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.
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Punjab, Haryana HC transfers investigation in Col Bath assault case to CBI
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court today transferred the investigation into the alleged assault on Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath over a parking dispute outside a dhaba in Patiala by Punjab Police personnel to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Previously, the court had entrusted the investigation to the Chandigarh Police. Justice Rajesh Bhardwaj, expressing dissatisfaction with the investigation conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Chandigarh Police, directed that the case be transferred to the CBI. The direction came just two days after the bench of Justice Bhardwaj admonished the Chandigarh Police for its failure to arrest any of the accused Punjab Police personnel. 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 all five accused, four of whom are police inspectors, are absconding, and no non-bailable warrants have been issued against them. After the hearing, Pushpinder Singh Ahluwalia, lawyer of Colonel Bath, said, The petitioner in its fresh plea sought an independent probe, preferably by the CBI, into the matter. After the hearing in the matter today, the court of Justice Rajesh Bhardwaj then transferred the case to the CBI. Seeking an independent probe into the matter, preferably by the CBI, in his petition, Colonel Bath asserted that the investigation of the case was transferred to the Chandigarh Police on 2 April. That 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 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 April, the High Court had directed the Chandigarh Police to form a special investigation team and probe the case, with a mandate to complete the probe within four months. 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. One of them threatened to break our legs and then punched me. I lost consciousness. Then they assaulted my son, he had said at the time. When Colonel Bath identified himself as an Army officer, the attackers allegedly snatched his ID card and mobile phone. The petitioner had alleged that the Patiala Police failed to act despite the severity of the incident. He claimed that distress calls to senior officials were ignored. Instead of registering an FIR on his complaint, the police initially lodged a case of affray against unknown persons based on a third-party complaint. The officers family had to approach senior police officials and even the Punjab Governor before an FIR was finally registered eight days later.
A Delhi court sought the response of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on a petition filed by 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana, seeking permission for regular telephonic conversations with his family. Special Judge Chander Jit Singh of Patiala House Courts on Tuesday adjourned the matter till July 25, granting additional time to [] The post Mumbai terror attacks: Delhi court issues notice to NIA onTahawwur Rana plea seeking permission for regular telephonic conversations with family appeared first on India Legal .
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HC orders CBI probe into Punjab Police assault on Army Colonel
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has mandated a CBI investigation into the alleged assault of Army Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath by Punjab Police officers in Patiala. This decision follows Colonel Bath's accusation that the SIT was protecting the accused officers.
Court Reserves Verdict on Er Rashids Plea to Attend Parliament Session
SRINAGAR: A special NIA court at Patiala House on Tuesday reserved its order on a plea seeking permission for Engineer Abdul Rashid Sheikh, Member of Parliament from Baramulla and President of the Awami Itihaad Party (AIP), to attend the upcoming session of Parliament beginning July 21. The plea, filed on behalf of the jailed MP, []
Special NIA court at the Patiala House, New Delhi reserved order on the plea of Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh alias Engineer Rashid for July 21. Rashid has sought interim bail or custody parole to attend the upcoming Parliaments Monsoon session starting from July 21. Rashid is in judicial custody in a terror funding case []
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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.
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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 .
PUP Result 2025 Released at pupexamination.ac.in Direct Link to Download UG, PG Course Result
PUP Result 2025: Punjabi University Patiala Result 2025 has been released on pupexamination.ac.in. Here is the direct Link to check your BA, PG Diploma, MA, BCom, BEd and Other Exams UG, PG Course Results Online.
AIP Seeks Court Nod for MP Er Rashids Attendance in Parliament
SRINAGAR: The Awami Ittehaad Party (AIP) on Sunday submitted a formal application before the Patiala House Court in New Delhi, seeking permission for its incarcerated president and newly elected Member of Parliament, Engineer Abdul Rashid, to attend the upcoming session of the Lok Sabha scheduled to begin on July 21, 2025. The plea was filed []
Punjabi University researchers have developed a groundbreaking technology that converts Punjabi text into Braille, empowering visually impaired individuals. The system, featuring Gurmukhi-to-Braille transcription and text-to-speech functionality, offers near-perfect accuracy in both Grade-1 and Grade-2 Braille.
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.
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PUP Result 2025: Punjabi University Patiala Result 2025 has been released on pupexamination.ac.in. Here is the direct Link to check your B.A/B.Voc/Diploma 1st, 3rd Sem Results Online.
SAD leader Majithia sent to 14 days judicial custody in disproportionate assets case
CHANDIGARH: Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who is the brother-in-law of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, was today sent to 14 days judicial custody in a disproportionate assets case by a court in Mohali. Amid tight security arrangements, Majithia was produced before the court. The police also detained several prominent SAD leaders and workers in different parts of the state in the morning to prevent them from coming towards Mohali. Speaking to the media after the court hearing, public prosecutors Ferry Sofat and Preet Inderpal Singh said Majithia has been sent to judicial custody for two weeks and will be lodged in the New Jail at Nabha. During investigations, many things have come to the fore during the remand period, Sofat said. Preet Inderpal said under the provisions of the law, if an investigating agency feels that remand is again required based on new facts emerging during the investigation, an application can be moved before the court to seek the remand. On the other hand, Arshdeep Singh Kler, counsel for Majithia, claimed the investigating agency does not have anything to back their case. The government only wants to suppress the voice of the Akali Dal. The police did not have proof in the drug case till today, and now in the disproportionate assets case, they did not find any asset. They only created media hype around the case, Kler alleged. Earlier, on July 2, a court here had extended the vigilance remand of Majithia by four more days. The next date of hearing is now set for July 19. Sources said Majithia was taken to Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday to gather evidence related to Saraya Industries. Majithia, on July 1, had moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the DA case, in which the next date of hearing has been fixed for July 8. He had termed it political witch-hunting and vendetta for being a vocal critic of the present government. In his petition, he sought appropriate relief against his illegal arrest and the subsequent remand granted in the FIR registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The said FIR is a result of political witch-hunting and vendetta, initiated by the present political dispensation with the sole object of maligning and harassing the petitioner, who has been a vocal critic and political opponent, the petition read. The petitioner submitted that the FIR registered against him is patently illegal, while his arrest was carried out in gross violation of settled legal procedures. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau had arrested Majithia on June 25 in a DA case allegedly involving the laundering of Rs 540 crore of drug money. In the fresh FIR registered against Majithia, the agency claimed that preliminary investigations revealed more than Rs 540 crore of drug money had been laundered through several means and that it was allegedly facilitated by Majithia. This FIR against Majithia stems from an ongoing investigation being conducted by a Punjab Police Special Investigation Team into a drug case. In 2021, Majithia was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The action was taken on the basis of a 2018 report of the anti-drug Special Task Force. Majithia had spent more than five months in Patiala Central Jail and walked out of prison in August 2022 after the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted him bail.
Man & wife die by suicide due to mistrust & fights, 3 kids orphaned
A tragic misunderstanding led to a double suicide in Patiala's Pooniwal village, leaving three children orphaned. Manpreet Kaur, facing marital issues, left home with her children after a quarrel. Unbeknownst to her husband, Gurmeet Singh, she died by suicide. Thinking she had eloped, Gurmeet also took his own life, compounding the family's devastation.
PUP Result 2025: Punjabi University Patiala Result 2025 has been released on punjabiuniversity.ac.in. Here is the direct Link to check your B.A/B.B.A/B.Com/B.Voc/B.Sc/M.A/MBA/Other Exams UG PG Courses Results Online.
Punjabi University, Patiala has announced the results for various UG and PG programmes including B.Com, BALLB, B.C.A., MBA, L.L.B., and Diploma in Computer Applications. The results are available on the official university portal and are for immediate information only. Punjabi University, established under Punjab Act No. 35 of 1961, remains a leading institution promoting Punjabi language and higher education. Students are advised to verify their results with official marksheets once issued.
Partition survivor who was saved by a Muslim dies at 102
Ram Krishan Singh, a 102-year-old survivor of the 1947 Partition, passed away in Punjab's Patiala. During the violent upheaval, his father was murdered, but Ram Krishan was saved by a Muslim villager's courageous intervention. His life exemplified resilience and the enduring impact of kindness amidst the horrors of communal violence, leaving behind a legacy of compassion.
Pitbull owner in Punjab arrested for allegedly using dogs to hunt protected porcupines
CHANDIGARH: In a rare case in Punjab, the owner of a Pitbull has been arrested by the Punjab Police for allegedly using the dog, known for its keen sense of smell and strong muscular build, to illegally hunt porcupines, a protected animal species. The arrest followed the intervention of animal rights activist and BJP MP Maneka Gandhi. Pitbulls have been bred and used for hunting for centuries, with many hunters across the world preferring this breed as a skilled hunting companion. After Maneka Gandhi intervened and sent an e-mail to the Chief Wildlife Warden of Punjab, Ajay Kumar of Jansua village in Rajpura was arrested by the state police. Two of his dogs, both of the boxer breed, were also taken into custody. Sources said Kumar was allegedly rearing Pitbulls specifically for the illegal hunting of protected animal species and had uploaded videos of the activity on social media to gain more views and promote the act. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Punjab, Dharminder Sharma said such wildlife act violations will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken against the alleged accused in the future, as field officers have been given clear instructions in this regard, he said. Porcupines, listed under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, are protected species, and hunting or killing them is a punishable offence. Porcupine is hunted rampantly for its meat and in addition, its bones and sharp quills are used for medicinal purposes, as they use their quills to protect themselves from predators, Sharma said. He added, A complaint via e-mail along with a pen drive was received from Maneka Gandhis office, showing the Instagram account of the accused in which he is allegedly seen using his dogs to hunt a porcupine. In the past, dogs have also been used in rabbit races by people conducting illegal races, Sharma added. A case has been registered under Sections 9, 39, and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (amended 2022) at Sadar Rajpura police station. The accused, Ajay Kumar, has been arrested for allegedly training and using Pitbulls to hunt wild animals, including porcupines. We apprehend that the accused got to know about the police raid and managed to shift his dogs to another safer location. We will try to trace the dogs and also question him. Besides, people who bought porcupine meat will be identified, and strict action as per law will be taken against them, said a senior police official. Patiala Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife), Guramanpreet Singh, said, The videos of the Pitbulls posted by the accused were later deleted by him. We are trying to find out if he has been involved in hunting more animals and if he has been supplying the meat and other animal parts to others. As soon as the e-mail was received, our team got into action and the alleged accused Kumar was identified. Police were then approached to arrest him, Singh added.
SAD leader Majithias custody extended as Badal lashes out at undeclared emergency in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: A Mohali court on Tuesday extended by four days the vigilance custody of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, brother-in-law of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal. Majithia was earlier arrested in a disproportionate assets (DA) case. Meanwhile, Badal and several party workers were taken into preventive custody by Punjab Police to stop them from marching to the district court complex to express solidarity with Majithia. Majithia was produced before the court amid tight security outside the Vigilance Bureau (VB) office and the district court complex in Mohali after his seven-day vigilance remand ended. He will be produced in court again on Sunday. He was brought to the court in a cavalcade of vehicles under heavy police protection. The special public prosecutor stated that an alleged benami property of around 400 acres had been found at Mashobra in Shimla district. Speaking to the media after a three-hour hearing, public prosecutor Ferry Sofat said the court extended Majithias remand by four more days after the Vigilance Bureau filed an application. Meanwhile, SAD workers had gathered at Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali to stage a protest against the vendetta politics of the AAP government, with several workers reaching Mohali from different parts of the state. The police detained a few workers en route to Mohali to prevent any law-and-order situation. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested Majithia on 25 June in the DA case, which allegedly involves laundering of 540 crore of drug money. Following his arrest, the court on 26 June remanded him to seven days of vigilance custody. In the fresh case registered against Majithia, the VB claimed preliminary investigations had revealed laundering of over 540 crore of drug money through multiple channels, allegedly facilitated by him. In 2021, Majithia was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The action was based on a 2018 report of the anti-drug Special Task Force. He spent more than five months in Patiala jail and walked out of prison in August 2022 after being granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Badal, who was whisked away from Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali, accused the AAP-led Punjab government of imposing an undeclared emergency in the state by cracking down on SAD workers who, he said, had the right to express solidarity with Majithia. Badal alleged that Arvind Kejriwal committed heinous sacrilege against sacred Sikh Gurdhams by abusing police to prevent devotees, including Akali workers, from paying obeisance at Gurdwara Amb Sahib, Mohali this morning. Earlier, Badal courted arrest along with numerous Akali workers to protest what he described as political vendetta symbolised by the registration of a false case against senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia. He said, That case is nothing but a symptom of Kejriwals hatred against Punjabis and an attempt to cover up his greed and loot in Punjab. Badal was stopped by police squads from visiting Gurdwara Amb Sahib to pay obeisance. He was scheduled to lead Akali workers to the State Vigilance Bureau office to protest the political vendetta unleashed against Akali leader Bikram Majithia. He said the AAP was so afraid of the Shiromani Akali Dal that it launched a state-level crackdown on Akali workers and detained hundreds of senior leaders and workers at their residences, besides making preventive arrests. Everything in Punjab is being directed and run by Arvind Kejriwal. Police cases are just a faade. The real issue is the hatred this communal leader has against Punjabis. We, as Sikhs, Punjabis and Akalis, accept his challenge. We will not allow Punjab to be ruled by communal elements from Delhi, Badal alleged. He further claimed, Kejriwal and his gang have finally and unashamedly shown their true dictatorial colours and brought back the dark memories of the worst draconian days of the Emergency. Now, as during the Emergency, the real targets are Punjabis in general and Akalis in particular. Badal added that Kejriwal had resorted to repression as a last desperate measure to divert public attention from the loot that his gang was currently carrying out in Punjab. Repression and political vendetta, he said, were the last resorts of all unpopular and rootless leaders. Describing the crackdown on peaceful Akalis as worse than that during the Emergency or even the Jaitu Da Morcha, he said, Not even during those days were Sikhs stopped from going to their sacred shrines, as Akali workers and I were stopped today from peacefully visiting our Gurdham, Gurdwara Amb Sahib, Mohali.
Akali leader Majithia lashes out at AAP after Punjab Vigilance raids, arrest in assets case
CHANDIGARH: Senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who is the brother-in-law of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, was on Tuesday arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau following a raid on his residence in Amritsar. Sources said the vigilance bureau carried out raids at 25 locations across the state. The vigilance team, led by Assistant Inspector General of Police Swarandeep Singh, raided Majithias house and seized 29 mobile phones, four laptops, two iPads, eight diaries, and several documents. He was arrested in connection with a disproportionate assets case. SAD leaders attempted to enter the Majithia residence but were pushed back by the state police after a minor scuffle. As the news of the raid spread on social media, Akali leaders and supporters gathered at the residence and raised slogans against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. A heavy police presence was deployed on the road leading to the residence, and barricades were set up to restrict access. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Punjab Police is also investigating a 2021 drug case against Majithia. The Vigilance Bureau has yet to issue an official statement regarding the case or the charges against Majithia. As a team of officials entered his house, Majithia and his wife, Akali MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia, claimed that members of the Vigilance Bureau barged into their Green Avenue home in Amritsar. They also alleged that a similar raid had taken place at their residence in Chandigarh. She said a disproportionate assets case had been registered against her husband. We will continue to fight. People will stand by Majithia, she said, claiming that a 30-member team from the bureau entered their house. She asked the officials, What is happening? I want to know what is going on. How did you barge into my house without my knowledge? Majithia was heard arguing with vigilance officials, expressing his dismay over the manner in which they entered his house. He also alleged that the officials terrified his children. You have forced your way through. This is not the way. I am not going anywhere. I am ready to cooperate, Majithia told the vigilance team. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, his wife and former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and several senior Akali leaders criticised the AAP government over the raid at Majithias residence. The Shiromani Akali Dal stands like a rock with Bikram Singh Majithia. It is clear that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his government are deeply rattled by Majithias bold and outspoken exposure of their corrupt and dark dealings. We have never bowed down, nor will we ever bow down, said Badal. In a video message, Majithia lashed out at the government, alleging that the AAP was using such tactics to silence opposition voices. He claimed a fresh case had been lodged by the vigilance department on Tuesday night. They forcefully entered the house. If an FIR has been lodged, we are submitted to the law. If they wanted to register an FIR in the DA (disproportionate assets) case, they could have given a notice and registered an FIR. It is very clear that they (AAP) are rattled, he said. Majithia said a team from the vigilance bureau, led by the Senior Superintendent of Police, had conducted the raid. Bhagwant Mann, understand this, no matter how many FIRs you register, neither I will be afraid, nor can your government suppress my voice. I have always talked about the issues of Punjab and will continue to do so, he said. Majithia had earlier been summoned and questioned several times in connection with the drug case. In March this year, the SIT claimed it had found suspicious financial transactions involving firms linked to Majithia and his family. It had also stated that its investigation had expanded to examine overseas transactions. A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was registered against Majithia on 20 December 2021, during the tenure of the Congress government. The action was based on a 2018 report from the anti-drug Special Task Force. The FIR was filed by the state Crime Branch at its Mohali police station. Majithia had then spent over five months in Patiala jail and was released in August 2022 after being granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Punjab Property Dealer, Wife, 15-Year-Old Son Found Dead Inside Fortuner SUV
A somber scene unfolded in the fields near a village in Punjab's Patiala district when three members of a family were found dead inside a Toyota Fortuner SUV under mysterious circumstances.
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala was known for his extravagant lifestyle, grand jewellery, vast harem, and love for food and luxury.
Heritage gets a makeover at Patialas Ran Baas The Palace
The story of the transformation of Ran Baas by The Park, arguably Punjabs first luxury hotel, thrusts you into a princely past
CHANDIGARH: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that as the Indus Waters Treaty has been put in abeyance, efforts will be made to ensure that more water reaches farmers in Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan. He said that 80 per cent of water from the Indus river system was flowing into Pakistan. Giving 80 per cent water to Pakistan at that time was not justified. Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan require water and that water is ours. Now we will utilize that water for our farmers, said Chouhan. Chouhan, who was on a day-long visit to Punjab, visited a farmers' gathering (Kisan Chaupal) in Rajpura, Patiala, as well as the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Rauni. He was accompanied by Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Punjab Agricultural University vice-chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal and ICAR scientists. He has been engaging with farmers across various states to promote sustainable and progressive farming practices as part of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan. Citing its benefits in water conservation and reduced labour costs, he said that farmers should adopt the Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) method and also urged them to refrain from excessive pesticide use. I have been apprised of good crop practices, be it direct seeding, mushroom farming or making silage, he said. When asked about complaints about fake pesticides, Chouhan said that the government will frame a new law, making a provision for stringent action against any company which supplies fake pesticides to farmers. Lauding the role of Punjab farmers in filling the foodgrain stock of the country, Chouhan said the country has registered an all-time record production in wheat, paddy, maize and soybean this year. For this, Punjab has the biggest role and I bow to the land of Punjab, said Chouhan. He emphasised that the research of agricultural scientists should reach farmers and scientists should know what problems farmers are facing at their fields so that research can be undertaken in that regard. I am not a guest here, I am a family member, I am not here for rhetoric but I am here to directly interact with farmers and understand the ground reality. Our focus should be to connect land and lab, so that farmers benefit from real-time innovation. Policies should come from the field not from officers in air-conditioned rooms. Chouhan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a target that crop output should increase, input cost should drop, farmers should get remunerative prices for their crops and they should be compensated if they suffer any loss. Under the campaign, he said scientists are going amongst farmers and informing them which crops are better for them, considering the agro-climatic conditions in their respective areas. He added that the crop diversification programme is the need of the hour. We should grow crops which give profit as well as consume less water, he said. Earlier, he asked farmers to make experiments with fruits, vegetables and other crops. Crop diversification is an important issue. What are the crops which can generate more income? I am not saying that wheat and paddy will not be sown. That will be grown. We can make experiments towards growing mushrooms, fruits and vegetables, he told farmers. Chouhan visited the state at a time when farmers are up in arms against the AAP-led state government over the issue of missing tractor trolleys, following the sudden crackdown on protesting farmers on March 19 and the eviction of the Shambhu and Khanauri Morcha. Punjab Agriculture Minister Khudian, who accompanied Chouhan during the visit, raised concerns about the shortfall in DAP fertilizer supply, stating that while the requirement is around 90,000 metric tonnes, only 38,000 to 39,000 MT has been received so far. He also requested Chouhan to enhance compensation schemes to further discourage farm fires as stubble burning incidents during the Kharif season have decreased by 86 per cent. On crop diversification, Khudian said that while Rs 17,000 in compensation was promised, farmers have so far received only Rs 10,000.
Former DSP Bhola, convicted in Rs 700 crore drug racket case, out on bail after 12 years
CHANDIGARH: Former Deputy Superintendent of Punjab Police and Arjuna Award-winning wrestler Jagdish Bhola, an alleged kingpin of a synthetic narcotics racket worth Rs 700 crore, walked out of Bathinda Central Jail on June 1 after nearly 12 years of incarceration. He was granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on May 21. Hailing from Raike Kalan village in Bathinda, Bhola had been convicted in one of the largest drug trafficking cases in the history of the State, which involved a Rs 700 crore synthetic narcotics racket. He has been convicted in two cases, while a few more criminal cases were pending against him. In 2019, a special CBI court sentenced Bhola to 24 years in prison. Last year, he received an additional 10-year sentence following a conviction for money laundering. Confirming that Bhola has been released, Bathinda Central Jail Superintendent Manjit Singh Sidhu said that it took place in the evening of Sunday after all formalities were completed. The bail order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court came with strict conditions. Bhola was required to furnish a Rs 5 lakh bond and surrender his passport and complete a community service project (planting 100 trees within 15 days of his release). He was dismissed from the police force in 2012 after the recovery of poppy husk. Bhola was arrested by Punjab Police in November 2013 in connection with the Rs 700-crore multi-state drug trafficking network. Investigations led by Punjab Police and central agencies uncovered the illegal trade of synthetic drugs, including pseudoephedrine. The ED arrested him in 2014 and filed six charge sheets till 2017. His case became emblematic of the alleged nexus between crime and politics in Punjab. The Punjab Police had seized heroin, methamphetamine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, opium, intoxicating powder, and Rs 1.91 crore, besides foreign currency and arms from him. Despite being out on bail, Bholas legal troubles are far from over. His appeals in both the drug trafficking and money laundering cases are currently pending. Many FIRs have been registered against him in Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib and SAS Nagar districts of the State. Earlier he was allowed to visit his native village, Raike Kalan in Bathinda district, for five hours to perform the last rites of his father, Balshinder Singh, on July 26 last year. Earlier, he had come out to perform the last rites for his mother for a brief period in June 2023. Once celebrated as the 'King Kong' of Indian wrestling, he won a silver medal at the 1991 Asian Wrestling Championship. His dominance on the mat earned him the prestigious Arjuna Award, and he was appointed as a DSP by the Punjab Government in recognition of his sporting excellence.
Tahawwur Rana seeks courts nod to communicate with family from jail
Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks case, has filed a plea. He approached the Patiala House Court on Tuesday. Rana is seeking permission to communicate with his family. He wants to do so while he remains in judicial custody. The court is yet to respond to Rana's request. The case continues to draw significant attention.
Delhi Court drops POCSO case against ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan after minor withdraws allegation
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has accepted the closure report filed by city police in a sexual harassment case against BJP leader and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, involving allegations made by a female wrestler who was a minor at the time. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case, which carries a minimum jail term of three years depending on the charges, was closed after the complainant expressed no objection to the police findings. The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge Gomti Manocha at Patiala House Court. During an in-camera hearing on August 1, 2023, the wrestler told the judge she was satisfied with the police investigation and did not wish to pursue the matter further. Delhi Police had moved to close the case on June 15, 2023, after the minors father admitted during the probe that he had lodged a false complaint against Singh. Citing a lack of corroborative evidence, police recommended that the case under the POCSO Act be dropped. Singh claimed the allegations were made in retaliation for what he perceived as unfair treatment of his daughter. The former BJP MP from Gonda has denied all allegations. However, he continues to face separate charges of sexual harassment and stalking in another case filed by six adult women wrestlers. In that case, formal charges were framed against Singh and ex-WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar on May 21, 2024, with both denying the allegations and demanding a trial. Charges under Sections 354 and 354A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) have been framed against Singh, along with charges under Section 506 (part 1), based on allegations by two women. Tomar faces charges under Section 506 (part 1) of the IPC based on one womans allegations but has been discharged from other allegations. The Delhi Police chargesheet, submitted on June 15, 2023, stated that both accused complied with investigative requirements under Section 41A of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), allowing the trial to proceed without arrest. The comprehensive 1,599-page document includes statements from 44 witnesses and photographic evidence.
POCSO case: Delhi court accepts closure report against ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh
The 550-page report filed by the police before the Patiala House Courts had said that no corroborative evidence was found in the allegations levelled by the minor wrestler.
Six trainee recruit constables of Punjab police dismissed for failing dope test
CHANDIGARH: Six trainee recruit constables of Punjab Police who tested positive for drug consumption at the Punjab Police Recruit Training Centre at Jahankhelan in Hoshiarpur were relieved from the basic training with immediate effect. The incident has prompted many to question the impact of the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' program started by the AAP-led Punjab government to eradicate drug menace from state. Sources said that the trainee recruits reportedly exhibited suspicious behavior and that it was decided to conduct their dope tests. They trainees were tested on May 21 at the Civil Hospital in Hoshiarpur. Of the six trainees relieved from training, three were from Patiala district, two from Tarn Taran, and one from Ludhiana. They were all from the same batch, No. 270. All six have been sent back to their respective districts and struck off from the training program, said an official on condition of anonymity. The official letter issued by Camp Adjutant (Outdoor) Kuldeep Singh of Punjab Police Recruit Training Centre at Jahankhelan in Hoshiarpur on May 24, stated that the behaviour of the trainees indicated possible use of odourless intoxicants thus prompting the decision to subject them to a drug screening. The letter was addressed to Ludhiana Police Commissioner and senior police officials of Tarn Taran and Patiala. The office of the civil surgeon confirmed the positive results to the training centre authorities following which immediate disciplinary action was taken. The letter further stated that the names of recruits have been struck off from the ongoing training batch, and they have been directed to return to their respective districts. The district police officials concerned have been instructed to monitor and address the drug-related issues of the dismissed recruits to prevent any negative influence on other personnel. The problem of the drug abuse is prevalent in the state. Last month, a constable of the state police who rose to fame on social media as Insta Queen, Amandeep Kaur, was arrested for drug possession. 17 grams of drugs were recovered from her Thar jeep during a search on Badal Road in Bathinda last month, after which she was dismissed from service. On Monday, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested her in connection with a disproportionate assets case. She was taken into custody from the residence of Raftar Khan, the elder sister of singer Afsana Khan, at Badal village in Muktsar district. Sources said that during the investigation, they found Amandeep had amassed assets worth approximately Rs 31 lakh more than her known sources of income between 2018 and 2025. Interestingly, the Punjab Government had started war against drugs Yudh Nashian Virudh to eradicate drug menace from state, and till date, 13,449 drug smugglers have been arrested in last 85 days. The state government is claiming to enforce a three-pronged strategy Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP) to eradicate drugs from the state. A few years back an assistant sub-inspector and a head constable of Tarant Taran were dismissed from service after they tested positive in a dope test. Both were posted at Patti and the Tarn Taran civil hospital had conducted their dope test.
Delhi court closes POCSO case against ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh
New Delhi: A court here on Monday, May 26, accepted the Delhi Polices cancellation report for closure of a sexual harassment case lodged by a minor wrestler against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Cancellation accepted, said Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Gomti Manocha of Patiala House Courts. 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 .
CRPF jawan arrested for allegedly leaking sensitive information to Pakistan intelligence officers
NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a CRPF personnel for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistan intelligence officers, officials said on Monday. The accused, Moti Ram Jat, was actively involved in espionage activity and had been sharing classified information related to national security with the Pakistan intelligence officers (PIOs) since 2023, they said. The agency has found that he was receiving funds from the PIOs through various conduits, officials said. NIA arrested Moti Ram from Delhi and is interrogating him. Moti Ram was remanded to its custody till June 6 by the special court at Patiala House Court, NIA said. Gujarat ATS nabs health worker for alleged espionage for Pakistan; this is the third such arrest in eight months
Colonel Assault Case: Punjab Police Inspector's Anticipatory Bail Rejected
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Punjab Police inspector Ronnie Singh Salh in connection with the assault case of Army Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath in Patiala more than two months ago.
24-year-old law student dies of cardiac arrest at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law
A 24-year-old law student, Udita, tragically died of cardiac arrest in her hostel at RGNUL, Patiala. Students allege delays in emergency response, including a locked wheelchair and unavailability of the on-call doctor. The university is under scrutiny as investigations continue, and a scheduled exam has been cancelled in mourning.
CHANDIGARH: Breaking a five-year-long deadlock, the Akal Takht (the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs) today lifted the ban on religious congregations of Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale over allegations of misinterpreting the Gurbani (hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib), after he pledged to abide by Sikh principles and traditions. The five high priests accepted Dhadrianwale's apology letter while allowing him to preach Sikhism solely in the light of maintaining the sanctity of Gurmat and the Sikh code of conduct (Rehat Maryada). The officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, questioned Dhadrianwale from the podium (faseel) of the Akal Takht regarding his controversial remarks on Sikh principles. Dhadrianwale humbly acknowledged his mistakes and expressed his desire to work within the mainstream of the Khalsa Panth, preaching Sikhism under the umbrella of the Akal Takht. Earlier in the day, Dhadrianwale submitted a formal apology to the five high priests, clarifying his stance on previous allegations of distorting Sikh principles in his discourses. As a symbolic gesture of acceptance, Gargaj ordered Dhadrianwale to offer a deg worth 501 at the Akal Takht, a traditional act signifying humility and reconciliation. On April 22, Gargaj had extended an open invitation to Dhadrianwale and other Sikh preachers to appear before the Akal Takht, clarify past controversies, and rejoin the mainstream of Sikh preaching. In response, Dhadrianwale claimed that his statements were morphed and politically influenced, hinting at his willingness to clarify matters and join the Sikh propagation campaign being initiated by Gargaj. The five high priests included Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Golden Temple granthi Giani Rajdeep Singh, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Baba Tek Singh, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib head granthi Joginder Singh, and Akal Takht's granthi Giani Gurbakshish Singh. Dhadrianwale, who is considered to be the arch-rival of Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Dhuma, appeared before the five Sikh high priests at the Akal Takht today and sought forgiveness for his mistakes. Last week, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) tasked with looking into a rape-murder case in Patiala had recommended that the FIR against Dhadrianwale, registered in December last year, be cancelled, as it could not find anything to substantiate the allegations. The lifting of the ban against Dhadrianwale comes at a time when Dhuma has turned against the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Dhuma wants the SGPC to remove acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj. He is now reportedly close to the BJP, especially since the SAD snapped political ties with its long-time ally. A five-member committee was constituted by the Akal Takht in 2019 to probe the allegations against Dhadrianwale for allegedly misinterpreting the Gurbani and insulting Sikh customs. On August 24, 2020, the Akal Takht asked the Sikh community to maintain distance from Dhadrianwale until he issued a clarification on the allegations and apologised for them.
Highest ever private procurement of wheat in Punjab this year at 10.79 LMT
CHANDIGARH: Private traders have bought 10.79 lakh metric tonnes of wheat this rabi season in Punjab, the highest ever purchase by the private sector, paying about Rs 200 more than the Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers. The highest purchase by private players was from Sangrur, home district of chief minister Bhagwant Mann. As per official data with the state food and supplies department, a total of 130.5 lakh tonnes of wheat have been procured across the state till May 15, the last day of procurement; government agencies purchased 119.2 lakh tonnes and the remaining 10.79 lakh tonnes were bought by private players. 2.43 lakh tonnes was purchased from Sangrur, home district of chief minister Bhagwant Mann, followed by 1.32 lakh tonnes from Faridkot, 1.01 lakh tonnes from Ludhiana (East), 70,704 tonnes from Patiala and 68,020 tonnes from Bathinda. The rise in private purchases has been seen as a positive development as the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of wheat has risen from Rs 2,425 per quintal to Rs 2,640 per quintal in a few areas of Sangrur and Patiala. An officer, on condition of anonymity, said private traders procured 7.5 LMT last year and it was 6.5 LMT in 2022-23. A total of 119.2 lakh tonnes has been procured by government agencies as per data with the department. The highest purchase was from Muktsar at 8.77 LMT, followed by Patiala with 8.50 LMT, Bathinda with 8.42 LMT, Ferozepur district with 8.38 LMT, and Tarn Taran with 7.56 LMT. But interestingly, the state government remains behind its procurement target of 124 lakh tonnes set by the Union Government. A senior official of the state food and supplies department, on condition of anonymity, said that the fact that private players are procuring and paying more for wheat is a positive step and this shows that farmers are now not entirely dependent on government purchase. Talking to TNIE , Naresh Ghai, president of the Wheat Flour Millers Association of Punjab said that millers faced problems trying to source wheat last year at the rates had peaked at Rs 3,200 per quintal as the Centre declared release of wheat under Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) in July but the wheat was released in December, disrupting operation of flour mills. It became very difficult to buy wheat from open market for those few months. This year, millers are apprehensive that the government may also delay the release of wheat under OMSS, thus in anticipation and fear, they procured their wheat stocks for six to nine months from the farmers directly. Also, production is more this season than last season and farmers have kept wheat to sell later, he said. Punjab Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said the state government has procured the entire 130.03 LMT of wheat arriving in the mandis till the closure of the procurement season on May 15 and added that the payments to the tune of Rs 28,571 crore have been credited into the accounts of over 7 Lakh farmers. With regards to lifting, he mentioned that 104.51 LMT has been lifted, and the remaining would also be lifted within a few days.
CHANDIGARH: A widening espionage net has led to 10 arrests across Haryana and Punjab in just over two weeks, with the latest being Hisar-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was held for allegedly spying for Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Sources said Jyoti Malhotra, who runs a YouTube channel called Travel with Jo , was arrested from the New Aggarwal Extension area in Hisar. She has 3.77 lakh subscribers on YouTube and 1.32 lakh followers on Instagram, and has also posted videos about her travel to Pakistan in March this year. The Hisar Police registered an FIR and produced her before a local court, which sent her to a five-day police remand. She has been booked under Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Bijender Singh at the Civil Lines Police Station. According to the FIR, Malhotra came into contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a staffer at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. She visited Pakistan twice in 2023, and Danish allegedly acted as her handler, introducing her to ISI operatives and maintaining regular contact via encrypted platforms. She revealed that during her visit to Pakistan in 2023, she met Ali Ehwan, who arranged her stay and travel. Ehwan introduced her to Pakistani security and intelligence officials, including Shakir and Rana Shahbaz, the FIR stated. Hisar Police spokesperson Vikas Kumar confirmed her arrest, saying officials are questioning her for further details. Danish was declared persona non grata by the Indian government and expelled on May 13. According to sources, Arman, a resident of Nuh, was arrested by Haryana Police on Thursday based on secret inputs. He allegedly shared information with Danish, a staffer at the Pakistan High Commission. A case has been registered. Earlier, in a separate case, a 24-year-old youth, Nauman Ilahi from Kairana in Uttar Pradesh, who worked as a factory security guard, was arrested in Panipat for allegedly supplying sensitive information to ISI operatives. He was staying with his sister Zeenat and brother-in-law Irfan in Hali Colony, Panipat. On May 12, Devender Singh, 25, from the Guhla area in Haryana's Kaithal district, was arrested for uploading photos with weapons on social media. Singh, pursuing a masters degree in political science from a college in Punjab, had visited Nankana Sahib in Pakistan last year. During that visit, he allegedly came into contact with Pakistani intelligence officials and remained in touch after returning to India. A senior police officer claimed that Singh admitted to taking and sending photographs of the Patiala Cantonment from outside. On May 13, Raqeeb Khan of Roorkee, Uttarakhand, working as a tailor at a shop inside Bathinda Cantonment for two years, was arrested by Punjab Police for alleged espionage. Suspicious activity was reported by cantonment officials, and his phone has been sent for forensic analysis. He is the second civilian from the area to be linked to spying. On April 29, Sunil Kumar, a cobbler from Samastipur, Bihar, was arrested. He had been working in Bathinda Cantonment since 2017 and residing in Dhobiana Basti. His brother and uncle are also cobblers in the same area. Police are analysing his bank and property records, and his phone is under forensic examination. On May 11, Punjab Police arrested two individuals, a 31-year-old woman, Guzala and her associate, Yameen Mohammad from Malerkotla, for allegedly assisting a Pakistani official posted at the High Commission in Delhi. Police believe the two were part of a broader espionage network. Earlier, on May 3, two men, Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih, were arrested in Amritsar for allegedly taking photographs and sharing sensitive details of Army cantonments and airbases. They were reportedly in contact with ISI through Harpreet Singh alias Pittu alias Happy, an inmate at Amritsar Central Jail. Police sources say all nine individuals were allegedly in frequent contact with the ISI and actively passed sensitive information to Pakistani handlers.
NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has appointed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan and Advocate Narender Mann as lead prosecutors in the National Investigation Agency (NIA) case against Tahawwur Rana, officials said on Friday. According to officials, the MHA in a notification said, In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008), read with sub-section (8) of Section 18 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the Central Government hereby appoints a team of Special Public Prosecutors, led by Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of India, alongside S.V. Raju, Additional Solicitor General, Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan and Advocate Narender Mann (previously notified as Special Public Prosecutors). It further stated, This team will oversee the trial and all related proceedings concerning the NIA case before the Special Courts in Delhi, the High Court of Delhi and the Supreme Court of India. In the notification, the MHA added that the appointed law officers tenure will extend for three years from the publication date of this notification or until the completion of the trial, whichever occurs first, under the terms and conditions outlined in the Department of Legal Affairs notification. On May 9, Tahawwur Rana, a key conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was presented before the Patiala House Court from NIA remand a day earlier than the scheduled date due to security concerns, and the Special Court has ordered his judicial custody until June 6, 2025. Rana, a 64-year-old Canadian businessman of Pakistani origin, was extradited from the United States earlier this month in connection with his alleged role in the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008.
Airlines asked to resume normal operations at 32 shut airports from May 15
NEW DELHI: Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Tuesday night expressed optimism that airlines would resume their normal operations to the 32 closed airports from May 15. He released a statement to this effect after holding a review meeting with top officials and representatives of all airlines in New Delhi. The Minister said, With the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) ending on 15th May, I suggested that airlines resume their normal schedules from the 15th across all 32 airports for which the NOTAM was issued. All airlines responded positively to this suggestion. A Ministry source said, At present, partial operations are taking place. The full-fledged operations will resume from May 15. This was the outcome after the meeting held on Tuesday. The NOTAM to close 32 airports in the North and Western India upto May 15 (5.29 am) was issued by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on May 9 as a precautionary step after the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7 . A revised NOTAM by AAI said the airports would open for commercial operations from Monday (May 12) but leading airlines like Indigo and Air India had publicly stated they would not operate flights to specific airports on Monday and Tuesday (May 13). This was on account of unconfirmed reports of drone attacks by Pakistan at a few cities. Indigo operated a flight from Delhi to Amritsar but it had to turn back due to a sudden blackout imposed in Amritsar. Airport Closures and Flight Cancellations body { font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 20px; } h2 { color: #d32f2f; /* A bold red color */ text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px; } table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; box-shadow: 0 0 8px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); } th, td { border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 12px 15px; text-align: left; } th { background-color: #c62828; /* A deep red */ color: white; } tr:nth-child(even) { background-color: #f2f2f2; } tr:nth-child(odd) { background-color: #fafafa; } tr:hover { background-color: #f1f1f1; } .bold { font-weight: bold; } Airport Closures and Flight Cancellations Airport Location Status Ambala Haryana Closed Hindon UP Closed Naliya Gujarat Closed Sarsawa UP Closed Uttarlai Rajasthan Closed Srinagar Jammu & Kashmir Closed Awantipur Jammu & Kashmir Closed Jammu Jammu & Kashmir Closed Amritsar Punjab Closed Chandigarh Punjab Closed Ludhiana Punjab Closed Patiala Punjab Closed Bhatinda Punjab Closed Adampur Punjab Closed Halwara Punjab Closed Pathankot Punjab Closed Bhuntar Himachal Pradesh Closed Shimla Himachal Pradesh Closed Kangra-Gaggal Himachal Pradesh Closed Kishangarh Rajasthan Closed Thoise Ladakh Closed Leh Ladakh Closed Mundra Gujarat Closed Jamnagar Gujarat Closed Hirasar Gujarat Closed Porbandar Gujarat Closed Keshod Gujarat Closed Kandla Gujarat Closed Bhuj Gujarat Closed Jaisalmer Rajasthan Closed Jodhpur Rajasthan Closed Bikaner Rajasthan Closed Air India Announcement: In view of the latest developments and keeping your safety in mind, flights to and from Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot are cancelled for Tuesday, 13th May. Indigo Announcement: All flights to and from Amritsar, Jammu, Leh, Rajkot, Srinagar, and Chandigarh are cancelled for Tuesday (May 13). Responses from other airlines are awaited.
Blackout back in Punjab after Pak breaches truce
Blackout measures have been imposed in many districts including Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Pathankot, Patiala, Moga, Kapurthala, and Muktsar districts.
Total blackout enforced in Patiala, Punjab
A complete blackout has been enforced in Patiala, Punjab.
Blackout Reimposed In Several Punjab Districts As Precautionary Measure
Chandigarh, May 10: Punjab reimposed blackout measures in several districts as a precautionary measure after withdrawing it earlier on Saturday. Blackout measures have been imposed in Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Pathankot, Patiala, Moga and Muktsar districts. The development comes about two hours after district authorities in Punjab withdrew blackout measures and restrictive orders after India and Pakistan agreed to an immediate ceasefire. Deputy Commissioner (Amritsar) Sakshi Sahwney said, Since there are reports of ceasefire violation, we will remain on alert [] The post Blackout Reimposed In Several Punjab Districts As Precautionary Measure appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Centre extends closure of 24 airports for civilian flights till May 15
NEW DELHI: At least 24 airports in northern and western parts of the country, including Srinagar and Chandigarh, have been shut for civilian flights till May 15, sources said on Friday. Earlier, these airports were closed for civilian flights till May 10 in view of the military conflict between India and Pakistan. Airlines on Friday said that their flights have been cancelled due to the temporary closure of airports till May 15. The sources said at least 24 airports have been closed for civilian flights till 05:29 hours of May 15. The airports include Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bhuntar, Kishengarh, Patiala, Shimla, Dharamsala, and Bathinda. Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Leh, Bikaner, Pathankot, Jammu, Jamnagar, and Bhuj are among the other airports that have been temporarily closed for civilian flights. Following a notification from aviation authorities on continued closure of multiple airports in India, Air India flights to and from the following stations -- Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Bhuj, Jamnagar and Rajkot -- are being cancelled till 0529 hrs IST on 15 May, the airline said in a post on X. Air India also said customers holding valid tickets for travel during this period will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling charges or a full refund for cancellations. In a post on X, IndiGo said in accordance with the latest directives from the relevant authorities, all flights to and from 10 destinations will remain cancelled until 0529 hours on May 15 due to temporary airport closures. The airports are Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Bikaner, Rajkot, Jodhpur and Kishangarh. These precautionary measures have been instituted with your safety and security as our highest priority, the airline said. The military conflict between India and Pakistan has intensified. Under Operation Sindoor, armed forces had carried out strikes on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Wednesday in retaliation against the Pahalgam terror attack that had killed at least 26 people last month.
Tense dawn after a night of fear for border residents
Schools were closed, most people stayed indoors and the occasional siren rang out as people in many border districts of Punjab, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh woke up to a tense Friday morning, calm but anxious about what the day would bring. The night that was had been nerve-wracking with blackouts, loud blasts piercing through the quiet and the fear that their homes would be the frontier of war between India and its fractious neighbour Pakistan. It passed off without further incident, much to the relief of those living in the border areas. In the key border districts of Amritsar and Ferozepur, too, calm prevailed on Friday morning. A few residents in Ferozepur told PTI Videos that while the atmosphere remained by and large calm on Friday morning, they were more apprehensive of the rumours doing the the rounds. Special prayers for peace were also held at some gurdwaras in the state, including in Mohali and Rupnagar, amid the soaring tensions. However, the UT administration later sounded a fresh air raid siren, appealing to people to remain indoors. An air warning has been received from the air force station of a possible attack. Sirens are being sounded. All are advised to remain indoors and stay away from balconies, an official statement said. About an hour later, the administration said the siren for the alert was over. Similar sirens were sounded in Haryana's Panchkula and Ambala for a brief while, appealing to people to stay indoors. The district administration in Patiala too issued an advisory, urging people to stay indoors and remain calm. People in Rajasthan's border districts also recounted a night of fear and uncertainty amid sounds of loud explosions and a complete blackout. While we couldn't see anything, we heard loud sounds that were scary, said a resident of Jaisalmer bordering Pakistan. Another resident said, After the blackout, we could not realise what was happening. Later, we found out that it was an attack by Pakistan that our armed forces thwarted. Amid the escalating tensions, the authorities extended the blackout in Jaisalmer till 6 am on Friday though the situation remained largely calm in the morning. Meanwhile, a bomb-like object was found in the Kishanghat area of Jaisalmer district on Friday morning, prompting swift action by the local police and air force. According to police, the object was found near a nursery in front of Kishanghat. Kotwali SHO Prem Daan said it seemed to be a bomb-like object. It it currently not known if it is live or destroyed, the SHO said, adding that experts from the army were on their way to defuse it. The area has been cordoned off as a precautionary measure, he said. In Himachal Pradesh, the district administration in Bilaspur, which shares border with Punjab, issued an advisory on Friday prioritising the safety and security of citizens. The advisory appealed to the residents to ensure a complete blackout in their respective areas to minimise risks in the event of a potential aerial attack. On Thursday night, India thwarted Pakistan's fresh attempts to strike military sites with drones and missiles, after foiling its attempts to target military installations in 15 cities in the northern and western parts of the country. The renewed attempts by the Pakistani forces came after the Indian armed forces on Wednesday carried out precise missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan under Operation Sindoor' in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Uneasy calm in J&K as India-Pak tension escalates, border residents move to safer places
SRINAGAR: Uneasy calm prevailed in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, and other parts of the Valley following major escalation in India-Pakistan tension by Thursday nights (May 8, 2025) failed missile and drone attacks by Pakistan army in Jammu. While Srinagar was relatively calm, panic and tension prevailed in the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir due to intense mortar and artillery shelling by Pakistani troops which has left 15 people dead and forced the people living in the border areas to move to safer places. There was total blackout in Jammu, Srinagar and other parts of the UT on Thursday night after missile and drone attacks by Pakistan in different parts of Jammu region including Jammu city. Loud blasts were heard in the Jammu city and panic-stricken people in Srinagar were glued to mobile phone screens witnessing the event unfold. A Jammu resident said they were awake the whole night as they could hear sirens and blasts. The blasts lasted even at 2 am and 4 am and we were cautious and alert, he said. He said uneasy calm prevails in Jammu while normal life is going on unaffected. In a major escalation, Pakistani forces launched coordinated drone and missile attacks targeting civilian areas and military installations in Jammu on Thursday night. The Indian air defence systems responded swiftly, successfully intercepting and neutralising all eight missiles and multiple drones aimed at key targets, including the Jammu airport. BSF foils major infiltration attempt in Jammu; kills seven terrorists, destroys Pakistan Rangers post The Army in a post on X said, OPERATION SINDOOR: Pakistan Armed Forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other munitions along the entire Western Border on the intervening night of 08 and 09 May 2025. Pak troops also resorted to numerous ceasefire violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The drone attacks were effectively repulsed and befitting reply was given to the CFVs. #IndianArmy remains committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nation. All nefarious designs will be responded with force. Sources said the main target of the Pak drone and missile attack in Jammu was the Indian air base. However, the drones and missiles fired by Pakistan were intercepted and neutralised by the air defence system. In Srinagar, there were some siren sounds during the night and authorities had enforced total blackout till midnight by snapping electricity. I have never seen such a situation. There were sirens, there was no electricity and there was total silence. There was panic all around and we did not know what was going to happen, said a Srinagar resident Mudasir Ahmed. As the sun came out and people ventured out, semblance of normalcy returned and people started their normal chores of life. The attendance in government and semi government offices has not been affected by the flare up tension at borders. Unlike the past, there has been no panic in Srinagar and there was no panic buying. There were no big lines of people outside fuel stations in Srinagar today as used to be the case whenever there used to be escalation in Indo-Pak tension. It is the first time that we are witnessing such a situation since the 1971 India-Pak war. We are keeping a close watch on the situation. Besides, you know people in Valley have ration stocks in their homes so there is no panic buying. However, if the situation further escalates, then people may go for stocking of essentials and food items, said an elderly Srinagar resident Abdul Aziz. After last nights Pakistans failed air attack in Jammu, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today rushed to Jammu to take stock of the situation. BSF foils major infiltration attempt in Jammu; kills seven terrorists, destroys Pakistan Rangers post He reached Jammu in the afternoon and will be taking stock of the situation during his meeting with the officials. The CM visited Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu hospital to enquire about the well being of those injured in the Pakistani troops shelling in different areas and undergoing treatment in the hospital. Visited GMC Jammu to check on those injured in the recent shelling. Praying for their speedy recovery. Will also be reviewing the situation in light of the drone attacks reported across multiple locations, CM posted on X. At least 15 civilians and an army man have been killed in Pakistani troops shelling at the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu in the last few days. The worst affected by the Pakistani troops shelling has been Poonch in Jammu region, where 13 civilians and an army man have been killed. In the Valley, the Uri has borne the maximum brunt of Pakistani heavy shelling in last few days. A woman has been killed and over a dozen injured in Uri in the Pakistani shelling so far. My heart goes out to the people of Jammu, especially those living along the borders who are once again caught in the terrifying uncertainty of conflict, Mehbooba posted on X after Pakistans failed air attack in Jammu. In this critical moment, my prayers for their safety and strength. I urgently appeal to all sides for restraint and for an immediate de-escalation. Too many lives have already been disrupted , peace must not be allowed to slip further away, Mehbooba said. The continuous shelling by the Pakistani troops along the LoC and International Border (IB) in J&K last few days has forced thousands of people to flee from their homes and move to safer places. The government has set up shelter homes to lodge the population fleeing from the border areas. The heavy shelling continued throughout the night in Uri, giving no chance for the locals to escape and move to safer places, said Abdul Aziz Bhatti, a resident of Gingle, Uri. He said Pakistani troops resorted to very intense shelling, which caused fear among the local population. Tensions soar in Jammu & Kashmir after Pak's failed drone attack, heavy shelling; woman killed, four injured In the shelling, at least 10 houses have been damaged. Fortunately there was no loss of lives, Bhatti said. The Pakistani shells also hit the Lagama village of Uri. There was heavy shelling. It has caused panic and people are fleeing the Uri and moving to safer places, a local resident Naveed said. In Poonch town, where 14 people were killed in Pakistani troops firing, about 70-80 percent population have moved to safer places. The administration has set up shelter camps at eight locations for the people willing to relocate from the border areas in view of prevailing India-Pakistan tension. The border residents are praying for de-escalation of the situation and return of peace. Nobody knows better than us the importance of peace. We lose our homes, our shelter and our near and dear ones in the Cross-LoC firing and shelling. There should be de-escalation and both countries should resolve the issues through dialogue, said an Uri resident Abdul Gaffar. However, there are some also who are against de-escalation and want things to be settled between India and Pakistan once for all. There should either be peace or war, said a youth, Aijaz Ahmad. As a precautionary measure, authorities have closed schools in Jammu and Kashmir for two days. Air raid sirens in Chandigarh, residents urged to stay indoors; Mohali, Patiala issue alerts
Bollywood rushes to register Operation Sindoor title following Indian Military strikes
Bollywood filmmakers and actors are rushing to register film titles inspired by the codename for Indias recent military strikes in Pakistan, submitting over 30 applications within just two days. India conducted targeted strikes on terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir early on Wednesday under 'Operation Sindoor ', two weeks after the massacre of 26 people mostly tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Since the strikes, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA), Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC), and Western India Film Producers Association (WIFPA) have seen a surge in applications for film titles related to Operation Sindoor. The three bodies have collectively received over 30 title applications via email related to the military operation. X's Global Affairs account temporarily withheld in India amid government crackdown on social media The numbers could go up to 5060. This is not something new. Most people have applied for titles like Operation Sindoor and Mission Sindoor , said Anil Nagrath, Secretary of IMPPA. One person can apply for any number of titles, but the title will be allotted to the person who applied first. Any producer looking to make a film usually seeks topics that are in the news. This is something India is proud of, so filmmakers are keen to bring this story to the screen, Nagrath told PTI. He added that similar waves of interest had been seen in the past, with applications for titles related to Kargil , Uri , Kumbh , and others. Other titles being applied for include Hindustan Ka Sindoor , Mission Operation Sindoor , and Sindoor Ka Badla . Applications have also been received for titles related to Pahalgam such as Pahalgam: The Terror Attack and Pahalgam Attack , among others. According to sources, director Aditya Dhar (who helmed the 2019 film Uri: The Surgical Strike ), actor Suniel Shetty, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, Vivek Agnihotri, Ashok Pandit, and production house T-Series are among those who have submitted title applications. Air raid sirens in Chandigarh, residents urged to stay indoors; Mohali, Patiala issue alerts Once a title is applied for, a committee comprising members from IMPPA, IFTPC, WIFPA, and the Producers Guild of India decides who should be allotted the title, purely on the basis of who registered it first. Theres no favouritism in this process, Nagrath stated. The application fee for registering a title is Rs 300 plus GST, while urgent applications cost Rs 3,000 plus GST. Applicants have three years to use the title. If a film is not produced within three years using the registered title, the title will be withdrawn, he added. Earlier in the day, it was reported that Reliance Industries Limited and five others had approached the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks to register the term Operation Sindoor for use in entertainment-related services, including audio and video content. The applications were filed under Class 41 of the Nice Classification, which covers education and training services, film and media production, live performances and events, digital content delivery, publishing, and cultural and sporting activities. However, Reliance Industries Ltd later withdrew its application, stating it had been inadvertently filed by a junior employee without authorisation.
Air raid sirens in Chandigarh, residents urged to stay indoors; Mohali, Patiala issue alerts
The Chandigarh administration sounded an air raid siren on Friday, urging residents to stay indoors, as tensions between India and Pakistan escalated. The alert was lifted about an hour later. An air warning has been received from the air force station of a possible attack. Sirens are being sounded. All are advised to remain indoors and stay away from balconies, the administration said in an official statement. *ALERT* An Air warning has been received from Air force station of possible attack. Sirens are being sounded. All are advised to remain indoors and away from balconies. DC Chandigarh Chandigarh Admn (@chandigarh_admn) May 9, 2025 Chandigarh serves as the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana. Authorities in neighbouring districts also took precautionary measures. The Panchkula district administration sounded a similar siren and advised people to remain indoors. Meanwhile, officials in Punjab's Mohali district, which borders Chandigarh, issued an alert for nearby residents. There is an alert in some areas of Chandigarh. We are advising Mohali residents in the bordering sectors to remain indoors and away from windows and glass panes, the Mohali administration said in a message. There is an alert in some areas of UT Chandigarh. We are advising Mohali residents in bordering sectors as well to remain indoors and away from windows and glass panes. Specifically sectors 45-47. Mohali Administration DC Mohali (@dcmohali) May 9, 2025 Further south, the Patiala district administration also urged caution. Please avoid stepping out unless it is absolutely necessary. All educational institutions in the district are closed until further notice. Residents are strongly advised to stay indoors and away from balconies, rooftops, and open areas, its advisory stated, asking the public to contact the control room in case of an emergency. A similar air siren was sounded in Chandigarh on Thursday night as India swiftly thwarted Pakistan's fresh attempts to strike military sites with drones and missiles, including in Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur, after foiling its attempts to target military installations in 15 cities in the northern and western parts of the country. According to the defence ministry, the Pakistani military on Thursday night attempted to target Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai and Bhuj. The renewed attempts by the Pakistani forces came after the Indian armed forces on Wednesday carried out precise missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan under 'Operation Sindoor' in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Punjab orders closure of all schools, colleges for next three days amid rising border tensions
Drones, blackouts, and sirens: People spend anxious night in border Punjab districts
Residents across border districts in Punjab including Amritsar, Pathankot, and Ferozepur, spent a tense night on Thursday as authorities enforced a complete blackout in response to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Blackouts were also imposed in Jalandhar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, and other regions, with power supply cut off in Chandigarh, the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana for about two hours until midnight. The precautionary measures followed a fresh wave of attempted attacks by Pakistan on Thursday night. According to the Ministry of Defence, Pakistan launched a coordinated offensive using drones and missiles to target military sites in multiple Indian cities, including Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur. The Indian armed forces swiftly intercepted the threats, successfully thwarting the strikes. The targeted locations included 15 cities across northern and western India, among them Srinagar, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj. These attempted strikes came just a day after the Indian military launched Operation Sindoor , a series of precision missile attacks on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This operation was in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. In Pathankot, some residents reported hearing explosion-like sounds on Thursday night, although no official confirmation was issued. Air raid sirens were activated around 8:30 p.m., and a complete blackout was enforced. By Friday morning, however, the situation remained calm. Similar scenes played out in other border districts like Amritsar and Ferozepur, where residents expressed initial anxiety but praised the armed forces for their quick and effective response. In Chandigarh, despite the blackout and tense atmosphere, daily life began returning to normal on Friday. Baldev Chand, an elderly local resident, resumed his morning walk, saying, There were some anxious moments last night, but the way our forces handled the situation makes us feel secure. Authorities across Punjab urged residents to stay indoors, switch off lights, and follow blackout protocols. Pathankot Deputy Commissioner Aditya Uppal emphasized the importance of remaining calm and vigilant. In addition to the blackout in major cities, power cuts were enforced in Rupnagar, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Bathinda, Patiala, and Panchkula in Haryana as precautionary steps to ensure public safety. In light of the heightened security situation, the Punjab government has ordered the closure of all schools and educational institutions for the next three days. Chandigarh authorities have also shut all schools until Saturday. (With input from PTI) Tensions soar in Jammu & Kashmir after Pak's failed drone attack, heavy shelling: Woman killed
Pak turbulence in Indian airspace, flights most hit
Amid heightened security concerns, Indias booming aviation sector has been hit. Closure of 30 airports across several states has left hundreds of flights cancelled and thousands of travellers stranded or scrambling for alternatives. S Lalitha takes a look at the situation: What triggered disruption? It stems from the closure of operations at several civilian airports many of which double as military airfields after India conducted precision strikes in Pakistan and PoK on May 7 and 8. India suspended operations at critical airports in the North, Northwest, and Central regions of the country. Affected airports The closure impacts airports in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and Delhi-NCR. Notable ones include: J&K & Ladakh: Leh, Thoise, Srinagar, Jammu Punjab: Amritsar, Pathankot, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, Halwara HP: Dharamshala, Shimla, Bhuntar, Gaggal Rajasthan: Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Kishangarh, Bikaner Gujarat: Bhuj, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Mundra, Kandla, Keshod Others: Hindon (Delhi NCR), Gwalior (MP) and Chandigarh Airlines response Major airlines have rolled out cancellations and passengers holding valid tickets have been offered full refunds: IndiGo: Suspended 165 daily flights, including those from Amritsar, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Gwalior, Jammu, Jodhpur, Leh, and Srinagar Air India: Cancelled flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot SpiceJet: Stopped operations in Leh, Srinagar, Jammu, Dharamshala, Kandla, and Amritsar Akasa Air: Cancelled flights from Srinagar Impact on flyers Travellers are experiencing severe stress due to cancellations, particularly those with connecting flights. Social media platforms of airlines have been flooded with distress calls. Whats next? Airlines and airport authorities are monitoring developments, but flyers should be prepared for ongoing disruptions beyond May 10.
Explained: Operation Sindoor aftermath and how it has impacted flights in India
Following Operation Sindoor and heightened security concerns, India's air travel sector has been hit. The closure of 30 airports across several states has left hundreds of flights cancelled and thousands of travellers stranded or scrambling for alternatives. Here's a breakdown of the current situation. What triggered the disruption? The disruption stems from the closure of operations at several civilian airports many of which double as military airfields after India conducted precision strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in the wee hours of May 7. Operation Sindoor: Nine strikes, 25 minutes of chaos for Pakistan Fearing potential retaliation post these strikes, the Indian government suspended operations at critical airports in the North, Northwest, and Central regions of the country. Which airports are affected? The closure impacts airports in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and the Delhi NCR region. Notable airports shut down include: J&K & Ladakh : Leh, Thoise, Srinagar, Jammu Punjab : Amritsar, Pathankot, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, Halwara, Chandigarh. Himachal Pradesh : Dharamshala, Shimla, Bhuntar, Gaggal Rajasthan : Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Kishangarh, Bikaner Gujarat : Bhuj, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Mundra, Kandla, Keshod Others : Hindon (Delhi NCR), Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) Airlines expect the disruption to last at least until 5:29 AM on May 10, though airport sources hint it may continue longer. How are airlines responding? Major airlines have rolled out large-scale cancellations and advisories: IndiGo has suspended 165 daily flights, including those from Amritsar, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Gwalior, Jammu, Jodhpur, Leh, and Srinagar. Air India has cancelled flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot. SpiceJet has stopped operations in Leh, Srinagar, Jammu, Dharamshala, Kandla, and Amritsar. Akasa Air has cancelled flights from Srinagar. Passengers holding tickets for these routes have been offered full refunds. Impact on flyers Travellers are experiencing severe stress due to abrupt cancellations, particularly those with connecting flights. Entire itineraries are being disrupted when the primary leg of the journey is cancelled, as seen in multiple cases. R Sushmita, travelling from Himachal to Nagpur via Chandigarh and Delhi, had to reroute by train to Delhi due to a cancelled Air India flight. Fortunately, Air India issued a fresh ticket at no extra cost. Piyush Sawarkar, stuck in Leh with his family, tweeted for help after his Indigo flight to Mumbai was cancelled. Like many others, he received a standard airline response requesting his PNR via direct message. Social media platforms of airlines have been flooded with similar distress calls, and many passengers are still awaiting clarity and rebooking options. A necessary safety measure According to Captain CS Randhawa, President of the Federation of Indian Pilots Association, while the inconvenience is considerable, the move was necessary from a national security perspective. The government wants flyers to stay safe. Closure of air force bases wont impact the public directly since civilian aircraft dont usually operate there, he said. However, international carriers are significantly affected. To avoid Pakistani airspace, flights from the Gulf to Delhi are forced to take detours. For instance, British Airways, Air France, and KLM from Delhi are heading towards Mumbai and then rerouting through Turkey, with longer flight paths and additional operational costs, he explained. Whats next? The situation remains fluid. Airlines and airport authorities are monitoring developments, but flyers should be prepared for ongoing disruptions beyond May 10. Travellers are advised to stay updated through official airline channels and plan alternate routes where possible.
6 Students, Driver Killed After SUV Collides With Truck In Punjab: Police
Six school children and a driver were killed when the SUV they were travelling in collided with a truck at Samana in Punjab's Patiala district on Wednesday, police said.
Punjab all set for mock drills in 20 towns as nation ramps up defence preparedness
CHANDIGARH: Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, civil defence mock drills will be held at 20 places in Punjab, besides several locations in Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh on Wednesday, as per instructions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). In Punjab, the mock drills will be held in Amritsar, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Batala, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Adampur, Halwara, Patiala, Pathankot, Barnala, Mohali, Faridkot, Kotkapura, Rupnagar, Bhakra Nangal, Sangrur and Abohar. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, The civil defence teams and Punjab Police, along with the Home Ministry, will conduct mock drills tomorrow, adding that the state government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is closely monitoring the exercise to ensure the safety of citizens. Preparations are almost complete for conducting the mock drills. The objective of the drills is to create awareness among the public and take necessary precautions in the event of any attack, he added. Cheema said the directions of the Home Ministry will be followed during the mock drills. Sources said that public announcements will be made before the drills. As per the guidelines issued by MHA, the drills will include activation of air raid warning sirens, training of civilians, students and others in civil defence procedures to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack, implementation of crash blackout measures, early camouflaging of vital plants and installations, updating and rehearsing of evacuation plans. The ministry had asked several states to conduct mock drills on May 7 for effective civil defence. In the meeting today, the issue of sirens was raised as for many years these have not been tested thus many might be dysfunctional for that we need to first check the working of all the civil and defence siren systems and these will be tested. Thus people should not panic, said a senior functionary who took part in the meeting. MHA conducts key review meeting ahead of massive civil defence mock drill, identifies 19 'top priority' sites Meanwhile, Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma said as part of the mock drill preparations, six civil defence sirens will be sounded in the city and the Ferozepur Cantonment area from 7 to 7.15 pm on Tuesday. These sirens will be sounded for the preparation of the May 7 mock drill, she said, adding that there was no need to worry. A senior police official in Ferozepur said a blackout rehearsal will be carried out from 9 to 9.30 pm on Wednesday and police patrolling teams will be deployed. In Haryana too, mock drills will be conducted at many places, including Ambala, Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar, Panchkula, Panipat and Rohtak. In a letter to the chief secretaries of all states and administrators of Union Territories, the MHA stated that the measures to be taken during the mock drills include the operationalisation of air-raid warning sirens, training civilians on civil-defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack and cleaning bunkers and trenches. The other measures are provisions for crash-blackout measures, early camouflaging of vital plants and installations and updating and rehearsing evacuation plans. The mock drills also include the operationalisation of hotline and radio-communication links with the Indian Air Force (IAF), testing the functionality of control rooms and shadow control rooms. It said the active participation of the district controllers, various district authorities, civil-defence wardens, volunteers, home guards (active and reservists volunteers), National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), college and school students is envisaged in the exercise. Civil defence volunteers rehearse emergency response in Lucknow ahead of nationwide mock drill
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab police continued their statewide crackdown against protesting farmers associated with farmer unions Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) who were prevented from reaching Shambhu police station on the border with Haryana for a day-long dharna. A strict warning was issued by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann against any sort of road or rail blockade apart from plans for protests or strikes causing inconvenience to the general public. All roads leading to Shambhu police station were heavily barricaded. At certain places, loaded vehicles were put on the roads to disrupt the convoys of protesters. On National Highway 44 near the Shambhu border, police personnel were checking every vehicle and allowing passage only to those headed toward Delhi or Haryana, leading to traffic jams. Senior Superintendent of Police of Patiala Varun Sharma said, No one will be allowed to hold protests and harass the people. We will not allow farmers to disrupt law and order at any cost. Many farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal, were detained in various districts on Monday ahead of the protest. Irked that many farmers leaders have been placed under house arrest, Dallewal, in a video message uploaded on Tuesday, said the farmer unions only wanted to raise their voice against the police action on March 19-20 but the AAP-led Punjab government has turned the state into a garrison and started a crackdown against farmers. Many of the leaders detained yesterday have been sent to jails including our leader Kaka Singh Kotda. CM Mann should keep in mind that such state repression may push them towards launching another protest. The protests can never be silenced through coercion as more repression faces more resistance and rising voices do not tolerate dictatorship, he said. Sarwan Singh Pandher, convener of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, said Punjab appears to have turned into a police state. Peaceful protests against the state government are not allowed, he said. Farmers, mainly activists of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh committee, were stopped at Ajitwal town in Moga and a few of them were even taken into custody, claimed farmer leaders. Farmers from Ambala in Haryana were also not allowed to reach Shambhu, being stopped at Gurdwara Manji Sahib. Punjab police reached the gurudwara in plain clothes and studied their movements, claimed a Haryana farmer leader. The dharna is in response to the police crackdown on March 19, when farmer leaders were detained after a meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Chandigarh. The Shambhu and Khanauri protest sites were cleared by the state police on the same day. The farmers are demanding compensation for the items that had allegedly been stolen or gone missing during the police crackdown at Shambhu, which they claimed were later traced to individuals linked to the Aam Aadmi Party and police personnel.
Mindset of those targeting Muslims, Kashmiri students similar to terrorists: SP MP Afzal Ansari
BALLIA: Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari strongly criticized the targeting of Muslims and Kashmiri students in various parts of the country following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir . He also accused the central government of failing to prevent the attack and demanded action against Pakistan. Speaking to PTI during a family function at the residence of Ballia MP Sanatan Pandey, Ansari said the attack was a result of security failure under the Narendra Modi-led government. The Pahalgam incident is a failure of the Narendra Modi-led central government. The site of the attack is 150 kilometres away from the Pakistan border. How did terrorists gain the courage to reach so deep into Indian territory? This is the time for a strong response. If there is no internal complicity, India must retaliate and reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as its own, Ansari said. He condemned recent incidents of violence against Muslims and Kashmiri students, citing attacks by right-wing groups in Patiala, Punjab, and the vandalism of Muslim-owned shops in Haryana. Ansari alleged that both foreign terrorists and those spreading communal hatred in India share the same mindset. Terrorists who come from Pakistan to kill innocent civilians and those who try to spread hatred in India in the name of religion and caste have the same mindset. The people of this country have started recognizing them, he said. He further claimed that some domestic violent incidents are being carried out by elements supported by the government. The government is patronising such elements due to which they are doing hooliganism in the name of religion and caste. While Kashmiri students and Muslims are being harassed in some places, dalit MP Ramji Lal Suman is being threatened, he added. Calling for decisive action, Ansari emphasized the need to bring PoK under Indian control. The entire country is united on this. It is the right time to integrate Pakistan-occupied Kashmir into India. They must be punished for their crimes, and what belongs to India must return to India, the SP leader said. He also spoke about the caste-based census and credited SP chief Akhilesh Yadav for pushing the central government to act on it. In the coming times, the government will have to grant rightful entitlements to the deprived sections of society, based on the results of the caste census, he said.
26/11 Mumbai Attacks Accused Tahawwur Rana Sent To 12-Day NIA Custody By Patiala House Court| News18
NIA Court extended the custody of 26/11 terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana for 12 days. n18oc_indian18oc_breaking-newsNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube
Delhi Court Dismisses 26/11 Plotter Tahawwur Rana's Plea For Family Contact
The Patiala House Court of Delhi dismissed a plea filed by Tahawwur Rana on Thursday, seeking permission to speak with his family over the phone.
Farmers, teachers, students intensify protests against AAP leadership across Punjab
CHANDIGARH: It is not just Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders facing the wrath and anger of farmers across Punjab; now Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders are also on the receiving end. They are facing rising public ire over unfulfilled promises, unanswered queries, and arrogant behaviour. Farmers are posing questions to the leaders, even going so far as to term AAP the B-team of BJP. Now, student groups and teachers associations have also joined in protesting against the ruling party leaders. Yesterday, AAP MLA from Rampura Phul, Balkar Sidhu, and another ruling party legislator from Maur, Sukhbir Singh Maiserkhana, had to face backlash from farmers during their visits to inaugurate development projects. Sidhu had gone to Sidhana village in Rampura to inaugurate an event under the Education Revolution initiative. As the news spread that the legislator was in the area, members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Krantikari Punjab) and BKU Ekta Ugrahan gathered in front of the school in the village. As Sidhu arrived at the school under police protection, farmers began raising slogans regarding the atrocities committed at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. They also raised objections related to the Model School Chaoke case. After the programme ended, the MLA approached the farmers, and the farmer leaders asked him several questions. Sidhu responded, saying he could only comment after speaking with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Later, in Salebrah village, the MLA faced further protests. Meanwhile, Sukhbir Singh Maiserkhana, another ruling party legislator from the Maur assembly segment, was confronted by members of the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) during his visit to Ramgarh Bhundar village yesterday. Maiserkhana had earlier been confronted by BKU Sidhupur members while en route to an event under the Sikhya Kranti programme. In another incident, members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur) posed several questions to Gidderbaha AAP MLA Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon in Gurusar village on Monday. They described the AAP as the BJPs B-team. They asked him why the farmers were not allowed to protest at the Khanauri and Shambhu borders. In response, Dimpy said the state government might be under some pressure to lift the protests at the borders, as nothing had happened in the past year. Talking with this newspaper, Prem Singh Bhangu, President of the All India Kisan Federation and senior leader of SKM Punjab, said that the AAP Punjab government is facing the wrath and anger of farmers in the villages daily whenever its MLAs and ministers visit the villages to inaugurate the repair work done in school buildings. He stated that they are being dubbed as stooges of the BJP government at the Centre for taking repressive measures to crush and dislodge the peaceful protests of farmers at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders by using heavy force. The government also foiled the March 5 proposed morcha to be launched at Chandigarh by making more than 1,000 arrests of farmers in the state, stopping them from reaching Chandigarh, their own capital, by forcibly stopping them in Punjab. Moreover, the government is trying to create a divide between rural and urban people, and Jat versus non-Jat in the state in order to garner votes, which could cost it dearly in the coming assembly elections, he said. While some party leaders avoid meeting farmers, others have lost their cool when confronted with queries. Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has been targeted many times. On April 8, during a farmers training camp in Faridkot, Sandhwan was interrupted mid-speech when a farmer stood up and bluntly said that Sandhwan knew nothing about dairy farming. Sandhwan did not take offence. The protestors gathered outside his house in Kotkapura. There was also a protest by the Punjab Students Union at Brajindra College in Faridkot. On April 5, Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian faced a similar situation in Muktsar. Nirmal Singh from the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Sidhupur interrupted him with questions about paddy varieties. The police immediately detained Singh, booking him under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). He was sent to jail and then released after four days upon furnishing bail. Also, AAP MLA Labh Singh Ugoke was grilled by farmers demanding an inquiry into the missing trolleys. Ugoke responded that the government had many other responsibilities. Last week, Batyala MLA Amansher Singh, alias Sherry Kalsi, was surrounded by farmers. Initially, he remained calm and talked to the farmers, but when they shouted slogans, he also reportedly shouted AAP zindabad to counter them. Other MLAs, including Gurdev Singh Dev Mann in Nabha, Gurdit Singh Sekhon in Faridkot, Dalbir Singh Tong in Baba Bakala, and Aresh Kataria in Zira, have faced similar confrontations. Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, said that in 2020 and 2022, BJP leaders were questioned by farmers. Now, it is the turn of the AAP leadership. He further said that farmers had planned to question Mann and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal in Amritsar on April 9 but were not allowed to do so. A few days ago, the villagers of Chauke village in Bathinda decided to ban the entry of AAP leaders in response to the police crackdown on a teachers' protest outside Adarsh School on March 27, where police lathi-charged women protestors. Villagers from several villages in Lambi constituency, from where Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian is the MLA, have also announced plans to boycott AAP leaders. Additionally, the villagers of Kotla Jattan and Beer Bhamarasi villages in Fatehgarh Sahib and Babarpur Patiala have also banned the leaders of the ruling party from entering their villages. Kaka Singh Kolta, General Secretary of BKU (Sidhupur), said that this is just the start and soon they will not be able to step out of their houses.
Punjab-Based Agent Arrested At IGI Airport For Facilitating Illegal US Entry Through Dunki Route
New Delhi, Apr 18: The Delhi Police has arrested a 36-year-old Punjab-based agent allegedly involved in forging travel documents and facilitating illegal entry into the United States through the Dunki route, an official said on Friday. The accused, identified as Naresh Kumar, a resident of Matoulli village in Patiala, Punjab, was apprehended following the deportation of an Indian passenger from the US, he said. Kumar had allegedly worked with other agents to arrange a fake Schengen visa and later tampered [] The post Punjab-Based Agent Arrested At IGI Airport For Facilitating Illegal US Entry Through Dunki Route appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Delhi Court Denies Bail To Man Impersonating As Amit Shah's Nephew
Delhi's Patiala House court on Tuesday rejected the bail plea of Ajay Kumar Nayyar, accused of cheating by impersonating himself as the nephew of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Sonia, Rahul, Pitroda named in ED chargesheet in National Herald case
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate has submitted a prosecution complaint against senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in a Delhi court, intensifying the scrutiny over the alleged money laundering tied to the National Herald case. Also named in the chargesheet are the partys Overseas Department Chief Sam Pitroda, veteran journalist Suman Dubey and several others. The case revolves around financial transactions linked to the now-defunct National Herald newspaper and its parent company. The Rouse Avenue Court has slated 25 April as the date to consider whether to take cognisance of the complaint. According to an ED official, the complaint has been lodged under Sections 44 and 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. It alleges violations under Section 3, read with Section 70, and carries penalties under Section 4 of the same Act. Last week, the ED had issued notices to take possession of immovable assets valued at Rs 661 crore that were previously attached as part of a money laundering investigation related to the Congress-linked National Herald newspaper and Associated Journals Limited (AJL). The Congress had earlier termed the investigation petty vendetta tactics and dubbed the ED a coalition partner of the BJP. The ED investigation began in 2021 after the Metropolitan Magistrate at Patiala House Courts in Delhi took cognisance of a private complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on June 26, 2014. ED issues notices to take possession of assets in National Herald case The complaint, the ED said, highlighted a criminal conspiracy by several prominent political figures, including the Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi, apart from late Congress leaders Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes and also Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda and a private company Young Indian for alleged involvement in a money laundering scheme related to the fraudulent takeover of properties valued over Rs 2,000 crore belonging to the AJL. The legal proceedings against the accused have faced challenges but have been upheld by both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India, allowing the investigation to proceed, the ED said. AJL is the publisher of the National Herald news platform (newspaper and web portal) and it is owned by Young Indian Private Limited. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are majority shareholders of Young Indian with 38 per cent shares held by each of them. They were questioned for hours by the ED in this case a few years back. The ED claimed its investigation has conclusively found that Young Indian, a private company eneficially owned by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, acquired AJL properties worth Rs 2,000 crore for a mere Rs 50 lakh, significantly undervaluing its worth. Young Indian and AJL properties were used for generation of further proceeds of crime in the form of bogus donations to the tune of Rs 18 crore, bogus advance rent to the tune of Rs 38 crore and bogus advertisements of Rs 29 crore, the ED has alleged.
'Not mother of democracy, father of dictatorship': Sibal slams Centre over ED notices in Herald case
NEW DELHI Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Sunday accused the government of using probe agencies to paralyse the Congress and described the development of the Enforcement Directorate issuing notices to take possession of immovable assets in the National Herald case as an assault on democracy. In lip service, we are the mother of democracy but in reality you are the father of dictatorship. They (BJP) want to do their politics on Hindu-Muslim agenda and finish off the opposition, Sibal said in a press conference. His remarks come a day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) stated it has served notices to take possession of immovable assets worth Rs 661 crore that it had attached as part of a money laundering probe linked to Congress-controlled National Herald newspaper and the Associated Journals Limited (AJL). Simultaneously, the notices have been affixed at conspicuous part of these properties located at Herald House at ITO (5A, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg) in Delhi, in the Bandra(E) area (Plot No 2, Survey No 341) of Mumbai and the AJL building located at Bisheshwar Nath Road (Property No.1) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday. The notices primarily seek vacation of the premises to be taken over by the ED. #WATCH | Delhi | On ED carrying out possession proceedings against Associated Journals Limited (AJL), Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal says, The original complaint was filed by Subramanian Swamy in 2012. We are now in 2025, 13 years have passed and suddenly, this pic.twitter.com/5M0GwNe0wS ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2025 Speaking on the issue, Sibal said, The possession notice is aimed at taking over these properties of the newspaper in which Congress offices are running to paralyse the party. What is the offense? Why have you waited for 13 years? Why? Because you want to grab the property. You want to paralyse the Congress party, take possession of all the properties so that they cannot function. The properties are spread across the country and are worth 600 crore that is what they allege, so they take them over, paralyse the Congress so that it has no office to operate from, the senior advocate and Independent Rajya Sabha MP said. From what I know is the Congress does not have much money so it will not be able to function as a political party. This is an assault on democracy. This is an assault on what we as a republic stand for. This is an unfortunate event that is reflective of the mindset of this government, he added. Sibal said it reflects the pettiness of a government that uses agencies to destroy the opposition. They will take all those who were in the opposition in their ministries, make them Rajya Sabha members, give them cabinet posts in states and against whom they have made public allegations of fraud and corruption. They will take those people and there is no ED then, he added, slamming the BJP. The Rajya Sabha MP claimed the government will eventually also come after the media because we are going the way of a nation that is functioning on the basis that even though we profess we are democratic, we are just the opposite. Sibal pointed out that National Herald was set up way back by the freedom fighters, who were shareholders in the newspaper which was meant to spread the message of freedom and India being together and moving forward. Noting that it was for charitable purposes, he said National Herald did not have enough money at that time and the Congress gave it Rs 90 crore over the years and that debt could not be repaid. In the meantime, National Herald had assets throughout the country. Young India was set up for purposes of transferring a sum of Rs 50 lakhs of the loan amount. A Section 25 company was set up...Section 25 company is a company where the shareholders are not entitled to any profit, said Sibal. The shareholders cannot own the property, which is owned by the company. Neither Rahul Gandhi nor Sonia Gandhi, nor anyone else, don't own the property. It is settled law, he added. Sibal accused the BJP of working to trouble its political opponents, including the Congress chief ministers in various states. You know that CBI has to take consent of the state to enter or if they have a court order. But the ED can go across, so they have used the ED to destabilise governments, it happened in the case of Hemant Soren; they also tried this against Siddaramaiah where they could not succeed, the former Congress leader said. In the case of P Chidambaram, they arrested him and kept on telling the court he has properties abroad, how many years passed? You destroyed a person, party's reputation. Exactly what is happening in the National Herald case, he added. Sibal, who was a Union minister during the UPA 1 and UPA 2 governments, quit the Congress in May 2022 and was elected to the Rajya Sabha as an Independent member with the Samajwadi Party's support. The ED has said in a statement that it has served the relevant documents to the respective registrar of properties where the assets are located. A notice...has also been served to Jindal South West Projects Limited which occupies the 7th, 8th, and 9th floors at Herald House, Bandra (E), Mumbai, to transfer the rent/lease amount every month in favour of the director, Directorate of Enforcement, it said. The action has been taken under Section (8) and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) that talks about the procedure of taking possession of assets attached by the ED and then confirmed by the adjudicating authority (of the PMLA). These immovable assets worth Rs 661 crore, apart from shares of AJL worth Rs 90.2 crore, were attached by the ED in November 2023 to secure the proceeds of crime and to prevent the accused form dissipating the same. The Adjudicating Authority confirmed this order in April last year. According to the ED, the total proceeds of crime in the case was Rs 988 crore. The Congress had earlier termed the investigation petty vendetta tactics and dubbed the ED a coalition partner of the BJP. The ED investigation began in 2021 after the Metropolitan Magistrate at Patiala House Courts in Delhi took cognisance of a private complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on June 26, 2014. The complaint, ED said, highlighted a criminal conspiracy by several prominent political figures, including the first family of the Congress party led by Sonia Gandhi, her MP son Rahul Gandhi, apart from late Congress leaders Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes and also Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda and a private company Young Indian for alleged involvement in a money laundering scheme related to the fraudulent takeover of properties valued over Rs 2,000 crore belonging to the AJL. The legal proceedings against the accused have faced challenges but have been upheld by both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India, allowing the investigation to proceed, the ED said. AJL is the publisher of the National Herald news platform (newspaper and web portal) and it is owned by Young Indian Private Limited. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are majority shareholders of Young Indian with 38 per cent shares held by each one of them. They were questioned for hours by the ED in this case a few years back. The ED claimed its investigation has conclusively found that Young Indian, a private company eneficially owned by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, acquired AJL properties worth Rs 2,000 crore for a mere Rs 50 lakh, significantly undervaluing its worth. Young Indian and AJL properties were used for generation of further proceeds of crime in the form of bogus donations to the tune of Rs 18 crore, bogus advance rent to the tune of Rs 38 crore and bogus advertisements of Rs 29 crore, the ED has alleged.
ED issues notices to take possession of assets in National Herald case
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate on Saturday said that it has issued notices to take possession of immovable assets valued at Rs 661 crore that were previously attached as part of a money laundering investigation related to the Congress-linked National Herald newspaper and Associated Journals Limited (AJL). In a statement, the agency said it has submitted the necessary documents to the respective property registrars in the locations where the assets are situated. At the same time, notices were also affixed to prominent areas of the concerned properties on Friday. These include Herald House at ITO (5A, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg) in Delhi, a property at Plot No. 2, Survey No. 341 in Bandra (East), Mumbai, and the AJL building located at Property No. 1, Bisheshwar Nath Road in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The notices primarily seek the vacation of the premises to be taken over by the ED. A notice has also been served to Jindal South West Projects Limited which occupies the 7th, 8th, and 9th floors at Herald House, Bandra (E), Mumbai, to transfer the rent/lease amount every month in favour of the director, Directorate of Enforcement, the statement said. The action has been taken under Section (8) and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) that talks about the procedure of taking possession of assets attached by the ED and then confirmed by the adjudicating authority (of the PMLA). These immovable assets worth Rs 661 crore, apart from shares of AJL worth Rs 90.2 crore, were attached by the ED in November 2023 to secure the proceeds of crime and to prevent the accused form dissipating the same. The Adjudicating Authority confirmed this order in April last year. According to the ED, the total proceeds of crime in the case was Rs 988 crore. The Congress had earlier termed the investigation petty vendetta tactics and dubbed the ED a coalition partner of the BJP. The ED investigation began in 2021 after the Metropolitan Magistrate at Patiala House Courts in Delhi took cognisance of a private complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on June 26, 2014. The complaint, the ED said, highlighted a criminal conspiracy by several prominent political figures, including the first family of the Congress party led by Sonia Gandhi, her MP son Rahul Gandhi, apart from late Congress leaders Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes and also Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda and a private company Young Indian for alleged involvement in a money laundering scheme related to the fraudulent takeover of properties valued over Rs 2,000 crore belonging to the AJL. The legal proceedings against the accused have faced challenges but have been upheld by both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India, allowing the investigation to proceed, the ED said. AJL is the publisher of the National Herald news platform (newspaper and web portal) and it is owned by Young Indian Private Limited. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are majority shareholders of Young Indian with 38 per cent shares held by each one of them. They were questioned for hours by the ED in this case a few years back. The ED claimed its investigation has conclusively found that Young Indian, a private company eneficially owned by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, acquired AJL properties worth Rs 2,000 crore for a mere Rs 50 lakh, significantly undervaluing its worth. Young Indian and AJL properties were used for generation of further proceeds of crime in the form of bogus donations to the tune of Rs 18 crore, bogus advance rent to the tune of Rs 38 crore and bogus advertisements of Rs 29 crore, the ED has alleged.
It is being alleged that Sikh characters in Akaal are being shown as drinking, consuming tobacco or as' mundit '(without hair), which is an insult to Sikh history and tradition.
Court orders 48-hour medical checks, restricts legal counsel for Rana
NEW DELHI: A NIA special court in Delhi has imposed stringent conditions on the custody of 26/11 Mumbai terror accused Tahawwur Rana, as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) pressed forward with its explosive claim: Rana may have conspired to orchestrate terror attacks in other Indian cities beyond Mumbai. Special Judge Chander Jit Singh of the Patiala House Courts has directed the NIA to conduct a full medical examination of Rana every 48 hours, ensuring that his health remains under continuous surveillance during his 18-day custodial remand. The court also ordered that he be provided with prescribed medication without delay and be allowed pen and paper, but only a soft-tip pen, in a move aimed at preventing potential misuse. In a tightly worded directive, the judge permitted Rana to meet a counsel from the Delhi Legal Services Authority every alternate day. However, the court laid down a sharp embargo, saying that the appointed legal counsel is strictly barred from engaging with the media in any form. All meetings are to occur in the presence of NIA officers to allow legal access without compromising investigative sanctity. During the hearing on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, the courtroom also witnessed intense exchanges as the NIA laid bare its suspicions that Rana, beside 26/11 Mumbai attacks, was involved in hatching newer terror plots within India. Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan, appearing for the agency, told the court that Ranas interrogation was critical to retracing movements and establishing linkages in what the agency believes may be a sprawling conspiracy. Citing a trove of digital evidence including classified emails and encrypted exchanges, the NIA argued that Rana had collaborated in a blueprint designed to replicate the 2008 assault on Indian soil. His custodial interrogation is is imperative, Krishnan said. Court directions NIA to conduct a full medical examination of Rana every 48 hours, ensuring that his health remains under continuous surveillance during remand Rana to be provided with prescribed medication without delay; allowed pen and paper, but only soft-tip, to prevent misuse Rana permitted to meet legal counsel from the Delhi Legal Services Authority every alternate day in the presence of NIA officers
Mumbai: A controversy has erupted in Patiala over singer and actor Gippy Grewals recently released film Akaal: The Unconquered. The Patiala police have detained Baba Bakshish Singh, who had protested against the film. Baba Bakshish Singh says he and his committee have always opposed films that portray Sikh characters in an inappropriate manner. He alleged 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 .
Families of 26/11 victims demand Ranas hanging
Rana was brought to the Patiala House Court in a cavalcade, including a jail van, an armoured SWAT vehicle and an ambulance
NIA Formally Arrests 26/11 Mumbai Attacks Plotter, To Be Taken To Patiala House Court | News18
Tahawwur Rana, a co-conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, landed in India on Thursday (April 10), a day after a multi-agency Indian team left from the United States with him on a special flight The team had travelled to the US after the countrys Supreme Court dismissed Ranas review plea seeking an emergency stay on his extradition to India.According to the officials, high-security cells in Tihar Jail in the national capital and Arthur Road prison in Mumbai have been prepared for a high-risk detainee. The NIA has also recently obtained a court order on the transfer of his case from Mumbai to Delhi. n18oc_india
26/11 attacks: Patiala court bar body 'committed to ensure' fair, transparent trial of Tahawwur Rana
The bar association assured no disruption in law and order situation within the complex or interference in judicial proceedings
Security beefed up outside Patiala Courts, NIA HQ as 26/11 mastermind Tahawwur Rana lands in India
Security outside the NIA headquarters in Delhi has been beefed up and also outside the Patiala House Courts where 2008 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Tahawwur Rana is likely to be produced after he lands in Delhi following his extradition from the ...
Security has also been significantly increased at Delhi's Patiala House Court, where Rana is expected to be presented before an NIA judge.
Security beefed up outside Patiala Courts, NIA HQ as Tahawwur Rana to land in India
New Delhi, Apr 10: Security outside the NIA headquarters in Delhi has been beefed up and also outside the Patiala House Courts where 2008 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Tahawwur Rana is likely to be produced after he lands in Delhi following his extradition from the US. Some gates of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Metro [] The post Security beefed up outside Patiala Courts, NIA HQ as Tahawwur Rana to land in India appeared first on Northlines .
Security tightened at Patiala House Court ahead of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Ranas likely appearance
According to officials, a multi-agency team had gone to the U.S. to bring Tahawwur Rana to India
Tahawwur Rana Extradition: 26/11 accused to likely appear in Patiala House Court, security beefed up
The extradition of Tahawwur Rana a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks from the United States to India, marks a significant breakthrough for Indias probe agencies and its diplomatic efforts.
Tahawwur Rana's Extradition: Security Tightened At Patiala House Court
Personnel from paramilitary forces and the Delhi Police have been deployed outside Patiala court and a thorough physical frisking and checking of visitors is being carried out to avoid any untoward incident, he said.
Tahawwur Rana's extradition: Delhi court receives trial records of 26/11 attacks
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has received the trial records of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks ahead of its alleged mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana's arrival in India from the US, a court source said. Rana, a key accused in the 2008 attacks, is being brought to India on a special flight on Thursday after his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition failed as the US Supreme Court justices rejected his application. The records were received by the court of District Judge Vimal Kumar Yadav recently in pursuance of his January 28 direction to the staff of a Mumbai court to send the records. The judge passed the order on an application moved by the National Investigation Agency in Delhi, seeking to retrieve the records from Mumbai. The trial court records were previously sent to Mumbai due to the presence of multiple cases related to the 26/11 attacks in both cities. Tahawwur Rana case: MHA appoints Narender Mann as special public prosecutor for three years In a setback to Rana, a US court had earlier ruled that the Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman could be extradited to India where is wanted for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks carried out by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists. Rana, 64, is a close associate of one of the main conspirators of the attacks, David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen. On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India's financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea. As many as 166 people were killed in the nearly 60-hour assault. Security tightened at Patiala House Court ahead of Tahawwur Rana's appearance; likely to be lodged in Tihar jail
Rana to be produced at Delhi court, security upped
Security has been heightened outside the Patiala House Court in Delhi ahead of the expected appearance of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Rana, who was extradited from the US, is likely to be produced in court on Thursday. The Delhi Police and paramilitary forces are carrying out thorough security checks to prevent any untoward incidents.
NEW DELHI: Security has been stepped up outside Delhi's Patiala House Court where Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana is likely to be produced on Thursday following his extradition from the US, an official said. Personnel from paramilitary forces and the Delhi Police have been deployed outside the court and a thorough physical frisking and checking of visitors is being carried out to avoid any untoward incident, he said. An NIA judge is expected to hear the matter. Meanwhile, Tihar Jail officials said all preparations have been made to lodge Rana in a high-security prison ward and they were waiting for court orders. In a late-night notification, Centre has appointed advocate Narender Mann as special public prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI (Mumbai attacks) for three years. In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008), read with sub-section (8) of section 18 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), the central government hereby appoints Narender Mann, advocate as special public prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to NIA case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI on behalf of the National Investigation Agency before the NIA Special Courts at Delhi and Appellate Courts, for a period of three years from the date of publication of this notification or till the completion of trial of the said case, whichever is earlier, the notification said. Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is being brought to Delhi from the US. Rana, 64, is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and close associate of one of the main conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen. Rana is being brought to India after his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition failed as the US Supreme Court justices rejected his application.
Cabinet nod to rail and road projects worth over Rs 4.8K cr
NEW DELHI: The Union cabinet on Wednesday approved two key transport infrastructure projects, including one for doubling the Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi single railway line (104 km) in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and another relating to the construction of a six-lane access-controlled Zirakpur bypass with a length of 19.2 km in Punjab and Haryana on hybrid annuity mode. Besides the two infra projects, the cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, also approved the Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) as a sub-scheme of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for the period 2025-2026 with an initial total outlay of Rs 1,600 crore. I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, said that the Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi railway line project would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs 1,332 crore and it aimed to enhance connectivity, improve mobility, and promote sustainable development in the southern states. He said that project spans three districts in Andhra and TN and will extend the Indian Railways network by approximately 113 km. The enhanced connectivity will benefit both religious and tourist traffic, as the line connects Tirupati, home to Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, which attracts around 75,000 pilgrims daily, with a footfall of up to 1.5 lakh on special occasions, he said. As part of the capacity expansion, the project is expected to facilitate additional freight traffic of 4 million tonnes per annum and contribute to Indias climate goals by reducing oil imports by 4 crore litres and lowering CO2 emissions by 20 crore kilograms annually, said Vaishnaw. The 6-lane Zirakpur Bypass starting from Junction with NH-7 (Zirakpur-Patiala) and ending at Junction with NH-5 (Zirakpur-Parwanoo) with a total length 19.2 km in Punjab and Haryana will cost approximately Rs 1,878 crore, the minister said. The project is aimed at easing the congestion in Zirakpur, Panchkula and surrounding areas by diverting traffic from Patiala, Delhi, Mohali Aerocity and providing direct connectivity to Himachal Pradesh. The current proposal aims at reducing the travel time and ensuring hassle-free traffic movement in the congested urban section of NH-7, NH-5 and NH-152, Vaishnaw said. As part third decision with regard to irrigation facility, the government plans to set up water supply infrastructure from existing canals and other sources to a designated cluster, the minister said.
