Provisional bail for candidates

Chaibasa: Justice A. Sahai of Jharkhand High Court on Tuesday granted provisional bail to two candidates, contesting the elections from the West Singhbhum reserved constituencies, in connection with extortion cases.

Chaibasa muffassil police station had registered an FIR against former parliamentarian and BJP?s Chakradharpur candidate Laxman Gilua and former BJP leader and independent candidate from Chaibasa Sona Devgam on October 17, 2004. A group of truck drivers had accused the leaders of extorting money from them by way of levy for using the Chaibasa-Jhinkpani highway. The police had booked cases under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. The duo were arrested on January 25 when they filed their nominations. On the same day, they were sent to Chaibasa jail.

Chaibasa district court had twice rejected their bail petitions. The accused then appealed to Jharkhand High Court. Defence lawyer P.K. Ray had pleaded that provisional bail be granted to the duo so that they can contest the polls.

?For the moment, the case has been transferred to Jharkhand High Court. My clients have been asked to surrender before the Chaibasa chief judicial magistrate on March 7, following which the high court will hear the arguments placed by the defence and prosecutor in Ranchi,? Ray added.

Caught in the act

Dhanbad: The CBI on Tuesday arrested area civil engineer of Bharat Coking Coal Limited?s Munidih Project, about 15 km from the district headquarters in Dhanbad, on charges of taking a bribe of Rs 4,500 from a contractor in lieu of a work order permit.

The contractor had earlier lodged a complaint against P.K. Jain with the anti-corruption wing of the CBI in Dhanbad. The CBI sleuths laid a trap for Jain and caught him red-handed accepting the bribe from the contractor at his residence in Munidih.

Poll campaign

Chaibasa: Former Jharkhand Mukti Morcha district president and independent candidate from Chaibasa Deepak Birua on Tuesday released hundreds of compact discs at the district headquarters to generate awareness among the voters about his poll agenda. ?The electronic media is a powerful medium of communication in rural areas. Just public meetings are not enough to woo voters,? Birua said. Delhi-based Intel Communication has filmed the half-an-hour document.

Rebel threat

Chakradharpur: After Manoharpur, Naxalites have made their presence in Chakradharpur. Posters have been put up at in different places of the block warning people against casting their votes in the coming elections. This has triggered off panic among the residents, who requested the police to protect them during the polls.

One killed

Gamharia: A 26-year-old youth, Rampravesh Singh was killed when the motorcycle on which he was riding pillion was knocked down by a truck on Tuesday. Singh was on his way to Dumra from Kandra, along with brother-in-law Sanjay Singh, when the accident occurred. Sanjay, who was injured after falling from the motorcycle, was admitted to Tata Main Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. The driver and the cleaner of the truck escaped.

Awareness

Jamshedpur: Campaign for Right to Education in Jharkhand convened a meeting on Tuesday to create awareness among the people about the elections. K.C. Mardi, national convenor of the association said voters should cast their votes in favour of those candidates who will ensure their overall growth and development.

Camp

Bahragora: The Bahragora-based Alternative for India Development organised a five-day residential training camp on Reproductive and Child Health. The camp was attended by 21 trainees from East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Ranchi. During the camp, stress was laid on the health and the nutrition of expecting and lactating mothers. Sessions on family planning and childcare will also be held.

The Class XI students of Gulmohar High School celebrated their graduation night on Tuesday. N.K. Dutt, assistant general manager, human resource department, Tata Motors, inaugurated the function.