SC seeks Centre, EC response on plea to grant voting rights to undertrial prisoners
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday sought responses of the Centre and the Election Commission on a PIL seeking recognition of voting rights for nearly 4.5 lakh undertrial prisoners lodged in jails across India. A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran took note of the submissions of lawyer Prashant Bhushan that the present blanket ban imposed under Section 62(5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, violates constitutional guarantees and international democratic norms. The petition filed by Sunita Sharma, a resident of Patiala in Punjab, made the Centre through the Ministry of Law and Justice and the Election Commission as respondents. It seeks judicial intervention to ensure that prisoners, who have not been convicted of electoral offences or corruption, are not arbitrarily deprived of their democratic right to vote.
Patiala court rejects anticipatory bail plea of fugitive AAP MLA booked for rape
Patiala: A local court on Thursday rejected an anticipatory bail plea filed by AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, who has been on the run since September 2 after being booked in a rape case. A public prosecutor opposed the bail plea of the Sanaur MLA, citing that Pathanmajra has been absconding for more than a Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
As Punjab govt eyes auction of vacant lands, power sector unions set to launch protest
CHANDIGARH: The cash-strapped Punjab government is seeking to auction off vacant and unutilized government lands in a phased manner after it had to make a U-turn on the land pooling policy. However, the unions of state power sector employees are all set to launch a protest against the government's move to sell the departments assets. Sources said two meetings have already been held to identify the vacant government properties which could be auctioned and work out the modalities. The government is planning to auction its properties in Mohali, Ludhiana and Patiala after it reworked and re-evaluated the price at which they are to be auctioned off. Besides the Health Minister and Industry Minister, officials of the local government, power, water resources, sports and youth services, housing, health and public works departments and the Punjab Development Commission were present at both these meetings, where officials were told to conduct fresh surveys of these properties and prepare a list by mid-October. Sources said most of these properties had been lying unutilized for decades and those where construction was done by the departments concerned were now in a dilapidated state. Discussions were held regarding the use of the land of the Old Bus Stand in Patiala, properties of the PSPCL, spread over 55 acres near 23 Number Phatak, a sports stadium and flats constructed for the PSPCL employees, among others. In Ludhiana, the government is eyeing 40 properties of the PSPCL, located on GT road, and in Power Colony at Sarabha Nagar, besides the long-pending auction of Ludhiana City Centre and land parcels opposite the district administration complex. Various unions of PSPCL employees have opposed the move to auction the properties of the power utility. They demanded that the Punjab government should immediately stop the process of making the list of Powercom properties for possible sale. Instead, the properties should be used only for the expansion of its own future projects, they added. An emergency meeting of all unions and associations representing Punjabs power sector was held on Thursday to discuss plans to sell assets and properties of PSPCL and PSTCL. A unanimous decision was taken to oppose the move to sell or lease valuable lands and assets of the power sector. It was decided that all employees will oppose the move to sell properties in the name of monetisation including vacant lands that would otherwise be used for the departments future growth and providing electricity services to the public. These actions could endanger the very existence of PSPCL and PSTCL, they said. A protest demonstration was also held against the government's attempt to sell off valuable lands of the power sector under the name of monetisation on Thursday in front of the main gate of the PSEB head office. The leadership of all unions in the state issued a warning that if any attempt is made which may cause harm to the departments properties or assets, then they will launch immediate protests.
Pb health min inaugurates power projects worth 245 crore in Patiala
The Forgotten Manager Who Saved Indias Honour in the Gavaskar-Lillee Melbourne Test
The death of Group Captain Shahid Ali Khan Durrani, 89, at Lucknow recently, didnt find any worth mentioning space/minutes among cricket news. In true sense, he didnt play for India and was also not a high rank BCCI official but was associated with one cricket incident, which is still a hot topic after more than 44 years. He was a Vishisht Seva Medal winner, That story in brief is that India was frustrated with the various decisions umpire Rex Whitehead was taking during the 1980-81, three Test series between India and Australia. The third and the last Test at Melbourne saw a meltdown from Gavaskar. In the 2nd innings, Gavaskar at 70*, a Dennis Lillee ball struck on his pads, the umpire raised his finger, but Gavaskar was not convinced with the decision. Gavaskar stood his ground and the spat with Lillee boiled him so much that while going back to pavilion, ordered his batting partner Chauhan to leave the field with him. Cricket had never seen this before. At that crucial juncture, India was at the verge of conceding the Test, but manager Shahid Durrani sensibly stopped the pair at the boundary line and asked Chauhan to return to the middle and play. Any ban on the India team for this act could have serious implications. This is the same Test where India set Australia a target of 143 and with Kapil Dev 5/28 Australia were dismissed for 83, and India won by 60 runs. This single act earned Durrani a special mention and was appreciated by all. Although he was with services, his sports background (played hockey for the Lucknow University and was coach with diploma Class I from National Institute of Sports in Patiala) helped to remain associated with sports in many other ways also. When Pakistan toured India for the first time after independence to play a cricket Test series, he was in the organising committee for the Lucknow Test, as a volunteer. He was a key official for the 1982 Delhi Asian Games (Director of Asiad Protocol Committee). He picked the best brains from the services for the task and helped in organizing one of the best sports events in India . He was awarded Asiad Vashisht Jyoti for this. After retirement from the Air Force in 1983, he was instrumental in keeping cricket alive in Lucknow and the Times League, the UPTRON Trophy, and the Scooters India Trophy were played for many years. As per one of the releases of the SCCB, Wing Commander Shahid Ali Khan Durrani was commissioned in the Indian Air Force in June 1958 and joined Services Sports Control Board in April 1978. Prior to that he was the Commanding Officer of the newly raised Air Force School of Physical Fitness, Sambre and within two years, the unit was judged the best administered unit in the Training Command. This helped him and was appointed Chief-de-Mission for the Services sports contingent for the tour of Malaysia and Singapore during April/May 79. The contingent of 36 sportsmen not only won many hockey and football matches, helped in establishing friendly relations with the Armed Forces of these countries. His performance won high praise from India High Commissioners in Malaysia and Singapore as well as the Service Attaches in these countries. The story of his going to Australia as a manager is very interesting. It started with his selection as the SSCB secretary. Incidentally two other Air Force officers shortlisted for the post were Group Captain HT Bal Dani (1 Test) and Wing Commander VM Muddiah (2 Tests) but Durrani was selected. With the Services being a full member of the BCCI, he started attending the BCCI meetings. In the 1980 BCCI AGM, managers and assistant managers for the upcoming tours of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, and of India A teams visit to Pakistan were to be selected. Durrani decided to be in the race for the managers post for the Australia-NZ tour. Sought Departmental clearance and support from other state cricket associations but was still short of the majority. He still decided to contest. In an interview with the veteran sports journalist, Qaiser Mohammad Ali, Durrani revealed that he was elected as the India manager, not appointed as is the practice. The other strong candidate for the post was Keki Tarapore (with support from Ghulam Ahmed, then secretary of the BCCI). Before the voting took place, Maharaja Fatehsinh Rao Gaekwad, representing Baroda, asked me to withdraw my candidature with a promise of the managers post of the India A teams tour to Pakistan, disclosed Durrani. I turned down the proposal, telling him that I would rather fight and lose than turn my back to the fight. Eventually, when the voting took place I managed the majority comfortably, he recalled. Rest is history. This was the first time ever that a serving Armed Forces Officer was selected as a Manager of the Cricket team going on a tour abroad. This was the first time that a non-Test cricketer was chosen as a Manager of an Indian Cricket Team. He also received the 25th Independence Day medal in 1972. It is generally unknown that his family is one of the most decorated families in India: His father Nadir Ali Khan Durrani: Police Inspector in British-India, received the first Indian Police Independence medal in 1948. His son Lieutenant Colonel Shahzad Salim Durrani: Received a medal on the 50th Independence Day. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score His grand-son Lieutenant Shahnawaz Ali Khan Durrani: Received the 75th Independence Day medal.
Suspected adulterated paneer seized in Patiala
NIA charge sheets 22nd accused in Lawrence Bishnoi gang-Babbar Khalsa nexus case
In its 5th charge sheet filed before the NIA Special Court, Patiala House, Delhi, the NIA has charged Rahul Sarkar with facilitating members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang in committing terror activities in India.
ITBP officer kills himself, suicide note blames Bihar policeman
An Indo-Tibetan Border Police deputy commandant was found dead by suicide in Patiala, with a note accusing a Bihar Police officer. The suicide note blamed the Bihar Police SHO for molesting the deceased's sister, holding him responsible for the tragic death. Police are now investigating the incident after the 47-year-old officer was discovered by colleagues.
ITBP officer found dead in Patiala; suicide note alleges harassment of sister by Bihar cop
Industrialist Rajinder Gupta likely to be AAPs candidate for Punjab Rajya Sabha bypoll
CHANDIGARH: Industrialist Rajinder Gupta is likely to be the Aam Aadmi Partys candidate for the lone vacant Rajya Sabha seat from Punjab in the upcoming bypoll of the upper house of Parliament, scheduled for 24 October. Sources said that Gupta has resigned from his current positions and is expected to be the partys candidate for the Rajya Sabha bypoll. The decision to field a Punjabi face was taken to avoid any narrative of Delhi leadership dominating the state, as there was initially speculation that one of the top leaders of the ruling party might go to the Rajya Sabha from Punjab. The party currently has 93 MLAs in the 117-member state assembly. Considering that the AAP has an overwhelming majority with 93 seats in the assembly, and the winning candidate needs just 60 votes, Guptas victory is certain in the event of an election, though indications are that the state will follow its long-standing convention of sending Rajya Sabha MPs unopposed. Gupta, chairman emeritus of the Trident Group, resigned as the Vice Chairman of the State Economic Policy and Planning Board, as well as Chairperson of the Sri Kali Devi Advisory Committee, yesterday and is expected to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha seat in the coming week. In 2022, Gupta was appointed Vice Chairman of the Planning Board, and in August last year, he was appointed Chairperson of the advisory committee of the temple in Patiala. He previously served as Vice Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Board during both the Congress and SAD-BJP governments and has continued to enjoy the stature of a cabinet minister. The upper house seat fell vacant following the resignation of Sanjeev Arora on 1 July this year, after he won the Ludhiana (West) bypoll with a margin of over 10,000 votes and was appointed Industries and NRI Affairs Minister in the Mann Cabinet. The assembly by-election was necessitated after the demise of AAP MLA Gurpreet Singh Gogi. Sources said that the ruling party was keen on sending an industrialist to the Rajya Sabha. Earlier, party supremo and former Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal had met Kamal Oswal, honcho of Nahar Group of Companies, which had led to speculation that he would be the next AAP Rajya Sabha member. However, sources later indicated that Oswal had declined the offer. It is learnt that opposition parties had previously speculated that Kejriwal might go to the Rajya Sabha from Punjab following the partys setback in the Delhi Assembly elections. However, Kejriwal later clarified that he was not interested in securing a Rajya Sabha berth. Presently, AAP has six members of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from Punjab. These are Raghav Chadha, Sandeep Pathak, Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Balbir Singh Seechewal, Harbhajan Singh, and Ashok Mittal.
CAQM empowers DCs to take penal action against govt officials who fail to curb stubble burning
CHANDIGARG: To check stubble burning, the Deputy Commissioners in Punjab, Haryana, several districts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh falling under the National Capital Region (NCR), and Delhi have been empowered to take penal action against government officials who fail to curb the menace by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). Meanwhile, the Punjab Government has also whipped farmers who indulged in crop-residue burning, with over 95 cases registered and 35 'red entries' in land records. A red entry bars farmers from availing loans, mortgaging or selling land, and obtaining gun licenses. The farmers' unions slammed the state government for its crackdown against farmers and warned of protests. The paddy stubble burning peaks in October and November as it coincides with seasonal deterioration, creating the most polluted days of the year. Flying squad teams to monitor stubble burning hotspots in Punjab, Haryana, CAQM intensifies measures Directions issued on October 1 by Dr Virinder Sharma Member (Technical) of Commission for Air Quality Management, reads, he Commission, through direction 84 dated October 10, 2024 had authorised the Deputy Commissioners / District Collectors / District Magistrates in the States of Punjab, Haryana, NCR areas of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and in the NCT of Delhi to file a complaint/ prosecution before jurisdictional judicial magistrate, in case of inaction in respect of officials, responsible for effective enforcement towards ensuring elimination of paddy stubble burning in their respective jurisdiction. To ensure the complete elimination of paddy stubble burning, it has been felt necessary to strengthen the concerned authorities by empowering them to initiate penal action against officials found responsible for inaction or failure in the effective monitoring and enforcement of measures aimed at eliminating paddy stubble burning within their respective jurisdictions, it stated. The District administrations and the State Governments are expected to maintain constant and strict vigil towards elimination of paddy stubble burning, it concluded. As per the data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Punjab has recorded 95 incidents so far this harvest season compared with 179 during the same period last year, the lowest in six years. Meanwhile, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has imposed environmental compensation worth Rs 2.45 lakh in 95 cases and recovered Rs 1.90 lakh. Also, 53 FIRs have been registered by the state police, including 23 in Amritsar, under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for disobedience of lawful orders. Supreme Court tells Centre to consider jail term for stubble burning to curb menace The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has also deployed a flying squad of 22 scientists in Punjab to monitor and curb farm fires. Every winter, air pollution in Delhi-NCR worsens due to meteorological conditions, including slower wind speeds and falling temperatures. This move comes against the backdrop of the Supreme Court recently urging a tougher stance on the practice. Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader Sarwan Singh Pandher alleged that farmers were being deliberately targeted while no action is being taken against industries, which contribute the maximum to environmental pollution. He condemned the action of registration of FIRs against farmers, red entries and imposition of fine. Pandher said many small farmers could not afford to buy crop residue management machinery. He said the KMSC will burn the effigies of the state government and the Centre on October 6 over the issue of action against farmers for stubble burning and demand adequate compensation for flood-hit farmers. Bharti Kisan Union general secretary Sukhdev Singh Kokirkalan said the government should give Rs 2,500 per acre to farmers for stubble management. Apparently, he said farmers do not want to set the stubble on fire but they do it out of 'compulsion'. Samyukta Kisan Morcha leader Raminder Singh Patiala said the government should give Rs 200 per quintal to farmers for stubble management. He highlighted that the government should provide CRM machinery to farmers. It is not feasible for small farmers to buy these machines.
Patiala court reserves verdict in anticipatory bail plea of Sanaur MLA Pathanmajra
'Threats of false cases': Ex-AAP worker accuses Punjab minister of sexual harassment
A former AAP women's wing functionary filed a sexual harassment complaint against Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh in a Patiala court, accusing him of repeated harassment, molestation, and intimidation. She also named his son and others in a criminal conspiracy, alleging unwelcome advances and demanding arrests. Singh has denied the charges.
Punjab: CM Bhagwant Mann steps up demand for flood relief package
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Assembly on Monday passed a resolution accusing the Centre of not responding adequately to the states flood crisis and demanded a special financial package of Rs 20,000 crore for compensation and rehabilitation. The resolution said Punjab had been ravaged by catastrophic floods, widely regarded as the worst and most destructive deluge since the 1988 floods, affecting over 20 lakh people, destroying crops on nearly five lakh acres, causing heavy livestock losses, and damaging both private and public property. It also criticised the Prime Ministers Office for not responding to Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns repeated requests for a meeting, thereby insulting the people of the state and preventing the state from making a proper and comprehensive representation of the full scale of the disaster. The resolution demanded the immediate transfer of the Rs 1,600-crore relief announced by the Prime Minister during his visit. Mann, however, said he has been given time to meet Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday. Mann announced compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre for 75100% crop loss, Rs 10,000 per acre for 2675% damage, and Rs 1.20 lakh for fully damaged houses. Farmers will receive Rs 7,200 per acre for removing sand deposited by floods and Rs 47,500 per hectare for land that was washed away. A special girdawari is underway, and compensation will start reaching families before Diwali. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa cited letters from the Water Resources Department showing that critical flood mitigation works in districts including Anandpur Sahib, Ropar, SAS Nagar, Patiala, Pathankot, and Ferozepur had not begun. Bajwa said, If everything was completed by July 14, why did urgent instructions go out two weeks later?
TIET hosts Global Conference on Education 4.0 with NITTTR Chandigarh
Excelsior Correspondent PATIALA, Sept 29: Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology (TIET), in collaboration with the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR), Chandigarh, organized the International Conference on Transforming Higher Education for the Future: Education 4.0 (THEC 2025). The conference received 173 research papers from India and abroad, with 63% selected after expert review. Twelve papers were recognized for their originality and impact. The conference was inaugurated in the presence of Dr. R. R. Vederah (Chancellor, TIET), [] The post TIET hosts Global Conference on Education 4.0 with NITTTR Chandigarh appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Kali temple to be developed as major religious and tourist destination in Patiala
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Assembly today unanimously passed a resolution seeking a comprehensive special package of Rs 20,000 crore from the Union government for compensation to farmers, rebuilding infrastructure, and restoring livelihoods in flood-affected areas. The assembly also condemned the 'lack of response and the failure' of the BJP-led union government to sanction a special financial package for the flood-hit Punjab. The resolution also condemned the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) for not responding to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns repeated request for a meeting, thereby 'insulting' the people of the state, and preventing the state from making a proper and comprehensive representation of the full scale of the disaster. Additionally, it demanded the immediate transfer of Rs 1,600 crore relief announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Punjab. The resolution, which was moved on Friday, was passed after the completion of the discussion on the rehabilitation of the state. The two BJP MLAs were not present in the House when the resolution was passed. As per the resolution, Punjab has been ravaged by catastrophic floods, widely regarded as the worst and most destructive deluge since the 1988 floods, which historically impacted more than 34 lakh people. The current disaster has surpassed previous major floods in independent India, such as those in 1955 and 1978, in terms of sheer scale and devastation, causing loss to more than 20 lakh people in many ways, destroying crops on nearly five lakh acres, numerous losses to livestock, and irreparable damage to both private and public infrastructure, read the resolution. Winding up the discussion in the House on the concluding day of the session, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said a compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre for 75 to 100 per cent damage of crops due to the recent floods will be given. He said Rs 10,000 per acre will be given for 33 to 75 per cent and 26 to 33 per cent of crop damage. He added that a compensation of Rs 1.20 lakh will be given for complete damage of houses. Mann said a special 'girdawari' for assessment of losses is underway and added that flood-hit families will start getting compensation before the Diwali festival. Farmers will be given Rs 7,200 per acre for extracting sand, which has accumulated following the floods, from their fields. A sum of Rs 47,500 per hectare will be given to farmers whose farmland was washed away by rivers. He slammed the Centre for allegedly not giving him time to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a representation of the disaster. He also took a swipe at the Centre, saying the PM gave time to meet the Punjab governor. Mann, however, said he has been given time to meet Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday. The resolution stated, This House categorically condemns the lack of response and the failure of the BJP-led Union government to sanction a special financial package commensurate with the scale of the worst floods faced by Punjab in decades. Records its strong protest against the BJP led Union governments apathy that has resulted in the non-disbursement of the announced token funds, thereby critically crippling the speed of the state governments ongoing relief and rehabilitation operations, said the resolution. Earlier in the day, the House was adjourned following a heated exchange between Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and Finance Minister Harpal Cheema. Cheema alleged that while Bajwa blamed the government for failing to provide relief, he himself was promoting self-interest through land deals at the expense of others. In a statement, Bajwa accused the government of misleading the House and the people of Punjab on crucial flood preparedness measures. He specifically called out AAP minister Barinder Goyal, who had earlier claimed in the assembly that all preparations for flood mitigation had been completed by July 14. The facts prove otherwise, Bajwa said. He revealed that on July 22, 2025, the Chief Engineer (Vigilance) of the Water Resources Department wrote to the Chief Engineer (Drainage) directing him to start reviewing the necessity of flood protection works a process which had not even commenced at the site despite two-thirds of the monsoon season already having passed. Bajwa alleged that Executive Engineers from several districts themselves admitted that no flood mitigation or drainage repair works had started in critical areas, including Shri Anandpur Sahib, Ropar, SAS Nagar, Patiala, Pathankot, and Ferozepur. These facts clearly expose the lies of Barinder Goyal and highlight the governments negligence, he added. Bajwa also pointed to letters sent by the Water Resources Department in late July as proof of the administrations unpreparedness. The Principal Secretary of the department had written to all Deputy Commissioners on July 28, directing them to procure EC bags and Geo bags for flood protection, while a separate letter on July 27 instructed the Chief Engineer to arrange EC bags for Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts. If everything was completed by July 14 as claimed, why did these urgent instructions go out two weeks later? Bajwa asked. Responding sharply to allegations made by Cheema regarding his personal land purchase, Bajwa clarified that he had bought the land legally and paid the required stamp duty to the state government. If I have done anything illegal, I challenge Cheema to file a case against me, he asserted.
Nursing staff at Patiala hospital intensify protest over pay scale, job regularisation
BMW accident case: Delhi court grants bail to Gaganpreet Kaur; accuses paramedic of 'negligent act'
Delhi's Patiala court granted bail to Gaganpreet Kaur in the BMW accident case that tragically killed a finance ministry official. However, the court sharply questioned an ambulance's conduct, which arrived at the scene but left within 30 seconds without transporting the injured. It asked if this constituted medical negligence, highlighting the ambulance's duty to assist accident victims.
Delhi's Patiala House Court extended Gaganpreet Makkad's judicial custody by 14 days in the Dhaula Kuan BMW accident case. Her bail plea was heard, with the prosecution alleging self-preservation and the defense citing cooperation. The court directed police to produce CCTV footage for the next hearing on September 25.
The Patiala House Court has reserved its order on the anticipatory bail plea of Swami Chaitanyananda Saraswati. Delhi Police opposed the bail, stating that the accused has been on the run. He is accused of illegally withdrawing Rs 60 lakh and possessing two passports. He also faces allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct.
Nursing staff of Rajindra hospital in Patiala hit rooftop to seek pay hike
New Ferozepur-Delhi Vande Bharat Train Announced; Bathinda, Patiala Among Key Stops | Details
Railway Minister Vaishnaw proposed a Vande Bharat Express from New Delhi to Ferozepur Cantt via Bathinda and Patiala to boost connectivity.
The Railway Ministry will start a new Rajpura-Mohali railway line in Punjab and a new Vande Bharat train connecting Firozpur Cantt, Bhatinda, Patiala, and Delhi.
Railway ministry approves Rajpura-Mohali line, proposes new Vande Bharat train for Punjab
NEW DELHI: After five decades of persistent demand, the Ministry of Railways has approved the long-awaited RajpuraMohali railway line in Punjab and proposed a new Vande Bharat train for the state as part of railway infrastructure projects worth Rs 25,000 crore currently under execution. Speaking to the media on Tuesday at Rail Bhawan, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw officially announced the RajpuraMohali railway line. He also revealed that a proposal for a new Vande Bharat Express, running from Firozpur Cantt to Delhi via Bathinda and Patiala, has been prepared and is expected to be approved soon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Punjab has got nearly a 24 times hike in its budget allocation under the present government since 2014. Now, Punjab has got over Rs 5,000 crore of the Railway budget compared to earlier which used to be around Rs 225 crore before 2014. Now, PM Modi ji has increased the Railway budget 24 times from earlier, Vaishnaw said. He explained that the new 18-kilometre railway line would connect Chandigarh via the Jalandhar route, significantly shortening the previously longer journey between the two locations. This new railway line will be constructed at a cost of Rs 443 crore. The minister added that a new Vande Bharat train would soon be launched for Punjab. At present, five pairs of Vande Bharat trains are operating in the state. Additionally, one pair of Amrit Bharat trains is in service, covering six districts with eight unique stoppages. Punjab has achieved 100% electrification of its 1,634 km railway track network, and 30 stations are currently being developed as Amrit Stations under a national modernisation scheme. The Railway Minister also noted that since 2014, the Government of India has completed 10 mega railway projects, with seven more currently under execution.
CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh Public Works and Urban Development Minister and scion of the Rampur-Bushahr royal family, Vikramaditya Singh, tied the knot with his long-time acquaintance Amreen Sekhon. Sekhon is an Assistant Professor at Panjab University. Anand Karaj, the wedding ritual, took place at the Sector 11 Gurdwara as per Sikh traditions. Both families were present in the event, after which they reportedly left for Hotel Lalit. Vikramaditya was dressed in a pastel pink sherwani, paired with a bright orange and pink turban. He carried a traditional kalgi and a ceremonial sword with him. Amreen wore a heavily embroidered peach-toned lehenga with golden bridal kalire dangling from her hands, completing her traditional look. Expressing gratitude to well-wishers and thanking everyone for their support and warm wishes, Singh said, This marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life. Amreen Sekhon stood beside him with her face partially covered with a traditional ghoonghat. When asked whether the newlyweds had made any promises or commitments to each other, Singh chose not to elaborate. Born on October 17, 1989, Singh is the son of the late Virbhadra Singh who was a six-time Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister. His mother, Pratibha Singh, is the president of Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC). He carries forward the familys political legacy and is presently the MLA from Shimla Rural constituency and minister of the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu cabinet. In last years Lok Sabha elections, Singh contested from the Mandi constituency, but was defeated by actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut. An alumnus of Bishop Cotton School in Shimla, Singh had done his graduation in History in 2011 from Hansraj College of Delhi University and completed his post-graduation in History in 2016. He is also a national-level trap shooter, having won a bronze medal in 2007. Amreen Sekhon, daughter of Sardar Jotinder Singh Sekhon and Opinder Kaur, has done double masters degrees in English and Psychology, along with a PhD in Psychology. She is presently posted as an Assistant Professor at Panjab University. The royal family of Rampur-Bushahr has ties with Sikh families, as Vikramadityas sister, Aparajita Singh, is wedded into the Patiala royal family. She is married to Angad Singh, the grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. Notably, in 2019, Vikramaditya Singh had married princess Sudarshana Chundawat of Amet in Rajasthan and divorced her last year in November.
BMW accident case: Delhi Court issues notice to Police to preserve CCTV footage of accident site
The Patiala House Court has directed the Delhi Cantonment Police Station to preserve CCTV footage related to the fatal Dhaula Kuan BMW accident, which resulted in the death of Navjot Singh. This directive came after discrepancies arose regarding the existence and availability of the footage, with the accused seeking its preservation.
BMW accident case: Delhi court issues notice to preserve CCTV footage
A Patiala House Court addresses the Dhaula Kuan BMW accident case. The court issued a notice regarding CCTV footage preservation. Gaganpreet Kaur's bail plea is underway. Her husband, Parikshit Kakkar, was questioned. Navjot Singh died in the accident. His wife, Sandeep Kaur, was seriously injured. Gaganpreet claimed she took the victims to GTB Nagar hospital. She faces culpable homicide charges.
Three J&K Fencers qualify for Asian Games 2026 Core Group trials
Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 15: Out of 13 fencers from Jammu and Kashmir who participated in the Core Group Selection trials for the Asian Games 2026, only three have secured their place in the initial core group. The successful fencers are Shreya Gupta, Vishal Thapar and Ajay Kumar. The trials were held at SAI NCOE Patiala (Epee), Army Sports Institute Pune (Sabre) and SAI NCOE Aurangabad (Foil), featuring top athletes from across India. Shreya Gupta displayed remarkable resilience, securing [] The post Three J&K Fencers qualify for Asian Games 2026 Core Group trials appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
A farmer shows damaged paddy crop at a field after floodwater receded
A farmer shows damaged paddy crop at a field after floodwater receded, in Patiala district of Punjab on Saturday. (PTI) The post A farmer shows damaged paddy crop at a field after floodwater receded appeared first on The Shillong Times .
CHANDIGARH: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura, who represents the Khadoor Sahib Assembly constituency, was sentenced on Friday to four years of imprisonment in a case related to the molestation and assault of a Dalit woman. Additional Sessions Judge of Tarn Taran, Prem Kumar, handed down the sentence in connection with the 2013 assault and molestation case. Lalpura was convicted on September 10. Subsequently, he was arrested and remanded into custody. According to the victims counsel, Amit Dhawan, the case was registered under Sections 323, 324, and 354 of the IPC, along with provisions of the SC/ST Act. In total, 12 persons were convicted: seven have been arrested, one is deceased, one is already lodged in Tihar Jail, and three others, who are wanted in connection with the case, are still absconding. The victim told the media that she was satisfied with the verdict, as she had to fight a long and difficult battle against the accused. At the time of the 2013 incident, Lalpura was working as a taxi driver. The incident occurred at a wedding hall in Tarn Taran, where the victim was allegedly caned by police personnel from the Tarn Taran police station, along with Lalpura. She was also molested during the police assault. Lalpura was arrested days after another AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra from Sanaur was booked for rape and cheating. He escaped from the custody of Patiala police from Karnal in Haryana. In June this year the state vigilance bureau had arrested Raman Arora, AAP MLA representing Jalandhar (Central) constituency in a corruption case. A corporation official was also involved in the case. In February, 2023 Amit Rattan Kotfatta MLA representing Bathinda (Rural) constituency was arrested in a graft case. In 2022, a few months after the AAP government came to power, the then health minister and Mansa MLA Vijay Singla was arrested on corruption charges. These arrests have dented the image of the ruling party. A senior AAP leader on condition of anonymity said that all these controversies have hurt the public perception of the government which now needs to be improved. On the other hand, the party leadership claimed that the arrests of these legislators are evidence enough that the government is committed to zero tolerance for wrongdoing. Spokesman of Punjab AAP, Neel Garg said that, he law has taken its own course Lalpura's case. The incident for which he was sentenced took place before he became an MLA. Our stand is clear. We'll not defend any person involved in wrong doings, he added.
Sports Ministry launches flexible coaching course for sports recruits in govt. departments
NEW DELHI, Sept 10: Sports quota recruits working in various government departments are set to be offered a flexible two-year Special Capacity Building Course at Patialas Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports to equip them with professional coaching competencies. The course is set to commence from October 27 with September 25 being the last date to submit applications. The initiative is driven by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviyas stated objective of ensuring that Indias athletes remain actively involved in the countrys [] The post Sports Ministry launches flexible coaching course for sports recruits in govt. departments appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Kareena Kapoor's 5 iconic film looks that set fashion trends, from corsets to patialas
Kareena Kapoor turned movie costumes into style moments. From Geet's breezy Patiala pants to Poo's Y2K glam, these five on-screen outfits not only defined her characters but also started trends that fans still copy today.
CHANDIGARH: The AAP-led Punjab Government is set to introduce a new policy allowing farmers to remove sand from flood-hit fields, and to sell extracted sand for additional income. Punjab Incharge of AAP Manish Sisodia, today announced that the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government is set to bring major relief for farmers affected by the recent floods. The state government will soon announce a policy to allow farmers to freely remove sand deposited in their fields due to the floods, ensuring agricultural activities can resume without delay. Sisodia said, The floods have destroyed crops, damaged homes, and claimed livestock. But the biggest concern of our farmers right now is the sand left behind in their fields, which could make future farming impossible. We have taken their feedback seriously. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already discussed this issue with officials and assured that a clear policy will be announced in the next few days to allow farmers to remove the sand from their fields without any bureaucratic hurdles. He added that the decision will not only help farmers prepare their land for the next sowing season but also provide them with an opportunity to sell the sand if it can be used for construction purposes. AAP, BJP trade charges over cause of Punjab floods as Congress blames both for collective failure This will be a double relief, the land will be cleared for crops, and farmers can also earn some income from selling the sand, Sisodia said. He claimed that the Mann government has been working round-the-clock to support people affected by the floods. All our ministers, MLAs, and volunteers have been on the ground providing relief. I personally visited many districts and villages, met with farmers, understood their problems, and assured them that the government stands firmly with them, he said. Sisodia pointed out that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other senior leaders spoke to the Chief Minister, no concrete financial assistance has been announced yet. Punjabs rightful dues of over Rs 60,000 crore, including Rs 58,000 crore of GST, are pending with the Centre. If this amount had been released earlier, relief and rehabilitation work could have progressed much faster. I urge the Prime Minister to release Punjabs dues before his visit on September 9 , he said. Punjab Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that 504 cattle or buffaloes, 73 sheep and goats and 160 pigs have perished across 14 districts. These districts include Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Barnala, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Tarn Taran, Patiala, Jalandhar, Rupnagar and Moga. Additionally, 18,304 poultry birds died in Gurdaspur, Rupnagar and Fazilka due to the collapse of poultry sheds. He further said that approximately 2.52 lakhs animals and 5,88,685 poultry birds were affected by the floods. Khudian added that 481 teams have been deployed to provide treatment and arrange medicines for affected livestock. Till now, 22,534 animals have been provided treatment. He further said that the department has distributed relief supplies, including over 12,170 quintals of feed and 5090.35 quintals of green fodder, dry fodder and silage, to support livestock in flood-affected districts, in collaboration with the district administration and social organisations. Uromin licks are also being supplied to the animals to boost their immune system. Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry Rahul Bhandari said that the department has already released a total of Rs 31.50 lakh for the treatment of animals affected by the floods. Meanwhile Rajya Sabha Member, Sanjay Singh and Punjab Panchayat Minister, Tarunpreet Singh Sond visited flood-affected border villages of Fazilka district on September 7. Singh said that Punjab has been battling floods for nearly a month, yet the Centre continues to wait for reports instead of providing immediate relief. He expressed hope that during his visit to Punjab on September 9, the Prime Minister will announce a substantial relief package for the affected areas. He said that even though the Union Agriculture Minister had earlier visited Punjab, no relief has been provided so far. While Sond stated that relief operations in the district are being carried out with full speed. He added that as water levels begin to recede, the administration is gearing up for the next set of challenges. These include the risk of waterborne diseases and assessment of damages. He emphasised that medical teams, veterinary units, and district administration officials are actively working in the affected villages to ensure that every person in need receives relief supplies.
Jailed Baramulla MP, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, has petitioned a Delhi court for permission to vote in the upcoming Vice-Presidential election on September 9. Currently held in Tihar Jail on terror funding charges, Rashid's plea is before the Special NIA Court at Patiala House.
Punjab CM Mann indisposed, Kejriwal tours flood-hit areas without him
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is indisposed. He was to accompany Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on a tour of flood-affected Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district on Thursday. However, he cancelled his visit. Kejriwal called on Mann at the chief minister's official residence in Chandigarh and inquired about his health. The meeting lasted for about half an hour. It is learnt that the doctors attending to Mann had advised him complete bed rest. Later, Kejriwal, accompanied by senior AAP leaders including party president Aman Arora visited the flood-affected areas and reviewed the ongoing rescue and rehabilitation works. Kejriwal was to visit Patiala district as well, but that leg of the tour was cancelled at the last minute as the flood situation there has turned grim with the overflowing Ghaggar breaching its embankment of the Bhakra main canal (Narwana branch) near Sarala village in Ghanaur. On Tuesday, Mann had toured flood-affected areas in Ferozepur district and met the people. However, he fell ill on Thursday. Meanwhile, Punjab agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal today met Union Agricuture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Amritsar and submitted a memorandum, seeking Rs 2,000 crore as financial assistance in the first phase for the losses caused by floods in the Ajnala assembly constituency. The AAP Government has demanded to release Rs 60,000 crore `pending dues of the state from the Centre.
CHANDIGARH : A fresh spell of heavy rains compounded the flood situation in Punjab with the death toll rising to 37 on Wednesday, while crops on 1.75 lakh hectares of land in 23 districts got damaged by the worst deluge in the state since 1988. Rescue and relief operations are underway on a war footing as help poured in from several quarters for over 3.55 lakh people in 1,655 villages, desperately looking for succour. Following heavy rains, an alert has been sounded in Rupnagar and Patiala districts, urging people to remain vigilant, while all schools, colleges and universities have been closed till September 7. With rains refusing to relent in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, the already swollen Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers originating in the Himalayas and seasonal rivulets inundated towns, villages and agricultural lands, upending normal life. The Punjab government released Rs 71 crore as an immediate relief and rehabilitation measure, with the AAP dispensation reiterating that it was committed to compensating people for their losses. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will visit the flood-hit areas in Punjab on Thursday to review the extent of crop damage. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, along with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, will also assess the flood damage on the same day. He will take stock of the relief work being carried out in the state and interact with the affected people, said the party. Rains in Punjab have aggravated the flood situation. The water level in the Bhakra dam at 6 am was 1,677.84 feet, against its maximum capacity of 1,680 feet. The inflow in the dam was 86,822 cusecs while the outflow was 65,042 cusecs. Punjab declared disaster-hit as floods submerge 3.75 lakh acres; 30 dead, 3.55 lakh affected In view of heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh, the water discharge from the dam was being increased from 65,000 cusecs to 75,000 cusecs, officials said and warned that Nangal's villages may be inundated. Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said the state is reeling under one of the worst floods in recent decades, with widespread crop devastation reported across 1,75,216 hectares of farmland. Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Mansa, Ferozepur and Fazilka are among the worst-hit districts, accounting for the bulk of the agricultural losses, he said. The minister said that 37 lives have been lost across 12 districts, while three persons remain missing in Pathankot. The highest fatalities have been reported in Hoshiarpur, where seven lives have been lost, followed by six in Pathankot, five in Barnala, four each in Amritsar and Ludhiana, three each in Bathinda and Mansa, and one each in Gurdaspur, Patiala, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar and Sangrur. The flood-related data is from August 1 to September 3. Gurdaspur alone suffered crop damage over 40,169 hectares, followed by Mansa 24,967 hectares, Amritsar 23,000 hectares, Fazilka 17,786 hectares, Ferozepur 17,620 hectares, and Kapurthala 14,934 hectares, among others. The Rupnagar district administration has asked people living near the Sutlej river to stay on alert in the wake of an increase in the discharge of water from the Bhakra dam. Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Bains appealed to Sri Anandpur Sahib residents living on riverbanks and low-lying areas to shift to safer places or relief camps. He visited over two dozen flood-affected villages and personally oversaw the evacuation of families stranded along the Sutlej river. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria visited the flood-ravaged areas in Pathankot district, while AAP leader Manish Sisodia visited the flood-hit areas in Tarn Taran district. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha announced providing Rs 3.25 crore from his Local Area Development Scheme fund for relief work. MP Sandeep Pathak visited flood-hit villages in Ferozepur district and released Rs 5 crore from the MPLADS funds for the affected villages in the border district. Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal also announced a grant of Rs 50 lakh from his discretionary funds to support the affected people. Relief and rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, Border Security Force, Punjab Police and district authorities are underway in the affected areas, officials said. Meanwhile, the Patiala district administration issued an alert for villages near the Ghaggar river in the Rajpura sub-division in the wake of heavy rains in the catchment areas. According to officials, the water level of the Tangri river has risen close to the danger mark in Ambala and is expected to rise in Patiala following heavy rains in Ambala and Kala Amb.
Citing media reports, NHRC says patient attendants alleged poor sanitation, negligence, but medical superintendent says no baby missing from hospital; Punjab Chief Secy, police asked to report in two weeks
Punjab AAP MLA booked for rape remains on run after escaping from custody
PATIALA: AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra remained on the run a day after he escaped police custody amid gunshots and stone pelting by his supporters following his arrest in a rape case. Efforts are on to nab Pathanmajra, police sources said on Wednesday. Pathanmajra, a first-time MLA, escaped from custody after a police team went to arrest him in Dabri village in Haryana's Karnal district, where he was at the residence of one of his relatives. Pardeep Bajwa, in charge of the Patiala Crime Investigation Agency (CIA), said on Tuesday, We conducted a raid at Pathanmajra's (relative's) residence in Haryana. He was arrested. But a group of villagers and some mischievous elements pelted stones at the police team and fired gunshots. The Sanour MLA used the cover fire and stone pelting to escape, he added. According to officials, Pathanmajra and his supporters fled in two SUVs a Scorpio and a Fortuner. A policeman who tried to stop the vehicles was injured after being hit, they said. Balwinder Singh, an accomplice of the MLA, was arrested with three weapons in his possession, police said. They later seized the Fortuner, but the MLA managed to flee in the other vehicle. According to an FIR registered at the Civil Lines police station here on September 1, Pathanmajra was booked on charges of rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation. The case was registered based on a complaint by a Zirakpur-based woman, who alleged that the MLA misrepresented himself as divorced, entered into a relationship with her, and later married in 2021 while already being married. She accused him of continued sexual exploitation, threats, and sending obscene material to her. After the FIR was filed, Pathanmajra went live on Facebook on Tuesday, strongly criticising the Punjab government and alleging that the Delhi-based AAP leadership was illegitimately ruling over Punjab. He appealed to fellow party MLAs to stand with him, claiming that during Congress or BJP governments, the central leadership did not interfere in state affairs the way AAP was doing. On Sunday, Pathanmajra had also accused a senior IAS officer of failing to act on his repeated requests for desilting and clean-up of rivers, particularly the Tangri river. However, AAP leader Baltej Singh Pannu on Tuesday said Pathanmajra started raising the flood issue and targeting the IAS officer only after learning that police could take action against him based on the woman's complaint.
Punjab AAP MLA booked for rape flees police custody, gunshots fired: Sources
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Sanaur, Harmeet Singh Dhillon alias Pathanmajra, reportedly escaped from police custody on Tuesday. He was arrested by the Punjab Police from Karnal in Haryana for rape and cheating charges days after the MLA criticised his own party's government over handling floods and questioned its central leadership. Pathanmajra managed to flee the scene in a white SUV, reportedly aided by villagers and supporters. There was an alleged exchange of fire during the escape, said police sources. As the Patiala Police booked Pathanmajra for rape charges, a police team was sent to Dabri village in Karnal to arrest him. Pathanmajra, who was at the residence of one of his relatives Gurnam Singh Laadi, an elected member of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), reportedly absconded fearing arrest. Despite the fact that there were multiple police teams, the MLA escaped with the help of locals. We are now coordinating with Haryana police to track him down, said a police officer on condition of anonymity. He added that a policeman was injured after being hit by Pathanmajra's SUV. Another FIR will be registered against him for assaulting and injuring a police officer on duty. Sources said that the initial case against Pathanmajra was registered on Monday evening under Section 376 of the IPC. The legislator was booked on rape charges as an old complaint which was against him was under investigation. Also a fresh complaint was submitted on August 26 by the woman involved, alleging that the MLA had sexually exploited her under the pretext of marriage, said a senior police official. Yesterday, the government withdrew his security cover and eight of his gunmen were taken back. Pathanmajra was provided additional security a few months ago, after he claimed to have received threat calls. The government also ordered to transfer of all SHOs and police post heads in the Sanaur constituency. I had already told my gunmen yesterday that they would be sent back. The Delhi leaders of AAP think they can scare me with vigilance action or FIRs, but I will never bow down. I will stand like a rock with my people, he had said. The MLA on Sunday criticized his own government over the handling of floods in Patiala. He accused senior officials of the irrigation department, including a senior IAS officer, of ignoring repeated requests to desilt rivers such as the Tangri, warning it had worsened flooding in villages. He had alleged that this was done under the direction of the state government. He also alleged the party was trying to suppress Punjab MLAs instead of fixing the administration. Pathanmajra said the government should listen to people. The legislator had said he raised the issue in the Punjab assembly several times, submitted deputations, and personally met Principal Secretary (Water Resources) Krishan Kumar several times, but ot a single meaningful step was taken. He said Kumar ignored his repeated pleas of allowing the use of soil from the Tangri and the Ghaggar to strengthen banks. He also alleged that his security was withdrawn, and local police officers were transferred as retaliation. As per the FIR, Pathanmajra has been booked on charges of rape, cheating and criminal intimidation. The case has been registered on a complaint by a Zirakpur-based woman, who alleged that the MLA misrepresented himself as divorced. She alleged that the MLA entered into a relationship with her and later married in 2021 while still being married. She accused him of continued sexual exploitation, threats, and sending obscene material to her. After the FIR, Pathanmajra went live on Facebook, strongly criticising the Punjab government and alleging that Delhi-based AAP leadership was illegitimately ruling over Punjab. He appealed to fellow party MLAs to stand with him, as he alleged that during the Congress or BJP governments, the central leadership did not interfere in state affairs the way AAP's did.
Punjab AAP MLA booked for rape flees police custody in a dramatic fashion, gunshots fired: Sources
PATIALA: AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra on Tuesday allegedly escaped police out to arrest him in a rape case, sources said. Gunshots were fired, and a policeman sustained an injury after being hit by an SUV in which Pathanmajra escaped, they said. The Sanour MLA was helped in his escape by his supporters, sources said. Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Varun Sharma could not be reached for comments. A hunt is on for the MLA, who attacked his own party's government over floods and questioned its central leadership. Earlier in the day, Pathanmajra, in a video message on Facebook, claimed that he had been booked under the charge of rape. According to an FIR filed in the matter, Pathanmajra was booked on charges of rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation. The case was registered on a complaint by a Zirakpur-based woman, who alleged that the MLA misrepresented himself as divorced, entered into a relationship with her, and later married in 2021 while still being married. She accused him of continued sexual exploitation, threats, and sending obscene material to her. After the FIR, Pathanmajra went live on Facebook, strongly criticising the Punjab government and alleging that Delhi-based AAP leadership was illegitimately ruling over Punjab. He appealed to fellow party MLAs to stand with him, as he alleged that during the Congress or BJP governments, the central leadership did not interfere in state affairs the way AAP's did. They can lodge FIRs against me, I can stay in jail, but my voice cannot be suppressed, the lawmaker said in the video message. On Sunday, Pathanmajra accused a senior IAS officer of not taking such actions as desilting and cleaning rivers, particularly the Tangri River, despite his requests. He said the government should listen to people or they will thrash us. Pathanmajra also alleged the party was trying to suppress Punjab MLAs instead of fixing the administration. The MLA said he raised the issue in the Punjab Assembly several times, submitted deputations, and personally met Principal Secretary (Water Resources) Krishan Kumar several times, but ot a single meaningful step was taken. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, as several villages in his constituency were flooded, Pathanmajra lashed out at bureaucrats and said he had been demanding cleaning of the Tangri and permission to allow the use of soil near rivers to strengthen banks, but to no avail. He also urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to immediately remove Krishan Kumar from his post. On Monday, Pathanmajra claimed that his security had been withdrawn and that all station house officers and police post heads in his constituency had been transferred. He said that he never anticipated this action. I had already told my gunmen yesterday that they would be sent back.The Delhi leaders (of AAP) think they can scare me with vigilance (action) or FIRs, but I will never bow down. I will stand like a rock with my people, he said.
Punjab, Haryana Receive More Rain; Relief Work Underway In Flood-Hit Areas
Chandigarh, Sep 2: A fresh spell of rain lashed several parts of flood-hit Punjab and Haryana where swollen rivers have inundated large tracts of land and disrupted normal life, officials said on Tuesday. According to the weather department, several places in the two states received rain during the 24-hour period ending 8:30 am Tuesday. Among other places in Punjab, Amritsar received 18.3 mm rain, Patiala 70.5 mm, Bathinda 5 mm, Faridkot 1 mm, Gurdaspur 32.8 mm, Mansa 10 mm while [] The post Punjab, Haryana Receive More Rain; Relief Work Underway In Flood-Hit Areas appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Punjab: After he targeted own AAP govt, Sanour MLA Harmeet Pathanmajra booked in rape case
PATIALA, Sept 2: AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, who attacked his own partys government over floods and questioned its central leadership, has been booked under the charge of rape. The lawmaker from the Sanour seat in Patiala said police came to arrest him. According to an FIR filed in the matter, Pathanmajra was booked on charges of rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation. The case was registered on a complaint by a Zirakpur-based woman, who alleged that the MLA misrepresented [] The post Punjab: After he targeted own AAP govt, Sanour MLA Harmeet Pathanmajra booked in rape case appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Heavy rains lash several parts of Punjab, Haryana
CHANDIGARH: Rains lashed several parts of Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory Chandigarh on Monday, with Ludhiana logging the highest rainfall of 216.70 mm. According to the Met department here, several places in Punjab and Haryana received rain during the 24-hour period ending 8:30 am Monday. Among other places in Punjab which received rain included Amritsar (24.1 mm), Patiala (80.4 mm), Pathankot (3.6 mm), Bathinda (3 mm), Faridkot (10.2 mm), Gurdaspur (2.7 mm), SBS Nagar (112.7 mm), Mohali (64 mm), Mansa (42 mm) and Rupnagar (82.5 mm). Chandigarh, the joint capital of both states, received 76.5 mm of rainfall. Among other places in Haryana, Ambala recorded 48.4 mm, Hisar (11.8 mm), Karnal (12.8 mm), Narnaul (66 mm), Rohtak (13.4 mm), Sirsa (130 mm), Panchkula (57 mm), Panipat (33 mm) and Gurugram (9.5 mm). Punjab is under the grip of massive floods, caused by the swollen Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers and seasonal rivulets due to heavy rain in their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Villages worst-affected by the floods were in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar districts. Relief and rescue operations by the NDRF, Army, BSF, Punjab Police and district authorities continued on a war footing in the affected areas.
Punjab weather: IMD issues red alert for heavy rainfall in several districts
The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in several parts of Punjab, including Gurdaspur and Patiala. An orange alert has been sounded in nearby areas. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has requested Rs 60,000 crore from the Prime Minister for flood relief, citing severe impact on villages and farms.
CHANDIGARH: The flood situation in Punjab has worsened due to incessant heavy rainfall, causing major rivers including the Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, and Ghaggar to swell. Out of Punjabs 23 districts, 22 have been affected so far. A total of 1,312 villages are impacted, nearly 3 lakh acres of standing crops have been inundated, and 26 people have lost their lives. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the release of Rs 60,000 crore in state funds that he claims are pending with the Union Government. Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian confirmed that the 1,312 affected villages include, 93 in Amritsar, 26 in Barnala, 21 in Bathinda, 1 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 92 in Fazilka, 107 in Ferozepur, 324 in Gurdaspur, 86 in Hoshiarpur, 55 in Jalandhar, 123 in Kapurthala, 26 in Ludhiana, 4 in Malerkotla, 77 in Mansa, 35 in Moga, 81 in Pathankot, 14 in Patiala, 2 in Rupnagar, 22 in Sangrur, 1 in SAS Nagar, 3 in SBS Nagar, 74 in Muktsar and 45 in Tarn Taran. Emergency response teams from the state machinery, along with NDRF, SDRF, the Army, and Punjab Police, are working round-the-clock to protect lives and property. Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Anurag Verma, after inspecting villages along the Sutlej River in Ferozepur district, reported that nearly 3 lakh acres of land have been affected and around 1.25 lakh people are impacted by the floods. He added that the government has ordered a special girdawari (crop damage assessment) to provide compensation for crop losses. District authorities have been instructed to gather accurate loss data, and compensation will be disbursed per CM Manns directives. Currently, six NDRF teams are deployed in Gurdaspur and one each in Fazilka, Ferozepur, Pathankot, and Amritsar. Two SDRF teams are operational in Kapurthala. The Army, Navy, and Air Force are assisting in Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, and Pathankot, while BSF teams are engaged in Gurdaspur and Ferozepur. Punjab Police and Fire Brigade are also assisting in Kapurthala and Ferozepur. Additionally, 15 boats in Kapurthala, 12 in Ferozepur, and 4 in Pathankot are engaged in evacuations, with airlifting operations carried out where required. So far, 26 people have died in the floods, including an irrigation department employee who fell into the Ravi River last week while trying to open flood gates at the Madhopur barrage. Sources said that the Ghaggar River is also overflowing due to excess water from the Markanda and Tangri rivers. Water levels at Chika (Haryana), Khanauri (Sangrur), and Sardulgarh (Mansa) are very high, though still below the danger mark. CM writes to PM Modi In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, CM Mann said that Punjab is facing one of its worst flood disasters in decades, with around 1,300 villages and lakhs of people affected. He said heavy rains and dam releases caused severe flooding in Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Hoshiarpur. He noted that nearly 3 lakh acres of mainly paddy crops are submerged just weeks before harvest. Losses of livestock have also deeply affected rural families. The Chief Minister emphasized that Punjab has suffered a permanent revenue loss of Rs 49,727 crore due to the GST replacing VAT, with no compensation granted. Additionally, reductions in RDF and MDF have cost the state over Rs 8,000 crore, and the scrapping of PMGSY projects worth Rs 828 crore has further hurt development. He also slammed the existing State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms, calling them grossly inadequate. Current compensation for crop loss exceeding 33% stands at Rs 17,000 per hectare (or Rs 6,800 per acre). Mann stated the state government already tops this up to Rs 15,000 per acre, but given the extent of devastation, at least Rs 50,000 per acre should be provided. He urged a revision of SDRF norms and assured the Centre that Punjab would continue contributing its 25% share as per scheme guidelines. The Punjab government has extended school holidays till September 3. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the decision was taken on CM Manns instructions to ensure student safety. He urged parents to prioritise their childrens well-being and requested teachers to stay in touch with district administrations to support community efforts. Schools were originally closed from August 27 to 30.
CHANDIGARH: The flood situation in Punjab has worsened due to incessant heavy rainfall, causing major rivers including the Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, and Ghaggar to swell. Out of Punjabs 23 districts, 22 have been affected so far. A total of 1,312 villages are impacted, nearly 3 lakh acres of standing crops have been inundated, and 26 people have lost their lives. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the release of 60,000 crore in state funds that he claims are pending with the Union Government. Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian confirmed that the 1,312 affected villages include, 93 in Amritsar, 26 in Barnala, 21 in Bathinda, 1 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 92 in Fazilka, 107 in Ferozepur, 324 in Gurdaspur, 86 in Hoshiarpur, 55 in Jalandhar, 123 in Kapurthala, 26 in Ludhiana, 4 in Malerkotla, 77 in Mansa, 35 in Moga, 81 in Pathankot, 14 in Patiala, 2 in Rupnagar, 22 in Sangrur, 1 in SAS Nagar, 3 in SBS Nagar, 74 in Muktsar and 45 in Tarn Taran. Emergency response teams from the state machinery, along with NDRF, SDRF, the Army, and Punjab Police, are working round-the-clock to protect lives and property. Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Anurag Verma, after inspecting villages along the Sutlej River in Ferozepur district, reported that nearly 3 lakh acres of land have been affected and around 1.25 lakh people are impacted by the floods. He added that the government has ordered a special girdawari (crop damage assessment) to provide compensation for crop losses. District authorities have been instructed to gather accurate loss data, and compensation will be disbursed per CM Manns directives. Currently, six NDRF teams are deployed in Gurdaspur and one each in Fazilka, Ferozepur, Pathankot, and Amritsar. Two SDRF teams are operational in Kapurthala. The Army, Navy, and Air Force are assisting in Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, and Pathankot, while BSF teams are engaged in Gurdaspur and Ferozepur. Punjab Police and Fire Brigade are also assisting in Kapurthala and Ferozepur. Additionally, 15 boats in Kapurthala, 12 in Ferozepur, and 4 in Pathankot are engaged in evacuations, with airlifting operations carried out where required. So far, 26 people have died in the floods, including an irrigation department employee who fell into the Ravi River last week while trying to open flood gates at the Madhopur barrage. Sources said that the Ghaggar River is also overflowing due to excess water from the Markanda and Tangri rivers. Water levels at Chika (Haryana), Khanauri (Sangrur), and Sardulgarh (Mansa) are very high, though still below the danger mark. CM writes to PM Modi In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, CM Mann said that Punjab is facing one of its worst flood disasters in decades, with around 1,300 villages and lakhs of people affected. He said heavy rains and dam releases caused severe flooding in Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Hoshiarpur. He noted that nearly 3 lakh acres of mainly paddy crops are submerged just weeks before harvest. Losses of livestock have also deeply affected rural families. The Chief Minister emphasized that Punjab has suffered a permanent revenue loss of Rs 49,727 crore due to the GST replacing VAT, with no compensation granted. Additionally, reductions in RDF and MDF have cost the state over Rs 8,000 crore, and the scrapping of PMGSY projects worth Rs 828 crore has further hurt development. He also slammed the existing State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms, calling them grossly inadequate. Current compensation for crop loss exceeding 33% stands at Rs 17,000 per hectare (or Rs 6,800 per acre). Mann stated the state government already tops this up to Rs 15,000 per acre, but given the extent of devastation, at least Rs 50,000 per acre should be provided. He urged a revision of SDRF norms and assured the Centre that Punjab would continue contributing its 25% share as per scheme guidelines. The Punjab government has extended school holidays till September 3. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the decision was taken on CM Manns instructions to ensure student safety. He urged parents to prioritise their childrens well-being and requested teachers to stay in touch with district administrations to support community efforts. Schools were originally closed from August 27 to 30.
CHANDIGARH: The flood situation in Punjab remains critical, with 836 villages and standing crops across more than 1.10 lakh acres affected in eight districts, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar, due to swelling of the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers. So far, 7,689 people have been evacuated to safer locations. Heavy rains and the rising Ghaggar river, following intense rainfall in its catchment area and the opening of floodgates at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, have prompted a flood alert in Patiala. Drones have been pressed into service to deliver relief material, including medicines, dry rations and water bottles, to affected residents in Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district. Meanwhile, amphibious ATOR (All Terrain Off Road) vehicles have been deployed to evacuate stranded villagers in the Ramdas area of Amritsar. Chairing a high-level meeting to review the flood situation, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, The heavy flow of water from hilly areas has created havoc for the state. Till date, 14.11 lakh cusecs of water has been received in river Ravi. This is the highest discharge the state has ever received; it was 11.20 lakh cusecs when severe floods struck the state in 1988. He added that the state government has already written to Haryana and Rajasthan, urging them to release maximum water from the rivers. The army has already been deployed in five flood-affected districts and is conducting rescue operations along with the administration using state-of-the-art equipment and machinery, CM Mann said. Seventeen teams of the NDRF have also been deployed to carry out relief measures so that the flood-affected people can be rescued. He noted that continuous on-ground operations are ongoing to evacuate stranded people, assess damage, and prevent disease outbreaks. Flood situation remains grim in eight districts of Punjab; dams near capacity CM Mann also said the government has constituted a high-powered committee of three senior officers to supervise relief and rescue operations in the flood-hit districts daily. The committee, comprising senior officers from the Revenue, Water Resources and Food and Civil Supplies departments, will remain stationed in Amritsar and other affected areas. He asked the Chief Secretary to visit flood-affected areas to ensure relief and rescue operations are carried out more effectively. Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla said, With heavy rainfall in the catchment areas continuing to swell the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi and Ujh rivers, Punjab Police, along with teams from the Army, Border Security Force, NDRF, SDRF and civil administration, have been working in tandem. So far, 7,689 people have been evacuated and shifted to safe places. Shukla, personally supervising the situation, added, Drones are being used to trace people for evacuation and to deliver food packets and other essential items. He noted that 20 Indian Army helicopters have been stationed in the state to help evacuate and relocate people safely. Since 27 August, troops of the Army's Panther Division have been tirelessly operating in the flood-hit Ramdas-Ajnala belt. In 40+ submerged villages, soldiers are carrying out nonstop rescue and relief operationsevacuating families, delivering medical aid, distributing food and essentials, and supporting civil authorities in restoring normalcy, the Army posted on X. Amritsar district administration has deployed amphibious ATOR vehicles and boats to reach stranded villagers. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said, We are reaching out to stranded people in waterlogged villages by boat. People are being continuously evacuated to safe locations, and those who wish to stay back are being provided with necessary supplies through boats. While 836 villages and standing crops across 1.10 lakh acres were worst affected, heavy rains have triggered flood alerts in Patiala, where 202 villages in Gurdaspur, 107 in Kapurthala, 85 in Gurdaspur, 81 in Pathankot, 93 in Ferozepur, 64 in Muktsar and 45 in Tarn Taran are at risk. The Patiala district administration has issued a high alert for low-lying villages along the Ghaggar river following heavy rainfall in its catchment area and the opening of Sukhna Lake floodgates. Punjab flood crisis deepens: rivers overflow, dams exceed limits, villages submerged Villages along the Ghaggar river embankment near Derabassi were also advised to stay alert, although authorities assured residents there was no cause for panic. In Hoshiarpur, villages are still reeling from the damage caused by the Chakki Khad tributary of the Beas, which breached embankments and submerged farmlands in Mukerian subdivision. Residents have urged authorities to plug the breaches immediately to prevent further losses. Farmlands in several villages across Tanda and Mukerian subdivisions have remained submerged for days. Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain visited flood-affected areas of Tanda and Dasuya subdivisions and assured that all efforts were being made to provide timely assistance. The Ferozepur district remains heavily affected, with nearly 16,000 acres of crops inundated and 62 villages badly hit. Over 2,500 residents have been rescued, and 13 relief camps have been established to shelter displaced families. Officials also noted that the Pong Dam on the Beas river remains above the danger mark, with water levels at 1,391.98 feet on Friday morning, an outflow of 1,00,614 cusecs, and an inflow of 53,000 cusecs. Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said, All INC Punjab MLAs and I have decided to contribute one month's salary to the Chief Minister's Flood Relief Fund. In solidarity with the flood-affected families of Punjab, this is a humble gesture of empathy in these testing times. I urge all citizens and organisations to come forward for relief and rehabilitation. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had earlier stated that his entire cabinet and all AAP MLAs would donate one month's salary towards flood relief efforts. Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar visited the flood-affected Ajnala Assembly constituency, criticising the state governments utilisation of disaster funds. The Central Government has released 229 crore out of the allocated 611 crore for disaster management in Punjab, but the state government has failed to utilise these funds effectively, he said. Jakhar added that he would write to the Prime Minister to request additional assistance for Punjabs flood-affected people.
Stray Dog Seen Carrying Baby's Head At A Govt Hospital In Punjab, Probe Underway
A stray dog was seen with a babys severed head at Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, prompting an inquiry. Authorities say no baby is missing from the hospital.
Dog Seen Carrying Baby's Head At Hospital In Punjab, Probe Ordered
A hospital in Punjab's Patiala witnessed shocking scenes on Tuesday when a dog was seen carrying an infant's head. The health minister has ordered a probe while the medical superintendent said all newborn babies in the hospital are accounted for.
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 evidence collected during the investigation. The documents were brought to the court this afternoon in four sealed trunks loaded in a pick-up truck. It was on June 25 that Majithia was arrested from his house in Amritsar in the disproportionate assets case involving laundering of Rs 540 crore of drug money. He was sent to judicial custody on July 6, and his judicial remand was extended on July 19 and again on August 2. Recently, the court dismissed his bail application, and he is presently in judicial custody as he is lodged at New Nabha Jail near Patiala. The Vigilance Bureau, in its FIR, claimed that preliminary investigations revealed that over 540 crore of drug money was laundered through several channels, and this was facilitated by Majithia. This case against Majithia stems from an ongoing investigation being conducted by a Punjab Police special investigation team into the 2021 drug case. In 2021, Majithia was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The action was taken on the basis of a 2018 report of the anti-drug special task force. Majithia spent more than five months in Patiala Jail and walked out of prison in August 2022 after the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted him bail.
Mohali court rejects bail plea of Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia
CHANDIGARH: A Mohali court on Monday rejected the bail plea of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who was arrested in a disproportionate assets (DA) case. Speaking to the media after the bail hearing, public prosecutor Ferry Sofat said that the court dismissed the bail plea filed by Majithia. The bail application was dismissed on two grounds: (1) that an investigation is underway, and (2) the serious nature of the alleged offences, he noted. The court held day-to-day hearing for at least 10 days on the bail plea, he added. Ashardeep Singh Kler spokesman of the party and the counsel of Majithia said that they will approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court for bail. On August 14, the court extended his judicial custody till August 28. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested Majithia on June 25 in the DA case allegedly involving laundering of Rs 540 crore of drug money. He was sent to judicial custody on July 6 and his judicial remand was extended on July 19 and on August 2. Majithia is currently lodged in New Nabha Jail in Patiala. The vigilance bureau in its FIR claimed preliminary investigations revealed over Rs 540 crore of drug money was laundered through several ways and it was allegedly facilitated by Majithia. This case against Majithia stems from an ongoing investigation being conducted by a Punjab Police special investigation team into the 2021 drug case. In 2021, Majithia was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The action was taken on the basis of a 2018 report of the anti-drug special task force. Majithia spent more than five months in Patiala Jail and walked out of prison in August 2022 after the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted him bail.
CHANDIGARH: Punjab has recorded a staggering rise of more than one lakh dog bite cases in the last five years, with daily averages now touching 882 incidents. The state, which has around 6.5 lakh dogs, including over three lakh stray dogs, has witnessed a sharp increase in cases, with officials warning of the public health risks. In the first seven months of this year alone, a total of 1.88 lakh dog bite cases have been reported, while last years total stood at 2.13 lakh. The worst affected districts are Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Patiala. As per the official data accessed by this newspaper from the state health department, between January and July this year, Amritsar district recorded the highest number of cases at 29,504, followed by Ludhiana (21,777), Patiala (14,120), Jalandhar (12,349), Hoshiarpur (10,920) and SAS Nagar (9,860). There has been a steady jump in incidents over the past five years, 1.10 lakh cases in 2020, 1.26 lakh in 2021, 1.65 lakh in 2022, 2.02 lakh in 2023, and 2.13 lakh in 2024, reflecting a rise of more than one lakh cases during the period. This year, three deaths have been reported. Last month, a mother and daughter allegedly died of rabies in Pathankot, and on July 17, a 32-year-old man succumbed in Patiala after being bitten by a stray dog. An analysis of data from 2020 to 2024 shows Jalandhar district has recorded the highest total of 1.12 lakh cases over the four years, followed by Ludhiana (99,678), Patiala (63,782), Hoshiarpur (56,113), SAS Nagar (55,286) and Amritsar (44,249). Stray dogs in Delhi: SC slams local authorities for inaction, reserves order According to the 2019 animal census conducted by the state animal husbandry department, there were 2.90 lakh stray dogs and 3.32 lakh pet dogs in Punjab. The latest animal census has been completed this year but is yet to be notified. There has been an increase of 5 per cent in the dog population in the state after the last census, said an official. Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh said vaccination for dog bites is available at all community health centres (CHCs) and treatment has now been extended to all Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state. The people should immediately rush to the nearest government health centres for treatment, which is free, and should not ignore it at all, he added. The health department is yet to issue standard operating procedures (SOPs) for government doctors, whose diagnosis will determine compensation for dog bite cases. Although SOPs have been formulated, they have not been circulated. A five-member committee was constituted following an order from the Punjab and Haryana High Court last year, which announced compensation of Rs 10,000 for each tooth mark and Rs 20,000 for every 0.2 cm of wound where the flesh is torn off, said sources. A veterinary expert said that in 50 per cent of dog bite cases, the culprit is a pet dog biting its owner or someone else, not a stray. However, the general perception remains that stray dogs are primarily responsible. Sources added that the animal birth control (ABC) programme to sterilise dogs has been outsourced to private agencies by most municipalities under the local bodies department, but it has not achieved the desired results, particularly in major cities. Sterilisation is the only scientific method to control the stray dog population and thus, in turn, can reduce dog bite incidents, said a senior officer on condition of anonymity. It was also pointed out that there are few dog shelters in large municipalities across the state for post-animal care under the birth control set-up, and no dedicated dog pounds exist.
2 Bishnoi Gang Operatives Arrested In Punjab, Pistols, Ammunition Recovered
Anti Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab has arrested two most-wanted Lawrence Bishnoi gang operatives from the Patiala-Ambala Highway near village Shambhu in Patiala, Director General of Police Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, said on Thursday.
Punjab Police arrests two operatives of Lawrence Bishnoi gang
In a major breakthrough, Anti Gangster Task Force (#AGTF) Punjab, arrests two most-wanted Lawrence Bishnoi gang operatives from #Patiala-#Ambala Highway near Village Shambhu, says DGP Gaurav Yadav on X
Here's why Punjab govt struggles to raise revenue to fund its populist schemes
CHANDIGARH: After scrapping the controversial land pooling scheme, the cash-strapped AAP-led Punjab government seems to have landed itself in trouble. It is presently struggling to raise revenue to fund its populist schemes. In order to secure a loan to fund the schemes, the government has asked the Housing and Urban Development Department to prepare an inventory of the Rs 20,000 crore worth of property belonging to the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) for auctioning. The properties to be auctioned, after consultations with the Finance Department, includes residential, commercial and industrial sites in Mohali. This matter was discussed at a recent meeting headed by Chief Secretary KAP Sinha. However, GMADA at present owes a loan of nearly Rs 5,000 crore to financial institutions. Interestingly, out of the eight urban development authorities, only GMADA and the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority are financially viable in the state. The other six housing authorities, Amritsar, Bathinda, Patiala, Jalandhar, Anandpur Sahib (Urban) and Dera Baba Nanak, are allegedly unable to even meet their expenditure. Sources further said that a part of the total inventory could be used to raise a loan from financial institutions to fund populist schemes, such as providing Rs 1,100 monthly assistance to women above 18 years of age. Defending the move, sources claimed that this kind of practice is not new, as previous governments had also mortgaged assets of the state to raise loans and had even pledged future income to raise resources. During the SAD-BJP rule, the then government had raised a loan of Rs 2,000 crore by mortgaging its properties to banks. Later, the properties were transferred to the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) for auction after developing them under the optimum utilisation of vacant government land scheme. On the other hand, sources said that the decisions on proposals received from deputy commissioners of some districts for increasing the collector rates have been kept in abeyance for the time being. While the government has increased the collector rates by 550 per cent in 12 districts, the proposals sent by administrations of some of the remaining districts to the state revenue department have so far not been implemented. The Ludhiana administration had sent a proposal to increase the collector rates by 2540 per cent, which is still awaiting approval. In Bathinda, the rates have been increased by five per cent, but the approval for a further increase in some of the posh areas is awaiting clearance from the revenue department. It is learnt that the state government allegedly wanted to increase the revenue collection from stamps and registration to Rs 7,000 crore this year, compared to Rs 5,750 crore earned last year. Sources said that the government is yet to issue a notification to scrap the land pooling scheme, which was scrapped amid opposition from farmers unions. The notification is being prepared, said an official, adding that the government is likely to summon a cabinet meeting for scrapping the policy. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has decided to continue its protest against the land pooling policy until an official notification regarding its withdrawal is issued. The farmer leaders have asked the state government to clarify the issue by August 20, or they would be forced to intensify their struggle. Senior SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said the farmers rally, to be held on August 24 in Samrala regarding the land pooling policy and other demands of farmers and labourers, would be held as announced.
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 touted by the dissidents as the rebirth of the 'real' party. The move is an open challenge to the authority of Sukhir Singh Badal whose leadership, these rebels say, has plunged the once-dominant regional force into a crisis. Issuing a clarion call to revive the original Akali Dal of 1920, the panel announced that Harpreet Singh would not contest elections. The breakaway faction claims to represent the original Akali Dal and intends to approach the Election Commission of India (ECI) for ratification. Former SGPC presidents Bibi Jagir Kaur and Gobind Singh Longowal, along with Prem Singh Chandumajra, were present, sending a clear message that these prominent Akali leaders support the breakaway faction. The election of the president was conducted under the supervision of Santa Singh Umaidpuri, a panel member appointed as election officer after duly notifying the ECI. Other panel members include Manpreet Singh Ayali, Gurpartap Singh Wadala and Iqbal Singh Jhunda. This split is due to years of frustration with Sukhbir, who was declared tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) last year for allegedly violating the religious code of conduct by mishandling the crisis sparked by incidents of sacrilege in October 2015. Under his leadership, the party lost the 2017 and then the 2022 assembly elections and now has just three MLAs in the assembly. Harpreet Singh was part of the Sikh clergy that had pronounced Sukhbir and other party leaders 'tankhaiya' on December 2 last year. In February, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had dismissed Harpreet Singh from the post of jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib. This five-member committee including rebel Akali leaders (MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali, Iqbal Singh Jhunda, Santa Singh Umaidpur, former MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala and Satwant Kaur) was constituted by the highest temporal seat through a 'hukamnama' (edict) issued on December 2 last year. It was tasked with holding a membership drive for the party, besides holding organizational elections. Earlier, the committee had seven members but SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami and former SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar had resigned from the Akal Takht-appointed panel. However, the SAD rejected the Takht-constituted committee and the partys working committee, in January, formed its own panel and initiated a membership drive. This drew criticism from the rebel leaders for defying the Akal Takht directive, leaving the fate of the Takht panel in limbo. Later, on April 12, the SAD re-elected Sukhbir Singh Badal as the party president. The rebels had earlier launched their own membership drive on March 18, accusing Sukhbir of ignoring the December 2 edict from the Akal Takht, which called for fresh membership and unity across SAD factions. The 53-year-old Harpreet Singh, who paused his PhD work at Punjabi University in Patiala, hails from Muktsar and is from the Scheduled Caste community. He was a priest in SGPC-run gurudwaras when he was appointed acting Akal Takht Jathedar in 2018, replacing Giani Gurbachan Singh who had become an unpopular figure. Satwant Kaur, who hails from Bhoora Kohna village in Tarn Taran district, is considered a good orator and is currently serving in a senior position in the education wing of the SGPC. She has strong panthic roots, being the granddaughter of former Damdami Taksal chief Kartar Singh Bhindranwale and the daughter of Bhai Amrik Singh, president of the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), who was killed during Operation Bluestar.
Non-invasive techniques to treat ailing heart valves most effective: Dr Rajneesh Kapoor
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 10: Non-invasive techniques to treat ailing heart valves are most effective and there is urgent need to spread awareness on it. The aged people affected by ailing valves are forced to live poor, healthy lives. The heart valves can be repaired without surgery and patients can live a healthy life. This was stated by Punjab Rattan awardee from Patiala, Dr Rajneesh Kapoor a leading cardiologist and Cchairman of Interventional Cardiology at Medanta the Medicity Gurgaon. Addressing [] The post Non-invasive techniques to treat ailing heart valves most effective: Dr Rajneesh Kapoor appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
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 court said. The state has also been directed to inform the court whether a social impact assessment was carried out before notifying the policy. The court reiterated its concerns regarding the lack of provision for the rehabilitation of landless labourers and others dependent on land for their sustenance. It also questioned the government for not conducting the compulsory social impact assessment before identifying the land to be acquired. Earlier, the petitioner Gurdeep Singh Gill had contended that the policy was an act of colourable legislation, allegedly framed under a Central law that contained no enabling provision for such a scheme. His counsel Gurjeet Singh Gill, Manan Kheterpal, Manat Kaur, Rahul Jadge, and Rajat Verma also sought directions for quashing the notification and the policy as ultra vires, arbitrary, and violative of Articles 14, 19(1)(g), and 21 read with Article 300-A of the Constitution. After the hearing, Gurjeet Singh, lawyer of Gill, said that neither a social impact assessment nor any environment-related assessment was carried out under the land pooling policy. That no such social impact assessment report was either prepared or published, as per the provisions of law. Moreover, none of the gram panchayats or gram sabhas were approached or consulted by the respondents before bringing the Land Pooling Policy 2025, which is a clear disregard of the provisions mandated under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, said the petition. It further added that since there was no such provision of law under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, to frame the Land Pooling Policy 2025, there lies no mechanism or forum to challenge such a policy and the petitioner is left with no remedy to redress his grievance. On August 6, the court asked the Punjab government whether there was any provision in the policy for the rehabilitation of landless labourers for their sustenance. The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government has been facing flak from opposition parties and various farmer unions, which have termed the policy a looting scheme to rob the farmers of their fertile land. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced a state-wide yatra titled Save Land, Save Farmers, from August 17 to September 5. BJPs state Vice President Kewal Singh Dhillon said that during this yatra, BJP Punjab will go village-to-village creating awareness among farmers against this scheme and mobilising them. Backlash grows over Punjab's land pooling policy as AAP faces internal revolt in CM Manns constituency It will meet the farmers who are already aware and struggling, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder, will support them, he said. The yatra will kick off on August 17 from Patiala and pass through villages in the Malwa, Majha, and Doaba regions affected by the land pooling plan, culminating in Pathankot on September 5. Also, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has announced the launch of an indefinite Morcha from September 1. Party President Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the Morcha is dedicated to safeguarding Punjabs farmers, khet mazdoor, traders, and other sections of Punjabi society. He also announced that the party was unanimous in its decision to revoke the land pooling scheme after taking over the reins of the state in 2027, in case the AAP government persisted with its nefarious designs. We will hand over the entire acquired land back to the farmers after forming a special law for the purpose, in the same manner in which the land on which the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal was handed back to the original owners by Parkash Singh Badal in 2016, he said. Badal will lead the first Jatha on September 1 from Amb Sahib Gurudwara in Mohali and march to the new Sheesh Mahal at the nearby Panchayat Bhawan. Party workers from each constituency in Punjab will subsequently participate in a continuous dharna and march from the same site in Jathas of 500 persons each, indefinitely, till the AAP government revokes the land pooling scheme. A three-member coordinating committee comprising Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, N. K. Sharma, and Mohali district president Parminder Singh Sohana has also been formed for this purpose. Punjabs land pooling policy challenged in High Court as activists flag environmental concern
Punjab farmers intensify protest against land pooling policy, AAP leaders quit in solidarity
Punjabs land pooling policy challenged in High Court as activists flag environmental concern CHANDIGARH: Apart from facing backlash from farmers and opposition parties over its controversial land pooling policy, Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is now grappling with growing internal dissent. The political storm has reached Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Dhuri assembly constituency, where several party leaders have resigned, denouncing the scheme as anti-farmer. According to sources, a few local leaders have conveyed the people's concerns to the party leadership. In the latest development, AAP block president from Dhuri, Gurjeet Singh Kanjhla, resigned stating that This fight against land pooling policy is not just of the farmers, but also of the entire state. Former OSD to CM Mann, Onkar Singh Sidhu, who was removed last year, criticised the policy on social media, People of Punjab have never bowed before Delhi, and they never will. AAP's Kisan wing leader from Jalandhar, Jaswant Singh Lovely also resigned, posting on social media that I hope the party will reconsider its decisions. I request my companions to stand with our farmer brothers. It is in your hands whether you want to become a son of Punjab or a son of Delhi. He also wrote that he resigned Gian Singh Mann, the CM's cousin from Satauj village, posted on social media, Just as the anti-sacrilege law has been sent to the standing committee for review and to seek public opinion, the same way the views of the landholders and farmers should be sought. Farmers take out tractor marches demanding immediate withdrawal of land pooling scheme in Punjab Last week, Harmanjit Singh Brar, the Chairman of the District Planning Board of Moga and former district president of AAP in Moga, resigned citing strong opposition to the policy. He gave up his post but remained in the party. Brar announced his resignation through a Facebook post, stating that the decision was made in solidarity with the farmers, whose interests he believes are being compromised by the new policy. The government's land pooling scheme is against the welfare of the farming community. I cannot remain silent while farmers are pushed to the brink, he wrote, urging the state leadership to withdraw or review the controversial policy. A few days back, AAP's Jodhan block president in Ludhiana district Tapinder Singh Grewal also resigned from his post, denouncing the new scheme as anti-farmer. He also announced his decision via a post on Facebook, I, Tapinder Singh Jodhan block president of AAP appreciate all the good work done by the Punjab government. However, I strongly oppose the newly introduced land pooling policy and hereby resign from the post and my responsibilities within the party. Earlier, AAP Anandpur MP Sahib Malvinder Singh Kang criticised the scheme in a post on X and asked his party leaders to earn the trust of farmers before introducing any such policy. He had suggested the need for addressing the objections of farm unions through empathy and meaningful dialogue. But Kang later deleted the post drawing criticism from the opposition leaders who had commended him for breaking ranks with AAP to support the farmers. Kang had tweeted, The objections raised by farmer unions on the Land Pooling Policy must, in my view, be heard with empathy and addressed through meaningful dialogue. In the last three years, our government has ensured uninterrupted agri-power, pushed canal water to every field, fast-tracked mandi reforms and promoted crop diversification. On this, too, trust must be earnednot assumedbefore any policy takes root. With nineteen months left for the 2027 assembly elections, the AAP government faces mounting pressure as farmer protests intensify. Protesters have burned effigies of CM Mann and Arvind Kejriwal, while opposition parties have termed the policy anti-peasantry and impractical. The policy has also been challenged in Punjab and Haryana High Court. On the other hand, the government claims that many farmers have agreed to follow this policy and give up their lands. However, compared to the protesting farmers, the number of farmers complying is very less: only 115 land owners in total (15 from Ludhiana and 100 from Mohali) have come forward to adopt the scheme since it was launched on June 2. As per the policy the state government plans to acquire 65,533 acres of land across 21 cities and towns in the state to develop both industrial and residential zones. The move is said to be the largest acquisition of land by the Punjab government since 1966. Partially relenting to the protest, the government has decided to implement the policy only in Ludhiana, Patiala and Mohali while putting smaller towns on hold. Last week, CM Mann said his government would continue engaging with farmers, calling their consent and their consent would remain pivotal to the land pooling policy. A senior AAP functionary said the party was holding talks to explain the policy's benefits.
Tawawur Rana, the alleged mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, wants a private lawyer. He needs to speak with his family for this. The Patiala House Court has reserved its order on this matter until August 7. Previously, the court denied Rana regular phone access to his family. The NIA filed a supplementary charge sheet against Rana.
Have some respect for the Army: SC affirms CBI probe in Col assault case
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday deplored the conduct of the Punjab police officers accused of assaulting a Colonel over a parking dispute, reminding the police personnel that they are sleeping peacefully at home because Army personnel are serving at the border. Have some respect for Army people. You are sleeping peacefully in your house because that man is serving at the border at -40 degrees, the apex court observed, dismissing a special leave petition filed by the Punjab police challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Courts order transferring the probe into the matter from the police to the CBI. The HC had observed at the time that there was no material to show that the investigation was being conducted in a fair manner. A bench of SC Justices Sanjay Kumar and Satish Chandra Sharma noted that the court had passed a well-reasoned order. The incident involving Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath and his son reportedly took place on the intervening night of March 13 and 14 this year when they were eating at a roadside dhaba (eatery) in Patiala. Col Bath, the complainant, has accused 12 Punjab Police personnel of assaulting him and his son for refusing to move their car while having a meal. He has also alleged a delay in the registration of an FIR. Taking a serious view of lapses on the part of the police, the court asked, An eight-day delay in lodging an FIR? The top court further stressed that it was not willing to accept any kind of lawlessness. We are going to dismiss this appeal with heavy costs. Let the CBI look into this. They (Army) go and defend you, and they come back wrapped in a national flag, Justice Sharma added. Also in top court Top court junks Baghels plea on ED powers The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea by former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and his son Chaitanya Baghel challenging the powers of the CBI and the ED to arrest and investigate accused individuals and their respective jurisdictions in cases related to the alleged liquor scam. Junking the petition, the apex court asked Baghel and his son to move the high court concerned for interim relief.
Farmers take out tractor marches demanding immediate withdrawal of land pooling scheme in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: With anger mounting against the controversial land pooling scheme of the Punjab government, farmers across the state held tractor marches demanding its immediate withdrawal. The state government plans to acquire 65,533 acres of land across 21 cities and towns in the state to develop both industrial and residential zones. It is the largest acquisition of land by the government in the state since it was reorganized in 1966. The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) comprising 35 farm unions had given a call for tractor marches which got support from other farm unions including the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and BKU Ekta-Ugrahan, the largest farm union of the state. On the call given by the SKM, tractor marches were taken out in various parts of the state including Ludhiana, Amritsar, Sangrur, Mohali, Bathinda, Taran Taran, Patiala, Ferozepur, Fategarh Sahib, Ropar, Jalandhar, SBS Nagar, Hoshiarpur, Moga and Mansa districts despite inclement weather. The biggest show of strength by farmers was witnessed in Ludhiana district where the state government proposes to acquire 45,861 acres of land. This includes 24,311 acres of land for residential purposes and 21,550 acres for setting up industrial zones. The epicentre of the protest was Dana Mandi in Jodhan near Ludhiana. A cavalcade of nearly 300 vehicles including tractors and tempos carrying many farmers and activists made its way through various villages. Senior SKM leader and president of BKU (Lakhowal Group) Harinder Singh Lakhowal who himself led the tractor march from Kum Kalan to Ratangarh village, covering 30 villages of the area, told TNIE that farmers in thousands participated in the tractor march, which started at around 9.30 am and ended at 2 pm. On August 4, a meeting of the SKM will be held to decide where to hold the massive rally which we have planned for August 24. If by then the government does not take back the land pooling scheme, a big agitation will be announced by us, he added. Without naming the AAP, posters have been put up in many villages, which read, Any official or leader of any party who wants to apprise about the benefits of the scheme will not be allowed to enter the village. Terming the policy a 'major conspiracy' to erase villages from the map of the state, senior SKM leader and president of BKU (Rajewal Group) Balbir Singh Rajewal said the tractor rally was held in several places of Ludhiana district including Kumkalan, Balion, Dakha, Jodha and Jagraon. It was the biggest-ever march in recent times, as the public in rural areas showed their anger against the governments bid to take over their fertile lands and displace them from their homes. This policy will ruin at least 20,000 families of farmers and leave farm labourers jobless, he said. In Amritsar district, tractor marches were taken out in Ajnala and Mannawala as farmers from villages around Guru Ka Bagh marched towards Gurdwara Morcha Sahib on the Amritsar-Ajnala road where they were joined by another cavalcade from villages around Rajasansi. A march was also taken out in neighboring Tarn Taran district. In Sangrur district, the rally started from Sohian village, near Sangrur, and culminated at the deputy commissioner's office. Farmers led by SKM leaders also started a dharna against the government in front of the DC office in Fatehgarh Sahib. Sarwan Singh Pandher, General Secretary of Kisan Mazdoor Sangarsh Committee, said they appeal to the government to withdraw the policy before a massive agitation starts. We know that the proposed acquisition announcement by the government was just a start, he said. Several tractors were fitted with music systems and extra seating to accommodate more protesters. These mobile convoys passed through the villages where the government reportedly plans to acquire land under the pooling policy. Women also extended support to the protesting farmers as they offered refreshments including chabeels, langars and parshad. The farmer leaders say that farmers are getting ready to fall into direct confrontation if such a situation arises. We are determined to oppose the land pooling scheme and do not want to part with our fertile lands and will go to any length to stop our land to be taken forcibly, said a farmer Kamalpreet Singh. The AAP government has been facing flak from opposition parties, including the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP, which dubbed its land pooling policy a looting scheme to rob farmers of their land. In return, the AAP has hit out at the opposition parties for spreading misleading propaganda.
Punjab: Gazetted Holiday declared on Udham Singhs Martyrdom Day on Jul 31
Chandigarh, Jul 29: The Punjab government has declared a gazetted holiday on of freedom fighter Udham Singhs martyrdom day on July 31. Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, Punjab Minister and AAP state president Aman Arora said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written a letter to the Centre to name the Patiala-Bhawanigarh road stretch [] The post Punjab: Gazetted Holiday declared on Udham Singhs Martyrdom Day on Jul 31 appeared first on Northlines .
Punjab Govt Declares Gazetted Holiday On Udham Singhs Martyrdom Day On Jul 31
Chandigarh, Jul 29: The Punjab government has declared a gazetted holiday on of freedom fighter Udham Singhs martyrdom day on July 31. Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, Punjab Minister and AAP state president Aman Arora said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written a letter to the Centre to name the Patiala-Bhawanigarh road stretch a national highway after Udham Singh. July 31, which is Shaheed Udham Singhs martyrdom day, has been declared a gazetted holiday by the Punjab [] The post Punjab Govt Declares Gazetted Holiday On Udham Singhs Martyrdom Day On Jul 31 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
CBI To Probe Assault Of Colonel By Punjab Police
The CBI re-registered both FIRs initially filed by the Civil Lines Police Station in Patiala as its own cases, following an order issued earlier this month by the Punjab and Haryana High Court: Reports
CBI registers two separate cases over alleged assault of Army colonel by Punjab police
CHANDIGARH: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday registered two separate cases (First Information Reports) into the alleged assault on Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath by Punjab Police personnel. The CBI has re-registered both the FIRs filed by the Civil Lines Police Station, Patiala, as its own separate cases on the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court earlier this month. The premier investigating agency has tasked its special crime unit to carry out investigations in this case. Both the FIRs, one from Colonel Bath and the other from the dhaba owner, were registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which also include charges under attempted murder. In the second FIR taken over by the CBI, the owner of the eatery alleged that the occupants of Colonel Bath's car had parked their vehicle in the middle of the road where they were drinking when a minor scuffle took place between them and some passersby and the individuals in an unknown car. On July 16, the Punjab and Haryana High Court transferred the investigation into the alleged assault on Colonel Bath over a parking dispute outside a dhaba in Patiala by Punjab Police personnel to the CBI. Previously, the court had entrusted the investigation to the Chandigarh Police. Justice Rajesh Bhardwaj had expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Chandigarh Police. He had asserted that the conduct of the police amounted to setting the wrong example and protecting the accused. The court was earlier informed that five accused, four of whom are police inspectors, are absconding, and no non-bailable warrants have been issued against them. 'They were like a pack of wolves': Wife of Army colonel attacked by Punjab cops demands CBI probe In his petition, Colonel Bath sought an independent probe into the matter, preferably by the CBI. It is noteworthy to mention that the investigation of the instant case was transferred to the Chandigarh Police on 4 April and it is being stated with utmost disappointment that even despite the lapse of more than three-and-a-half months since the registration of the FIR and lapse of three months since the investigation has been handed over to the Chandigarh Police, neither a single accused has been arrested so far, nor any accused has been associated with the investigation, the petition stated. In March, Colonel Bath had moved the High Court after the Punjab Police allegedly delayed filing an FIR regarding the alleged assault on him and his son by a group of 12 policemen, including four inspectors. The family had rejected the SIT formed by the Punjab Police. The Punjab Police had registered an FIR only on 22 March, eight days after the incident, following repeated appeals from the officers family. The incident took place on the intervening night of 13 and 14 March when Colonel Bath and his son Angad Singh were having dinner at a dhaba near Rajindra Hospital. Colonel Bath alleged that a group of men aggressively approached them, demanding they move their car. After Colonel Bath identified himself as an Army officer, the attackers allegedly snatched his ID card and mobile phone.
Taste the flavours of Lahore and Patiala in Delhi at Amninder Sandhus Kikli
Court Seeks Tihar's Reply On 26/11 Accused Tahawwur Ranas Plea For Phone Call To Family
Delhi's Patiala House Court directed Tihar Jail to respond to 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana's plea for a phone call.
BJP leader Mithun refutes Mamata's claim on harassment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers
KOLKATA: Actor and BJP National Executive member Mithun Chakraborty on Thursday refuted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees allegation that Bengali-speaking migrant workers were being harassed and tortured in various BJP-ruled states. After attending an organizational meeting of the BJP in Kolkata, he said, These are all lies. I opened a hotel in Bengaluru where most of the workers were Bengali migrants. There were no Bangladeshis. But if someone is Bangladeshi, he will obviously be identified as Bangladeshi. He was replying to a question of Banerjees allegation over attack on Bengali-speaking people form West Bengal in various BJP-ruled states. INDIA bloc MPs protest in Parliament complex against SIR in Bihar In the Trinamool Congress Martyrs Day rally on July 21, Banerjee had alleged that the Election Commission of India was working at the behest of the BJP, referring to the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar. The BJP and the Election Commission are conspiring against West Bengal. They want to do in West Bengal what they did in Bihar through EC's SIR. If they try the same here, we will gherao them. We will never allow it, she had threatened. Have been increasingly receiving reports of detentions of and atrocities on our Bengali-speaking people from different districts of West Bengal in Gurgaon, Haryana. West Bengal police is receiving these reports from Haryana police in the name of requests for identity searches. Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 24, 2025 On Banerjees threat to gherao ECI, Chakraborty said, She has no other option, but this will definitely happen. The Election Commission must act. Fake and bogus voters names have to be removed from the list and only then elections be fair. Even if the Commission is gheraoed, what will be achieved? Whats the point of such protests? he added. Meanwhile, armed with the order of the Patiala House Court on Thursday, the Trinamool Congress escalated its attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre. In an order, the Patiala House Court directed the Union Government to immediately restore the supply of water and electricity in Delhis Jai Hind Colony. Alleging the harassment and forced eviction of Bengali migrant workers in Jai Hind Colony, Banerjee had accused BJP of targeting Bengali migrant workers and vowed to raise this issue in every possible forum. In a post on X on July 10, Banerjee had said, Their water supply was reportedly cut on orders from the BJP-led government. Electricity meters were confiscated and power was abruptly cut the day before yesterday. Residents also claim Delhi Police, backed by RAF personnel, blocked private water tankers they had arranged and paid for. I am deeply disturbed by the alarming news of harassment emerging from Jai Hind Colony in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi a settlement predominantly inhabited by Bengalis who build the city as part of its unorganised workforce. Their water supply was reportedly cut on orders from the Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 10, 2025 Welcoming the order of the Patiala House Court, the Trinamool Congress said that this verdict exposes the unconstitutional and targeted harassment of Bengali migrant workers by the BJP-led Central Government. In a post on X, the Trinamool Congress said, The Patiala House Court has directed the Centre to immediately restore water and electricity to residents of Delhis Jai Hind Colony. This verdict exposes the unconstitutional and targeted harassment of Bengali migrant workers by the @BJP4India -led Central Government. It is a significant step forward in the fight led by Smt. @MamataOfficial against the Centres continued oppression of Bengali-speaking communities, the post added.
CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex representative body of Sikhs, are at daggers drawn over events planned to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur from November 19 to 25 this year. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the Punjab government should focus on establishing meaningful memorials in connection with the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the Ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Teg Bahadar, instead of creating a confrontational atmosphere by organising parallel religious events. Dhami said the SGPC had already planned a series of events related 350th martyrdom anniversary a year in advance, beginning in April 2025 from Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal, Amritsar. Since then, events have been organised across various parts of the country. He said that the Punjab governments announcement of parallel eventsoverlapping with those planned by the SGPC at Anandpur Sahibwill cause confusion among the Sangat (community) and goes against long-standing traditions He alleged that the government appears to be deliberately trying to sideline Sikh institutions. Historically, centenary celebrations related to Sikh heritage and history have been led by the Khalsa Panth, with participation from all Sikh sampradas and organisations while the governments supporting them. Dhami questioned why the government has not shown due seriousness towards nearly 12 Sikh centenaries during its tenureincluding the centenary of the Guru Ka Bagh Morcha, the centenary of the Saka Panja Sahib, 200 years of Shaheedi of Akali Baba Phoola Singh, Guru Angad Devs Guruship Day, and the 450th Jyoti Jot Diwas of Guru Amar Das. He recalled how earlier governments cooperated with the Panth in marking the centenaries, establishing major memorials such as Guru Nanak Dev University, Guru Nanak Hospital (Amritsar), and colleges during Guru Nanak Devs 500th Prakash Purab (birth anniversary) in 1969; Virasat-e-Khalsa and Panj Piara Park during the 300th Khalsa Sajna Diwas in 1999 and a historical memorial at Chappar Chiri in 2010 in remembrance of Baba Banda Singh Bahadars victory at Sirhind. However, the current government led by Bhagwant Mann is instead interfering in the jurisdiction of Panthic institutions and organizations, he alleged. Dhami reaffirmed that the SGPC, as the supreme religious body of the Sikh Panth, has already made clear that heads of all governments will be invited to participate in these commemorations, ensuring inclusivity. In such a context, the government's move to announce parallel programs raises serious concerns. Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday had announced a series of events to be organised by the state government to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur. After chairing a meeting, Mann said the events would primarily be held at Anandpur Sahib under the aegis of the state government . He had said that from November 19 to November 25, a series of events will beorganised with deep reverence and respect across the state. In a statement, Mann said these events will primarily take place in Anandpur Sahib under the auspices of the state government. To mark the occasion, CM Mann announced that four grand yatras will begin from different corners of Punjab and converge at Anandpur Sahib. The first will begin on November 21 from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and pass through Pathankot and Hoshiarpur to reach Anandpur Sahib. Likewise, CM Mann said that the second yatra will start from Gurdaspur and travel through Baba Bakala, Amritsar Sahib, Tarn Taran, and Jalandhar, eventually reaching Anandpur Sahib. He said the third yatra will start from Ferozepur, pass through Moga and Ludhiana to proceed towards Anandpur Sahib and the fourth yatra will also start from Ferozepur and will pass through Faridkot, Bathinda, Barnala, Sangrur, Mansa, and Patiala, and conclude at Anandpur Sahib. The CM had added that light-and-sound shows and poetry sessions based on Guru Sahib's life and sacrifice would be organised in all 23 districts of Punjab. Blaming the SGPCs stance, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, You know the reasons. They do not want to meet us. Through you, we are extending an invitation to them. They can call us or approach the state government.
Punjab police busts BKI terror module linked to grenade attacks in Patiala
Three arrested for targeting police posts; foreign-based handlers identified, further attacks were allegedly being planned
Punjab Police arrests three BKI terror module members linked to grenade attacks in Patiala, Haryana
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Police has busted a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module operated by foreign-based handlers Maninder Billa and Manu Agwan, arresting three members linked to grenade attacks on police posts in Badshahpur in Patiala and Ajimgarh in Haryana. Director General of Police, Punjab Gaurav Yadav said here on Sunday that the operation was jointly conducted by Counter Intelligence (CI) Patiala and State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), SAS Nagar. Those arrested have been identified as Sandeep Singh alias Deepu, a resident of Badshahpur in Patiala, Harpreet Singh alias Jagga, a resident of Harchandpura in Patiala, Harmanpreet Singh alias Preet, a resident of Gurdialpura in Patiala. The development came after grenade attacks were reported at Police Post Badshahpur in Patiala on April 1 this year and Police Post Ajimgarh in Haryana on April 6. Following the incidents, operatives of BKI, Happy Passia, Manu Agwan, and Gopi Nawasherian, had used social media to claim the responsibility for these terror acts. By successfully busting this module, Punjab Police has solved both incidents of grenade attacks on police establishments in the state, said Yadav, while adding that both the handlers were working on the directions of terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda. Yadav said that the module had received logistical and financial support. Preliminary investigation has also suggested that the module was actively planning further attacks on police establishments in Punjab, he said, while adding that further investigation is on to trace forward and backward linkages in this case. Sharing more details, Assistant Inspector General of Police (Counter Intelligence) Patiala Dr Simrat Kaur during the interrogation, arrested accused persons have confessed that attacks at both the police establishments were masterminded by their associate identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Babbu, who is lodged in Patiala Jail and currently is in the Police custody. She said that probe has found that mastermind Gurpreet Singh alias Babbu had promised Sandeep Singh alias Deepu Rs 3-4 lakh for participating in the Badshahpur attack, while, Harmanpreet Singh alias Preet was paid Rs 10,000 for accompanying in the Ajimgarh attack. She said that further investigation is on and more arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days. A case has been registered under sections sections 25 (1) (B) and 61 (2) of the Arms Act at Police Station SSOC SAS Nagar, while, sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Explosive Substances Act have been added later.
SAD leader Majithia's judicial custody extended till August 2
Bikram Singh Majithias judicial custody has been extended till August 2. The SAD leader was brought from New Nabha Jail in Patiala for his appearance in the Mohali court.
Jailed J&K MP Engineer Rashid to move resolution for statehood in Parliament
SRINAGAR: As politics on restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir has gained momentum ahead of the monsoon session of parliament, jailed J&K MP Sheikh Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, will move a resolution in Parliament seeking its restoration, his party said on Friday. Awami Ittihad Party (AIP) chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said today that party president and jailed Lok Sabha MP from Baramulla Engineer Rashid will bring a resolution in the upcoming Parliament session demanding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The monsoon session of parliament begins on July 21. The demand for statehood is not a favour but a constitutional right that was unilaterally taken away in 2019. It is time Parliament corrects this historic wrong. Engineer Rashids resolution is a reflection of peoples yearning for dignity, democratic rights and self-respect, Inam said. He said despite being unjustly jailed, Engineer Rashid has not allowed chains of incarceration to silence the voice of his people. He will continue to use every democratic platform available to uphold the aspirations and sentiments of Jammu and Kashmir. Engineer Rashid, who is in jail since 2019 in an alleged case of terror funding, last year contested the parliamentary election from Baramulla Lok Sabha seat from jail and won by defeating two political heavy weights Omar Abdullah and Peoples conference chairman and former minister Sajjad Gani Lone. The AIP has moved an application in Patiala House Court New Delhi seeking permission for Engineer Rashid to attend the monsoon session of parliament starting from July 21. The NIA has, however, opposed Engineer Rashids plea. The court on July 8 reserved its order and it is likely to be announced on July 21, the opening day of the parliament session.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has summoned the IPS officer leading the Chandigarh Police SIT investigation into the alleged assault on Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath by Punjab Police personnel in Patiala. Justice Rajesh Bhardwaj's directive follows Colonel Bath's plea accusing the SIT of shielding the accused cops.
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government on Monday tabled a stringent bill to tackle acts of sacrilege. The proposed legislation includes provisions that could lead to life imprisonment and a fine up to Rs 10 lakh for individuals found guilty of desecrating any religious scripture. Before this bill was introduced, the assembly was adjourned for an hour. During the break, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan called representatives of all parties to inform them about the bills introduction. Once the House reconvened, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann introduced the 'Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill 2025'. The bill mandates strict punishment for the desecration of holy scriptures including the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Bible and Quran. Though the Bill was tabled in the assembly on Monday afternoon, discussion on it has been deferred till Tuesday morning as the Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa described the sacrilege issue as serious and urged the Speaker to hold the discussion on the bill on Tuesday. I request you to discuss this on Tuesday. Legislators should ideally get 48 hours to study any bill. This bill will have to get the presidential assent later, so it is important that all party MLAs are well prepared for discussing the bill, he said. Following the debate, the bill is expected to be referred to a select committee for discussions with all stakeholders. As per the bill, the offences under this law will be cognizable, non-compoundable, and tried by a sessions court. Police officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and above will be authorized to investigate such cases. Those convicted under the proposed law will also be liable to pay a fine of Rs 5 lakh, which may be extended to Rs 10 lakh. The bill also includes punishment for abetment of sacrilege, as anyone who instigates or conspires to commit acts like damaging, destroying, defacing, decolouring, defiling, decomposing, burning, breaking or treating of any holy scripture or its part will face three to five years in jail, along with a fine of up to Rs 3 lakh. Before the start of the third day of the special session of the state assembly, the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture Bill, 2025 was cleared by the cabinet in a meeting. The government went ahead and tabled the bill in the state assembly amid growing political and public pressure for tougher punishment. Gurjeet Singh Khalsa has been protesting since October last year atop a BSNL tower in Samana (Patiala), demanding the death penalty for those found guilty of sacrilege. This is the third consecutive government in the state to bring forward anti-sacrilege legislation. Previous attempts by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP government in 2016 and the Congress government in 2018 were either returned by the Centre or failed to receive Presidential assent. The first legislative effort came in 2016 when the SAD-BJP government introduced the Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016 and the Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016, recommending life imprisonment for desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib. However, the Centre returned the bills, stating that the amendments must apply to all religions in keeping with the secular principles of the Constitution. In 2018, the Amarinder Singh-led Congress government passed two similar bills, expanding the scope to include the Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Quran and Bible, but these were referred back to the state government by the Centre. The Union government had then noted that the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) had replaced the IPC, and any amendments needed to align with the provisions of the new code. CM Mann had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in 2022 seeking Presidential assent to the two bills passed by the Congress government. A government spokesman said that with the enactment of the law, the state seeks to further strengthen the ethos of communal harmony, brotherhood, peace and amity. It will also act as a strong deterrent against anti-social and anti-national activities by ensuring severe punishment for perpetrators of this heinous crime, he said. He added that there have been numerous incidents in the past involving the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and other revered granths, deeply wounding public sentiments and causing unrest in society. While sections 298, 299 and 300 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, address such issues, they do not prescribe sufficiently stringent penalties to serve as an effective deterrent, said the spokesperson. Considering the gravity of such offences and the imperative to preserve communal harmony and religious sanctity, the cabinet found it necessary to introduce state-specific legislation providing enhanced penalties, including life imprisonment, for those convicted of sacrilege against any holy granth, he added.
AAP government in Punjab to hire retired doctors amid severe shortage of medical specialists
CHANDIGARH: Facing an acute shortage of medical specialists, the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government has begun hiring retired doctors, even as it claims to have improved the states healthcare infrastructure. Nearly 47 per cent of sanctioned specialist posts in government hospitals remain vacant across Punjab. Sources said that out of the 2,098 posts of sanctioned specialists, 990 are lying vacant. Not only specialist doctors but also posts of doctors in the general medical officer cadre are lying vacant. 1,962 posts are yet to be filled out of 3,847, which comes to 51 per cent. Sources said that the state health department has decided to recruit 100 retired medical specialists through walk-in interviews. Thus, it has invited applications from the retired government doctors to apply for these contractual posts of consultants in district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals and community health centres (CHCs). As per the notification issued by the state health department, the posts to be filled include 21 in paediatrics, 20 in general medicine, 20 in gynaecology, 15 in general surgery, 13 in anaesthesia, 7 radiologists and four doctors in psychiatry. Also, only retired specialist doctors between 58 and 64 years of age will be eligible to apply. The contract will be for one year and can be extended annually based on performance and subject to the approval of the finance department. These doctors will get remuneration equivalent to the last pay drawn, minus pension, plus dearness allowance as admissible on the date of appointment. Besides, they must be free of disciplinary proceedings. They will not be allowed to engage in private practice during the contractual period and will only do clinical duties (outpatient, inpatient, and emergency care) and will be exempted from medico-legal, administrative, or post-mortem responsibilities. Recently, posts of specialised doctors were advertised, but only 60 doctors joined. In 2022, the government also tried to fill 634 posts of specialist doctors but did not get a good response. The reason that doctors refrain from joining the state medical services is due to pay disparities, lack of emergency medical staff thus, specialist doctors have to take care of emergencies, and they are also deployed for VVIP duties. This decision of the state health department to hire retired specialists has not gone well with the young doctors, and many of them say they have been awaiting recruitment since November 2022, when the last advertisement for regular posts was issued. Interestingly, 31 specialist doctors who pursued post-graduation under the government quota have exited service without completing the mandatory service period or depositing the stipulated bond amount of Rs 50 lakh. As per rules, after one gets admission under the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) quota, one has to serve with the state government as one signs a 10-year service bond in exchange for subsidised admission. As four doctors each resigned from Sangrur and Ludhiana, three each from Kapurthala, Mansa, and Faridkot, two each from Mohali, Tarn Taran, and Ropar and one each from Bathinda, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar and Barnala. They have also not deposited the bond amount they pledged at the time of admission. The health department has directed civil surgeons to initiate recovery proceedings. The civil surgeons have been instructed to contact these doctors immediately and serve them a 21-day notice to deposit the bond, amount and if they fail, disciplinary action will be initiated, and the department has directed that a formal request be made to the Punjab Medical Council or relevant regulatory bodies to cancel their medical registration. Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) president Dr Akhil Sarin said a few months back, 110 specialised doctors joined as part of their bond obligation, and in the coming days a few more are likely to join after the end of the extensions granted to them. Also, walk-in interviews for an additional 160 specialist posts are also in the pipeline. All these steps are effectively aimed at providing specialist services to the poor and underserved. In 2020, the then government stalled career progression of medical officers this was one of the causes why specialised doctors did not opt for government jobs. While lack of security is another issue, he said. ` A few years back their were similar schemes of re-employment of post retirement and few doctors had taken the extensions then, he said.
Patiala Court Orders Seizure Of Civic Body's Office, Car, ACs To Pay Dead Man's Dues
The court stated that the Municipal Corporation must pay the pending dues or face confiscation of its properties to recover the Rs 3.2 lakh owed to the employee's family
Patiala court orders seizure of municipal corporation building, assets over ex-staffer's dues
A Patiala court has ordered the attachment of the municipal corporation's office building and assets, including the commissioner's car, due to unpaid dues of Rs 3.2 lakh to the family of a deceased employee. Despite previous court orders and a Supreme Court dismissal of their appeal, the corporation failed to fully compensate Varinderjit Singh's family, leading to this action.
26/11 Mumbai terror case: NIA files fresh charges against Tahawwur Rana
The National Investigation Agency has submitted an additional charge sheet against Tahawwur Rana in the 26/11 Mumbai terror case at Patiala House Court. This action is part of a larger investigation. It involves David Coleman Headley and Pakistan's ISI. The court will consider the charge sheet on August 13. Rana's judicial custody has been extended until then.
ED raids 11 locations in Punjab, Haryana in dunki route money laundering probe
CHANDIGARH: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches at eleven locations across Punjab and Haryana as part of an ongoing money-laundering investigation into a 'dunki route' case involving illegal immigrants who were deported by the United States earlier this year. Sources said that the Jalandhar zonal office of the apex agency carried out search operations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Amritsar, Sangrur, Patiala, and Moga in Punjab, and Ambala, Kurukshetra, and Karnal in Haryana. The EDs investigation is based on 19 FIRs registered by police in both Punjab and Haryana against several travel agents and middlemen. As part of the probe, the agency also raided the residence of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Totewala) leader Sukh Gill in Jalandhar. The searches were conducted at premises linked to individuals and entities whose names surfaced during the course of the investigation, said sources. According to officials, around 131 youths from Punjab were deported from the United States in February this year. They were flown back to India in handcuffs aboard US military aircraft, triggering widespread public outrage. Sources further revealed that the travel agents allegedly duped aspiring migrants out of rS 4555 lakh each. Many of these agents never met the victims in person and operated through local contacts. The youth were promised legitimate overseas placements but were instead pushed to take the illegal dunki route, passing through multiple countries. Investigators found that these donkers and their associates exerted pressure on the migrants and their families for additional payments while the youths were in transit. It is learnt that the ED has recorded statements from several deportees, which have helped map the networks operational structure and identify new suspects. The deportees were asked to submit all relevant documents, including bank account details of the travel agents who received payments. A thorough investigation was launched under PMLA as the case involves significant illegal financial transactions, said an official on condition of anonymity.
JALANDHAR: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches in multiple cities of Punjab and Haryana as part of a money laundering investigation into a 'donkey route' case related to illegal Indian immigrants who were deported by the US this year , official sources said. Offices and houses of suspects and agents in at least 11 cities in the two states , Amritsar, Sangrur, Patiala and Moga in Punjab and Ambala, Kurukshetra and Karnal in Haryana are being raided under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said. The money laundering case stems from 17 FIRs registered by Punjab and Haryana police departments against the travel/visa agents and middlemen who cheated various persons willing to go to the US illegally, they said. A number of Indians from these two states and few others were deported onboard US military planes in February this year and the agency later recorded the statements of few deportees. These statements and some linked investigation threw up the names of certain suspects and they are being searched, the sources said. 682 Indians deported from US since January, majority had attempted to enter illegally: MEA The agents used to arget innocent persons who were willing to go abroad and on the false promise of sending them to the US through legal channels and flights they used to charge an amount ranging from Rs 45-50 lakh per candidate. However, the agents used to dupe these people as they were sent through illegal routes (donkey route) by crossing the borders of many countries illegally through dangerous/jungle routes under the influence of 'donkers' and mafias, the sources said. These agents, in collusion with 'donkers' and mafia used to create a hreatening situation for the aspiring travellers and their families that they were forced to cough up more and more money, the sources said.
ED conducts searches across Punjab and Haryana in Donkey Route case
The searches were carried out in Punjabs Amritsar, Sangrur, Patiala, and Moga; and Ambala, Kurukshetra, and Karnal in Haryana, as part of the probe into money-laundering angle
ED Raids In Punjab, Haryana In Donkey Route Case
Jalandhar, Jul 9: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches in multiple cities of Punjab and Haryana as part of a money laundering investigation into a donkey route case related to illegal Indian immigrants who were deported by the US this year, official sources said. Offices and houses of suspects and agents in at least 11 cities in the two states Amritsar, Sangrur, Patiala and Moga in Punjab and Ambala, Kurukshetra and Karnal in Haryana are being raided under [] The post ED Raids In Punjab, Haryana In Donkey Route Case appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Punjab govt to introduce stringent anti-sacrilege bill, proposes life term or death penalty
CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Government is set to introduce a fresh and more stringent bill to tackle acts of sacrilege during a special two-day assembly session scheduled for July 10 and 11. The proposed legislation includes provisions for life imprisonment or even the death penalty for individuals found guilty of desecrating any religious scripture. This will be the third consecutive Punjab government to bring forward anti-sacrilege legislation. Previous attempts by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP government in 2016 and the Congress government in 2018 were either returned by the Centre or failed to receive Presidential assent. During a meeting held last Saturday at the Chief Ministers official residence with representatives of the Sarb Dharam Beadbi Rokko Kanoon Morcha, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had announced the governments intent to introduce the new law. Sources confirmed that a state-specific amendment to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) will be required. The government is currently seeking legal opinion on including the death penalty for sacrilege. If not legally viable, the bill will at least propose life imprisonment, a senior official said. The move comes amid growing political and public pressure for tougher punishment. Gurjeet Singh Khalsa has been protesting since October last year atop a BSNL tower in Samana (Patiala), demanding the death penalty for those found guilty of sacrilege. The first legislative effort came in 2016 when the SAD-BJP government introduced The Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016 and The Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016, recommending life imprisonment for desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib. However, the Centre returned the bills, stating that the amendments must apply to all religions in keeping with the secular principles of the Constitution. In 2018, the Captain Amarinder Singh-led Congress government passed two similar bills, expanding the scope to include the Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Holy Quran, and Holy Bible, but these too failed to secure Presidential assent. The Union Government recently returned these bills, advising the state to draft fresh legislation under the framework of the new BNS. CM Mann has repeatedly asserted that the desecration of religious scriptures is a serious issue and noted that while the BNS addresses religious places, it is silent on sacred texts. He emphasised that the matter falls under the Concurrent List, giving states the authority to enact their own law. Sections 298 and 299 of the BNS provide for lighter penalties: up to two years' imprisonment for defiling a place of worship and up to three years for deliberate acts meant to offend religious sentiments. The political sensitivity of the issue dates back to October 2015, when an incident of sacrilege involving the Guru Granth Sahib in Bargari during the SAD-BJP regime triggered widespread outrage and had a profound impact on Punjabs political landscape an event from which the Akali Dal is still seen to be recovering. While CM Mann favours capital punishment for sacrilege, some voices within the party argue that such a sentence may not stand legal scrutiny and could be seen as excessively harsh. Nonetheless, the upcoming bill signals a firm political stance on a matter that continues to stir strong emotions across the state.
Husband kills self unaware wife died by suicide after a fight; three children orphaned
In a tragic turn of events in Punjab's Patiala district, a couple died by suicide following a misunderstanding. Gurmeet Singh, unaware of his wife Manpreet Kaur's earlier suicide, took his own life, leaving their three children orphaned. Manpreet had left home after a marital dispute, and Gurmeet mistakenly believed she had eloped, prompting his devastating decision.
