SC calls for arrest of 2 cops in Dara case

Bhadra Sinha, Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 08, 2011

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered immediate arrest of two senior Rajasthan police officers in the alleged fake encounter killing of Dara Singh, who according to the state government’s claim was a “dreaded gangster.” “Police personnel involved in fake encounter killings should be awarded death sentence and hanged,” said a bench of justice Markandeya Katju and justice CK Prasad, directing the CBI to arrest additional DGP Arvind Jain and additional SP Arshad Ali, if the two failed to surrender. Besides, a police informer and three policemen of junior rank will also be arrested for the alleged killing. 

The bench added: “Police personnel as custodians of law are expected to protect people and not eliminate them as contract killers. Fake encounter killings by cops are nothing but cold- blooded brutal murder which should be treated as the rarest of rare offence and police personnel responsible for it should be awarded death sentence.”

When Singh’s widow Sushila Devi alleged former state minister, Rajender Rathore, was also an absconder, the bench said: “The same parameters will apply and the law shall take its own course. If crimes are committed by ordinary people, ordinary punishment should be given but if the offence is committed by policemen much harsher punishment should be given to them because they do an act totally contrary to their duties.”

The court gave four weeks time to file a status report before it. It also quashed a criminal case against some CBI officials that was registered on the orders of additional chief metropolitan magistrate, Jaipur, following a complaint filed by an arrested accused. The complainant had alleged the CBI officers had subjected him to third degree torture after arresting him.

Jain and Ali were part of the Special Operations Group that allegedly eliminated Dara Singh on October 23, 2006 in a fake encounter. On the widow's petition, the SC had in April last directed a CBI probe.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/SC-calls-for-arrest-of-2-cops-in-Dara-case/Article1-730954.aspx

2 sentenced to 7 years in prison for robbing man

HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 09, 2011

Expressing concerns about deteriorating law and order situation in the city, the court of additional sessions judge Kamini Lau on Monday said there has been a spurt of criminal activities involving youngsters. Sentencing two boys to 7 years' imprisonment for robbing a man of his wallet and other valuable belongings, judge Lau said, "Criminals are unhesitatingly and indiscriminately using dangerous arms on helpless victims, who may or may not offer any resistance, thereby, spreading terror in the society."

According to the prosecution, the robbery took place on October 6, 2009, when one Rajesh Khanna was talking on his cell phone on the roadside after parking his motorcycle near Sant Kripal Ashram in Model Town in north-west Delhi.

Three motorcycle-borne youths, including absconding accused Naka, accosted him and robbed him of his phone, wallet and other valuables. The prosecution said accused Arora, Kuldeep and Naka snatched Khanna's wallet containing Rs 15,000, his credit card, mobile phone, gold chain and a bracelet apart from other valuables. A case was registered at Model Town police station and Arora and Kuldeep were later held.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/2-sentenced-to-7-years-in-prison-for-robbing-man/Article1-731009.aspx

Builder fined for missing amenities, to pay Rs 10 lakh

Kanchan Chaudhari, Hindustan Times, Mumbai, August 13, 2011

It's a stroke of good news for every flat owner promised the earth and then left with just a basic flat and few amenities.

A Mumbai-based construction company has been ordered to pay Rs 10 lakh to a flat owner for failing to provide promised facilities such as a gymnasium, a lift with a swipe-card facility, parking space and space for a society office.
 

Acting on a complaint filed by retiree Jugraj Madhani, owner of a 1,600-sq-ft flat in Ugam Presidency Society in Juhu, a Mumbai consumer court directed the builders of the housing society - Dev Constructions - to pay up Rs 10 lakh for failing to provide the amenities specified in the purchase agreement.

Madhani first issued a notice to the builder in October 2007 calling upon them to provide common facilities as promised in the purchase deed.

A reply from the builder that they had complied with all provisions of the agreement compelled Madhani to seek legal course. Accordingly, in March 2008 he moved the consumer forum.

Based on the occupancy certificate issued to the housing society by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Mumbai Suburban District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum ruled in Madhani's favour, stating that not providing common facilities as promised in the purchase agreement amounted to deficiency of service, and giving the builder eight weeks to pay Madhani Rs 10 lakh for mental agony caused and Rs 5,000 towards litigation costs.

If the construction company unable to pay the penalty within the stipulated time period, it will have to also pay interest at the rate of 9% per annum.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Builder-fined-for-missing-amenities-to-pay-Rs-10-lakh/Article1-733081.aspx

Court sentences man to 25 years in prison

HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 14, 2011

A city court has sentenced a man, convicted of cold-blooded murder of his sister-in-law after he failed to rape her, to 25 years of imprisonment. Sentencing the accused, additional sessions judge Kamini Lau said, "It certainly falls within the category of rare cases". Rejecting the leniency plea, additional sessions judge Kamini Lau said, "The convict is sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for life with the direction that he shall not be considered for grant of remission till he undergoes an actual sentence of 25 years."

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on Rastogi stipulating that the amount, if recovered, should be given to the victim's minor daughter who lost her mother at the age of two and a half years.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Court-sentences-man-to-25-years-in-prison/Article1-733092.aspx