At A Glance: December third week news Uttarakhand

Husband gets seven years RI

A local court in Kotdwara has awarded seven years of rigorous imprisonment to a man for trying to kill his wife over dowry. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the accused Pramod Sharma, a resident of Himachal Pradesh, after finding him guilty for attempt to murder over dowry, prosecution said. Besides, the court in its order earlier this week also directed Sharma to pay his wife Priyanka Rs 50,000 as compensation, they said. According to prosecution, soon after the marriage, Pramod used to torture Priyanka for dowry. Fed up with his demands, she started to live with her parents and took admission in a nursing college at Khirshu town. The incident occurred last year when Pramod came to Khirshu town and asked Priyanka to come back to him. But when Priyanka did not bow to his demands, infuriated Pramod stabbed her repeatedly and later tried to commit suicide. Hearing Priyanka's cries, people rushed to her rescue and admitted both of them to a government hospital.

Body of missing PA of Cong MLA found

Body of the missing Personal Assistant of a Congress MLA from Luxor in Haridwar district, was found in Gangnahar area near here, police said. The body of Vijaypal, who was a PA of Kunwar Pranab Singh Champion, was found floating at Subhash Ghat of Gangnahar of Roorkee yesterday, they said. Vijaypal left his house at Landhora area on December 9 but did not return. Later, his family members lodged a report with the police. Police has sent the body for postmortem, the report of which is expected by tomorrow.

When asked Superintendent of Police (City) Haridwar, Kiran Lal Shah said police is waiting for the postmortem report to know whether Vijaypal was murdered or he himself ended his life. He said the police would begin investigations once the postmortem report comes.

Two ITBP jawans killed in accident

Two ITBP jawans were killed and 16 others injured today when a truck fell into a gorge at Ailagad area of Pithoragarh district near here, police said. The incident took place when the truck, carrying 18 personnel, from Pankhu to Dharchula skidded off the road, they said, adding that two died on the spot. The injured have been rushed to a nearby hospital.

Teacher arrested for raping student, circulating MMS

A school teacher has been arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student at Gairar in Bageshwar district, filming the act and later circulating the MMS, police said. Rajendra Thapa (46) was arrested after the girl's family yesterday lodged a complaint with the police that he raped the 17-year-old student, who is now in Class 10, and also made MMS of the heinous act, the authorities said. According to the report, Thapa, a native of Kathait village in the district, allegedly raped the minor when she was in Class 8 at Gairar Junior High School and later circulated the MMS. The family of the victim came to know about the rape, when they were informed about circulation of the MMS that involved the girl, police said, adding that Thapa has been booked under various sections of IPC.