Elections 2025

Charge sheet of 40,000 pages filed against senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia in DA case

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau today filed a 40,000-page charge sheet against senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who is the brother-in-law of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, in a Prevention of Corruption Act case in the Mohali court. Sources claimed that over 200 witnesses have been cited in the case in the charge sheet, which runs into approximately 40,000 pages. These documents reportedly detail financial transactions, property records, and other evide

22 Aug 2025 7:47 pm
Jaswinder Bhalla Death: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Says 'Chacha Chatra Will Always Reside In Our Hearts'

ShiromAkali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal also wrote a note on X.

22 Aug 2025 2:24 pm
AAP leader Manish Sisodias viral video triggers political storm in Punjab; BJP, SAD complain to EC

CHANDIGARH: A political storm has sparked over the viral video of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab-in-charge and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia saying that AAP will do ``whatever it takes to win 2027 assembly elections, as both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has complained to the Election Commission in this regard. Addressing the womens wings workshop on August 13 at Mohali, Sisodia said that women had voted enthusiastically to form the AAP governm

16 Aug 2025 6:38 pm
SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal urges election commission to take action against Manish Sisodia

Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal has strongly condemned Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia's alleged instructions to win the 2027 elections by any means. Badal has called on the Election Commission to take strict action against Sisodia. He accuses AAP of deception and inciting violence. Badal urges Punjabis to see through AAP's divisive tactics.

16 Aug 2025 4:08 pm
AAP govt in Punjab withdraws controversial land pooling policy amid protests by farmers, opposition

CHANDIGARH: Amid the backlash from farmers and opposition parties over its controversial land pooling policy, the AAP-led Punjab government, which is also grappling with growing internal dissent, withdrew it on Monday. With nineteen months left for the 2027 assembly elections, the AAP government was facing mounting pressure as farmer protests intensified. The protesters burned effigies of CM Mann and Arvind Kejriwal, while opposition parties termed the policy anti-peasantry and impractical. Sour

11 Aug 2025 8:27 pm
Another split in Akali Dal as Harpreet Singh elected president of breakaway faction

CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal saw another split on Monday, with former Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh being unanimously elected president of the breakaway faction of the 104-year-old party. Satwant Kaur was appointed chairperson of the Panthic council of the new party by a five-member committee constituted by the Akal Takht. The Akal Takht-appointed committee held a meeting of the breakaway group of the SAD at Gurdwara Burj Akali Phoola Singh in Amritsar, which is being to

11 Aug 2025 5:37 pm
Punjab: Shiromani Akali Dal to launch 'Jameen Bachao - Punjab Bachao Morcha' from September 1

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) pledges to protect farmers' land in Punjab. Sukhbir Singh Badal promises to return acquired land if SAD wins in 2027. The party will launch 'Jameen Bachao - Punjab Bachao Morcha' on September 1, 2025. This is against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's land policies.

9 Aug 2025 9:06 pm
HC orders 4-week interim stay on Punjab land pooling policy; seeks clarity on rehab provisions

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has put a four-week interim stay on the implementation of the controversial land pooling policy of the Punjab Government. The court made clear its intent to stay the policy after the government refused to withdraw it. The division bench of Justice Anupinder Grewal and Justice Deepak Manchanda also gave the state four weeks time after hearing detailed arguments for about two hours. We will stay the policy and give you time to address the concerns, the

7 Aug 2025 10:41 pm
Akali Dal protests against Punjab govts land pooling policy

We will not allow oneinch of land to be acquired under the AAP governments land grabbing scheme, says Sukhbir Singh Badal.

5 Aug 2025 8:25 am
Political uproar in Punjab after state Vigilance Bureau raids house of realtor Gill a day after he joined BJP

CHANDIGARH: Political uproar erupted in the state after the Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Friday raided the residence of former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and prominent realtor Ranjit Singh Gill. The move came just hours after Gill joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) late Thursday night. He was inducted into the saffron party by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. A separate search was also conducted at Gills office in Kharar. There was a heavy police presence outside Gills Gillco V

2 Aug 2025 7:50 pm
Punjab Vigilance Bureau raids house, office of former SAD member Ranjit Singh Gill a day after joining BJP

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Saturday raided the residence and office of former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and prominent realtor Ranjit Singh Gill. The sudden raid comes after Gill was inducted into the saffron party by the Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday. There was heavy police presence outside Gill's office in Kharar. The state vigilance team was inspecting his residence in Sector 2 of Chandigarh. Gill was not available for comment, but his close associat

2 Aug 2025 1:17 pm
Punjab Vigilance Bureau raids Ranjit Singh Gill's residence a day after he joins BJP

Mr. Gill had recently resigned from the primary membership of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He was once considered a close confidant of SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal

2 Aug 2025 12:15 pm
Sikh girl barred from taking exam for wearing Kirpan, Kara in Jaipur; Badal urges PM Modi to intervene

Expressing grave concern over the growing incidents of disrespect and discrimination against the sacred symbols of the Sikh faith, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene directly ...

28 Jul 2025 1:30 pm
Shiromani Akali Dal announces Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa as nominee for Tarn Taran bypoll

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal has nominated Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa for the upcoming Tarn Taran assembly bypoll. This follows the death of AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal. Randhawa joined SAD with several leaders. Badal has appointed Gulzar Singh Ranike as the in-charge for the bypoll campaign. He accused Arvind Kejriwal of planning a land deal.

20 Jul 2025 7:38 pm
Software engineer detained in Faridabad over e-mails threatening to blow up Golden Temple

AMRITSAR: A software engineer was rounded up from Faridabad in connection with the five e-mails sent to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) threatening to blow up the Golden Temple, officials said on Friday. Police said that Shubam Dubey (24) has been rounded up and is being questioned regarding the first threatening e-mail sent to the SGPC on July 14. Additionally, Dubey's laptop and phone have also been seized, Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said in a press

18 Jul 2025 4:02 pm
Punjab's anti-sacrilege bill sent to select committee for consultation; Congress, SAD take dig at AAP

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab assembly on Tuesday unanimously decided to refer the anti-sacrilege bill 'Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill, 2025' to a Select Committee of MLAs for consultation with all stakeholders before it is enacted. On the concluding day of the special session of the assembly, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan said after a three-and-a-half-hour debate that the panel will gather public input on the Bill and will submit its report on the bill within six months. Th

15 Jul 2025 8:02 pm
Akal Takht, Takht Patna Sahib resolve differences as edicts declaring members 'tankhaiya' were withdrawn

CHANDIGARH: The Takht Patna Sahib (one of the five supreme temporal seats of Sikhs) has withdrawn all previous edicts that had declared Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and the jathedars (high priests) of Akal Takht and Takht Damdama Sahib guilty of religious misconduct. A letter sent by Takht Patna Sahib withdrawing all previous edicts was accepted, and subsequently, the Akal Takht also withdrew edicts declaring three members of the Takht Patna Sahib 'tankhaiya'. Sources said t

14 Jul 2025 4:41 pm
Chandigarh Police registers FIR against AAP over alleged doctored video of LoP Partap Singh Bajwa

CHANDIGARH: Chandigarh Police on Thursday registered a case against unidentified members of the Aam Aadmi Party based on a complaint by senior Congress leader and Punjab Leader of Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, over the circulation of a doctored video. The edited clip allegedly distorted Bajwas remarks criticising the Punjab Vigilance Bureaus alleged misconduct during a search at the residence of Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Ganieve Majithia, following the arrest of her husband and senior Akali lead

11 Jul 2025 12:47 pm
SAD leader Majithia sent to 14 days judicial custody in disproportionate assets case

CHANDIGARH: Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who is the brother-in-law of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, was today sent to 14 days judicial custody in a disproportionate assets case by a court in Mohali. Amid tight security arrangements, Majithia was produced before the court. The police also detained several prominent SAD leaders and workers in different parts of the state in the morning to prevent them from coming towards Mohali. Speaking to the media after the co

6 Jul 2025 4:19 pm
Takht Patna Sahib declares Sukhbir Badal 'tankhaiya'

Takht Sri Patna Sahib declared Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal 'tankhaiya' for disregarding its directives and not appearing before it. This action stems from a conflict between Takhts, initiated by Akal Takht's earlier decision regarding Takht Sri Patna Sahib's Jathedar. SGPC president expressed concern, emphasizing Akal Takht's supremacy in 'panthic' matters and urging dialogue to resolve the dispute.

5 Jul 2025 8:19 pm
Sukhbir Badal declared 'Tankhaiya' by Takht Patna Sahib for failing to appear before it

CHANDIGARH: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has been declared ankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Takht Patna Sahib (one of the five supreme temporal seats of sikhs) due to his failure to appear before it and thereby undermining its authority. Sources said the decision is an outcome of Sukhbir's failure to appear before the Takht despite being summoned twice. It is understood that this development would further escalate clashes between Sikh religious authori

5 Jul 2025 4:45 pm
Sukhbir Singh Badal Declared 'Tankhaya' By Priests At Takht Patna Sahib

Former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal was declared ankhaya by Takht Sri Harmandir ji Patna Sahab priests for not appearing before the high priest despite reminders.

5 Jul 2025 12:08 pm
SAD leader Majithias custody extended as Badal lashes out at undeclared emergency in Punjab

CHANDIGARH: A Mohali court on Tuesday extended by four days the vigilance custody of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, brother-in-law of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal. Majithia was earlier arrested in a disproportionate assets (DA) case. Meanwhile, Badal and several party workers were taken into preventive custody by Punjab Police to stop them from marching to the district court complex to express solidarity with Majithia. Majithia was produced before the court amid t

2 Jul 2025 6:57 pm
Akali Dal accuses AAP of resorting to political vendetta; AAP hits back

In the meeting of the partys core committee held in Chandigarh, which was presided over by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, it was announced that the party would start a peoples campaign against the corruption and scams prevailing in the government.

1 Jul 2025 10:21 am
SAD chief Sukhbir Singh challenges CM Mann to prove disproportionate assets case against Majithia

CHANDIGARH: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday challenged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to prove that Saraya Industries Limited, in which his brother-in-law and senior party leader Bikram Singh Majithia had an inherited share of eleven percent, had received even one rupee in foreign funding from 2007 to the present time. Badal was denying allegations made in the Disproportionate Assets (DA) case registered against Majithia by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau . B

28 Jun 2025 7:59 pm
SAD leader Majithia allegedly laundered Rs 540 crore through shell firms, tax havens: Vigilance Bureau

CHANDIGARH: Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, brother-in-law of SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Wednesday for allegedly laundering more than Rs 540 crore of drug money, was on Thursday sent to a seven-day vigilance remand by a court in Mohali. The court order came two-and-a-half hours after Majithia was brought into the court complex. Speaking to the media, Ferry Sofat, the advocate representing the Vigilance Bure

26 Jun 2025 4:20 pm
Political storm erupts in Punjab after SAD leader Majithias arrest: Opposition cries vendetta, AAP defends anti-drug drive

CHANDIGARH: The arrest of senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau has triggered a fresh wave of political mudslinging in the state. Majithia, who is also the brother-in-law of SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal, was taken into custody on Tuesday, prompting strong reactions from opposition parties who termed it political vendetta, while the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) hit back, accusing critics of shielding those responsible for Punjabs drug cr

25 Jun 2025 7:27 pm
Akali leader Majithia lashes out at AAP after Punjab Vigilance raids, arrest in assets case

CHANDIGARH: Senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who is the brother-in-law of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, was on Tuesday arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau following a raid on his residence in Amritsar. Sources said the vigilance bureau carried out raids at 25 locations across the state. The vigilance team, led by Assistant Inspector General of Police Swarandeep Singh, raided Majithias house and seized 29 mobile phones, four laptops, two iPads, eight diari

25 Jun 2025 3:28 pm
Punjab Vigilance raids SAD leader Majithias residence in Amritsar

Chandigarh, Jun 25: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Wednesday conducted raids at 25 locations in the state, including the residence of senior Akali leader and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia in Amritsar, sources said. Majithia is facing probe in a 2021 drugs case. However, it is still unclear in which connection the raid was conducted at the residence of Majithia, who is the brother-in-law of Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. Majithia and his wife Ganieve Kaur Majithia, who []

25 Jun 2025 1:14 pm
Infighting costs Congress dearly in Ludhiana (West) bypoll, BJP's momentum stalls, SAD hits another low

CHANDIGARH: The infighting and factionalism within the Congress appear to have cost the partys candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu dearly in the Ludhiana (West) assembly bypoll. Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and leader of opposition Partap Singh Bajwa were noticeably absent from the campaign. Despite Ashus aggressive campaign efforts, he only managed to get 24,542 votes in this bypoll -- a 27.22 per cent vote share, which is less than the 28.06 per cent vote sh

23 Jun 2025 5:50 pm
Ludhiana (West) bypoll a litmus test for AAP and CM Mann, prestige at stake for Congress, BJP

CHANDIGARH: The Ludhiana (West) by-election on Thursday will be a litmus test for the ruling Aam Aadmi Party's national leadership and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as they have aggressively campaigned to retain the seat, while the Congress looks to regain its foothold over the urban constituency which it held six times in the past. While the main contest is likely to be between the AAP and Congress, the bypoll outcome will also shed light on how the BJP performs among urban voters in the

18 Jun 2025 5:56 pm
Vijay Rupani re-scheduled his London visit from June 5 to 12 due to Ludhiana (West) by-elections

CHANDIGARH: Former Chief Minister of Gujarat and Punjab Affairs-in-charge of BJP Vijay Rupani, who was among the 241 passengers killed in the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon, has been involved in Punjab politics for the last three years. In fact, he re-scheduled his visit to London from June 5 to June 12 due to the Ludhiana (West) by-elections. The constituency goes to polling on June 19, and the result will be announced on June 23. Rupani was specifically brought by th

13 Jun 2025 5:41 pm
Political outrage erupts as Punjab govt moves ahead with land acquisition project for urban development

CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Governments ambitious plan to acquire over 24,000 acres of land in Ludhiana for urban development meets strong opposition from Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal, despite Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns assurances of voluntary participation and fair compensation. The most ambitious land acquisition initiative of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab Government to acquire 24,311 acres across more than 30 villages in Ludhiana for the development of urban estat

29 May 2025 12:27 pm
Chandigarh Diary | Shub din for Punjab as its puttar takes lead

At 25, Shubman Gill has scripted history by becoming the first India Test captain from Punjab since Bishan Singh Bedi (1976-78). Gill, who is used to seeing fans go gaga over him in the stadium, has now become the cynosure of all eyes in the states political circles. From Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring to SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, leaders cutting across party lines hailed him as the next big leader in the sport. Heartiest congratulations to all Punjabis on our Punjab

29 May 2025 7:52 am
Veteran Akali Dal leader and former Union minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa passes away at 89

CHANDIGARH: Veteran Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Union minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa passed away on Wednesday evening at 89 after a prolonged illness, marking the end of an era in Punjab's political landscape. He had parted ways with the SAD led by Sukhbir Singh Badal and was with the party's rebel faction. Dhindsa died at Fortis Hospital in Mohali. He was suffering from severe pneumonia and cardiac complications. He is survived by his wife, son Parminder Singh Dhindsa, who was f

28 May 2025 9:19 pm
SGPC puts on hold decision to display ex-PM Manmohan Singh's portrait in museum at Golden Temple

CHANDIGARH: In a fresh controversy, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Friday decided to put on hold its decision to display a portrait of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in the Central Sikh Museum at the Golden Temple complex. This comes after Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is currently in a Patiala jail after being convicted for the assassination of then Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, objected to the move in a letter. SGPC Secretary Partap Singh said that in the rece

23 May 2025 5:36 pm
Religious row erupts between Akal Takht, Takht Patna Sahib, SGPC urges mutual dialogue for resolution

CHANDIGARH: A religious dispute has escalated between the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, and Takht Patna Sahib, after the Panj Pyare (five beloved ones) of Takht Patna Sahib defied a decree issued by the Akal Takht. They declared its acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Takht Damdama Sahib head Tek Singh Dhanaula as tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) for actions allegedly hurting the sanctity and dignity of Takht Patna Sahib. In response, the Akal Takht Secreta

22 May 2025 6:32 pm
Acted As A Statesman: Sukhbir Badal Praises PM For Bold Action Against Pak

Shiromani Akali Dal supremo Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his strong and clear-headed approach in dealing with the enemies of peace across the border.

14 May 2025 2:32 am
SAD chief Badal condemns Pakistan forces''attack' on gurdwara in Poonch during cross-border shelling

CHANDIGARH: Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday strongly condemned the attack on a gurdwara in Poonch by Pakistan forces during cross-border shelling that led to the death of three Sikhs. At least 12 people, including four children, were killed and 57 others injured as the Pakistan Army carried out heavy artillery and mortar shelling on forward villages along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. The intense shelling from across the border started shortly after Indian

7 May 2025 6:20 pm
Punjab government convenes all-party meeting, special assembly session over Bhakra dam water row

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Government has called an all-party meeting on Friday and convened a special assembly session on Monday to discuss the issue of Haryana being allocated additional water from the Bhakra Dam by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). An emergency meeting of all ministers and MLAs was held this evening, headed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, to discuss the emerging situation following the BBMBs order to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryan

1 May 2025 8:26 pm
INTERVIEW | Any alliance should be based on principles: Badal

Sukhbir Singh Badal has been re-elected president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). The former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister heads the century-old party when it faces its worst crisis yet and strives to regain its footing in state politics. Badal talks to Harpreet Bajwa about his challenges and what went wrong with his partys relations with the BJP. Excerpts: Former Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal is back in the saddle. Has he weathered all storms? Were the last few months tough-going? SAD and its

30 Apr 2025 7:35 am