Consumer court slaps Rs 10,000 fine on SBI

Chandigarh, October 28
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 on the State Bank of India for mental agony and harassment suffered by former DGP Punjab Dr AA Siddiqui.
District forum comprising PD Goel and members Rajinder Singh Gill and Madanjit Kaur Sahota observed that undisputedly the opposite party has redressed the grievances of the complainant after filing of the complaint, therefore, the complainant is certainly entitled for compensation for mental agony.
The complainant averred that he had availed the services of the bank through primary credit card and duly paid the amount through cheque drawn on the SBI after the opposite party dispatched the bill for the services in May 2010. He said he was shocked to find the monthly statement, wherein the amount of Rs 5764.32 was reflected. He informed the bank about the irregularity and the primary Credit Card which was cut into half and returned the said card to the bank.
The bank also charged some financial charges and late fee of Rs.350. He tendered an amount of Rs 9934.85, which was debited, from his account on June 30, 2010. He said even though amount of Rs 5765 stood debited from his account he received a letter from the bank about the outstanding amount.
The counsel for the SBI admitted that cheque amount was debited from complainant’s account on May 26, 2010 but due to unavailability of correct card number, it was in suspense account.
It was pleaded that amounts due were not paid to the bank by the due and payable date and hence overdue and late payment charges were payable.
It has been further stated that opposite party has given the benefit as per one time settlement and the amounts as demanded have been reversed. The grievance of the complainant has been redressed as the credit card account of the complainant has already been zeroised and the requisite no due certificate has already been issued. The account of the complainant has already been closed as settled.

3 cops get 5-yr jail for misbehaving with warrant officer

Abohar, October 29
A district court has sentenced ASI Sohan Lal Tanwar, former in charge of the Seetogunno police post in this sub-division, head constable Balwinder Singh and home guard Darshan Singh to five-year imprisonment for misbehaving with Punjab and Haryana High Court Warrant Officer Gyaninder Ahlawat on January 25 last year.
The cops were accused of keeping the Warrant Officer in illegal detention and restraining him from performing his duty.
The Seetogunno police had allegedly picked up some followers of a dera run by Swami Brahm Chaitanya of Chak Radheywala village during investigation of a complaint. The villagers were divided over the status of the dera. One faction wanted the police to get it shut while others defended the chief asserting that some vested interests were conspiring to implicate him in false cases.
A follower of the dera chief had approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court alleging that some followers had been kept in illegal custody at the Seetogunno police post. The HC on January 25 dispatched Warrant Officer Gyaninder Ahlawat to investigate.
According to the complaint, he, along with Devi Lal - complainant from Dhaani Nayianwali - and car driver Ram Phal, reached the police post early in the morning and spotted the detainees there.
The Warrant Officer alleged that he and the duo accompanying him was detained by the police till 8.30 pm and humiliated. He was forced to sign a statement that no one was found in illegal custody there.
After high drama, the Sadar police finally arrested the accused cops under Sections 342, 353, 460, 467, 468, 471, 506 and 186 of the IPC on January 26, 2010.

Healthyway’s Sec-42 basement sealed

Chandigarh, October 28
Trouble for Healthyway Immigration Consultancy does not seem to end. After being shut for duping clients in the region on fake promises of easy immigration overseas, the estate office sealed the basement of the company’s Sector-42 office today for misuse as a pantry was being run there.

Ravinder Sharma, chief inspector, misuse and enforcement, said the estate office had issued several notices to the company, asking them to shut the pantry, but it failed to do so.

Officials further said the basement also had furniture, along with tables and chairs in a row, like a makeshift office. As per rules, running a pantry or an office in the basement of the building was illegal, the officials said.

The UT police had earlier sealed the company’s office following several cases against owner Amit Kakkar for allegedly providing fake documents for visa in lieu of money. All cases were presently under investigation.

Miami Police Officer Arrested for Speeding

 Trooper pulled Miami officer over for going in excess of 120 mph.