CASH-FOR-JUDGE SCAM

Nirmal Yadav appears in court

Chandigarh, November 18
Former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Nirmal Yadav on Friday appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) special court here in the ongoing trial into the “cash-for-judge” scam.

This was Yadav’s second appearance before the court. She had earlier appeared before the court on August 27.

Yadav had filed an application seeking permanent exemption from appearance on medical grounds and said that she suffered from lumbosacral spondilitis (back problem) and other ailments. However, the hearing was deferred to December 15, as the defence lawyer sought some more time (for arguments) from the court.

The council for Yadav had moved an application, seeking permanent exemption from her personal court appearance on September 16.

However, in its hearing on October 22, the CBI’s special court had directed Yadav to remain present in the court (on November 18), when the arguments on her plea for permanent exemption would be heard.

The CBI had filed a charge-sheet against Yadav for corruption, conspiracy, destroying evidence and creation of false evidence in the court on March 4.

At that time, Yadav was posted at the Uttarakhand High Court and was retired the same day.

Challenges posed by cyber crime

Fatehgarh Sahib, November 18
“India is among the 12 nations of the world, which have introduced the laws related to cyber crime,” said District and Sessions Judge Gurvinder Singh Gill, while addressing a seminar on "Cyber crime during Techno Era 2011,” organised by the Department of Computer Sciences and Management of Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib here today.

More than 500 students from different schools and colleges of the vicinity took part in it . He said that such techno-festivals should be organised in order to spread awareness about the dangers of advanced technology.

More students to get visa: Tim Uppal

Canada’s first turbaned Sikh minister visits the holy city of Amritsar

Canadian minister Tim Uppal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Friday. Photo: Sameer Sehgal

Amritsar, November 18
The Canadian Government has introduced a “super visa” for parents and grandparents to help them reunite with their children living in Canada.

Canada’s Minister of State for Democratic Reforms Tim Uppal, after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple here, told mediapersons that he was in India on the invitation of Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal.

He would be the chief guest at the semifinals of the Kabaddi World Cup being held in Bathinda.

Talking to mediapersons, Uppal said because of visa restrictions, there was a huge backlog of applications of parents and grandparents keen to reunite with their wards.

“The Canadian Government has taken the initiative of ‘Canada 10 years Super-Visa for Parents’ to clear all such pending applications.”

He said no new applications would be entertained for the next two years till the pending applications were cleared. He expressed the possibility of long-term cooperation in tourism, medical education, industry and sports between Canada and Punjab.

Answering a question on rigid visa conditions for students as compared with Australia, the minister said the Canadian Government would now on give visas to Indian students more than any other country .

He also indicated the possibility of a tie-up with Khalsa College, Amritsar.

Uppal was honoured with a siropa at the SGPC office.

Earlier, he was accorded a warm welcome at Sri Guru Ram Das International Airport , Amritsar,by the Youth Akali Dal president, Bikram Singh Majithia, Cabinet Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Inderbir Singh Bularia, District Planning Committee chairman Veer Singh Lopoke and SAD leader Ram Singh.