, Gursharan Kour, Apporva Jamwal, Sham Manihal, Virender Kapadia and Sham Sajan which were wonderfully supported on guitar by Sanjay Pashi and on Tabla by Master Karan Malhotra.
In his address Iqbal Malik who was the guest of honour on the occasion admired the endeavor of Indian Cultural Forum and said that such organizations are doing an inspiring job.
Aslam Qureshi who was the chief guest on the occasion complimented ICF for such a high standard programme. Vidya Rattan Aasee who presided over the programme asked ICF to organize more and more such programmes in future.
Pardeep Khanna a well known stage anchor from Poonch stole the show by his benevolent way of anchoring. A galaxy of prominent personalities like Prof Lalit Magotra, Raaz Manawari, S S Bassan, Vipin Sharma, Ashok Dutta, Pooran Chander Sharma, Prof S P Srivaste, Sham Talib, Prithvi Raj Sharma, Dalbeer Singh, Chatterpal, Narinder Bhasin, Dr Dushayant Gupta and Dr Kewal Samnotra were also present during the function.
Gul takes stock of development works
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGR, Aug 4: Speaker Legislative Assembly, Mubarak Gul today took stock of various developmental works undergoing in Eidgah Constituency undertaken by various departments like Health, R&B, PDD and other special works under the supervision of the Housing Department, Tourism Department, JKPCC, Truck Terminal Division, etc.
Commissioner Secretary Health & Medical Education, Chief Engineer R&B, Chief Engineer PDD, GM, JKPCC, Director Planning and Development Department, the concerned executive engineers and the Joint Directors of planning and other concerned officers were present on the occasion.
The Speaker released Rs 3.8 crore for the development works under going in the constituency for the speedy completion of the works.
While stressing on accelerating work towards commissioning of Noorbagh Maternity and Child Care Hospital, the Speaker said the that the hospital should be provided with all necessary equipments, water connections, completion & upgradation of the approach roads etc on war footing basis. It was decided to allocate one ambulance for the MCH, Noorabagh immediately.
Matters pertaining to PHC Sangam, upgradation of the Sub-centre Charamgari Mohalla, construction of the Health Centre at Rakh (SDA) Colony were also taken up besides establishment of ISM units at Goorgari Mohalla and Gassi Mohalla were also discussed in the meeting.
In the PDD sector, it was directed that all the poles which have been already erected in the area like Wani Mohallah, Rather Mohalla Shunglipora etc should be wired and process completed at the earliest, including repair of damaged transformers and up-gradation of the transformer at various identified places.
Mr. Gul also took stock of the mecademization work and directed for taking up necessary mecademization of various roads including Noorbagh-Palproa road, Nalla Mar Road etc. He also called for completing the patching and covering of manholes in various identified areas and the mecademization of Safakadal bridge.
Oppn ruckus in RS over UPSC issue
NEW DELHI, Aug 4: Opposition today stepped up attack on the government over the UPSC exam row, serving a privilege notice in the Rajya Sabha and forcing adjournment of the House demanding a definite time-frame to resolve the issue.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Sharad Yadav (JD-U) accused the government of “going back on its promise” of resolving the issue expeditiously.
Members from Congress, CPI-M, CPI, JD-U, Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party joined hands on the issue.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Prakash Javadekar sought to cool the frayed tempers saying the government was making efforts to resolve the issue and would inform the House after finding a solution.
He said the government had replied three times on the issue knowing its sensitivity and feelings of the House.
“Government is sorting out the issue amicably to give justice…The issue was troubling the students for the last three years. We are sorting it out. As soon as there is a solution the House will be informed,” Javadekar said.
As members kept pressing for a definite timeline and even asked the Chair to direct the government in this regard, he said, “We are sorting it out…Much sooner than they expect.”
Opposition members, however, attacked DoPT Minister Jitender Singh over the issue saying that despite his promise to solve it within eight days, the matter is yet to be resolved though 12 days have been passed.
“The government broke the promise it made. It went back on the promise made to students,” Yadav, who gave a privilege notice, said.
Kurien said the notice is under consideration with Chairman Hamid Ansari who will take a decision on it.
Supporting him, Naresh Agarwal (SP) said the government seems to have slipped into coma and ministers do not reply when the Prime Minister is not around. “We have never seen such a helpless government,” he said.
S C Mishra (BSP) urged the Chair to direct the government for a reply as lakhs of students were affected and their future has become bleak due to deadlock over the issue as hardly a fortnight was left in the UPSC examinations.
Deputy Leader of Congress in House Anand Sharma said it was a serious matter and delay in solving it was causing tension and students were subjected to assaults. “The nation is concerned and the government should come out with an assurance,” he said.
His party colleague Pramod Tiwari said the Chair had asked the government to expedite the matter but no resolution is in the sight and hence the government has shown disrespect not only to the House, but to the Chair.
Trying to maintain order in the House, Kurien interrupted asking Javadekar, “can you give a timeframe” to which Javadekar said government would soon resolve the issue pending for last three years.
On this Kurien told the Opposition, “The Chair cannot do more than that. Now allow calling attention motion to be taken up,” to which Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said it has become a practice with the government to blame the previous regime for delays for each and everything.
“Lakhs of students from states were being affected due to this and government continues to postpone it,” he said.
Kurien remarked the Chair cannot give any direction to the government to which Naresh Agarwal (SP) raised a point of order and quoting rule said there has been no limit to Chair’s power.
Derek O’Brien (TMC) said ministers were silent in the House whereas they were giving bytes to media outside and demanded they should be asked to stop briefing media when Parliament is in session.
A number of members including Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) supported Agarwal urging the Chairman to give direction to government for a definite timeframe for resolving the matter to which Kurein retorted, “It is my discretion whether to give direction or not” and exercising powers I have already asked the government to come back.
However, this failed to satisfy members who remained adamant on a timeline. SP members trooped into the Well shouting slogans, forcing Kurien to adjourn the House till 2 PM. (PTI)