Punjab Police withdraw Harbhajan Singhs security cover after BJP switch
Security has been reportedly withdrawn from Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh, who recently switched from AAP to BJP. This move follows protests by AAP workers, who labelled the defecting MPs as 'traitors'. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann accused the BJP of attempting to destabilize AAP and betraying Punjab's mandate. The seven MPs cited ideological differences for their departure.
Punjab Police security cover of MP and cricketer Harbhajan Singh withdrawn
Chandigarh: The Punjab Police is learnt to have withdrawn the security cover of Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh, one of the seven lawmakers who switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alongside Raghav Chadha, sources said. The police security cover comprising nine to 10 policemen was withdrawn on Saturday, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by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 .
Punjab Police security cover of MP Harbhajan Singh withdrawn
CHANDIGARH, Apr 26: The Punjab Police is learnt to have withdrawn the security cover of Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh, one of the seven lawmakers who switched to the BJP from AAP alongside Raghav Chadha, sources said. The police security cover comprising 9-10 policemen was withdrawn on Saturday, they said. The Punjab Police security was deployed at the former cricketers residence at the Chhotti Baradari locality in Jalandhar. Meanwhile, security personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force could be seen [] The post Punjab Police security cover of MP Harbhajan Singh withdrawn appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Vikramjeet Singh Sahni Responds to Bhagwant Manns Allegations: No Betrayal to Punjab and Punjabis
Chandigarh, April 26: Vikramjeet Singh Sahni, a Rajya Sabha MP who recently joined the BJP after leaving the Aam Aadmi Party, has addressed allegations made by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Sahni firmly stated that he has not betrayed Punjab or its people, emphasizing his commitment to serving Punjabis. In response to protests in Punjab ... Read more Vikramjeet Singh Sahni Responds to Bhagwant Manns Allegations: No Betrayal to Punjab and Punjabis
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is seeking a meeting with President Murmu to recall seven Rajya Sabha MPs who defected from AAP. A minister questioned the authenticity of two signatures on the defection letter, suggesting a potential forgery. The party argues these defections betray the mandate and undermine democracy, seeking a constitutional precedent for removal.
PGI medical museum to open window to past
MC ropes in experts for citys first water audit
Main accused in MBBS admission fraud arrested
Smart City-Crest scam: Rs 50 cr routed to city jewellers
Woman duped of Rs 50 lakh in online investment scam
Family, friends remember legacy of Olympian Gurbax Singh Grewal
Punjab retains 33% subsidy on BT hybrids, desi cotton seeds
Trader dies by suicide; couple arrested, DSPs role under probe
Heat wave intensifies in Haryana & Punjab, Faridkot at 45C
Comments on Bhajan Lal spark storm, supporters hit back
Stock market investment fraud busted in Hisar, five held
Two UP youths held with 754g opium in Hisar
Breaking tradition with pride: Brides Banwara sends a message of equality
I am a farmers son, understand their concerns: CM Saini
FD scam: Govt set to initiate action against Vikas Kaushik
Man beaten to death for objecting to harassment, 6 booked
Haryana opens Sonipat terminal to attract Amritsar dry fruit traders
RS defections: CM seeks Prez meet, AAP to seek their MPs disqualification
Constable was on leave: Jawan tortured to death, but BSF unlikely to take up issue
CM Mann slams defectors with ginger-garlic analogy
ED raids, MPs exit cast shadow on AAPs industry outreach in Pb
Weighing hope against uncertainty, migrant voters head back to Bengal
Seechewal accepted RS seat with riders
SGPC to award Rs 1L to Sikh student selected for administrative services
Punjab CMs Meeting with President Labeled Political Drama by Akali Dal
Chandigarh, April 25: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns decision to meet with the President, calling it a political drama. Mann aims to request the recall of Rajya Sabha MPs who recently defected to the BJP. The Akali Dal reminded the Chief Minister that the authority to act against ... Read more Punjab CMs Meeting with President Labeled Political Drama by Akali Dal
Punjab AAP workers write Gaddar in front of Harbhajan Singhs house
Chandigarh: AAP workers on Saturday held protests outside the residences of Rajya Sabha MPs Harbhajan Singh, Ashok Mittal and Rajinder Gupta, who quit the party and joined the BJP. The workers wrote Gaddar (traitor) on the boundary walls of their houses with spray paint in Ludhiana and Jalandhar. On Friday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya 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 .
Freshers Recruitment at Chandigarh International Airport
Chandigarh, April 25: Chandigarh International Airport Limited (CHIAL) has issued an official notification inviting applications for a total of 17 positions for ILBS Screeners (Freshers) at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh. The online application process commenced on April 22 and will close on April 30. Candidates wishing to apply can submit their registration forms ... Read more Freshers Recruitment at Chandigarh International Airport
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Seeks Meeting with President Amid Party Turmoil
Chandigarh, April 25: Following a significant split in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has requested a meeting with the President of India. Mann is upset over the departure of seven party MPs. Sources indicate that he aims to present his case regarding the recall of Punjabs Rajya Sabha members during ... Read more Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Seeks Meeting with President Amid Party Turmoil
'Ginger, garlic cumin ...': Bhagwant Mann slams defected AAP leaders in cryptic analogy
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann criticized seven Rajya Sabha MPs who quit AAP, likening them to individual spices that can't make a dish alone. He accused the BJP of destabilizing his government and engineering defections, linking the move to a strict sacrilege law and perceived improvements in Punjab. Mann asserted the defectors lacked any significant vote bank.
Mann slams defected AAP leaders in cryptic analogy, says individually they matter little
Chandigarh, Apr 25: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday attacked the seven Rajya Sabha members who quit the AAP through a culinary analogy to say that on their own, each defected leader amounts to little. In a sarcastic post on X, Mann wrote in Punjabi, Ginger, garlic, cumin, fenugreek powder, red chilli, black pepper, and coriander these seven things together make a dish taste great, but on their own, cannot become a dish. His comment came a day [] The post Mann slams defected AAP leaders in cryptic analogy, says individually they matter little appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Scooty Rider Arrested with Heroin in Jammu City
SRINAGAR: Police in Jammu apprehended a suspected drug peddler during naka checking near the Jammu Municipal Corporation gate, recovering a heroin-like substance from his possession. The accused, identified as Sunny, a resident of Mouli Complex, Mouli Majra, Chandigarh, presently staying at Malik Market Jammu, was intercepted while riding a scooty bearing registration number JK02CD/4577. Police []
Punjab Anti-Gangster Task Force Arrests Lawrence Gang Member Arzu Bishnoi
Chandigarh, April 25: The Punjab Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has achieved a significant breakthrough by arresting Arzu Bishnoi, a member of the Lawrence gang. During the operation, authorities recovered a .32 caliber pistol and three cartridges from the gangster. This information was shared by Police Director General Gaurav Yadav on X. According to the DGP, ... Read more Punjab Anti-Gangster Task Force Arrests Lawrence Gang Member Arzu Bishnoi
In every frame, a memory: A film 'Aunty Sudha and Aunty Radha' that struck a chord
A documentary screening of 'Aunty Sudha and Aunty Radha' at Tagore Theatre resonated deeply with Chandigarh's elderly audience. The film, depicting two sisters living independently, sparked reflections on familial bonds, the quiet contentment of aging, and the importance of emotional well-being in later life. It encouraged a shift in perspective towards valuing and being present with elders.
The exit of seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, including strategists Sandeep Pathak and Raghav Chadha, marks a symbolic blow to the party in Punjab ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. While their operational influence had already diminished, their departure is seen as a psychological setback, with the BJP likely to leverage the defections to portray AAP as a 'sinking ship'.
Raging dumpsite fire leave residents struggling to breathe
Tricity sizzles on hottest day of season
2 more arrested in Rs 26L fraud case
Chandigarh International Airport Hiring Fresh Graduates by April 30
Chandigarh, April 25: Chandigarh International Airport Limited (CHIAL) has announced a recruitment drive for 17 positions of ILBS Screeners (Freshers) at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport. Eligible candidates are invited to apply through an official notification. The online application process commenced on April 22, with the deadline set for April 30. Interested candidates can submit ... Read more Chandigarh International Airport Hiring Fresh Graduates by April 30
Chd MCs parking revenue rises after one pass rollout
MC to send parking pass pitch to 9 lakh Chd vehicle owners
Serious Questions Arise on Kejriwals Leadership as Punjab BJP Responds to AAP MPs Resignations
Chandigarh, April 25: The resignation of two-thirds of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MPs has raised serious concerns regarding Arvind Kejriwals leadership, according to Ashwani Sharma, the Punjab BJPs acting president. He stated that this development reflects Kejriwals increasingly autocratic style of governance. Sharma emphasized that such mass resignations reveal deep rifts within ... Read more Serious Questions Arise on Kejriwals Leadership as Punjab BJP Responds to AAP MPs Resignations
Shah conspiring to break AAP: Pannu
Pak balloons spook Chamba villages; 1 of 2 handed over to Army: SSP
Gaddars of Punjab: Mann says defecting AAP MPs not worthy of becoming sarpanch
Only 29% of procured wheat cleared from mandis
Cop suspended after devotees allege harassment at naka
BJPs Akshita Saini files papers for Ambala mayoral polls; Vij predicts big win
Warring blames AAP for rise in gangster culture
Hansi traffic SHO suspended for reporting drunk on duty, misconduct
BJP turning universities into political playgrounds: Dushyant
AAPs split exposes politics of power and plunder: Bajwa
AAP MPs shift to BJP a move at right time: Jakhar
Activist Khalsa brought down from Samana tower after 559 days
Not just 7 MPs, 50 MLAs may also desert AAP: Warring
Sonipat civic body poll: BJPs Jain, 2 others file nominations
Western disturbance to bring dust storms, light rain across Haryana
HC admits Chautala plea, seeks Hisar SPs affidavit
MP accounts for 69% farm fires, Punjab stays low
Rohtak hits 44.6C as heatwave grips Punjab & Haryana, relief likely on Sunday
32-year-old man dies of drug overdose in Muktsar village, case registered
Haryana Government to Establish 23 Additional Air Quality Monitoring Stations in NCR
Chandigarh, April 24: The Haryana government has announced plans to set up 23 additional air quality monitoring stations in the National Capital Region (NCR), increasing the total to 52 by July. The state government will soon implement an aggregator policy to regulate transport services, aiming to completely eliminate legacy waste within 11 months. This information ... Read more Haryana Government to Establish 23 Additional Air Quality Monitoring Stations in NCR
AAPs Internal Strife Exposed: Pratap Singh Bajwas Take on Recent Defections
Chandigarh, April 24: The recent defection of several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has raised eyebrows. Punjabs Leader of Opposition, Pratap Singh Bajwa, stated on Friday that the ongoing rift within AAP has unveiled the partys true nature. Bajwa emphasized that this crisis is not ideological. Instead, it revolves ... Read more AAPs Internal Strife Exposed: Pratap Singh Bajwas Take on Recent Defections
Hockey Olympian Gurbax Singh Grewal Passes In Chandigarh, Aged 84
Hockey Olympian Gurbax Singh Grewal: Former India international and Mumbai Hockey Association (MHA) secretary Gurbax Singh Grewal, who was a member of the national team that won a bronze medal in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, died of a heart attack in Chandigarh on Saturday evening. He was 84. Gurbax Singh, brother of Olympian Balbir Singh, retired as Sports Officer with the Western Railways in Mumbai and was elected as Honorary Secretary of The Mumbai Hockey Association Ltd as part of a team that included former India captain and coach Joaquim Carvalho. Born on April 1, 1942, in Lyallpur, Punjab Province of British India, near present-day Faisalabad in Pakistan, Gurbax came to Mumbai in his 20s to play hockey for the Western Railways in Mumbai. He, along with his brother Balbir Singh, was part of the Indian team that won a bronze medal in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico. Gurbax Singh, brother of Olympian Balbir Singh, retired as Sports Officer with the Western Railways in Mumbai and was elected as Honorary Secretary of The Mumbai Hockey Association Ltd as part of a team that included former India captain and coach Joaquim Carvalho. Also Read: Live Cricket Score After retiring from Western Railways as Sports Officer, Gurbax contested elections for the Mumbai Hockey Association and was elected Honorary Secretary in 2010. The renovation of the MHA's Mahindra Stadium happened during his tenure after the MHA and MCA reached an agreement on the transfer of land to the cricket association to install the floodlights for the Wankhede Stadium ahead of the 2010 World Cup. Article Source: IANS
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Accuses BJP of Betrayal Amid Party Defections
Chandigarh, April 24: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann responded to the recent defections of MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday. He stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has always been anti-Punjab, and the people of the state will teach these traitors a lesson. Speaking to the media, Mann emphasized that the ... Read more Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Accuses BJP of Betrayal Amid Party Defections
BJP using Raghav Chadha as tool to split party: AAP Punjab
CHANDIGARH: Ruling Aam Aadmi Partys Punjab unit on Friday accused the BJP of attempting to engineer a split by using former senior leader Raghav Chadha as a tool. BJP hit back, saying that the allegations are baseless. AAP Punjabs chief spokesperson Baltej Pannu, addressing a news conference here, alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, []
I&B ministry advises ZEE5 not to release Lawrence of Punjab
Chandigarh: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has advised ZEE5 not to release the docu-series on gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, Lawrence of Punjab, after the Punjab Police expressed apprehension that it posed a risk to public order. Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Thursday moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking a ban 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 .
Not withdrawing, BJP spreading rumours: Sonipat mayoral face after Cong ward rejig
HC directs Pb, Hry and centre to act on mental healthcare rules
The risks of media trials in digital era
In an age where a hashtag can convict before a courtroom convenes, the rule of law faces an unprecedented challenge. In any democracy, the media is the fourth pillar. It informs citizens, shapes public debate, and holds institutions accountable. Law, security, and public perception intersect in fragile and often explosive ways. But press freedom is not absolute. The Supreme Court made this clear in (1950): free speech must be balanced against other constitutional values, including the right to a fair trial. Today, that balance is under threat from a growing menace the media trial. It is evident that established or traditional media houses are fulfilling the role of the media: disseminating information without judgment. They employ trained experts as editors who filter information within the framework of media ethics. The real risk lies in the kind of information and journalism practised by portal-based journalists, who often lack editorial filters, social understanding, and legal ethics. A media trial happens when news channels, digital portals, or social media platforms declare someone guilty or innocent before a court has even heard evidence. In Kashmir, unverified posts and sensational headlines often create a parallel, unregulated courtroom; one without rules, without witnesses, and without appeal. The Supreme Court recognised this danger in (2012). It introduced postponement orders to prevent prejudicial reporting during ongoing trials. But on the ground, especially in Kashmir, such safeguards are often ignored. Media trials destroy the most basic principle of criminal justice: the presumption of innocence. No person should be branded a criminal in public before evidence is tested in a court of law. The Supreme Court has repeatedly called this presumption a human right, protected under Article 21 of the Constitution. In (1966), the Court made it unequivocally clear: the presumption of innocence is a constitutional guarantee, binding on courts and, by logical extension, on media narratives as well. When a news anchor plays judge, or a tweet becomes a verdict, justice is undermined, whether in Delhi or in Kashmir. Reputations are destroyed without trial. Families are traumatised, and the rule of law takes a backseat to public hysteria. Judges are trained to be impartial. But they do not live in a vacuum. Excessive, sensational media coverage creates indirect pressure. When every headline screams terrorist or monster, can a trial remain purely evidence based? In Manu Sharma v. State (NCT of Delhi) (2010), the famous Jessica Lal murder case, the Supreme Court cautioned that media reporting must not prejudice the accused or interfere with the administration of justice. It emphasised restraint, especially in highprofile criminal cases. That warning is even more urgent in a state where every criminal case can acquire a political or communal colour. If television news started the media trial fire, social media poured fuel on it. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube spread information instantly but they also amplify misinformation, speculation, and rage. Algorithms reward sensational content over verified facts. A false claim can go viral in hours. Corrections, if they come at all, reach almost no one. In Kashmir, this dynamic is deadly. Unverified videos, old photos shared as new, and anonymous exclusive posts distort public understanding of ongoing legal proceedings. Virality replaces credibility. Justice becomes a hashtag. In such an environment, virality becomes a substitute for veracity. One often overlooked victim of media trials is the witness. Extensive publicity exposes witnesses to intimidation, social pressure, and fear. Some refuse to come forward. Others change their testimony to avoid harassment. The administration of justice depends entirely on witnesses who are willing to speak freely and truthfully. Media sensationalism undermines that willingness. In Kashmir, where witnesses already face security risks, a media trial can be the final reason to stay silent. Without credible witnesses, no trial can deliver justice. At its core, the media trial reflects an ethical collapse in parts of contemporary journalism. The commercialisation of news, the race for viewership and clicks, has pushed speed far ahead of accuracy. Verification is often an afterthought. Speculation is packaged as analysis. Investigative journalism remains essential to democracy, but when it transforms into adjudication without accountability, it loses legitimacy. A news organisation is not a court. It has no power to subpoena, no oath to administer, and no right to pronounce guilt. The solution is not to curb media freedom. The solution is responsible journalism that respects constitutional boundaries. Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech and expression. Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, which includes the right to a fair trial. Courts have repeatedly held that neither right can eclipse the other. What is required is a principled balance, one that preserves the medias role as a watchdog while preventing it from acting as a judge. In a region marked by prolonged conflict, where even a single misreported incident can escalate tensions irreversibly, this balance becomes even more critical. The regions complex sociopolitical realities make it uniquely vulnerable to misinformation and narrative manipulation. A media trial is not just a legal problem. It can inflame community tensions, undermine counterinsurgency efforts, and destroy public trust in both media and courts. When a false headline spreads, it can take weeks or months to correct, and by then, the damage is done. Justice cannot be delivered through headlines. Justice demands due process, credible evidence, and impartial adjudication within the framework of law. As the Supreme Court observed in (1997), trial by media is antithetical to the rule of law. That observation assumes even greater urgency in Kashmir, where the stakes of justice are deeply intertwined with legitimacy, stability, and public confidence. A free press and a fair trial are not enemies. They are complementary pillars of a constitutional democracy. Preserving their equilibrium is essential not just for lawyers and journalists, but for every citizen. Justice must not only be done. It must be seen to be done in courts of law, not in the court of public opinion. Dr Ajaz Afzal Lone, currently working as an Assistant Professor in the University Institute of Legal Studies, Chandigarh University
Irrigation project inaugurated, water relief for Chamkaur Sahib villages
State initiates Rs 1.4L crore recovery from Rajasthan: Dhaliwal
BJP leader urges Rs 1k-cr economic package for Asr
Lights out: Amritsar to hold air raid drill today
Army, civil admin conduct drill to bring Khalsa down
In vision document, SAD (Punar Surjit) proposes laws on conversion, sacrilege
2-day police remand for Amritpal in Ajnala attack case
PRTC adds 250 new buses to cover key routes, but locals say it is still inadequate
Congs Diwan back in Sonipat mayoral race, set to face BJPs Jain
Mann lauds Finland tie-up, says Punjab schools moving beyond rote learning
Ask Centre to raise incentives for Asha workers: Punjab minister to healh dept
Synthetic drug seizures see over four-fold spike since '22
Punjab cops ask Centre to block OTT series on Lawrence Bishnoi
State in dark as CM tours Europe: Cong slams AAP govt over power cuts
Punjab trails Hry, Himachal in central infra fund utilisation
Jakhar targets AAP govt over power cuts
