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Shahkot bypoll: Punjab denies phone-tapping, urges EC to transfer SHO
Chandigarh, May 8 (IANS) Denying accusations of unauthorised tapping of phones ahead of bypoll in Shahkot assembly constituency, the Punjab government on Tuesday urged the Election Commission (EC) to transfer a police officer who had booked the Congress candidate on illegal mining charge.
The Congress government of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh urged the EC to transfer Mehatpur SHO (Station House Officer) Parminder Pal Singh Bajwa “in the interest of free and fair bypoll” on May 28.
Accusing Bajwa of “indulging in partisanship and exercising political bias” in his conduct, a government spokesperson urged the EC to investigate reports on the SHO’s alleged threats to media persons who exposed his stay in a five-star hotel in Jalandhar just before the case against Hardev Singh Laddi and others was registered.
Bajwa last week registered a case of illegal mining against Congress candidate Laddi and others, within hours of announcement of his name as the ruling party candidate.
The spokesperson alleged a “major political conspiracy against the Congress government ahead of the by-election”.
The spokesperson said the developments in the constituency had “exposed a nexus between the SHO and certain Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) politicians”.
Both opposition parties had accused the state government of tapping phones illegally.
“The SHO had himself been heard bragging to his colleagues in the police station and to friends about his conversations with AAP leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira and SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema,” the spokesperson said, adding that all allegations of phone tapping were totally false and baseless.
“The government had never indulged in any such illegal acts involving violation of the privacy and human rights of individuals, nor will it do so under any circumstances. The opposition had simply picked up a part of the Chief Minister’s statement to divert attention from the operative part of his remarks, which had exposed the blatant nexus of the SHO with senior Akali and AAP leadership,” he added.
The spokesperson claimed that the SHO’s role in the matter was questionable from the very outset, considering the undue haste with which he filed the FIR, instead of initiating an inquiry as directed by the EC.
Polling for the Shahkot seat will be held on May 28. The seat fell vacant following the death of Shiromani Akali Dal legislator Ajit Singh Kohar in February.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.