The Tribune – SC: No less than life term for dowry deaths

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, June 10. The Supreme Court has ruled that nothing less than life sentence should be awarded to anyone convicted for brutally killing his wife for not meeting dowry demands and then pleading that the death was accidental.

If the killing was found to be “brutal” and the accused had lied to prove that the death was an accident, the judiciary normally would not exercise its discretion to award “lesser sentence than life imprisonment,” a Bench comprising Justices Swatanter Kumar and Ranjan Gogoi held.

The apex court gave the ruling while dismissing the appeals of Mukesh Bhatnagar and his brother Rajesh from Roorkee in Haridwar district of Uttarakhand for their involvement in the killing of Renu (wife of Mukesh) in February 1996 for her failure to meet their dowry demand for a television and a cooler. The Second Additional District Judge, Haridwar, had sentenced them to life imprisonment on December 2, 1996, while the Uttarakhand High Court dismissed their appeal on October 14, 2009. Rejecting the convicts’ claim that Renu had died in an accidental fire while cooking, the SC pointed out that the victim had suffered first and second degree burn injuries which proved that kerosene had been sprinkled on her. Further, they had gone absconding after her death.

Mukesh had pleaded that he sustained injuries while trying to rescue her. “The arguments of the defence are strange because if the accused had attempted to save the deceased, then he would have suffered some burn injuries. “But as per the above details of injuries, there was not even a single burn injury found on the body of the accused Mukesh,” the Bench said.

According to the prosecution, the trio subjected Renu to severe mental and physical torture as she failed to bring additional dowry — a TV set and cooler.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120611/main3.htm

The Tribune – Municipal Poll results; SAD emerges stronger than its partner, Former sarpanch shot in Ludhiana

Mohit Khanna, Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 10. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today emerged stronger than its partner, BJP, in the civic elections. The poll results have altered its image. It can no longer be called a party with a rural base alone. Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema, SAD spokesperson, said the people had voted for the pro-development agenda of the alliance and rejected Congress’ ‘negative agenda’.

In Ludhiana, a former sarpanch was shot dead, two SAD supporters sustained bullet injuries while two MLAs were injured as widespread violence was reported during polling for the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation elections today. There were also reports of booth capturing at Ward No. 73.

Gurvinder Singh Bajwa alias Bunty (45), former sarpanch of Bahadurke village, was shot dead during a clash between supporters of Independent candidate Gurdeep Singh Bittu and SAD candidate Baljinder Singh Goggi, near Bahadurke Road at Kara Bara Chowk in Salem Tabri this afternoon.

The accused, Karanbir of Bahadurke village, allegedly shot the victim in the abdomen from point blank range and then shot several rounds in the air to scare away the crowd. The assailant along with his accomplice damaged nearly 10 vehicles before fleeing.

Karanbir and Bunty were involved in several clashes in the past. Goggi, victim’s nephew, said a few days ago, Bunty had got a case registered against Karanbir. DCP Ashish Choudhary said the accused was looking for an opportunity to settle personal scores, he added. In another incident, 30-year-old Inderjit Singh sustained a bullet injury on the head in a clash between SAD candidate Parminder Singh Soma and Independent candidate Sohan Singh Gogga in Partap Chowk area.

Inderjit, a SAD supporter, was canvassing with party workers when supporters of Gogga surrounded them near Partap Chowk.

In the ensuing clash between both groups, someone opened fired and the bullet hit Inderjit on the head.

Davinder Singh, 40, was shot at following a clash between Independent candidate from Ward 75 Hansraj and SAD candidate Charanjit Singh Garcha. SAD MLA Simarjit Bains and Congress MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu also sustained injuries. Bains was chased away by armed assailants allegedly belonging to Hira Singh Gabria faction in Merado colony last night. The assailants opened fire at Simarjit and damaged his vehicle.

Congress MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu suffered an injury on his shoulder while he was returning home along with his supporters from a polling station in Model Gram. He claimed that he was protesting against a SAD candidate who was threatening residents and was not letting them cast their vote. He, however, denied being attacked by anyone.

BJP candidate Ravinder Arora was reportedly thrashed by supporters of his rival candidate in Haibowal area. Congress candidate Sanjay Talwar alleged that his supporters were stopped from casting their vote.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120611/punjab.htm#1

The Asian Age – Stalemate on Siachen will continue: Experts

N Arun Kumar and S Sujatha

Chennai, 11 June 2012. A positive agreement on Siachen glacier could be a first step towards resolving the Kashmir issue, but, in general, stalemate is expected to prevail during the 13th round of defence secretary-level talks on the issue to be held in Islamabad Monday and Tuesday, as the Indian army wouldn’t be interested in ceding control of its hard-earned territory.

“We shouldn’t give it away. We have been holding that place for such a long time, battling even minus 40 degrees Celsius during winter seasons,” said an army officer who has served at a nearby high-altitude region.

The officer said the morale of the troops was high and there was no question of giving up hold over the region located in the disputed Kashmir region on East Karakoram–Himalaya range and claimed by both India and Pakistan.

“We get to speak to our family for only a minute once in three or four days from such areas that lie at an altitude of 14,000 ft and 22,000 ft. But then, we are happy serving the nation. We have been holding fort for so long, why should we give it up?” he added.

Siachen glacier is the world’s highest battlefield, where more soldiers die of frostbite than from bullets.

Thousands of troops from India and Pakistan, braving viciously cold temperature, altitude sickness and high winds, have been stationed there since 1984. Despite the ceasefire, both armies continue to maintain troops there.

“Conventional war is not possible there. Survival in that high altitude itself is a big achievement,” said Professor Gopalji Malviya, head, department of defence and strategic studies, University of Madras.

However, he said, strategically, the glacier is greatly important. “India needs to stay there, as threats loom large from China and Pakistan, who could link up to bring the Karakoram Pass under their control and threaten the Ladakh region,” he cautioned.

Bureaucrats from India and Pakistan have been trying to solve the conflict for the last many years. “We came close to an understanding a few times, but nothing has been settled.

As per my knowledge, the army is not keen to go for a settlement, as it fears losing ground. So, the status quo will continue,” said Professor Malviya.

While previous rounds of talks ended in stalemate, the West believes that a settlement between India and Pakistan could ease regional tension and help better understanding on the Kashmir issue.

http://www.asianage.com/india/stalemate-siachen-will-continue-experts-854

29 April 2012 Luik/Liège Vaisaki Nagar Kirtan

Luik – Liège, walking back to Guillemins

Luik – Liège, Rue Guillemins, Eurolines

Luik – Liège Guillemins

Luik – Liège Guillemins

Luik – Liège Guillemins

To see more Belgium (mostly Limburg) pictures :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12445197@N05/sets/72157622046344528/

To see more Belgium and Netherlands public transport pictures :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12445197@N05/sets/72157622685920411/

More Belgium pictures to follow
Harjinder Singh
Man in Blue

The Tribune – Ex-Indian Army officer kills family, self in US

Los Angeles, June 10. A former Indian Army officer, Major Avtar Singh, who was wanted in India for the murder of a prominent Kashmiri lawyer, has killed himself along with his wife and two children in his California home.

Singh (47) had fled to the United States after he was accused of killing Jaleel Andrabi, a Kashmiri lawyer and activist associated with the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), whose body was found floating in the Jhelum River in March 1996.

Andrabi, 42, was allegedly detained by a unit of Rashtriya Rifles led by Major Singh and his body was found a day later.

Authorities in Selma, California, believe Singh shot his family and then took his own life. Singh was found dead in the living room with an apparent gunshot wound to his head, officials said.

Singh called Selma police around 6:15 am yesterday and told them that he had killed members of his family and was going to kill himself, frenscobee.com quoted the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office as saying.

A woman, believed to be Singh’s wife, and a three-year-old boy were found in the home’s master bedroom dead of gunshot wounds to the head, officials said.

The body of a 15-year-old boy was discovered in another bedroom, also with a gunshot wound to the head.

Selma police called the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office to assist because they were aware that Singh had military experience in India, the report said.

Outside Singh’s home, officers and deputies tried to contact him verbally and by telephone, but he did not respond. (PTI)

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120611/main7.htm

Dawn – Martial law era has ended: Gilani

Zulqernain Tahir

Lahore, 11 June 2012. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said neither the Pakistan People’s Party nor the army has anything to gain from the Arsalan case and urged Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to hear the case of his son, Ali Musa Gilani.

“Neither we nor the army is the beneficiary of this case. And how can we be. The masses have elected us not the judiciary and the army is an institution and it has no role in it,” he said while answering a question during a meeting with newsmen at the State Guest House here on Sunday.

He said his son Abdul Qadir Gilani faced allegations in the Haj scam which could not be proved and the chief justice ordered legal action against those who had levelled false allegations against him (Qadir).

“As the chief justice cannot hear the case of his own son (Arsalan), he should consider my son (Ali Musa) his own son and hear his case because he is only facing an allegation of having made a phone call in the ephedrine case,” Mr Gilani asked.

On a question that Malik Riaz, the real estate tycoon, was a friend of adviser to the prime minister on interior affairs Rehman Malik, the prime minister said: “Riaz Malik is a friend of all politicians, including Nawaz Sharif.”

He declined to comment when asked whether the chief justice should resign over corruption allegations levelled against his son (Arsalan). “The matter is sub judice and I will not comment on it,” he said.

The prime minister was critical of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif for becoming a party in every high-profile case. “Which gate (memogate and others) Mr Sharif did not become a party to. Let’s see if he is thinking of becoming a party in the Arsalan case too,” he said, adding that Nawaz Sharif was particularly targeting him these days because he wanted to prove that his party was a ‘real opposition’. Because of his fear of Imran Khan, he said, Mr Sharif was behaving like this.

When asked if the current situation could lead to martial law. “The era of martial law is over. There is no room for martial law,” he said.

About the standoff in Pakistan-US relations over reopening of Nato supply routes, Mr Gilani said: “Pakistan will decide restoration of Nato supply routes in the best national interest. We will take all stakeholders on board, besides considering the recommendations of the parliamentary committee in this regard.”

He said democratic forces did not believe in non-party elections and days of the politics of 1980s were gone. “The local bodies elections in Punjab should be held on party basis and as per directions of the apex court. Election on non-party basis is a tool of dictators to form a king’s party.”

The prime minister said other three provinces had decided to hold local government elections on party basis and Punjab should follow suit. “I ask the Punjab government to follow the order of the Supreme Court in this regard and hold local polls.”

Mr Gilani said he ‘felt sorry’ for Shahbaz Sharif for setting up a tent office at Minar-i-Pakistan. He said the Punjab government rejected Shujaat’s formula to overcome loadshedding and also refused to contribute funds although major resources had been transferred to the provinces. He said despite the current bickering between the PPP and PML-N there was still room for reconciliation.

He said the PML-N’s double standards had been exposed in the new budget of the Punjab government because it had submitted a resolution for creation of south Punjab and Bahawalpur provinces but it did not earmark any funds for them.

Answering a question, the prime minister said if there was a law existed on dual nationality why it was not applied when ‘imported’ prime ministers ruled the country. He said expatriates contributed $12 billion a year to the country’s economy.

“If they (expatriates) have right to vote why they cannot become members of parliament.”

Mr Gilani said Pakistan today had good relations with India, Iran, China, Afghanistan and Russia which his predecessors never had.

“Our trade agreement with India will benefit our economy and we are also signing gas agreements with India, Qatar and Iran,” he said.

http://dawn.com/2012/06/11/martial-law-era-has-ended-gilani/