Relentless reformer who made democracy accountable
I first met Professor Jagdeep S Chhokar in 2006, when I was the youngest in the Election Commission of India. At that time, the relationship between the Election Commission (EC) and the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR)the organisation he co-foundedwas marked by caution, even suspicion. ADR had begun to make waves with its landmark petitions in the courts, demanding greater transparency in elections. From within the EC, we were instinctively wary: here was an organisation holding up a mirror to the system we were constitutionally sworn to safeguard. But the more we engaged with Jagdeep, the more we realised that we were fighting the same battleto make Indias democracy not just participatory, but truly informed. It was the beginning of a professional partnership and a personal friendship that endured through the years. A Shared Haryana Connection The fact that Jagdeep belonged to Haryanawhich was my own cadrebrought us personally closer. He was born in Patti Kalyana, a well-known village in Panipat, which was earlier part of Karnal district, where I underwent my IAS training. That coincidence alone would have been enough to give us a sense of kinship, but our connections went even deeper. As a student, I used to attend German classes at Max Mueller Bhavan, where his sister, Bimla Chhokarwho later became Bimla Bhallawas also a fellow student. These ties made it feel natural for us to look upon each other almost as family. Our conversations often ranged from electoral law to personal anecdotes, and just a few months ago he told mewith characteristic candor that for the last 15 years he has been quoting me on a subject close to both our hearts: electoral rolls. I had once said that electoral rolls are the soft underbelly of the Election Commission. Jagdeep said he had repeated that line hundreds of times in his writings and speeches. Now, with the controversy around the Special Intensive Revision of rolls in Bihar at its peak, that observation seems more relevant than ever. From IIM to ADR: A Scholar Who Chose The Battlefield Professor Chhokar was not a career activist. A distinguished academic and former dean of IIM-Ahmedabad, he could have chosen a quiet, comfortable life in the cloisters of academia. Instead, he brought the same intellectual rigour that defined his scholarship to the contested arena of electoral reform. ADRs origin story is now the stuff of democratic legend: a group of IIM-A professorsincluding Chhokarfiled a PIL in the Delhi High Court in 1999 seeking mandatory disclosure of criminal, financial, and educational background of candidates contesting elections. The case eventually reached the Supreme Court, and in 2002, the landmark judgment mandated that such disclosures be made public. This was a watershed moment in Indian democracy. It was Jagdeep who became the public face of this movement, taking ADRs mission beyond courtrooms to civil society, media platforms, and public debates. He combined the empiricism of a researcher with the passion of a reformer, often presenting data that embarrassed political parties but empowered the citizenry. ADR As The Eyes and Ears Of Reform In the years that followed, ADR became indispensable to the cause of electoral reform. Its painstaking work of compiling and analysing candidate affidavits, publishing reports on criminalisation of politics, and tracking campaign finance violations provided an evidence base that no one could ignore not even the political class. ADRs data is now the gold standard for anyone studying the state of Indian democracy. For the EC, ADR became an ally we did not know we needed. Its data helped us sharpen our own interventionsfrom tightening rules on candidate disclosures to nudging political parties toward internal democracy. I would often share panels with Jagdeep at public fora; we spoke the same language of reform, he perhaps a bit more sharply, I a bit more diplomatically. But we were on the same side of history. The Legacy He Leaves Behind Today, when we speak of informed choice as a cornerstone of free and fair elections, we must remember: millions of citizens now check candidate affidavits, criminal records, and asset declarations before casting their vote. This shift from blind allegiance to evidence-based votingis part of Jagdeeps legacy. S Y Quraishi Former Chief Election Commissioner Of India
The Chola Tigers and their storyteller Amish Tripathi
Author Amish Tripathi is in utter awe of Rajendra Chola the man he was, the conquests he made, and the beautiful temples and city of Gangaikonda Cholapuram he built. What a man he was! he exclaims. This sheer awe of one of the mightiest emperors of India comes across in Amishs latest book The Chola Tigers: Avengers of Somnath, which is a part of his Indic Chronicles. The first in this series was Legend of Suheldev, released in 2020, which recounted the role of a King from Shravasti who mobilised Indians to fight the Turkic army after the destruction of the Somnath temple. The book mentions the Chola general Narasimhan telling King Suheldev that they got vengeance from Mahumd as well. The King then asks to hear that story too to which, General Narasimhan hints that perhaps an author will write about it. Im here. The author is here, laughs Amish. Along with Narasimhan, the other passengers in this journey of revenge sought against Mahumd is a Chalukya king whose father was a rival of the Cholas, a Gujarati merchant, a member of the Vavar community of Kerala whose sole duty is to protect Lord Ayyappa, and a Chola officer. Their story, told in The Chola Tigers is a celebration of a dynasty and a piece of history that hasnt gotten its due. Excerpts follow: Why did you plan on the Indic Chronicle series? The Indic Chronicles is a relook at the narrative of the last 1,300 years. There are various problems in the way history is taught to us. Even if the facts are still the same, the way they are presented to us has a very biased approach. Our history has an excessive focus on Delhi. Most other regions are ignored. If you notice, Eastern India is ignored, Central India, King Bhoj is ignored; Western India is ignored. Most of the history of the last 1,300 years essentially focusses on the region between Khyber and Agra. Delhi is an important area but it is not the only important area of India. This entire story of the last 1,300 years is presented as one of repeated defeats. The subtle or, in fact, not so subtle message given to us was, our ancestors were either cowardly or disunited because they kept losing battles. In summary, they were looking towards Khyber Pass for the next invader to come, and then there would be a battle at Panipat, which we would obviously lose. And then there would be the next oppressor oppressing us. The only difference between the British and the Turks was that the British came from the sea. Why did the British Raj come up with a historical narrative like this? Basically, to tell all of us Indians, It is your job to be slaves. My understanding of it is completely different. The same invaders who came here Arabs, Turks, Persians, Europeans, British, Portuguese went to every other ancient culture in the world. All those other ancient cultures are dead. The Aztecs, the Inca, Central America, Zoroastrianism in Persiaso many across the world, all dead. India is still standing. My interpretation of it is that the last 1,300 years is not a story of repeated defeats, but it is a story of the greatest resistance in human history. No indigenous culture anywhere in the world has fought so hard, and so long, to protect its culture. Only our ancestors did. If there is an interpretation like this, we would feel proud of our ancestors. They werent cowards; they werent disunited, they were actually the toughest people around. That is the real story of the last 1,300 years. Indic Chronicles aims to give that part of the story. Cholas and their contribution are well-known, at least in the south Why are our great ancestors reduced to regional history? Why is Chhatrapati Shivaji reduced just to Maharashtra history? Why are Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola reduced just to Tamil history? Why is Emperor Bhoj reduced just to Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarhs history? Why are the Gurjar Pratiharas reduced just to Western India, Gujarat, and Maharashtra? The Rashtrakuta is reduced to only Karnataka. Why? Emperor Rajendra Chola conquered much of Southeast Asia as well. The Bay of Bengal was essentially Emperor Rajendra Cholas pond. His empire was as big as Akbars. Thats not the impression we get from our history books. In the last 1,300 years, the only national history is our invaders. Why is that? And this needs to be rebalanced. Emperor Rajendra Chola, Rajaraja Chola were not just Tamil kings, they were Indian kings. They were our ancestors too. When Emperor Rajendra Chola conquered up to Eastern India, up to the Ganga, he changed his title. He took the title Gangaikondan. It was clearly an emotional moment for him. He renamed his capital as Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Our nationalism was much more liberal and relaxed. We must celebrate that. Is there an unusual amount of spotlight on the Cholas, and are they being used as a political tool? The spotlight is going on many ignored heroes, not just the Cholas across India. The Marathas, for example. They were ignored for so many decades. The Peshwas, the Rashtrakutas, the Parmars. This is all, I think, a cultural reclaiming of our ancestors. I think its a good thing. Is there some politics with it? Yes. But there is a cultural reawakening. Lachit Borphukans memory is being revived in Assam. So many of our great heroes have been forgotten. Culturally, I think its very good. Isnt it nice if North Indians know about the Cholas, or South Indians get to know King Bhoj? King Bhoj and Emperor Rajendra Chola were allies. But this will be a shock to many. King Bhoj was also a scholar emperor. Hed written 70-80 books. These things arent spoken of in our history books. Where do you draw the line for fiction when you write historical fiction? The reality of writing historical fiction is that therell always be basic facts, and then you have to try and put a story together for two reasons. One, real life usually actually does not make sense. But a story that youre reading, you expect it to make sense. Secondly, real life is usually boring, which is why many pure history books are boring. You have to add the storytelling style to it. Thats the very nature of historical fiction. Some facts are so obviously wrong that you cant use them. But you have to update the story of it. Braveheart or Ponniyin Selvan, a lot of it is fiction. It has to be done that way. Besides your research for your books, what are you reading currently? I read more non-fiction. I just finished a long read, The Singularity is Near, and The Singularity is Nearer by Ray Kurzweil. AI is going to impact everything. If you want to understand AI and how new tech is going to impact our world, you cant do better than Ray Kurzweils books. I am also going through a series of books now by a British historian called David Starkey, who has written magisterial books on how England and the UK were created from King Alfred onwards. Of course, he is a lover of the British Empire. Your mind expands when you are willing to read someone who has a different point of view. These days, we dont do that enough. We want to be in our echo chambers. Its only when you interact with someone who disagrees with you that your mind gets exercised. I always believed that if you want to read someone who has an opposing point of view, there can be two strategies: One, read the idiot, which will make you feel superior, or go to the best thinker on the opposite side, read them and then you are actually forced to think and expand your mind. You canwatch the interview on YouTube @thenewindianxpress
'US Tariffs Are Making It Hard to Keep My Textile Factory in Panipat Running'
'We dont have any new orders, and even the old ones have been put on hold,' writes a textile factory owner.
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.
Foundation for MSME Clusters Leads Panipat's Green Transformation
Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC), a leading non-governmental, not-for-profit public charitable trust, established in India in 2005. FMC has made remarkable strides in fostering sustainable livelihoods and environmental progress through our innovative cluster development approach. Our work spans more than 300 MSME clusters, supporting over 100,000 artisanal and industrial units, ranging from household operations to medium-sized production entities. As an empanelled Nodal Agency with the Ministries of MSMEs and Rural Development, FMC extends support to prominent schemes like SFURTI, and is also providing technical, research, and evaluation support to various organizations such as SIDBI & KVIC. FMC has implemented multiple projects on environment and livelihoods with support from agencies like NABARD, UNIDO, UNDP, EU, ADB, and major corporates such as Cisco, Mahindra Finance, HCL, Yes Bank, and Hindalco.
After Trump tariff, uncertainty looms over textile city Panipat
CHANDIGARH: The imposition of a 25% tariff, along with an unspecified penalty by the United States, is likely to severely impact Indias exports of textiles to the US market. However, it will help Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Vietnam, Egypt, and Italy, allowing them to increase their market share. In Panipat, which is known as the Textile City of India, with an export volume of around Rs 20,000 crore per year, the exporters are struggling. They have faced a dip in exports over the past three years, primarily due to the Russia-Ukraine war, inflation across European and South American markets, and rising freight charges. They are now adopting a wait-and-watch policy before taking new orders. Vinod Kumar, Chairman of the Haryana Chamber of Commerce Industry (Panipat Chapter), said that the USs decision has hit the textile industry of Panipat hard. As per annum, we export textiles worth Rs 20,000 crore, and of these 60% that is Rs 12,000 crore, are exported to the US, from home textile items to floor covering items such as carpets and rugs, he added. At present, the tariff on textile goods is 10%, but will increase as announced by the Trump administration, benefitting Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Vietnam and Italy, as these countries were our competitors, he said. Kumar further said that there are around 500 exporters in Panipat who employ approximately 2 lakh workforce. The move may lead to retrenchment of the workforce, which will be very unfortunate, he added. Lalit Goyal, Chairman, Handloom Export Promotion Council and president of Panipat Exporters Association, said that the total textile export to the US amounts to Rs 96,000 cr, with the remaining Rs 80,000 cr comprising garments and make-up.
Supreme Court orders first-ever EVM recount, flips Haryana poll result
For the first time, the Supreme Court has set aside the 2022 sarpanch election victory in Haryanas Panipat district village of Buana Lakhu following a direction to recount Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) votes at its headquarters. The recount, overseen by the Supreme Court Registrar, overturned the announced result and declared Mohit Kumar the winner with 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 .
Top Court Orders EVM Recount, Overturns Sarpanch Elections In Haryana
The Supreme Court has overturned the election of the Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Buana Lakhu in Haryana's Panipat district after a court-monitored recount found the appellant securing the highest number of votes.
Chandigarh Diary | Khattars heart still beats for Haryana
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar may be handling a national portfolio, but Haryana remains close to his heart. The former chief minister was recently seen inspecting Gurugram and Nuhs jungle safari site alongside Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. In Rohtak, he is scheduled for a university event. Earlier visits to Karnal and Panipat they fall under his Karnal LS constituency had him reviewing CET exam arrangements and village development projects. In Chandigarh, he chaired meetings to track progress on key works. Bajwas tour, Punjab still on his mind Even on foreign shores, Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa kept an eye on political developments at home. Touring Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand for two weeks, he met ministers, MPs, mayors, and NRIs, listening to ideas for Punjabs future. Yet, his attention never left Chandigarhfiring salvos at CM Bhagwant Mann over the land pooling scheme, Jalandhars oxygen deaths, threat to son of Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, and PPP-mode medical colleges. His PR team churned out daily statements, ensuring his presence in Punjabs political conversation never faded. The tour blended diaspora outreach with Bajwas knack for staying relevant from afar. Pink brigade runs Hoshiarpur In Hoshiarpur, women arent just part of the systemthey are the system. Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain, Assistant Commissioner Oishee Mandal, ADC Amarbir Kaur, SDM Gursimranjit Kaur, and RTA Amandeep Kaur anchor the administration. Harleen Kaur oversees food and civil supplies, Harpreet Kaur protects childrens rights, while SP Navneet Kaur Gill and DSP Manpreet keep the law in check. Add political appointee Karamjit Kaur heading the district planning committee, and the lineup is formidable. Recently, the brigade came together to celebrate Teej in style at a Punjab Tourism Department event, presided over by Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur. Harpreet Bajwa Our correspondent in Chandigarh hsbajwa73@gmail.com
NIIFT celebrates National Handloom Day
Excelsior Correspondent CHANDIGARH, Aug 8: Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology (NIIFT), Mohali, a premier Institute in the field of Fashion, Textile and Management today celebrated National Handloom Day. The day was celebrated in collaboration with Government Museum & Art Gallery, Chandigarh, the Weaver Service Centre Panipat, KVIC, Kharar and Phulkari Emporium, Sector 17 Chandigarh at Government Museum & Art Gallery, Chandigarh. The occasion was graced by Dr Kanu Thind, Director NIIFT, Isha Kamboj, Director Government Museum & Art Gallery, [] The post NIIFT celebrates National Handloom Day appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Delhi to see heavy traffic on Raksha Bandhan weekend. Police says avoid these routes
With Raksha Bandhan falling close to the weekend, Delhi Traffic Police has issued a travel advisory anticipating heavy congestion on highways leading out of the capital, especially towards Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, and Chandigarh via NH-44 and Singhu border. Commuters are advised to use alternate routes and plan ahead.
First for India: IOC Panipat refinery certified to produce sustainable aviation fuel
In a significant step towards sustainable aviation, Indian Oil's Panipat refinery has become the first in India to be certified for producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from used cooking oil. Cotecna Inspection India certified the refinery, paving the way for blending SAF with conventional aviation turbine fuel (ATF).
Over the past two decades Panipat, a city in Haryana known in Indian history for three major battles, has emerged as one of Asias largest processors of textile waste. Ashok Kumar finds that the city has a large number of illegal bleaching and dyeing units, essential in the conversion of scrap cloth into low-quality thread. These units discharge contaminated water into drains that merge with the Yamuna river
L&T to set up Indias largest green hydrogen plant at IOCL Panipat Refinery
NEW DELHI, July 21: Infrastructure major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) on Monday said its arm will set up the nations largest green hydrogen plant at Indian Oil Corporations Panipat Refinery in Haryana. The project aligns with the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to position India as a global hub for green hydrogen production and technology. The plant, to be set up by Larsen & Toubros wholly-owned arm L&T Energy GreenTech Ltd, will supply 10,000 tonnes of green hydrogen [] The post L&T to set up Indias largest green hydrogen plant at IOCL Panipat Refinery appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Railway employee among two held in gang-rape case in Haryana
CHANDIGARH: Two men, including a railway employee, have been arrested for the alleged gang-rape of a 35-year-old woman from Haryana's Panipat in an empty coach of a stationary train, a GRP officer said on Saturday. The accused have been identified as Bhajan, a railway technician at the Kurukshetra station, and Shivam from Kurukshetra. Three theft cases are lodged against Shivam. The Government Railway Police (GRP) officer said the victim was allegedly raped by the two accused at the Kurukshetra railway station - a fact that came to the fore following an investigation. Earlier, it was stated that the crime was committed at the Panipat railway station. Panipat GRP Station House Officer (SHO) Rajesh Kumar said police have made a breakthrough in the case with the arrest of the two men. He added that the accused will be questioned to find out if more people were involved in the case. The officer said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to crack the case. He said police arrested the accused after going through CCTV footage collected from highways and cities from Sonipat to Kurukshetra. According to a police complaint submitted by the victim's husband, the woman had gone missing after she left her Panipat home on June 24. The missing complaint was filed on June 26. The victim lost a leg when a train went over her after she was allegedly raped and is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Rohtak. Police had earlier said the woman told them she was sitting at a nearby railway station on the night of June 24 when a man, claiming to have been sent by her husband, approached her. She had said the man took her to an empty coach of a stationary train and raped her. Later, two other men joined him and they too raped her, Shri Niwas, the SHO of the Quilla police station, had said earlier. The Quilla police station filed a Zero FIR in connection with the incident and subsequently, forwarded it to the Panipat GRP for further action.
Exclusive: Rishab, Ashutosh Epic On King Krishnadevaraya On Track?
Renowned for his expertise in period dramas such as Panipat and Mohenjo-Daro, Gowariker is said to have been fascinated by the grandeur and cultural richness of Krishnadevarayas reign.
22-Year-Old Nurse Quits Job To Meet Husband In Panipat, Dies By Suicide After He Doesn't Show Up
Manisha, a 22-year-old nurse from Bengaluru, died by suicide in a Panipat hotel after her husband, who asked her to leave her job and meet him, failed to show up
Language row: BJP MP Dubey's remarks inappropriate, risk creating confusion, says Fadnavis
MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's comments on the language issue in the state were inappropriate and risked causing confusion. Dubey's reported patak patak ke marenge remarks have caused a flutter. The Lok Sabha member from Jharkhand had put out a controversial post amid the ongoing language row in Maharashtra and attacks on non-Marathi speaking people. To those beating Hindi speakers in Mumbai, if you have the courage, try beating Urdu speakers in Maharashtra. Even a dog is a tiger in its own home. Decide for yourself who is the dog and who is the tiger, the MP from Godda posted on X. Asked about the controversy, CM Fadnavis said, If you listen to the complete statement of Nishikant Dubey, he particularly spoke about an organisation and not against Marathi people in general. However, in my opinion, it is inappropriate to make such comments. Its interpretation causes confusion among the minds of people. The biggest contribution to the country's GDP comes from Maharashtra, the chief minister told reporters in the state Vidhan Bhavan premises. I feel no one can reject the contribution of Maharashtra and Marathi people in the history and present of the country. If someone is rejecting it, then I feel it is wrong, Fadnavis said. I repeat my comments again, Marathi people have immensely contributed to the state. When invaders tried to attack our culture, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Marathas fought across the country. During the third battle of Panipat, Abdali was ready to seal a pact but our Marathas did not so it, Fadnavis said. Twenty years on, Thackeray cousins bury the hatchet
Woman claims rape by 4 in empty train coach at Panipat station
A 35-year-old woman alleges a horrific gang rape by four men in a stationary train coach in Panipat after fleeing domestic abuse. Disoriented and traumatized after the assault, she wandered onto the tracks, where a passing train severed her foot.
Haryana Woman Gangraped On Train, Thrown On Tracks To Die, Loses Leg
A 35-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped in an empty train coach in Panipat and later thrown on tracks in Sonipat, losing her leg. Police registered a Zero FIR.
Woman Gangraped in Train Coach in Panipat, Loses Leg After Assault
Victim says three men assaulted her in a stationary train; later thrown on tracks in Sonipat, where a train ran over her
It feels really good to be number one again: Neeraj Chopra
The Olympian, who was at a recent fitness event in Bengaluru, talks about regaining the top spot in mens javelin throw, how he finally breached the 90-metre mark and why growing up in a farming family in Khandra village, Panipat, has made him resilient
Godrej Properties To Develop Haryana Township With Revenue Potential Of Rs 1,250 Crore
Godrej Properties acquired 43 acres of land for a plotted development in Sector 40, Panipat.
On CCTV, Haryana Model Seen Entering Car With Married Lover Who Killed Her
The accused, Sunil, was found in a hospital in Panipat, where he confessed to killing Sheetal.
Who Was Sheetal Choudhary, Haryana Model Killed By Married Lover
Sheetal Choudhary, also known as Simi on social media, was a 26-year-old model and budding actress from Panipat, Haryana.
Body of Haryana model Sheetal found in a canal near Sonipat
CHANDIGARH: The body of a 23-year-old Haryana-based model Sheetal was found in a canal in Sonipat with throat slit, two days after she was reported missing. Sources said that Sheetal alias Simmy Chaudhry was working as a model in the Haryanvi music industry, and before that, she was employed at a hotel in Karnal. She was living with her sister, Neha, in Panipat. On June 14, the model went for a shoot in the Ahar village. However, when she did not return home, her sister filed a missing persons complaint with the Panipat police. Her body, found in a canal close to Khanda village by the police has been sent for post-mortem. Sheetal had left two days ago in a car with a man identified as Sunil and the vehicle reportedly fell into the canal under suspicious circumstances. Sunil was rescued and is presently admitted in a private hospital in Panipat and is under treatment, said sources. Police received information that the body of a young woman was found in the canal, who was later identified as Sheetal. A police complaint was registered in Panipat regarding her going missing. A postmortem will be done and further investigation is underway, ACP Kharkhoda, Sonipat, Jeet Singh said. Meanwhile, Sheetal's family has alleged foul play, insisting she was murdered and had drowned accidentally. In her statement to the police, Neha said that Sheetal had called her on the night of 14 June, claiming that a former friend, Sunil from Panipat, had turned up at a shooting location and assaulted her.
Missing Haryana Model Found Dead In Canal, Throat Slit
Haryana-based model, Sheetal, was found dead with her throat slit in a canal in Sonipat, days after she was reported missing from Panipat.
ED raids nine locations linked to Bihar contractor Rishu Shree in money laundering case
PATNA: Tightening the noose around a Bihars leading contractor Rishu Ranjan Sinha alias Rishu Shree in connection with a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case, Enforcement Directorate(ED), on Friday conducted fresh search operations at his nine locations across the country. Search operations were conducted across Patna, Muzaffarpur, Surat and Panipat under the provisions of PMLA. During the search operations, several incriminating evidence and documents were seized. Sources said that the search operation started on Thursday evening and concluded on Friday. ED launched the investigation on the basis of FIR registered by Special Vigilance Unit (SVU), Bihar against Rishu Shree and others. Rishu Shrees firms work as contractors/sub-contractors in various state governments departments, such as water resources, health, public health engineering, urban development, Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCO), education, building and construction, and rural works department. Rishu Shree allegedly got government tenders rewarded in his favour with the complicity of various government officials. The raids were connected at thepremises of his associates and travel agents connected to Rishu Shree. In March this year, ED seized Rs 11.64 crore in cash during searches at multiple locations linked to senior officials of the Bihar government on Thursday, officials said on Friday. The raids were conducted following fresh evidence in a money laundering case against 1997-batch IAS officer Sanjeev Hans, who is currently lodged in Beur Central Jail in Patna. Officials said searches were carried out at seven locations in Patna, including the residence of Bihar Building Construction Department chief engineer Tarini Das. Raids were also conducted at the premises of Mumukshu Chaudhary, joint secretary in the finance department, and Umesh Kumar Singh, executive engineer in the urban development and housing department, among others. A case was registered against suspended IAS officer Sanjeev Hans and Rishu Shree, by the Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) on April 30. A copy of the FIR was submitted to the court on Friday. ED's probe revealed that Rishu Shree acted as a middleman in transactions between government officials and contractors, while also facilitating financial dealings between companies on behalf of Sanjeev Hans. Sanjeev Hans is currently lodged in the Beur central jail. Rishu Shree, a government contractor has floated numerous firms, serving as a mediator in deals between officials and contractors in various projects. Later, he took sub-contracting roles in th same projects.
Besides Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida in Uttar Pradesh and Panipat in Haryana were searched by the agencys sleuths.
Indian Oil Finalises India's Largest Green Hydrogen Project At Panipat
This marks Indian Oil's entry into the green hydrogen space with India's largest-ever green hydrogen project to date.
24-year-old newlywed man killed over skullcap in Haryana
A 24-year-old Muslim man, who recently got married six months ago, was hit on his head after a fight over wearing a skullcap in Haryanas Panipat district. The incident occurred on Saturday, May 24, near Sanoli Chowk. Firdaus Alam, alias Asjad Babu, was returning after meeting friends when the murder accused Narendra alias Shishu Lala, 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 .
