Meet Inayat, daughter-in-law of India cricketer, his name is..., her husband is...

Inayat Randhawa, the daughter of former Army officer Maninder Randhawa, who hails from Punjab's Patiala has tied the know to a popular India cricketer's son. Lets' find out more about him.

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.

Young lifter from Andhra pushes limits, wins medals

KADAPA: At just 23, powerlifter Done Murali Krishna has already proven that sheer determination and hard work can transform dreams into record-breaking reality. With 40 medals to his nameincluding 18 goldMurali stands as a symbol of grit, passion, and national pride. BPEd second-year student at Narayanamma College of Physical Education, Badvel in Murali continues to dominate both national and international arenas. His latest triumph was a gold medal at the All India Inter-University Championship in Kashmir, where he lifted 640 kg in the 59 kg category. Powerlifting, for Murali, is a call shaped by relentless dedication and the unwavering support of his family. Hailing from Machilipatnam and now based in Vizag, Murali draws strength from his father, Radhakrishna, a Gramin Dak Sevak in the postal department, who has taken loans totalling nearly `7 lakh to support his sons powerlifting ambitions. My father is my biggest supporter. He went into debt just so I could compete at national and international levels, says Murali. His journey began during his student days at IIIT Idupulapaya, where he pursued an integrated B.Tech programme between 2016 and 2022. Inspired by Physics Professor and sports coach Balagovind Tiwari, he took powerlifting seriously in 2018. What began as curiosity soon became a career that now commands global recognition. In 2023, at the World Junior Equipped Powerlifting Championship in Malta, Murali made history. Competing in the 59 kg category, he bagged three gold medals and set a world record in deadlift with 266.05 kg. He had impressed the international circuit a year ago in Istanbul, Turkey, winning multiple medals in both equipped and classic formats in the 53 kg junior category. Recognising his achievements, Yogi Vemana University awarded him a `30,000 cash prize and a monthly allowance of `10,000 for diet and training. Vice-Chancellor Dr Allam Srinivasarao felicitated him. Muralis medal tally continues to grow. In April 2024, he clinched one gold and two silver medals in the senior 59 kg category in Hyderabad. In June, he added two golds and a silver at the Junior Equipped Championship in Patiala, followed by three silvers at the Junior Classic event in Ganganagar. In May, he won gold at the All India Inter-University Championship at TNPESU, Tamil Nadu. Between 2020 and 2023, he consistently dominated junior and sub-junior events across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Udaipur, and Ghaziabad. Despite financial struggles, Murali excels academically and trains relentlessly. His journey lifts more than just weightsit lifts his familys hopes, young athletes dreams, and Indias spirit. Where there is passion, anything is achievable, says Murali, as he pushes forwardone lift, one dream, and one milestone at a time.

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.

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

Controversy erupts over Gippy Grewals Akaal: The Unconquered for allegedly hurting religious sentiments

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 .

Mumbai 26/11 terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana sent to 18-day NIA custody

A Delhi court has remanded Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Hussain Rana, an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, to 18-day custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The order was passed by Special NIA judge Chander Jit Singh of Patiala House Courts on Thursday night. Appearing for NIA, Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan sought 20-day [] The post Mumbai 26/11 terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana sent to 18-day NIA custody appeared first on India Legal .

2008 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana produced in Delhi court, NIA seeks 20-day custody

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) produced 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana before a court here on Thursday night, hours after he was extradited from the US, and sought his 20-day custody. The court is likely to pronounce its order shortly. Rana was brought to the Patiala House Court in a []

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

Crackdown on drugs: In Punjabs Patiala, police make 693 arrests in 100 days

Tahawwur Rana Extradition: 26|11 terror attack plotter Rana brought to Patiala House Court

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

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 ...

Tahawwur Rana, 26/11 Mumbai attack plotter, lands in India; MHA appoints Narender Mann as special public prosecutor

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.

Security tightened at Patiala House Court ahead of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana's likely appearance

Delhi's Patiala House Court is under tight security. This is ahead of Tahawwur Rana's court appearance. He faces charges in the Mumbai terror attack case. Rana is being extradited from the US. He will be held in Tihar Jail. Rana has close links to David Coleman Headley. Headley was a key plotter in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

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.

Security tightened at Patiala House Court ahead of Tahawwur Rana's appearance; likely to be lodged in Tihar jail

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.

Union cabinet approves Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi single railway line, other infra projects worth Rs 4,800 crores

NEW DELHI: The government 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 Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at it meeting 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 Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, while briefing media after the meeting of the Union Cabinet, said, the Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi railway line project would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs 1,332 crore and it aims to enhance connectivity, improve mobility, and promote sustainable development in the southern states. The Minister said, project spans three districts in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and will extend the Indian Railways network by approximately 113 kilometers. The enhanced connectivity will benefit both religious and tourist traffic, as the line connects Tirupati, home to the famous Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, which attracts around 75,000 pilgrims daily, with a footfall of up to 1.5 lakh on special occasions. The line also provides access to other significant destinations, including Sri Kalahasti Shiva Temple, Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple, and Chandragiri Fort, he said. Vaishnaw said, as part of the capacity expansion, the project is expected to facilitate additional freight traffic of 4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA)and also contribute to Indias climate goals by reducing oil imports by 4 crore litres and lowering CO2 emissions by 20 crore kilograms annually. This reduction in emissions is equivalent to planting one crore trees, further supporting the countrys environmental objectives, he added. Meanwhile, 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 State of 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 noted. 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, adding that it would build robust backend structure for micro-irrigation by farmers from established source to farm gate up to 1 Ha with underground pressurised piped irrigation. The projects will be made sustainable by Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) to the Water User Society (WUS) for management of irrigation assets. The Water User Societies will be given handholding support for linking them with existing economic entities like Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) and the Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) for five years. The youth will also be attracted to farming, to adopt the modern method of irrigation, the government later said in a statement. Vaishnaw informed that the initial approval is for taking up 78 pilot projects across various agro-climatic zones in the country. Based on the learning in design and structuring of these projects, the National Plan for Command Area Development and Water Management will be launched starting from April 2026 for the 16th Finance Commission period, he added.

Cabinet okays six lane Zirakpur Bypass at Rs 1878 crore; Check map, routes, starting and ending points

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the Construction of 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 state of Punjab and Haryana under NH(O) on Hybrid Annuity Mode.

Patiala judge recuses from hearing bail plea of police inspector Ronnie Singh in case of assault on Col Pushpinder Singh Bath

Punjab to launch Indias first patient facilitation centre at Patialas Government Rajindra Hospital

Woman tied to pole in Patiala village: Punjab panel seeks report

Assault on Colonel in Patiala: Punjab & Haryana high court hands over probe to Chandigarh Police, not central agency

Process initiated to include 8 Patiala villages into Mohali district

New Delhi station stampede: Shunted DRM gets new posting in Patiala

Railway Board issues fresh postings for officials removed after the February 15 stampede that killed 18 passengers

Punjab, Haryana HC transfers Colonel Bath assault probe to Chandigarh Police; orders SIT formation

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court today transferred the investigation into the assault of serving Army Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath and his son to the Chandigarh Police, directing the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) within three days. The decision came after Col Bath petitioned for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or an independent agency. Justice Harpreet Singh Brar, while passing the order, specified that no Punjab Police officer should be part of the SIT to ensure a fair and transparent probe. The SIT has been given four months to complete its investigation. The court also asked the Punjab government to specify whether it wanted a consent-based order or one on merit before the final decision was made. The Punjab government accepted the transfer of the probe to the Chandigarh Police, as did Col Baths family. The state was represented by senior advocate Randeep Singh Rai. A detailed order is awaited. Col Bath had moved the High Court last week 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. Jaswinder Kaur, Col Baths wife, had met Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on March 31, where she expressed dissatisfaction with the delay. The CM assured us of a CBI probe, but no action was taken, she said. Initially, she had expressed satisfaction with the assurance, but later realised that it was a false promise. The family had earlier met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi and Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. The Punjab Police SIT, which was led by ADGP A.S. Rai, had recorded the statements of the accused officers yesterday. However, with the courts decision, the SIT has now become defunct. The Punjab Police had registered an FIR only on March 22, eight days after the incident, following repeated appeals from the officers family. The incident took place on the intervening night of March 13 and 14 when Col Bath and his son, Angad Singh, were having dinner at a dhaba near Rajindra Hospital. Col 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 said. When Col Bath identified himself as an Army officer, the attackers allegedly snatched his ID card and mobile phone. The petitioner 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.

Waqf Board sees illegal encroachment of 14,000 acres in Punjab; litigations still ongoing in various courts

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Waqf Board owns a total of 36,625.83 acres of land across the state, but over 14,000 acres of this land are currently under illegal encroachment. Ongoing litigation regarding these encroachments is being heard in various courts, including the Supreme Court. According to sources, data from the Board reveals that the Punjab Waqf Board has a total of 75,965 registered properties and 25,403 registered waqf estates. The Board owns 36,625.83 acres of land across the state, with approximately 14,085.004 acres, or 38.46%, currently under illegal encroachment. The remaining 61.45% of the land is being used for its intended purposes. While 18 cases are pending in the Supreme Court, 462 cases going in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, 1,157 civil suits in different courts for declaration, possession or eviction pending before the five waqf tribunals in the stare and civil courts, said sources. Talking with the TNIE, Latif Ahmed Thind, Executive Officer of Punjab Waqf Board, said, The total number of waqf board properties in Punjab is 75,965. The major problem is illegal encroachments across the state as the maximum encroachments are in Bathinda, followed by Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Patiala. In many cases, the illegal encroachers are sitting on these properties since 1947 and in many others the lease with the board finished but they did not vacate the property or gave its procession to someone else. Both influential people and common persons have encroached upon the waqf board properties. While in Samana near Patiala many shanties are there and those people refuse to vacate. It is just of people from other religions have encroached upon also people from the same community have also done illegal encroachment of the board properties in some cases, he says. We follow the due procedure of the law and cases are going in different courts including supreme court. With the amendment coming in the process will become for cumbersome.he added.

Explosion near police post in Patran, investigation underway

A loud explosion near the Badshahpur police post in Patiala district shattered windowpanes of an adjacent office. Authorities are investigating, suspecting it might be a grenade attack. Babbar Khalsa International claimed responsibility, but verification is pending.

Punjab govt withdraws Z-plus security of SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government has withdrawn the Z-plus security cover of senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia . He is the brother-in-law of Sukhbir Singh Badal, the former president of SAD. Sources said that orders were given to withdraw all 35 security personnel and vehicles assigned to Majithia. The security personnel were instructed to leave the city where Majithia was visiting with his family and report back to their parent units immediately. Since he was in another state at the time, only one police officer, who had been with him for a long time, was left for his security. It was also reported that officials were instructed to take photographs of the security personnel upon their return to their battalions and send them to senior officers. Until recently, there were discussions about increasing security at Majithia's residence in Chandigarh. Proposed measures included raising the height of the perimeter walls, installing barbed wires, and setting up a net to block any grenade attacks. Majithia received Z-plus security in 2010. Badal strongly criticized the AAP government for withdrawing Majithias security. He said, Withdrawal of the entire Z+ security cover of Bikram Singh Majithia confirms beyond doubt the dangerous and deadly designs of the AAP government against the SAD leadership. He further alleged, This decision has to be seen alongside the massive 'witch-hunt' launched by the AAP government against Majithia. He also brought up an attack on his life outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar last December by Narain Singh Chaura. He claimed, Withdrawal of security to Majithia has to be seen with the government's complicity in the failed lethal attempt on my life - an attempt foiled only with divine intervention of Guru Sahiban. Majithia condemned the state government for withdrawing his security. He said, When they failed in silencing my voice, they withdrew my security on the evening of March 29. The SAD leader also claimed that the Punjab Police has formed a new special investigation team (SIT) to probe the drug case against him. This is the fifth SIT formed since 2021 to investigate the case. Sources said the Punjab Police has again replaced the head of the SIT and two other members. The Director, Bureau of Investigation, issued orders on March 31, stating that the reshuffle was for administrative reasons. The new SIT will be led by Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Varun Sharma. The other two members are Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abhimanyu Rana and Superintendent of Police (SP) (NRI Wing) Patiala, Gurbans Singh Bains. Previously, the SIT was headed by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ropar Range Harcharan Singh Bhullar, while the other two officers remained the same. Before Bhullar, Varun Sharma had also headed the SIT. This is the first time an AIG-rank officer has been appointed to lead the SIT, whereas all previous teams were led by officers of DIG rank or higher.

Pastor Bajinder Singh sentenced to life imprisonment till death for sexual assault case in Punjab

CHANDIGARH: A court in Mohali today sentenced 42-year-old self-styled pastor Bajinder Singh, also known as 'Yeshu Yeshu Prophet,' to life imprisonment till death for a sexual harassment case filed against him in 2018. Additional District and Sessions judge of SAS Nagar Vikrant Gupta, pronounced the judgment as Bajinder Singh was brought from Patiala jail and produced before him amid tight security. Life imprisonment till death signifies a life sentence with no possibility of parole or release, meaning the individual will remain incarcerated until natural death. After the sentencing verdict was pronounced by the court, Anil Kumar Sagar lawyer of the victim said, The accused Bajinder Singh has been sentenced to life imprisonment. He will remain behind bars till death. Today only quantum of sentenced was pronounced by the court. We are satisfied with the quantum of sentence. We had full faith in the court. For this kind of person to remain in society is very dangerous. The message has to go to the society that nobody dares to do this kind of shameful act again. The victim said, I thank the court for the verdict and also my lawyers who fought it out. This case was buried due to political pressure and money power. The case pertains to a rape charge filed by a Zirakpur-based woman, who alleged that Singh sexually assaulted her on the pretext of taking her abroad and also made an obscene video of her. An FIR, registered on April 20, 2018, at the Zirakpur police station, charging Singh and five othersJatinder, Akbar Ali, Sattar Ali, Sucha Singh, and Sandeep Pehelwanwith rape, cheating, outraging the modesty of a woman, obscenity, causing hurt, criminal intimidation, and transmitting sexually explicit content. However, the co-accused were acquitted. Singh, who was arrested at Delhi airport in 2018, had been out on bail but repeatedly avoided court hearings, citing illness. In March, the court issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against him for failing to appear. Singh, who is based in Jalandhar, runs two churchesThe Church of Glory and Wisdom in Tajpur (Jalandhar) and Majri (Mohali). His sermons, which draw thousands of followers, are broadcast live on YouTube through his channel Prophet Bajinder Singh, which has 3.74 million subscribers. Singh converted to Christianity in 2012 and gained a following by claiming to perform faith healing and miracles. His church, which he asserts has branches across India and abroad, holds large congregations where people seek spiritual healing and relief from ailments. He was recently booked in another sexual harassment case on February 28, 2025, following a complaint by a 22-year-old woman. The Punjab Police has formed a three-member special investigation team (SIT) to probe the allegations. The Punjab State Women Commission has also taken suo-motu notice and ordered security for the complainant. Meanwhile, a February 14 CCTV video surfaced, allegedly showing Singh slapping a woman and a man during an argument. Singh is now also facing fresh legal trouble over the new allegations.

Dallewal has not ended indefinite fast, says farmer leader

CHANDIGARH: Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has not ended his indefinite fast even though he drank a glass of water after farmers detained last week by the state police were released from different jails, farmer leader Abhimanyu Kohar said on Saturday. The Punjab government on Friday told the Supreme Court that Dallewal accepted water and broke his fast. Countering the Punjab government's claims, Kohar said on Saturday Dallewal had made it clear he would take water only after all the farmers are released. And Dallewal drank a glass of water after farmer leaders were released, said Kohar, a close aide of Dallewal. We want to make it clear that a false impression was being given that Dallewal has ended his indefinite fast. His hunger strike continues. Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh told the apex court on Friday they dispersed on March 19 the farmers protesting at Khanauri and Shambhu border points with Haryana, and opened the roads and highways that were blocked due to the sit-ins. Protesting farmers and some of their leaders were also detained by the Punjab Police on that day. Another farmer leader, Kaka Singh Kotra, also said on Saturday when Dallewal came to know about the detention of farmers, he refused to take water till they were all released. He took water after the farmers were released, said Kotra. Dallewal (70) is a senior leader of the joint forum of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. He began his indefinite hunger strike on November 26 last year to press the Centre to accept their demands including a legal guarantee to provide Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. After the Centre invited the farmer leaders for talks in January, Dallewal had started taking medical aid at the Khanauri protest site but did not end his fast. Several farmer leaders including Sarwan Singh Pandher, Abhimanyu Kohar, Kaka Singh Kotra and other leaders, detained during the March 19 police action, were released on Friday. Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Pandher was released from Muktsar jail while Kohar, Kotra and some other farmer leaders were released from Patiala central jail. After their release, they met Dallewal in the hospital on Friday. The farmer leaders were detained on March 19 when they were returning from a meeting with a central delegation led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Chandigarh. The meeting was organised to discuss the farmers' demands, especially the MSP guarantee. As the departing farmers entered Mohali after the meeting, they were met with heavy barricading and some of their leaders were detained. Police had evicted farmers and had dismantled temporary structures from the Shambhu and Khanauri border points. Vehicular traffic had resumed on the Shambhu-Ambala and Sangrur-Jind highways. Several farmers, who were part of the Shambhu and Khanauri protests, have claimed that their belongings including trolleys were missing, adding that they might have been stolen.

Farmer leader Pandher accuses AAP, BJP of conspiring against farmers; vows to continue protest

CHANDIGARH: Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, released from jail today, accused both the BJP-led Union Government and the AAP-led Punjab Government of conspiring to undermine the ongoing farmers' protest 2.0. He likened the central government to invader Ahmad Shah Abdali and the Punjab government to Zakaria Khan, notorious for persecuting Sikhs. Pandher, the convenor of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, was released from Muktsar jail, while Abhimanyu Kohar, Kaka Kotra and some other farmer leaders were released from Patiala central jail. Speaking to the media at the Bahadurgarh Commando Complex near Patiala, Pandher questioned the AAP government's stance, which had previously claimed that the farmers' protests were directed against the central government. He raised concerns over the events of March 19, when the government allegedly attacked farmers returning from a meeting with central and state ministers . Pandher asked whether Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann aimed to protect central ministers or if there was a fear of the Enforcement Directorate's actions. He alleged that the Mann government conspired with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to target the farmers as both the government actively participated in demolishing the protest sites. Pandher stated that the morchas will continue in any form, and the action plans, including protests in front of AAP MLAs' and ministers' residences on March 31, will proceed as scheduled. He further alleged that orders are now being dictated by corporate interests and Washington, who have historically been opposed to farmers, similar to the orders once issued by Abdali. Pandher also claimed that drugs are openly available in jails, asserting that the Yuth Nashaa Virodh scheme has failed. Pandher condemned the state police's actions against protesting farmers at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points, where they had been camped for over a year demanding, among other things, a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of crops. In a police crackdown on March 19, several farmer leaders were detained as they were returning from a meeting with a central delegation led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Chandigarh. The meeting aimed to address the farmers' demands, particularly a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of crops. As the farmers were leaving the meeting and entering Mohali, they encountered heavy barricading , and some of their leaders were detained. The police also evicted farmers and dismantled temporary structures at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points, leading to the resumption of vehicular traffic on the Shambhu-Ambala and Sangrur-Jind highways. Farmers criticized the AAP government for detaining their leaders and removing protesters from the border points, where they had been camping since February 13 of last year, after their march to Delhi was blocked by Haryana Police. Meanwhile, the Punjab Government informed the Supreme Court today that farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal had ended his 123-day fast and begun accepting water. Punjab BJP President Jakhar slams AAP, Congress over farmer protests, accuses CM Mann of betrayal

Detained Punjab farmer leaders Pandher, Kohar released

Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Mr. Pandher was released from Muktsar jail while Kohar, Kotra and some other farmer leaders were released from Patiala central jail, they said

Punjab Assembly witnesses noisy scenes over Bajwa's remarks against Seechewal

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Assembly on Thursday witnessed noisy scenes with the Congress legislators staging a walkout thrice. The House was also adjourned after the treasury benches sought an apology from Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa for his remarks against environmentalist and AAP MP Balbir Singh Seechewal. A resolution censuring Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa was was also passed. The censure motion received support from SAD MLA Manpreet Ayali and suspended Congress MLA Sandeep Jakhar. After the Question Hour, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and AAP MLA Inderjit Kaur Maan on Wednesday criticized Bajwa for his remarks against Seechewal and sought his apology when the leader of opposition got up to bring a resolution for recommending Bharat Ratna for legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. But Bajwa today again repeated his remarks and refused to apologise. He expressed displeasure over not being allowed to bring a resolution on Bharat Ratna for Bhagat Singh. However, Bajwa said he stood by what he said about Seechewal and alleged that it was a planned attack by the Treasury Benches to suppress his voice. Is this being done in a planned manner? Bajwa asked the Speaker, referring to the protest by treasury benches. I stand by what I said, Bajwa asserted. Heated arguments ensued as opposition Congress MLAs and the Treasury Benches traded charges. Education Minister Bains said that the Punjabis were hurt by Bajwas remarks against Seechewal and also MLA Inderjit Kaur sought a censure motion against the leader of opposition. He said his sentiments have been hurt with Bajwas remarks and asked the Congress MLAs whether it was the partys statement. When Bajwa pressed for allowing him to bring the resolution on Bhagat Singh, the Speaker told the leader of opposition that fifteen days notice was required for bringing a resolution. You have to follow the rules. Nobody should cast aspersion on the chair, the Speaker told Bajwa. Amid heated exchanges in the House, Congress MLAs, led by Bajwa, rushed to the well of the House and raised slogans against the AAP government before staging a walkout. Cabinet Minister Aman Arora also targeted Bajwa for his utterances against Seechewal and called Bajwas remarks absurd and ridiculous and dubbed it as an overreaction as Seechewal is AAPs Rajya Sabha MP. Later, the House was adjourned for 15 minutes. Once the House resumed proceedings, the Congress MLAs again staged a walkout after being targeted by the Treasury Benches for comments against Seechewal. Bajwa was not present in the House when the MLAs staged the walkout. The House proceedings were again adjourned for 15 minutes amid heated arguments between the Treasury Benches and the Congress MLAs. The Congress MLAs alleged that they were not being allowed to speak on the Budget 2025-26, as the Treasury Benches were using the Seechewal issue to avoid passing resolution on the Bharat Ratna for Bhagat Singh. On Wednesday, Bajwa while speaking to the media had asked the state government to engage Punjab Engineer College University, Chandigarh or Thapar Institute in Patiala for their technical advice for works like cleaning of ponds in villages for recharge of water. Seechewal is not an engineer. During our (governments time) also, some works were carried out by Seechewal and then a report was submitted that Seechewals model is a completely failed model. Seechewal saab says if some work has to be done then my people will carry out that work. Its a failed model, he had said.

Army seeks fair probe into Col assault case

The Indian Army has demanded a fair and time-bound investigation into the assault of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath by 12 Punjab Police personnel. The incident occurred on March 13-14 over a parking dispute in Patiala. The Punjab Police has assured justice and set up a special investigation team to probe the matter. The Army and Punjab Police have reiterated their commitment to maintaining the long-standing bonhomie between the two forces.

Assault on Army officer: HC raps Punjab Police, asks state govt to explain delay in registering FIR

CHANDIGARH: Expressing strong reservations over the manner in which Punjab Police officials conducted themselves in an alleged assault case involving Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath and his son Angad Singh Bath, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday asked the state government to explain the delay in the registration of a case over the issue and file a detailed reply by March 28. A notice of motion was also issued to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the state by Justice Sandeep Moudgil on a plea by the Colonel. The court also asked the government to explain why it did not proceed with another complaint by a police official who claimed injuries. Questioning the seven-day delay in registering an First Information Report (FIR), Justice Moudgil asked, Why did you not register the FIR when you learnt of the incident? Why this delay? What is the explanation? The bench asked why the Punjab Police were willing to register an FIR based on the complaint of the dhaba owner but refused to heed the complaint filed by the colonels wife. Justice Moudgil said, If your clients were so honest and dedicated, they should have booked them, taken them for medical. Instead, they fled from the spot and spent three days apologizing. The court was hearing a petition filed by Colonel Bath against the State of Punjab. The petition sought the transfer of FIR No. 69, dated March 22, 2025, registered at Police Station Civil Lines, Patiala to the CBI or any independent agency to ensure a free, fair, and impartial investigation. He alleged in the plea that a fair investigation was impossible under the Punjab Police. 'They were like a pack of wolves': Wife of Army colonel attacked by Punjab cops demands CBI probe After the hearing, Deepinder Singh Virk, one of the counsels representing Colonel Bath, said that the high court has directed the state of Punjab to file a detailed reply by Friday. He added that the court has sought a reply on specific points which include all the officers who were present at the spot at the time of the incident. The family of the Colonel had approached the Patiala SSP. Why was the matter delayed for eight days and FIR not registered? The intimation was given by the Colonel's family as soon as the incident took place. To which officer was the information given at the first instance and why did he opt not to register the FIR, he said. The petition read, Despite the seriousness of the offence, the local police failed to take action. Distress calls made to senior officials were ignored and, instead of registering an FIR based on the petitioner's statement, a bogus FIR under 'affray' against unknown persons was filed on the complaint of an unrelated third party. The petition also sought a stay into the probe by Punjab Police and examination of the role of senior police officers in delaying the registration of the FIR. The plea alleges his wife was pressured by the policemen to strike a compromise and further claimed that some cops admitted in a video call to his wife that they were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. The family of the colonel on Monday ended their dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner's office in Patiala after they were assured that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann would hear their grievance in a meeting on March 31. Many ex-servicemen and veterans had joined the dharna led by the family of Colonel Bath. His wife Jasvinder Kaur has demanded the transfer of Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Nanak Singh. Colonel Bath, currently posted at the Army headquarters in New Delhi, alleged that he was assaulted on the night of March 13.

J&K Athletes shine in Khelo India Wushu Sr. Womens League

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 24: Three Wushu athletes from Jammu and Kashmir brought glory to the Union Territory in the Khelo India Wushu Sr. Womens League Championship held at Bilsapur, Chhattisgarh from March 20 to 23. Ansa Chisti clinched the Gold medal, while Ayeera Chisti and Riya Chib secured Bronze medals in the 52 kg and 65 kg categories, respectively. All three athletes qualified for the championship during the Khelo India Zonal League Wushu Championship held in Patiala. Ayeera [] The post J&K Athletes shine in Khelo India Wushu Sr. Womens League appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Days after crackdown Punjab cops free 800 farmers, 450 more to be released

CHANDIGARH: Days after the crackdown on protesting farmers, Punjab Police on Monday said it has released nearly 800 farmers from detention and is going to free 450 more on the direction of the state government. Since March 19, hundreds of farmers had been taken into custody after the AAP government decided to clear the protest sites, claiming that the stir had impacted businesses, industries and the general public. In a statement here, Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Sukhchain Singh Gill said, Punjab Government has already released approximately 800 farmers from the police custody. The official said that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has directed he immediate release of farmers including women, differently-abled individuals, farmers with medical conditions, and those above the age of 60. In line with the directives of the Punjab Government, we are prioritising the release of such farmers and about 450 farmers are being released today, he said. The protesting farmers had lashed out at the AAP government for detaining their leaders and removing protesters from the Shambhu and Khanauri border points, where they had been camping since February 13 last year after their march to Delhi was thwarted by security personnel. On grievances of the farmers related to their belongings during the eviction from protest sites, the IGP said that the Punjab Government has issued strict directions in this regard and nobody will be permitted to misappropriate the belongings of farmers. To address the concern about the belongings of farmers, the Patiala district police has also appointed SP-rank officer Jasbir Singh as the Nodal Officer, and farmers facing issues related to their possessions can directly contact SP Jasbir Singh at the mobile number 90713-00002 for immediate assistance, Gill said. Patiala Police has already registered three first information reports (FIRs) in this regard, he said. Slamming the crackdown against the protesting farmers by Punjab Police, the national coordination committee of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha on Sunday had called upon farmers across India to hold protest demonstrations at districts across the country on March 28. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) were the two organisations that spearheaded the protests at Shambhu and Khanauri. Punjab Police had detained several farmers and many farmer leaders, in Mohali on Wednesday as they were returning after a meeting with a central delegation led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Chandigarh. The meeting discussed the various demands of the farmers, especially a law guaranteeing minimum support price (MSP) for crops. As the departing farmers entered Mohali after the meeting, they were met with heavy barricading and some of their leaders were detained. Meanwhile, vehicular traffic had on Friday resumed on the Khanauri border point after the barricades that had been put up in the wake of the farmers' protest were removed. Earlier on Thursday, traffic had resumed on the Shambhu-Ambala Highway after more than a year, a day after Punjab Police demolished their temporary structures at the protest site.

Dallewal shifted back to Patiala; arrested farmer leaders not to file any bail applications

CHANDIGARH: Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal whose fast-up-to-death entered 118th on March 23 has been shifted back to a private hospital in Patiala. The arrested farmers leaders have decided not to file any bail applications and prefer to stay behind bars. Sources said that the government reportedly decided on March 22 evening to shift Dallewal to a private hospital in Patiala, now being managed by a retired Punjab Police official. Before being shifted to Patiala, Dallewal was kept at high security at the PWD rest house in Jalandhar Cantonment with security personnel tasked with foiling any attempt by farmer leaders to reach him. He was shifted to Jalandhar following a late-night drama during which he was taken to multiple locations before he was taken to the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Jalandhar around 2 am on March 20 from Patiala. After his detention from Mohali in a police crackdown on March 19, the police detained Dallewal and other farmer leaders, including Sarwan Singh Pandher in Mohali. They were on their way to protest sites at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. They visited the site after holding discussions with central team of minister in Chandigarh. It is learnt that this move to shift the leader back from Jalandhar has taken many by surprise including many farmer leaders as Patiala had been the epicentre of the farmers agitation who had blocked the national highway near Shambhu and Khanauri for more than a year. Meanwhile, the arrested farmer leaders and members of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) have decided not to file any bail applications and prefer to remain inside jail. A 14-member delegation of the KMM visited these leaders Sarvan Singh Pandher, Kaka Singh Kotda, Abhimanyu Kohad, Manjit Singh Rai, Sukhwinder Kaur, PT John from Kerala, Nand Kumar, P Pandian from Tamil Nadu besides others at Central Jail in Patiala and said that the arrested leaders were in high spirits and reiterated their resolve to continue with the protest. Farmer leaders Guramneet Singh and Tejveer Singh said the leaders who have been arrested have told them not to file any bail applications as they wanted to bring out the reality of the AAP-led Punjab Government before the world. The farm leaders feel they were cheated by the state government. The government did not even care for the convenience of those who has been on a fast for the last 117 days. They have asked to keep on meeting people and mobilise then for future protests, they said.

Congress seeks arrest of Punjab Police personnel who assaulted an army officer in Patiala

Party leaders seek a probe into the matter, after 12 police personnel allegedly beat up the Colonel and his son over a parking dispute

Assault on Colonel: Family digs in heels; demands CBI probe

The wife of an army Colonel, who has accused 12 Punjab police personnel of assaulting him and his son over a parking dispute, has started a sit-in protest along with ex-servicemen outside the Patiala Deputy Commissioner's office to press for a CBI probe. The family is demanding a CBI probe and the transfer of Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Nanak Singh, accusing him of failing to take action on their multiple requests to file an FIR. Despite Patiala Deputy Commissioner (DC) Preeti Yadav assuring them of a fair and transparent probe, the family refused to lift the 'dharna' and said it would continue until their demands were met.

4 Police Officers Suspended, Probe Team Formed Over Colonel's Assault In Punjab

As many as four Patiala police officers have been suspended and transferred for allegedly assaulting Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath in Punjab's Patiala, a senior police officer said.

Farmers burn Punjab CMs effigies in villages against their eviction from Shambhu, Khanauri

CHANDIGARH, Mar 22: The Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) said on Saturday that it has burnt the effigies of the AAP Government in villages of Punjab against the eviction of farmers from the Shambhu and Khanauri border points by the state police. Meanwhile, a few farmer leaders paid a visit to their imprisoned colleagues, including Sarwan Singh Pandher, in the Patiala jail. They said around 125 protesters are lodged in the Patiala jail, 150 in the Nabha jail and [] The post Farmers burn Punjab CMs effigies in villages against their eviction from Shambhu, Khanauri appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Wife of Army Colonel assaulted over parking row leads protest in Patiala , ex-servicemen join in

CHANDIGARH: The wife of the Army Colonel, who has accused 12 Punjab police personnel of assaulting him and son over a parking dispute , staged a sit-in protest outside the Patiala deputy commissioner's office on Saturday. She was joined by several ex-servicemen. The protest came a day after the Punjab Police registered a fresh FIR based on the statement of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath. A high-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) has also been set up to expedite investigation. During the protest, the Army Colonel's wife, Jasvinder Kaur Bath, accused the 12 police officials of brutally thrashing her husband and son, and demanded speedy justice. BJP leader and former MP Preneet Kaur, who joined the protest, strongly condemned the incident. As a citizen of India and the wife of an ex-Army officer (former chief minister Amarinder Singh), I stand in complete solidarity with the assaulted officer and family. I demand an impartial probe, so that the guilty get proper punishment, she said. Speaking to reporters in Patiala, Kaur said Army officials should be included in the SIT. Since the Army is involved, the government is involved and the police force is also involved. A joint SIT should be formed with Army and police officials, and a judge involved, she said. The alleged incident took place on the intervening night of March 13 and 14, when Colonel Bath and his son were having food at a roadside eatery near Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. The family alleged that some police officers in civil dress asked the Colonel to move his car, as they had to park theirs. When the Colonel objected to their rude tone, the officers thrashed him and his son. The Colonel's arm was broken, and his son suffered a long cut on head. The Colonel's wife had on Thursday met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, who spoke to the state DGP and advised him to register an FIR on the Colonel's statement. 'They were like a pack of wolves': Wife of Army colonel attacked by Punjab cops demands CBI probe Punjab Police on Friday said it has registered an FIR at Civil Lines police station. Colonel Bath's statement names the police officers who assaulted him and details their roles in the assault, a statement said on Friday evening. An SIT consisting of SPS Parmar, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order); Sandeep Malik, Senior Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur, and Manpreet Singh, Superintendent of Police (Rural), SAS Nagar has been constituted to investigate the incident. A Punjab Police spokesperson said that Patiala Range DIG has been instructed to immediately transfer the police officers concerned. All the 12 officers have been placed under suspension and departmental proceedings initiated against them, he added. The Additional Director General of Police (Security), Punjab, has been directed to provide protection to Colonel Bath's family.

'They were like a pack of wolves': Wife of Army colonel attacked by Punjab cops demands CBI probe

CHANDIGARH: The attack on a serving Army colonel and his son by 12 Punjab Police personnel over a parking dispute in Patiala has snowballed into a major controversy. Even as the Punjab government on Thursday ordered a magisterial probe into the incident, the Army officers family rejected it on Friday, saying they do not trust the state government. Frequently breaking down in tears and speaking in a voice choked with emotion, Jasvinder Kaur Bath, wife of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath, demanded that the case be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for an impartial investigation. She said that the accused policemen meted such inhuman treatment to my husband. We do not even deal with terrorists like this. She demanded the immediate registration of an FIR based on her husbands complaint under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita including attempt to murder, the naming of all 12 accused police officers in the FIR, and the immediate transfer of the accused officers out of Patiala. The FIR should be registered on my husband's complaint, under Sections 109, 118 (2), 118 (1), 115 (2), 126 (2), 308 (4), 311, 351 (2&3) read with 3 (5) of BNS, naming all 12 guilty police officers, she said, while demanding arrest of the accused police officials. She further alleged that the police had not named the 12 officers who have been suspended in the case because it would bring a bad name to the force as they were involved in working out a case and commended the same morning. Like a pack of wolves, they descended upon him, and before he could even defend himself, at least 12 officials, including four inspectors, began ruthlessly thrashing him with batons, fists and kicks, without stopping for a second to consider that they were assaulting a soldier of this very nation. When my son, Angad Singh, tried to shield his father, he too was attacked with relentless blows, Jasvinder alleged. She accused Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Nanak Singh of failing to take action in the matter. Singh should also be posted out of Patiala for lack of cooperation, as the family requested him multiple times to register the FIR, but he kept giving false hopes, delaying the process of justice and causing untold harassment to the family, she alleged. Jaswinder alleged that she was asked to compromise on the issue and not pursue the case even when she showed the videos of the rutal violence that had been committed and also the videos where four accused police inspectors were seeking forgiveness from me. The family claimed that when the two were standing outside their car and having food, some police officers in civilian clothes approached and asked the Colonel to move his vehicle so they could park theirs. When the Colonel objected to their rude tone, one of the officers punched him, and soon all the police personnel began thrashing him and his son. Army colonel, son thrashed by Punjab Police over parking in Patiala; 12 cops suspended She submitted a representation to the Deputy Commissioner of Patiala, recounting the ordeal her family allegedly faced at the hands of the Punjab Police. She urged the DC, Please help restore my shattered faith in the justice system and ensure that no innocent citizen suffers what we have encountered. She said she had received phone calls from several politicians. But I did not pick up even one politician's phone because it is not a political fight. I am a fauji's wife, my husband fights for the country, it is not my fight alone, it is everybody's fight, she said. Jaswinder further alleged that some of the accused cops threatened her in the police station, saying today they were seeking forgiveness from her, but tomorrow hey will see her and her son who live in Patiala. I saw no remorse in their eyes, she said. The same dhaba owner, who had initially given me CCTV extracts and named the accused officials, was later forced under pressure to change his statement, a clear sign of intimidation and manipulation by the police force, she alleged. She said her repeated visits to police stations in Patiala were met with apathy, arrogance and outright refusal to act. Instead of justice, my family has only received threats, she alleged. The family has planned to hold a protest march in Patiala on March 22 to seek justice in the matter. The incident took place on the intervening night of March 13 and 14, when Colonel Bath and his son were at a roadside eatery near Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. Bath is currently posted at Army Headquarters at New Delhi. On Thursday, the Colonels family had met with the Punjab Governor, seeking a CBI probe into the matter. The family also rejected the investigation by an executive magistrate ordered by the Punjab government. If my husband and my son are found guilty, they should be punished as well, she said. SSP Patiala Nanak Singh was not available for comment despite repeated tries. Many senior ex-Army officers and other ex-servicemen have stood in solidarity with the Colonel and his family. During the zero hour on the first day of the state budget session, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa demanded the immediate transfer of Senior Superintendent of Police of Patiala Nanak Singh for protecting police officers who assaulted a serving colonel. Bajwa sought exemplary punishment for the erring police officers and a judicial probe by a sitting or retired judge into the incident. Citing a similar incident, Bajwa said a Lt Col in Chandigarh in 1992 faced the brutality of a 'hotheaded SSP. The then Punjab governor Surinder Nath launched a joint inquiry under a Brigadier and DIG. They found the SSP guilty and subsequently he was transferred. A case was registered on Friday in Police Station Civil Lines, Patiala, on the statement of Colonel Bath. The statement names the police officials who assaulted him and also gives the roles attributed to each person in the assault. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Additional DGP (Law and Order) SPS Parmar including Sandeep Malik Senior Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur and Manpreet Singh, Superintendent of Police, Rural, SAS Nagar has been constituted by the Director, Bureau of Investigation, Punjab. The SIT has been directed to conduct the investigation on day-to-day basis for collection of evidence and further legal proceedings, in order to ensure that the culprits are proceeded against as per law. Also, instructions have been issued to DIG Patiala Range to immediately transfer the concerned police officials out of Patiala district. Meanwhile, Additional Director General of Police, Security, Punjab has been directed to provide adequate protection to the family of Colonel Bath. Bajwa said if the Punjab government failed to do justice to Colonel Bath, the Union government should take cognizance of the matter. The way SSP Nanak Singh handled the entire episode of police cruelty, it can be concluded that he has been shielding his men in uniform. He even failed to mention the names of the accused police personnel in the FIR. He has had a biased approach since day one. Therefore Singh must be transferred from Patiala, Bajwa said while speaking in the assembly.

Army Colonel 'Assaulted' By Punjab Cops In Patiala, His Wife Demands CBI Probe

The incident took place on the intervening night of March 13 and 14, when Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath and his son were at a roadside eatery near Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala.

Farmers' protest: Security heightened at Haryana-Punjab Shambhu border

Heightened security marks the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border as Haryana Police dismantles barriers to allow farmer movement. Patiala SSP assures the road will be cleared without using force. Several farmer leaders face detainment, prompting mixed reactions from politicians and farmer organizations. Former Punjab CM Channi and BJP leader Bajwa criticize government's actions amid ongoing talks.

More than a year after launching protest, farmers evicted by Punjab govt from Shambhu, Khanauri borders

CHANDIGARH: More than a year after launching their protest, farmers were evicted on Wednesday evening from both the Shambhu and Khanauri borders between Punjab and Haryana, which have been closed for normal traffic due to the stir. This came after the Punjab Police had detained Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non Political) leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal, while they were en route from Chandigarh to the Shambhu and Khanauri borders after the seventh round of talks between farmer leaders and the Union government remained inconclusive. Dallewal has been on a hunger strike since November last year. On the Haryana side, these border points are still barricaded. The authorities had erected cement and other barricades there in order to stop the farmers from moving towards Delhi. The farmer leaders were traveling back to the Shambhu border from Chandigarh, from where Dallewal and other leaders were supposed to proceed to Khanauri. However, they were detained upon reaching the Jagatpura area of Mohali. Dallewal was taken into custody while inside his ambulance, while others were detained along with their vehicles after some resistance. Pandher was detained from his vehicle from the Zirakpur barrier as he attempted to flee. Fourteen farmer leaders and others accompanying the two were also detained. Pandher has been taken to Bahadurgarh Fort Commando Police Training Centre in Patiala. This has been transformed into a makeshift detention centre, with a majority of farmer leaders and protesting farmers, except Dallewal, being taken there. After detaining the farmer leaders, a heavy police force headed by senior officers reached both border points and detained the farmers sitting at these places. They were asked to sit in vehicles arranged by the police, with some force being used at Khanauri to evuct them. After that, with the help of JCBs, the makeshift stages and other structures including their tents were dismantled and the tractor-trolleys taken away. Around 200 farmers were detained at Khanauri and around 40-odd farmers at Shambhu. Internet services have been suspended in many areas around the Shambhu border and a heavy police force has been deployed in nearby villages. The decision to take action against the protesting farmer unions was reportedly made on Tuesday night, following a meeting between top AAP functionaries and industrialists who expressed concerns that the protests were incurring significant costs. Farmer leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Sarwan Singh Pandher detained by Punjab Police in Mohali Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the step was necessitated for the economic growth of the state. Deputy Inspector of Police (Patiala Range) Mandeep Singh Sidhu who was at the Khanauri border and Senior Superintendent of Police of Patiala Nanak Singh who was at the Shambhu border said that the farmers were requested to cooperate and clear the road. The farmers willing to go to their native places were sent, said Singh, adding that the road will be cleared and they are in touch with their Haryana counterparts to clear it from the other side for unhindered traffic movement. Sidhu said, We all are children of farmers and told them to cooperate and clear the protest sites. The protesting farmers have been camping at the Shambhu (Shambhu-Ambala) and Khanauri (Sangrur-Jind) border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 last year when their march to Delhi was thwarted by security forces. #WATCH | Punjab Police demolished the tents erected by farmers at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border, where they were sitting on a protest over various demands. The farmers are also being removed from the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border. pic.twitter.com/TzRZKEjvXD ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2025 Many opposition leaders lashed out at the AAP government over the police action to detain farmers. Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Bittu has strongly condemned the police crackdown on farmers. Former chief minister and MP Charanjit Singh Channi stated that the AAP government succumbed to pressure from the BJP-led central government and took action against the farmers. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has strongly condemned the actions of both the central BJP government and AAP government in the state, accusing them of betraying and backstabbing farmers. He questioned the need for the Punjab Police to arrest farmer leaders while negotiations were already underway between the central government and farmers.

Punjabi University Result 2025 Released at punjabiuniversity.ac.in Direct Link to Download ODD Semester Result

Punjabi University Result 2025: Punjabi University Patiala has released the 2025 results for B.Tech. M.A, MBA, M.Com, MCA and Other Exams on 18-03-2025. Students can check their Punjabi University results on the official website @ punjabiuniversity.ac.in by accessing the designated results link.

Majithia quizzed by SIT for 8 hours in 2021 drugs case

SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia appeared before the SIT in Patiala regarding a drug case against him. He was questioned about suspicious financial transactions linked to his and his family's firms. Majithia is summoned for further questioning, while efforts are ongoing to extradite three other accused from abroad.

Centre directs Delhi Traffic Police to enforce parking rules around Patiala House Court & Delhi HC

Army colonel, son thrashed by Punjab Police over parking in Patiala; 12 cops suspended

CHANDIGARH: A serving army colonel and his son were allegedly assaulted by Punjab Police personnel in Patiala in the early hours of March 14 over a parking dispute. The officer sustained a fractured arm, while his son suffered head injuries. The incident was captured on CCTV footage from the area. The Punjab Police has suspended 12 officials, including three inspectors, and ordered a departmental probe into the matter. According to sources, Colonel Pushpinder Bath, currently posted at the Army Headquarters in New Delhi, claimed he and his son were attacked by policemen in Patiala on the night of March 13. Both are undergoing treatment at Rajindra Hospital. The alleged assault took place outside a roadside eatery near the hospital, where Bath and his son had stopped for refreshments. Three police personnel in civilian clothes reportedly asked the Colonel to move his car so they could park their vehicle. When he objected to their tone, the officers allegedly began assaulting him and his son. While police initially registered a case against unidentified individuals based on a statement from a dhaba owner, the colonels family has accused police officials of being responsible for the attack. However, one of the accused policemen claimed that it was the colonel and his son who initiated the altercation, alleging that they were intoxicated and attacked the officers. Disgraceful behavior by @PunjabPoliceInd ! A serving Army Colonel was brutally assaulted by Patiala Police officers, yet no proper action has been taken despite CCTV evidence. pic.twitter.com/UIsuXAgm5a Balbir Singh Sidhu (@BalbirSinghMLA) March 17, 2025 Jaswinder Bath, wife of Col Pushpinder Bath, told the media that her husband and son were eating outside their car when police personnel approached them and asked them to move their vehicle. When my husband objected to their tone, one of them punched him. Later, they assaulted both of them, leaving them injured, she alleged. She further claimed that her husband and son were beaten with baseball bats and sharp weapons, resulting in the colonels fractured arm and a deep cut on their sons head. Despite clear CCTV footage and our identification of the attackers, the police are acting in a biased manner, she said, adding that the family was being pressured to compromise or face consequences. Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nanak Singh confirmed that 12 police personnel, including inspectors Harry Boparai, Ronnie Singh, and Harjinder Dhillon, had been suspended. We will conduct a thorough investigation, and justice will be served. No one will be spared, he stated. Meanwhile, senior army officials from Delhi have reportedly visited the hospital to assess the situation.

On Camera, Army Officer, Son Thrashed By Patiala Cops Over Parking Dispute

The argument reportedly began when the police personnel, in civilian clothes, asked the Army Colonel to move his vehicle.

Colonel, Son Brutally Beaten By Police Officials Over Parking Dispute In Patiala, Alleges Family

Some police officials brutally assaulted an Indian Army Colonel and his son over a parking dispute.

Eyeing 2027 assembly polls, Punjab Congress kickstarts Judega Block, Jittegi Congress campaign

CHANDIGARH: With an eye on the 2027 assembly elections, the Punjab Congress today launched the Judega Block, Jittegi Congress campaign from Dera Bassi and Sanaur to strengthen the partys grassroots network in the state. Addressing gatherings at Dera Bassi and Sanaur, Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring highlighted the significance of grassroots connections and on-ground efforts. The strength of any political party lies in its grassroots network, Warring said. Through this campaign, we aim to empower our workers, understand their challenges, and chart a roadmap for the future. It is not just the senior leadership that will help us form the government, but the relentless efforts of our block and booth leaders and workers. Emphasising the importance of regular block meetings, he urged all Block Presidents to hold monthly gatherings on the third Tuesday of each month to address concerns, share feedback, and ensure the partys roadmap reaches every household. We must connect with every household, understand their issues, and become their voice. This is our responsibility, and through this groundwork, we will secure victory in 2027, he asserted. Acknowledging the hard work of the partys workers in the recent Lok Sabha elections, Warring said, Our victory in the Lok Sabha elections was possible only because of the relentless efforts of our workers on the ground. Now, we must work even harder to ensure Congresss victory in the 2027 Vidhan Sabha elections. Let us strive together with positivity and determination to make this vision a reality. Warring reiterated the crucial role of social media in amplifying the partys message. In todays age, social media is a powerful tool. We must use it effectively to disseminate our message and connect with people across Punjab. This campaignJudega Block, Jittegi Congressis not just a program; its a mission. If our blocks are strong, Congress will win, he said. He was accompanied by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, Patiala MP Dr Dharamvir Gandhi. The campaign aims to unite and strengthen block-level leadership and workers to prepare a robust foundation for the 2027 Vidhan Sabha elections. During the meeting, views and suggestions from block and booth workers and office bearers were heard, and preparations for the upcoming elections were discussed. As part of the campaign, Warring will tour all 234 blocks in Punjab to strengthen its network, understand ground-level challenges, and prepare for the 2027 elections. Warring expressed his commitment to this mission, stating, I will personally visit every block under this program because Punjab needs us, and we need to become the voice of the people. Together, we will build a stronger Punjab, one block at a time.

National Lok Adalat 2025: Get your Delhi traffic challans waived off or settled on THIS date

According to a social media post by the Delhi Traffic Police, the Lok Adalat will be held at the following court complexes -- Dwarka Court, Karkardooma Court, Patiala House Court, Rohini Court, Rouse Avenue Court, Saket Court, and Tis Hazari Court.

'Chandigarh Chalo': Farmers halted by police, security heightened at entry points

CANDIGARH: Amid the Chandigarh Chalo march under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), farmers were prevented from reaching Chandigarh for their week-long dharna beginning today. Multiple barricades and checkpoints were set up across Punjab, and several farmer leaders were detained. Security was also heightened at all entry points of the Union Territory, leading to long queues of vehicles. Farmers who set out for Chandigarh in tractor-trolleys and other vehicles on Wednesday morning were stopped by the Punjab Police at multiple locations. In many places, the state police had parked tippers on highways to block their movement. Farmer leaders stated that they are now trying to reach Chandigarh through rural link roads to avoid the highways. Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of BKU Ekta-Ugrahan, the largest farmer union in the state, was detained by Sangrur police. He was picked up near Gharachon village and taken to Chajli police station, said his associate Jagtar Kalajhar. Meanwhile, BKU Dakaunda, the second-largest farmer union in Punjab, alleged that the police roughed up their president, Manjit Singh Dhaner. As police attempted to arrest Dhaner near Bhaini Dharera village in Raikot, a number of farmers gathered and did not allow them to take him away. In the chaos, Dhaner managed to escape as police and farmers came close to a confrontation. The first batch of trolleys carrying members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Punjab, which began its journey from Makhu block in Ferozepur on Tuesday evening, was stopped near Hedon village in Ludhiana on Wednesday morning. Another group of farmers from Patiala was prevented from moving towards Chandigarh as police placed sand tippers on the Patiala-Chandigarh road. Additionally, a convoy of about 20 vehicles from Fazilka was stopped near Jagraon. In Moga, Krantikari Kisan Union district president Jatinder Singh stated that their group was stopped at Ajitwal in Moga district by the police while heading to Chandigarh. Singh also claimed that some of their members were detained by the police. In Samrala, farmers were similarly stopped from proceeding, leading to protests against the AAP government for preventing their entry into Chandigarh. Around 50 farmers gathered at Amb Sahib Gurudwara in Mohali were also detained. The Morcha, a coalition of more than 30 farmer organisations, had called for the dharna in Chandigarh starting from 5 March in support of their various demands. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Ropar Range) Harcharan Singh Bhullar stated that protesting farmers would not be allowed to reach Chandigarh under any circumstances. Wherever any farmer came out on the roads, the police of that area stopped them, he said. Meanwhile, Chandigarh Police set up barricades at the Chandigarh-Mohali border to prevent protesters from entering the city. Security was intensified at all entry points, and police personnel were checking all vehicles and verifying the identities of people they suspected. Additionally, anti-riot vehicles, ambulances, fire brigades, and sand-filled tippers were deployed at all border points. Due to these intensive security measures, long queues of vehicles formed at border crossings, causing inconvenience to commuters. Superintendent of Police Geetanjali Khandelwal stated that police personnel had been stationed at all border points. Barricading has been put up, and strict checking is being carried out. We want people to face minimal inconvenience, but wherever we suspect traffic snarls, we have directed alternative traffic routes, she said. The Chandigarh Administration had denied permission for farmers to hold their sit-in at Sector 34 in the city.

Punjab Police detain several farmer union leaders ahead of Chandigarh Chalo call by SKM

CHANDIGARH: Ahead of the Chandigarh Chalo call given by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), the farmers will march towards the city on March 5. SKM had spearheaded the 2020-21 farmers' protest. The talks between the farmer leaders and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann remained inconclusive on March 3. Punjab Police, in a 'midnight' operation, conducted raids at residences of several farmer union leaders across the state and detained them. Meanwhile, the opposition party leaders slammed Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for detaining the farmer leaders and termed it as the anti-farmer mindset of the AAP government. However, Farmer union leaders had anticipated such a move from the government ahead of the protests. Most of the leaders were not home early in the morning when police personnel arrived to arrest them. While some of them were detained, many leaders were not present during the raids, said a farmer leader. Among the farmer leaders of Samyukt Kisan Morcha who were detained by the police are Prem Singh Bhangu, Ruldu Singh Mansa, Harinder Singh Lakhowal, Mahesh Chander Sharma and Paramdeep Singh Baidwan, sources revealed. They were rounded up from Mohali, Ludhiana and Chandigarh. Talwinder Singh Gagon, Vice President of BKU Qadian, Davinder Singh Nanangli President of Kisan Sabha CPM, Ropar, Mohan Singh Dhmana President of Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, Ropar, Bir Singh Barwa President of Kirti Kisan Morcha, Ropar, Manjeet Raj District General Secretary of Kirti Kisan Union-Barnala, Jagjeer Singh Seera Block President of BKU Dakonda-Sehna and Hardeep Singh Talewal State Organising Secretary of BKU-Ugrahan besides many other leaders including those of BKU (Krantikari) were rounded up by the police from Ropar, Anadpur Sahib, Patiala and Barnala. Allegedly, the police have also arrived at the house of Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of BKU Ekta Ugrahan, but could not locate him. Ugrahan said that the police conducted raids to scuttle the farmer's protests and our supporters are being rounded up. Let the Punjab government do whatever it wants, but I warn them the protest will go ahead despite the police crackdown, Ugrahan added. A senior police officer speaking on the condition of anonymity said that the police force was mobilised and efforts were ongoing to arrest farmer leaders. These raids were conducted following the failure of talks between the Punjab government and farmer unions. Kisan Mazdoor Morcha convenor Sarwan Singh Pandher criticised the police crackdown, calling it an attack on freedom in a democracy. Farmers want to protest peacefully, but the Punjab government is using the police to silence us. We will oppose any efforts to suppress our voices, he said. On Monday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had walked out of a meeting with Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders. The opposition party leader slammed Punjab CM Mann for detaining the farmer leaders and termed it as the anti-farmer mindset of the AAP government. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring wrote on X, CM Sahib, Punjabs farmers are not your opponentsthey are the backbone of our economy, small traders, and entire agrarian system. When farmers prosper and Punjab thrives, our markets flourish, small shopkeepers earn, and every household benefits, he said. Yet, for over a year, they have been protesting, and one leader has even put his life at stake. The least you could do is listen. If they cant talk to their own CM, where will they go? Ignoring them weakens Punjabs future, he added. Instead of addressing their concerns, why are you arresting farmers? Is this how you treat those who feed the nation? Talk to the farmersrespect their struggle!, he stated. CM Sahib, Punjabs farmers are not your opponentsthey are the backbone of our economy, small traders, and entire agrarian system. When farmers prosper, Punjab thrivesour markets flourish, small shopkeepers earn, and every household benefits. Yet, for over a year, they have Amarinder Singh Raja Warring (@RajaBrar_INC) March 4, 2025 Former Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal wrote on X in Punjabi, I strongly condemn the arrogant chief minister of Punjab for raiding the homes of farmer leaders. The AAP government is choking democracy by carrying out such disgraceful actions instead of apologising for the mistreatment of farmer leaders last evening. Bhagwant Mann has started arresting them @BhagwantMan Power is not eternal- Punjabs proud people will soon teach you a lesson, he said and posted a video of police raids of farmer leaders' houses. Senior BJP leader and Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu wrote on X, The Bhagwant Mann led Government has made emergency like situation in Punjab. After being exposed over the issues concerning Punjabs farmers, now its resorting to police tactics on farmer leaders. As we have repeatedly stated, the chief minister has turned the state into a police state, and the Punjab polices actions against farmers are highly condemnable. This reflects the anti-farmer mindset of the AAP government in Punjab.

Punjab government continues 'bulldozer action', razes houses of drug peddlers in Phillaur

CHANDIGARH: Unauthorised structures built on the encroached Panchayat land in the Khanpur and Mandi villages of Phillaur were demolished by the Jalandhar Rural Police in coordination with local authorities. The structures were unlawfully occupied by two individuals with a history of narcotics smuggling and were removed following due legal procedure. Senior Superintendent of Police Jalandhar (Rural) Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh said that the demolition drive was carried out following the request of the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) Phillaur. He had sought police assistance for the removal of illegal encroachments. The action was directed against Jasvir Singh alias Sheera, son of Dalveer alias Bur, resident of Khanpur, and Bholi, wife of Rampal alias Rama, resident of Mandi. As per official records, Bholi is a notorious drug smuggler and has been facing multiple cases under the NDPS act, including a 1.190 kg smack recovery in 2005, a 2 kg poppy husk seizure in 2015, and a significant quantity of drugs recovered in 2022. Similarly, Jasvir Singh alias Sheera has also been named in multiple cases, including one involving a commercial quantity of charas and intoxicated injections. Khakh said that the police, along with revenue and panchayat officials, ensured that the encroachments were demolished smoothly, with adequate deployment to prevent any disruption. Authorities confirmed that the land rightfully belongs to the gram panchayat and had been unlawfully occupied by the accused. Khakh reiterated that Jalandhar Rural Police will continue its crackdown on illegal encroachments linked to criminal networks, ensuring that no individual benefits from the proceeds of crime or unauthorized occupation of public land. He further urged citizens to report such illegal activities, assuring strict and swift action against offenders He also added that the residents informed him that the two drug traffickers would often intimidate and threaten the villagers. Meanwhile, Village Sarpanch of Khanpur, Paramjit Kaur and local residents commended the action of the Punjab Government against drug smugglers. Recently houses of drug peddlers were demolished by the Punjab Police in Patiala, Ropar and in Ludhiana.

Goldy Brar gang member injured in 'encounter' with police in Punjab's Mohali

CHANDIGARH: A member of the Goldy Brar gang Malkiat Singh, alias 'Maxi' was injured in an encounter with the Punjab police. Malkiat Singh was allegedly trying to escape from police custody at Bhankharpur in Dera Bassi on Saturday morning when he was shot at by the Punjab police and Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF). Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, Gaurav Yadav said the gangster sustained bullet injury on his left leg while unsuccessfully attempting to escape from police custody near Ghagar bridge on Zirakpur-Ambala Highway in Dera Bassi. Malkiat Singh, a native of Rodala village in Rajasansi near Amritsar, is an operative of foreign-based terrorist Goldy Brar and Gangster Goldy Dhillon. He was operating an extortion racket on their behalf. Recently, 'Maxi' and his accomplice Sandeep alias Deep were arrested by the Patiala Police in Arms Act case. Subsequently, both were brought on production warrant from Patiala Jail by SAS Nagar Police on Friday, in connection with an extortion case. The case relates to the suspects targeting a Mohali-based property dealer and demanding Rs 50 lakh from him in January 2025. Gaurav Yadav said that following the disclosures of 'Maxi,' a police team led by DSP Dera Bassi Bikramjit Singh Brar was taking him to a spot where he had confessed to have concealed a .32 Calibre Pistol on Zirakpur-Ambala Highway in a bid to harm the property dealer. However, upon reaching the location, 'Maxi' allegedly opened fire at the police team in an attempt to flee from custody. The police retaliated in which 'Maxi' sustained bullet injury on his left leg. He has been shifted to Civil Hospital in Mohali for treatment. Gaurav Yadav said the weapon along with three cartridges and two used and empty casings have been recovered from his possession. Sharing more details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) SAS Nagar Deepak Pareek said that the arrested accused has a criminal history with cases pertaining to extortion and arms act registered against him. Further investigations are on, he added. A fresh case has been registered under sections 109, 132, 221 and 262 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Dera Bassi in SAS Nagar. Two gangsters injured in encounter In another encounter between the state police and gangsters in Kheda village of Tarn Taran district, two gangsters sustained injuries while one was arrested. A police vehicle was also hit by a bullet during the exchange of fire. Sources said the three gangsters Arshdeep Singh, Robinpreet Singh, and Karandeep Singh were involved in the shootout. They had a criminal history, particularly in cases relating to extortion and drug trafficking under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act). Illegal weapon smuggling module busted Meanwhile the Counter Intelligence in Amritsar has busted an illegal weapon smuggling module with the arrest of on associate of Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang and recovered six .32 bore pistols along with 10 cartridges from his possession. The arrested accused has been identified as Gurbaaz Singh, a resident of Warring Suba Singh village in Tarn Taran. The latter has been facing at least eight criminal cases pertaining to attempt to murder, snatching, NDPS act, and violations of the Arms Act. A case has been registered under section 25 of the Arms Act and 61(2) and 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Amritsar.

Bulldozer action in Punjab: Cops raze houses of drug peddlers as AAP govt follows UP model

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government is adopting the 'bulldozer' model seen in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana by demolishing the houses of drug peddlers. On Thursday, the house of a drug peddler was demolished by the Punjab Police in Patiala, while the houses of two drug smugglers in Ludhiana had been razed earlier. The ruling AAP has drawn flak over rampant drug abuse due to its easy availability in the state. The Punjab Police demolished the two-storied corner house of drug peddler Rinki at Rori Kut Mohalla Lakkad mandi in Patiala on Thursday. Senior Superintendent of Police of Patiala Nanak Singh along with a battery of senior officers were present at the spot during the action. Nanak Singh said the illegal house was demolished as police had the requisite orders. A total of 10 First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered under the NDPS Act from 2016 till 2023 against Rinki. She is as of now absconding and earlier she had been arrested by the police about ten times, he said. Noting that the locality was infamous for its association with drug peddlers, he added that a heavy police force was deployed to avert any law and order problems. We examined the whole case and found that the house was constructed through the money earned from selling drugs, said Singh. Earlier, on Monday, the state police demolished the illegally built houses of two drug smugglers -- Sonu of Talwandi village near Ladhowal and Rahul Hans of Bhai Himmat Singh Nagar in Dugri in Ludhiana district -- as part of the state government's war on drugs. Sonu has been actively involved in drug smuggling for three years and has six FIRs registered against him, while Rahul was arrested by Dugri police in 2024 after the recovery of more than 41,000 intoxicating tablets and Rs 2.15 lakh drug money. The state police said they have identified 78 more properties that will be razed following legal procedures. The Punjab government has announced a crackdown on drug abuse in the state. The district administrations have been instructed to ensure the availability of adequate rehabilitation and de-addiction facilities. Ludhiana Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal said both drug peddlers were habitual offenders and these properties were constructed using money obtained from the sale of drugs. All their properties which are either illegal or have been built using drug money will be demolished in the coming days, he said. Meanwhile the state government on Thursday formed a five-member cabinet committee to combat the increasing drug menace in the state. The committees primary responsibility will be to oversee the actions of the police and health departments in addressing and curbing drug addiction. It will be chaired by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. The other members will be New and Renewable Energy Minister Aman Arora, Health Minister Balbir Singh, Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar and Industries Minister Taranpreet Sondh. Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had formed a State Steering Committee, headed by Chief Secretary KAP Sinha with Principal Secretary Rahul Tiwari as its nodal officer, to monitor and coordinate the de-addiction and rehabilitation programme.

Sports Minister launches special capacity building course to develop more home-grown coaches

New Delhi, Feb 27: Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday launched a special capacity building course in collaboration with Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala for current and former elite sports persons in an effort to help India produce more home-grown coaches and officials. The course has been designed and developed for athletes who are currently employed and serving in various central government or autonomous departments, organisations under central government or Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). The eligibility criteria for [] The post Sports Minister launches special capacity building course to develop more home-grown coaches appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Decide Rashids bail plea: Delhi HC to NIA Court

NEW DELHI, Feb 24: The Delhi High Court today asked the court hearing cases of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to expeditiously decide the bail plea of jailed J&K MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh alias Engineer Rashid in a terror funding case. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Justice Vikas Mahajan said, The ASJ-03, Patiala House Court, New Delhi, is requested to dispose of the bail application of the petitioner expeditiously. The court was dealing with Rashids plea alleging there [] The post Decide Rashids bail plea: Delhi HC to NIA Court appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Decide Rashids bail plea expeditiously: Delhi HC to NIA Court

New Delhi, Feb 24: The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the court hearing cases of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to expeditiously decide the bail plea of jailed J&K MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh in a terror funding case. Justice Vikas Mahajan said, The ASJ-03, Patiala House Court is requested to dispose of the bail [] The post Decide Rashids bail plea expeditiously: Delhi HC to NIA Court appeared first on Northlines .

Delhi HC asks NIA Court to expeditiously decide bail plea of J-K MP Rashid

New Delhi, Feb 24: The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the court hearing cases of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to expeditiously decide the bail plea of jailed J&K MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh alias Engineer Rashid in a terror funding case. Justice Vikas Mahajan said, The ASJ-03, Patiala House Court is requested to dispose [] The post Delhi HC asks NIA Court to expeditiously decide bail plea of J-K MP Rashid appeared first on Northlines .

Decide Engineer Rashid's bail plea expeditiously: Delhi HC to NIA court

The Delhi High Court has urged the Patiala House Court to quickly decide on the bail plea of J&K MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, implicated in a terror funding case. Rashid, imprisoned since 2019, is accused of financing separatists and terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir.

Decide Engineer Rashids bail plea expeditiously: Delhi HC to NIA court

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the court hearing cases of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to expeditiously decide the bail plea of jailed J&K MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh alias Engineer Rashid in a terror funding case. Justice Vikas Mahajan said, The ASJ-03, Patiala House Court is requested to dispose of the 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 .

Indian deportees from Panama reach New Delhi

CHANDIGARH: A group of Indians, who were deported from the US to Panama, were repatriated on Sunday after a flight carrying 12 Indian nationals landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. Among them, four hailed from Punjab, and were then put on a connecting flight to Amritsar. This is the first batch of Indians who were repatriated after being deported to Panama from the US. With this, four flights carrying illegal Indian immigrants to the US have arrived in the country. The US had deported around 299 illegal immigrants to Panama. Sources said the deportees landed in Delhi on a Turkish Airlines flight via Istanbul. Four of the deportees were from Punjab and were put on a connecting flight to Amritsar from Delhi and they have landed in their native state. Among them. Jatinder Singh (34) from Patiala paid `52 lakh to go to the US. He travelled from Delhi to Guana, through Brazil, Columbia, Guatemala and Mexico, before illegally arriving in the US. Another, Maninder Dutt (23) of Chandpur in Jalandhar, paid `42 lakh to fraudulent travel agents who took him from Delhi to Spain, then El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico. Jugraj Singh (33) of Chaudhpur village in Gurdaspur paid up `38 lakh to travel the donkey route Delhi, Mumbai, Amsterdam, Brazil, Columbia and into the US. Meanwhile, Harpreet Singh (30) of Cheema village in Gurdaspur also dished out Rs 38 lakh to travel the same route. Among the other deportees, three are reportedly from Haryana and another three from Uttar Pradesh. The exact number of Indian immigrants among the 299 deportees to Panama, howevr, remains unclear. On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs had stated it has seen reports about deportation flights to Panama and New Delhi and is verifying the details as to whether the individuals are Indian nationals or not. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during his weekly briefing had said, Once the verifications are complete, arrangements will be made for return of Indian nationals. The first group of Indians deported by the US earlier arrived in Panama after President Jose Raul Mulino agreed his country would become a bridge country for deportees.

NIA charge sheets two key aides of Arsh Dala

NEW DELHI, Feb 21: The National Investigation Agency has charge sheeted two key aides of Canada-based Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala in a terror-gangster syndicate case, the probe agency said today. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The charge sheet filed on Thursday before the NIA special court at Patiala House Court here named absconder Neeraj Pandit alias Neeraj Faridpuria and Anil Singh in the case, it said. NIA investigations have revealed that Arsh Dala, a member [] The post NIA charge sheets two key aides of Arsh Dala appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

NIA Chargesheets 2 Aides Of Canada-Based Khalistani Terrorist Arsh Dala In Terror-Gangster Case

The chargesheet filed on Thursday before the NIA special court at Patiala House Court here named absconder Neeraj Pandit alias Neeraj Faridpuria and Anil Singh in the case, it said.

Two US deportees arrested for murder in Patiala

CHANDIGARH: Two youths among the 117 Indian illegal immigrants deported from the US have been arrested by Punjab Police for their involvement in a murder case. Cousins Sandeep Singh and Pradeep Singh were wanted in connection with a murder case filed in 2023 in Rajpura, Patiala. During the investigation, their names were added to the First Information Report. A team from Patiala Police arrested them at Sri Guru Ram Dass International Airport in Amritsar. Sources said that the accused hail from Rajpura and had been declared proclaimed offenders in the murder case. They have been booked under sections 302, 307, 323, 506, 148, and 149 of the Indian Penal Code for the case registered on June 26, 2023. However, police officials stated that they had not issued a Look Out Circular for the two. Reacting to their arrest, the family members said that they spent a whopping Rs 1.20 crore to facilitate their travel to the US. A team led by the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Rajpura police station was sent to Amritsar airport on Saturday to apprehend the two. Confirming their arrest, Senior Superintendent of Police Nanak Singh stated that they were taken into custody at the Amritsar airport. Later that day, both were presented in the local court in Rajpura. Their families requested that they be allowed to meet their children. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann urged the youth of the state to learn from the recent deportation of illegal migrants from the United States. He appealed to them to abandon the notion of seeking to go abroad through improper means and instead work hard to develop their home state, making it a leader in the country. Speaking at a gathering in Ghungrali, Ludhiana, during a sports tournament, CM Mann stated, We are fortunate to have been born on this sacred land, known for having the most fertile soil in the world. However, he lamented that due to the failures of successive governments, many young people felt compelled to migrate to other countries in search of better opportunities. PM didnt inform his good friend The Congress accused PM Narendra Modi of not conveying to his good friend Donald Trump about the outrage over the shackling of Indians being deported. Congress general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh said, It is clear that the PM did not convey to his good friend our countrys outrage at the manner in which Indian citizens are being deported.

Two deportees who arrived in second US plane arrested in murder case

CHANDIGARH: 117 Indians deported from the United States arrived on a US Air Force plane, C-17 Globemaster III late Saturday night at Amritsar International Airport. The men had their hands cuffed and legs chained, women and the two children were not. Additionally, Sikh youth were returned without turbans. Meanwhile, Punjab Police arrested two deportees in connection with a murder case. The US Air Force plane, C-17 Globemaster, with 117 Indian deportees, landed at Amritsar International Airport at 11:40 pm. Of these, 65 are from Punjab, 33 are from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The deported illegal immigrants included four women and two minors, including a six-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy, and 112 men. Most of the deportees are in the age group of 18 to 30 years. Sources added that this time the difference was that the women were not handcuffed and chained, unlike the last time when women were also in shackles. Sources said that after security clearance, immigration, and background checks, the deportees were given food. The illegal immigrants who hailed from Punjab were then taken to their homes by Punjab Police at around 4:30 am on Sunday. The Haryana government also made transportation arrangements for the deportees from the state by sending police buses. As a few families had come to the airport to receive their children, they were not handed over to their kin and were told to go back. While those from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Goa were sent early this morning on flights from Amritsar, coordinated by the Union government, said an officer. Daljit Singh of Kurala Kalan village in Hoshiarpur, who was among the deportees, claimed that they were handcuffed with their legs chained during the journey. Our legs were chained and hands were also cuffed, he said. Singh said he was taken through the 'dunki route'. Saurabh of Chandiwala village in Ferozepur said, We were handcuffed and chained, put in the plane and sent back. They treated us very badly and humiliated us. Two cousin brothers from Gurdaspur district, who were deported back, said that they were threatened by the US army personnel while being deported and tortured. We crossed the US border on January 27, and the authorities put us in the camp for 18 days and never listened to us. Then we were put on the plane, handcuffed, and sent back, never allowed even to speak, said one of them. The C-17 aircraft that landed around 11:35 pm on Saturday was the second batch of Indians to be deported by the Donald Trump administration as part of its crackdown on illegal immigrants. The two deportees, Sandeep Singh and Pradeep Singh, are cousin brothers and were wanted in a murder case filed in 2023 in Rajpura, Patiala. A team of Patiala Police arrested them at Sri Guru Ramdas International Airport in Amritsar. Sources said that both the accused hailed from Rajpura and had already been declared proclaimed offenders in the murder case. Both the accused were booked under sections 302, 307, 323, 506, 148, and 149 of the Indian Penal Code by Patiala Police in a murder case registered on June 26, 2023. However, police officials said they hadn't issued a 'Look Out Circular' against the two. The family members said that they spent Rs 1.20 crore to send them to the US. Confirming their arrest, Senior Superintendent of Police of Patiala Nanak Singh said that they were arrested from the Amritsar airport. Another controversy has arisen: the Sikh youth were deported and were not allowed to tie their turbans, returning with open hair. Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia said, Bhagwant Mann and his ministers are playing to the gallery on the deportation of youth from the USA, but shockingly and shamelessly, they are silent on bringing Sikh youth bare-headed without turbans. Not a single word on this major issue. Why Bhagwant Mann? Is it because you don't use the word Singh in your name? Shame on you for such dirty politics. I strongly condemn this action of US authorities for bringing Sikh youth without turbans. I also urge the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately take up the matter with US authorities so that such an incident is never repeated in the future. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) Member Gurcharan Singh also raised this issue and condemned the kind of treatment meted out to the Sikh youth. He said that the SGPC would write to the US authorities in this regard. We gave the turbans to the youth once they landed at the airport after we came to know about this, he said. US deportation: Punjab police arrests travel agent in case related to illegal migration

Wanted in murder case, two deportees from US arrested in Amritsar

Patiala: Two youths from Rajpura in Patiala district, who were among 116 individuals deported by the US in a C-17 aircraft that landed at the Amritsar airport on Saturday night, have been arrested in connection with a murder case, police said on Sunday. The accused, Sandeep Singh alias Sunny and Pradeep Singh, were wanted in 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 .

Wanted in murder case, two deportees from US arrested after landing in Amritsar

Two youths from Rajpura, Patiala, were arrested at Amritsar airport after being deported by the US on a C-17 aircraft. Sandeep Singh and Pradeep Singh are wanted in a murder case from June 2023. This marks the second deportation batch of illegal Indian immigrants under the Trump administration's crackdown.

US deportation: Punjab police arrests travel agent in case related to illegal migration

CHANDIGARH: The NRI Affairs wing of Punjab Police has arrested a travel agent who had sent a person to the US via 'Dunky route'. The agent, Anil Batra, and four others were booked in a case related to illegal migration after the US deported 104 Indians on February 5. A four member Special Investigative Team (SIT) headed by Additional DGP NRI Affairs Praveen Sinha had been constituted by Director General of Police Punjab Gaurav Yadav to probe complaints of fraudulent travel agents involved in fraudulent immigration practices. The SIT has been urging the deported individuals to come forth and assist in ensuring that those violating the laws are submitted to the majesty of the law. Talking to TNIE , Station House Officer, NRI Patiala Inspector Abhey Singh Chauhan said that Gurwinder Singh of Bhadson, Patiala had filed a complaint with the police. Based on his complaint, a case was registered on February 8 under sections 406, 420, 370, and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 24 of the Emigration Act against travel agent Anil Batra. Batra took around Rs 45 lakh from Singh to send him to the US as the deal was struck last year around June. Twice Singh was sent to other countries including Dubai and he returned back. Then in December he was sent to US via the Mexico border and was caught, said Chauhan. The accused Anil Batra, a resident of Shanti Nagar, Teka Market, Thanesar, Kurukshetra, Haryana, was apprehended from his in-laws residence in Patiala (5-E Partap Nagar). Batra is accused of facilitating the illegal immigration process by arranging a visa of country Suriname and ticket for the complainant, said the officer. After reaching Suriname from Mumbai, Singh travelled overland to other countries in South America, including Brazi and Colombia, where he crossed into Central America. In Central America, he travelled through countries, including Panama Jungle, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico, and finally reached the United States illegally, with the help of traffickers and smugglers. The police froze Batra's bank account with a balance of Rs 6.35 lakhs on February 14. DGP Gaurav urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist in apprehending culprits against whom cases have been registered. Additionally, the DGP advised citizens to only approach licensed agents for immigration services and verify their credentials thoroughly to avoid falling prey to scams. Failed to curb human trafficking, no compensation given to deportees: BJP, Congress accuse Punjab CM Mann

After Delhi debacle, Mann seeks to reach out to people

NEW DELHI: Heeding the result of the Delhi assembly election, which the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lost, its government in Punjab went on a bonanza spree on Thursday, much before the 2027 assembly polls in the state. The Punjab cabinet, meeting after four months, decided to disburse pending arrears worth Rs 14,000 crore among state government employees and pensioners. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said arrears of revised pay or pensions and leave encashment will be released from January 1, 2016, to June 30, 2022, and dearness allowance (DA) from July 1, 2021, to March 31, 2024. Three lakh employees and an equal number of pensioners will benefit from this move. The cabinet also nodded to create new posts in the Punjab State Legal Services Authority for setting up 22 new Lok Adalats. The cabinet sanctioned 476 new posts in the department. The government decided to recruit 53 regular drivers in the excise department and amended rules and qualifications for direct recruitment of Physical Training Instructors (PTI teachers) in the elementary education department. In another measure, the cabinet is reviving 822 posts of the Group C cadre in the health and family welfare department to enhance efficiency. It also gave approval for creating 97 posts of various cadres in the Dr BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences, SAS Nagar. The teaching faculty at the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University, Patiala are to get UGC scales. In a move aimed at generating more than 50,000 jobs for youth, the cabinet gave the nod for waiver of stamp duty, registration fee and other additional charges for transfer of land to the Special Purpose Vehicle NICDC Punjab Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited for the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster being developed as a part of the Amritsar Kolkata Industrial Corridor Project. Allottees who defaulted by failing to deposit the money against the plot/ land allotted to them by PUDA and other Special Development Authorities are to get an amnesty policy.

Punjab Cabinet approves Rs 14K crore arrears for employees, pensioners

CHANDIGARH: After a gap of four months, the Punjab Cabinet convened, focusing on crucial policy decisions ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. In a significant relief for state government employees and pensioners, the Cabinet approved the disbursement of pending arrears worth Rs 14,000 crore. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, The Cabinet has given approval to release arrears of revised pay, pensions, and leave encashment for the period between 1 January 2016 and 30 June 2022. Additionally, pending Dearness Allowance (DA) from 1 July 2021 to 31 March 2024 will also be released for pensioners and employees. He added that the sum will be disbursed in stages, benefiting nearly six lakh individualsthree lakh employees and three lakh pensioners. The Cabinet also approved the creation of new posts in the Punjab State Legal Services Authority for setting up 22 new Lok Adalats across the state. In order to check tax pilferage and ensure proper utilisation of human resources in the Taxation Department, the Cabinet has approved the creation of 476 new posts in the department. Additionally, the nomenclature of Inspectors has been changed, and they will now be designated as State Taxation Officers, Cheema said. The Cabinet also approved the recruitment of 53 drivers in the Excise Department on a regular basis and sanctioned amendments to rules and qualifications for the direct recruitment of Physical Training Instructors (PTI teachers) in the Elementary Education Department. This will facilitate the hiring of 2,000 such teachers across the state in the coming days, Cheema added. To improve healthcare services, the Cabinet approved the revival of 822 Group C posts in the Health and Family Welfare Department, enhancing the departments efficiency. This move will immensely benefit the public by improving access to quality healthcare services. Additionally, the Cabinet sanctioned the creation of 97 posts across various cadres in the Dr BR Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences, SAS Nagar, further strengthening the institutions ability to provide quality medical services, Cheema stated. The Cabinet also granted approval for providing University Grants Commission (UGC) scales to the teaching faculty of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University, Patiala. In a major push for employment generation, the Cabinet waived Stamp Duty, Registration Fees, and other charges for land transfers to the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) NICDC Punjab Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited for the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC), a key component of the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC) Project. This initiative is expected to create over 50,000 jobs, including 32,724 industrial positions and 14,880 non-industrial roles. To support the economically weaker sections (EWS), the Cabinet approved a policy for the optimum utilisation of land reserved for EWS housing. Scattered land pockets in various colonies will be monetised, and the funds will be used to benefit EWS families. For this, 1,500 acres of land will be acquired across the state, Cheema said. The Cabinet also approved a policy for the optimal utilisation of External Development Charges (EDC) collected from property developers under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act (PAPRA). Under this policy, 50 per cent of the collected EDC will be used for infrastructure development within the respective colony or township, while the remaining 50% will fund major state projects. In a progressive move, the Cabinet approved renaming the financial assistance scheme for acid attack victims as The Punjab Financial Assistance to Acid Victims Scheme, 2024. The scheme will now include male and transgender victims. Additionally, the monthly financial aid for victims has been increased from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000. The Cabinet also sanctioned the convening of a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on 24-25 February to conduct legislative business. In another key decision, the Cabinet approved an amnesty policy for defaulting allottees who were unable to pay for plots or land allotted to them by the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) and other special development authorities. Furthermore, the Cabinet approved the establishment of special fast-track NRI courts in six districtsJalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Moga, and Ludhianato expedite cases related to non-resident Indians.

In attacking BJP over phone tapping charges, Pilot also targets Gehlot

JAIPUR: Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Rajasthan government over allegations of phone tapping made by its own Cabinet Minister Kirori Lal Meena. Speaking in Jaipur on Wednesday, Pilot questioned the government's inaction on the issue, emphasizing that such claims from a minister within the ruling party were alarming. If a responsible minister from their own government is saying his phone has been tapped, then action must be taken immediately, Pilot asserted. Expressing his astonishment, he added that instead of addressing the issue, the BJP leadership was issuing show-cause notices to Meena. Highlighting the principle of collective responsibility in governance, Pilot demanded a transparent investigation and urged the government to release a white paper on the matter. While targeting the BJP, Pilot also seemed to take an indirect dig at his own partys past actions under Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Phone tapping is a serious crime, whether it happened now or in the pastit must be thoroughly investigated, he remarked. His statement is significant, as the Gehlot-led Congress government had faced similar allegations in 2020. During Pilots rebellion against Gehlots leadership, several MLAs loyal to him had accused the government of surveillance and phone tapping. When asked about those past allegations, Pilot responded cautiously, stating, The matter is sub judice, under investigation, and the truth will eventually come out. The phone-tapping controversy has created a major stir in the Rajasthan Assembly, with the Congress seizing the opportunity to put the BJP on the defensive. However, the issue has also reignited scrutiny over former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlots tenure. BJP leader and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat had previously filed a case over alleged phone surveillance, while former OSD to Gehlot, Lokesh Sharma, admitted in court that he had received phone recordings of rebel MLAs on a pen drive from Gehlot, which were then circulated to the media. The case is currently under trial at Patiala House Court in Delhi. Apart from addressing the phone-tapping row, Pilot also raised concerns about the ongoing farmers' agitation in Gharsana, where farmers are demanding increased water supply from the canal system. Warning that the protest could escalate, he urged the government to intervene immediately, noting that Gharsana has a history of intense farmer movements. As political tensions rise in Rajasthan, the phone-tapping allegations have become a major flashpoint, with both the Congress and BJP using them to corner each other. With legal proceedings underway, the issue is set to remain a focal point in the states political discourse.

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