Patiala DC orders speedy road repairs near Khanda Chowk
BMW accident case: Delhi court issues notice to preserve CCTV footage
A Patiala House Court addresses the Dhaula Kuan BMW accident case. The court issued a notice regarding CCTV footage preservation. Gaganpreet Kaur's bail plea is underway. Her husband, Parikshit Kakkar, was questioned. Navjot Singh died in the accident. His wife, Sandeep Kaur, was seriously injured. Gaganpreet claimed she took the victims to GTB Nagar hospital. She faces culpable homicide charges.
Central MoS inspects flood damage in Patiala, aid soon
In Patiala, no NOC required to clear fields of silt deposited by recent floods
BMW Crash Accused Gaganpreet Brought To Tihar Jail On Two-Day Judicial Custody
The Patiala House court also issued notice on her bail plea, which will be heard on September 17, when she is scheduled to be produced again.
Three J&K Fencers qualify for Asian Games 2026 Core Group trials
Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 15: Out of 13 fencers from Jammu and Kashmir who participated in the Core Group Selection trials for the Asian Games 2026, only three have secured their place in the initial core group. The successful fencers are Shreya Gupta, Vishal Thapar and Ajay Kumar. The trials were held at SAI NCOE Patiala (Epee), Army Sports Institute Pune (Sabre) and SAI NCOE Aurangabad (Foil), featuring top athletes from across India. Shreya Gupta displayed remarkable resilience, securing [] The post Three J&K Fencers qualify for Asian Games 2026 Core Group trials appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
From Sidhu to Breetzke: New Record for Most Consecutive 50s From ODI Debut
Recently South Africa batter Matthew Breetzke made a sensational start to his ODI career and notched up five straight fifty-plus scores since debut. In the process he shattered Navjot Singh Sidhu's 38-year-old record who had struck four straight half-centuries, from debut, at the 1987 World Cup but in five matches. Breetzke established many other new records but most significant was bettering the feat of Navjot Sidhu. Navjot Sidhu was the holder of this record for so long that many had believed that it would be very difficult for anyone to match his feat. After him, Tom Cooper (Netherlands) in 2010 and Max O'Dowd (Netherlands) in 2019 scored 3 consecutive 50s from debut but couldnt touch him. Today it is very difficult to realize how significant were those four 50s scored by him, for himself as well as for the team. Breetzke was never under the pressure of scoring the runs and succeeded in scoring 463 runs his first five innings but all the guns were pointed towards Navjot Sidhu when he made his ODI debut, perhaps everybody other than selectors had doubt on his capability as a batsman for this level of cricket. Today, his overall records shows that he was a better batsman than perceived. He scored 3202 runs in Test cricket at 42.80 and of these, 2911 came as opener. Only five Indian openers have more runs. Of them, only three Gavaskar, Sehwag, and Gambhir have a better average (Gambhir, only marginally better at 42.90). Of Indian openers, only three have hit more sixes than his 34. He made his Test debut against Clive Lloyd's West Indians in 1983-84. In his second Test he opened and saw Marshall reducing India to 0 for 2. He survived for 114 minutes for his 20, but his 54-run stand with Gavaskar had taken India out of danger. This was the show of his determination, but a top journalist Rajan Bala labelled him a strokeless wonder. At that time, the printed word had some significance, and this label became his second name and for almost five years he didnt play his next Test innings. I took it in my stride. I worked hard to prove people wrong. I used to play with tennis balls for hours at my house back home in Patiala. I used to bat for hours on a cement wicket built by my father. I would ask any guy who was passing by the house to come in and chuck a few. I used to carry on and on Sidhu remembers. My father was very depressed by the article which called me a strokeless wonder. Something told me to prove this article wrong. I always had strokes. I stuck that article in my wardrobe. I would read it every day. I never let it fade away from my memory. I had to prove the article wrong. There are stories of him hitting more than 300 sixes every day for four years, during practice sessions. He continued scoring in domestic cricket and was prepared to play any match so that he could score. By 1987 for selectors, the biggest question was who would partner Srikanth in the Tests? Navjot Sidhus selection for the Reliance World Cup was apprenticeship for the return to the Test side. ODI Debut: 1987 World Cup against Australia (who would win the cup) hit 5 sixes, scored 73 in 79 balls. Second ODI: Hit 4 more sixes against New Zealand, scored 75 in 71 balls. Third ODI: The batting order was changed and didnt bat against Zimbabwe. Fourth ODI: Another 50, scored 51 in 70 balls against Australia. Fifth ODI: His fourth consecutive 50, scored 55 in 61 balls against Zimbabwe. Sixth ODI: Against New Zealand, again the batting order was changed and he didnt bat. He was back with a bang and celebrated his Test comeback with 116 (195) and 43* (49) against New Zealand at Bangalore. This was a new avatar of Navjot Sidhu and by that time Rajan Bala had changed his narrative: Navjot Singh Sidhu, from a strokeless wonder, has turned into a palm-grove hitter. For him the new label was Sixer Sidhu, and this transformation was not a laughing matter. Sidhu played 136 ODIs, scored 4413 runs at an average of 37.08, with 33 fifties and 6 centuries. His record may not sound great today, but till 1998 only Azhar and Tendulkar had more ODI runs, 100s or 50s for India. Before Matthew Breetzke scored 5 fifty+ scores in 5 innings, 7 innings was the quickest to reach 5 fifty+ scores by a player in ODIs and Asif Iqbal, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Tom Cooper and Jonathan Trott achieved the feat. Navjot Sidhu remembers, When I got selected for the camp before the World Cup 1987, there was no pressure on me. I just said to myself that I had to play my natural game. Thats how I succeeded. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Well, in the first match against Australia, I got going, played all my shots. It was unfortunate that we lost that match. I got four consecutive fifties during the World Cup. It was all due to the grace of God. It was then that I removed that article from my wardrobe.
A farmer shows damaged paddy crop at a field after floodwater receded
A farmer shows damaged paddy crop at a field after floodwater receded, in Patiala district of Punjab on Saturday. (PTI) The post A farmer shows damaged paddy crop at a field after floodwater receded appeared first on The Shillong Times .
Flood fury: Over 18,000 acres of paddy fields affected in 69 villages of Patiala
CHANDIGARH: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura, who represents the Khadoor Sahib Assembly constituency, was sentenced on Friday to four years of imprisonment in a case related to the molestation and assault of a Dalit woman. Additional Sessions Judge of Tarn Taran, Prem Kumar, handed down the sentence in connection with the 2013 assault and molestation case. Lalpura was convicted on September 10. Subsequently, he was arrested and remanded into custody. According to the victims counsel, Amit Dhawan, the case was registered under Sections 323, 324, and 354 of the IPC, along with provisions of the SC/ST Act. In total, 12 persons were convicted: seven have been arrested, one is deceased, one is already lodged in Tihar Jail, and three others, who are wanted in connection with the case, are still absconding. The victim told the media that she was satisfied with the verdict, as she had to fight a long and difficult battle against the accused. At the time of the 2013 incident, Lalpura was working as a taxi driver. The incident occurred at a wedding hall in Tarn Taran, where the victim was allegedly caned by police personnel from the Tarn Taran police station, along with Lalpura. She was also molested during the police assault. Lalpura was arrested days after another AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra from Sanaur was booked for rape and cheating. He escaped from the custody of Patiala police from Karnal in Haryana. In June this year the state vigilance bureau had arrested Raman Arora, AAP MLA representing Jalandhar (Central) constituency in a corruption case. A corporation official was also involved in the case. In February, 2023 Amit Rattan Kotfatta MLA representing Bathinda (Rural) constituency was arrested in a graft case. In 2022, a few months after the AAP government came to power, the then health minister and Mansa MLA Vijay Singla was arrested on corruption charges. These arrests have dented the image of the ruling party. A senior AAP leader on condition of anonymity said that all these controversies have hurt the public perception of the government which now needs to be improved. On the other hand, the party leadership claimed that the arrests of these legislators are evidence enough that the government is committed to zero tolerance for wrongdoing. Spokesman of Punjab AAP, Neel Garg said that, he law has taken its own course Lalpura's case. The incident for which he was sentenced took place before he became an MLA. Our stand is clear. We'll not defend any person involved in wrong doings, he added.
Patiala court rejects anticipatory bail for AAP MLA Pathanmajra in rape case
Sports Ministry launches flexible coaching course for sports recruits in govt. departments
NEW DELHI, Sept 10: Sports quota recruits working in various government departments are set to be offered a flexible two-year Special Capacity Building Course at Patialas Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports to equip them with professional coaching competencies. The course is set to commence from October 27 with September 25 being the last date to submit applications. The initiative is driven by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviyas stated objective of ensuring that Indias athletes remain actively involved in the countrys [] The post Sports Ministry launches flexible coaching course for sports recruits in govt. departments appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
In Patiala, high alert as Tangri, Markanda flow above danger mark
Kareena Kapoor's 5 iconic film looks that set fashion trends, from corsets to patialas
Kareena Kapoor turned movie costumes into style moments. From Geet's breezy Patiala pants to Poo's Y2K glam, these five on-screen outfits not only defined her characters but also started trends that fans still copy today.
23 houses damaged, crops submerged in Patiala, DC reviews relief efforts
Court allows jailed MP Er Rashid to vote in Parliament in VP election
Srinagar: A Delhi court on Saturday allowed jailed Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid to travel to the Parliament to cast his vote in the upcoming Vice Presidential election on September 9. In a statement, AIP Chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said the Patiala House Court has directed that Er Rashid be taken in custody []
Patiala House Court Permits Engineer Rashid to Vote in Parliament
SRINAGAR: Patiala House Court on Saturday allowed MP North Kashmir Engineer Rashid to visit Parliament in custody on September 9 to cast his vote in the vice-presidential election. The court directed that Rashid would not have to pay any travel cost immediately but must submit an undertaking to cover the expenses, depending on the outcome []
Patiala health department provides medical relief in flood affected villages
In response to the recent floods, the Patiala health department has mobilized Mobile Health Units and established medical camps in affected villages. These units are equipped with essential medicines and are actively providing medical relief to residents.
Jailed Baramulla MP, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, has petitioned a Delhi court for permission to vote in the upcoming Vice-Presidential election on September 9. Currently held in Tihar Jail on terror funding charges, Rashid's plea is before the Special NIA Court at Patiala House.
105 villages in Patiala hit by floods
Reprieve from incessant heavy rains in past 24 hours in flood-hit Punjab
CHANDIGARH, Sep 5: In some reprieve for the people of flood-hit Punjab from incessant heavy rains, light showers at a few places were reported in the state during the past 24-hour period. According to the weather department, among the few parts of Punjab which received light rain during the 24-hour period ending 8:30 am Friday included Ludhiana 9.8 mm, Patiala 1.8 mm, Gurdaspur 1.7 mm, Faridkot 3.5 mm and Rupnagar 0.5 mm. Chandigarh, the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, [] The post Reprieve from incessant heavy rains in past 24 hours in flood-hit Punjab appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Rain wreaks havoc in Punjab: 37 dead, crops on 1.75 lakh hectares damaged
Punjab`s Mohali logged 18 mm of rain, followed by 14.8 mm in Gurdaspur, 6.4 mm in Amritsar, 2.3 mm in Patiala, and 0.4 mm in Ludhiana. Meanwhile, in Haryana, in the past 24 hours, Panchkula received 76 mm of rain followed 16.8 mm in Karnal, 12.6 mm in Hisar, 5.3 mm in Ambala and 1.8 mm in Rohtak
Punjab CM Mann indisposed, Kejriwal tours flood-hit areas without him
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is indisposed. He was to accompany Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on a tour of flood-affected Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district on Thursday. However, he cancelled his visit. Kejriwal called on Mann at the chief minister's official residence in Chandigarh and inquired about his health. The meeting lasted for about half an hour. It is learnt that the doctors attending to Mann had advised him complete bed rest. Later, Kejriwal, accompanied by senior AAP leaders including party president Aman Arora visited the flood-affected areas and reviewed the ongoing rescue and rehabilitation works. Kejriwal was to visit Patiala district as well, but that leg of the tour was cancelled at the last minute as the flood situation there has turned grim with the overflowing Ghaggar breaching its embankment of the Bhakra main canal (Narwana branch) near Sarala village in Ghanaur. On Tuesday, Mann had toured flood-affected areas in Ferozepur district and met the people. However, he fell ill on Thursday. Meanwhile, Punjab agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal today met Union Agricuture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Amritsar and submitted a memorandum, seeking Rs 2,000 crore as financial assistance in the first phase for the losses caused by floods in the Ajnala assembly constituency. The AAP Government has demanded to release Rs 60,000 crore `pending dues of the state from the Centre.
Due to continuous heavy rainfall, a flood alert has been issued for villages near the Ghaggar river in Patran, Patiala, as water levels rise dangerously. Residents are urged to evacuate immediately as rivers exceed danger marks, submerging agricultural fields and entering homes. Relief teams are on-site, and control rooms are available for assistance, with crop damage assessments underway.
CHANDIGARH : A fresh spell of heavy rains compounded the flood situation in Punjab with the death toll rising to 37 on Wednesday, while crops on 1.75 lakh hectares of land in 23 districts got damaged by the worst deluge in the state since 1988. Rescue and relief operations are underway on a war footing as help poured in from several quarters for over 3.55 lakh people in 1,655 villages, desperately looking for succour. Following heavy rains, an alert has been sounded in Rupnagar and Patiala districts, urging people to remain vigilant, while all schools, colleges and universities have been closed till September 7. With rains refusing to relent in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, the already swollen Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers originating in the Himalayas and seasonal rivulets inundated towns, villages and agricultural lands, upending normal life. The Punjab government released Rs 71 crore as an immediate relief and rehabilitation measure, with the AAP dispensation reiterating that it was committed to compensating people for their losses. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will visit the flood-hit areas in Punjab on Thursday to review the extent of crop damage. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, along with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, will also assess the flood damage on the same day. He will take stock of the relief work being carried out in the state and interact with the affected people, said the party. Rains in Punjab have aggravated the flood situation. The water level in the Bhakra dam at 6 am was 1,677.84 feet, against its maximum capacity of 1,680 feet. The inflow in the dam was 86,822 cusecs while the outflow was 65,042 cusecs. Punjab declared disaster-hit as floods submerge 3.75 lakh acres; 30 dead, 3.55 lakh affected In view of heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh, the water discharge from the dam was being increased from 65,000 cusecs to 75,000 cusecs, officials said and warned that Nangal's villages may be inundated. Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said the state is reeling under one of the worst floods in recent decades, with widespread crop devastation reported across 1,75,216 hectares of farmland. Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Mansa, Ferozepur and Fazilka are among the worst-hit districts, accounting for the bulk of the agricultural losses, he said. The minister said that 37 lives have been lost across 12 districts, while three persons remain missing in Pathankot. The highest fatalities have been reported in Hoshiarpur, where seven lives have been lost, followed by six in Pathankot, five in Barnala, four each in Amritsar and Ludhiana, three each in Bathinda and Mansa, and one each in Gurdaspur, Patiala, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar and Sangrur. The flood-related data is from August 1 to September 3. Gurdaspur alone suffered crop damage over 40,169 hectares, followed by Mansa 24,967 hectares, Amritsar 23,000 hectares, Fazilka 17,786 hectares, Ferozepur 17,620 hectares, and Kapurthala 14,934 hectares, among others. The Rupnagar district administration has asked people living near the Sutlej river to stay on alert in the wake of an increase in the discharge of water from the Bhakra dam. Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Bains appealed to Sri Anandpur Sahib residents living on riverbanks and low-lying areas to shift to safer places or relief camps. He visited over two dozen flood-affected villages and personally oversaw the evacuation of families stranded along the Sutlej river. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria visited the flood-ravaged areas in Pathankot district, while AAP leader Manish Sisodia visited the flood-hit areas in Tarn Taran district. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha announced providing Rs 3.25 crore from his Local Area Development Scheme fund for relief work. MP Sandeep Pathak visited flood-hit villages in Ferozepur district and released Rs 5 crore from the MPLADS funds for the affected villages in the border district. Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal also announced a grant of Rs 50 lakh from his discretionary funds to support the affected people. Relief and rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, Border Security Force, Punjab Police and district authorities are underway in the affected areas, officials said. Meanwhile, the Patiala district administration issued an alert for villages near the Ghaggar river in the Rajpura sub-division in the wake of heavy rains in the catchment areas. According to officials, the water level of the Tangri river has risen close to the danger mark in Ambala and is expected to rise in Patiala following heavy rains in Ambala and Kala Amb.
Citing media reports, NHRC says patient attendants alleged poor sanitation, negligence, but medical superintendent says no baby missing from hospital; Punjab Chief Secy, police asked to report in two weeks
Punjab AAP MLA booked for rape remains on run after escaping from custody
PATIALA: AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra remained on the run a day after he escaped police custody amid gunshots and stone pelting by his supporters following his arrest in a rape case. Efforts are on to nab Pathanmajra, police sources said on Wednesday. Pathanmajra, a first-time MLA, escaped from custody after a police team went to arrest him in Dabri village in Haryana's Karnal district, where he was at the residence of one of his relatives. Pardeep Bajwa, in charge of the Patiala Crime Investigation Agency (CIA), said on Tuesday, We conducted a raid at Pathanmajra's (relative's) residence in Haryana. He was arrested. But a group of villagers and some mischievous elements pelted stones at the police team and fired gunshots. The Sanour MLA used the cover fire and stone pelting to escape, he added. According to officials, Pathanmajra and his supporters fled in two SUVs a Scorpio and a Fortuner. A policeman who tried to stop the vehicles was injured after being hit, they said. Balwinder Singh, an accomplice of the MLA, was arrested with three weapons in his possession, police said. They later seized the Fortuner, but the MLA managed to flee in the other vehicle. According to an FIR registered at the Civil Lines police station here on September 1, Pathanmajra was booked on charges of rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation. The case was registered based on a complaint by a Zirakpur-based woman, who alleged that the MLA misrepresented himself as divorced, entered into a relationship with her, and later married in 2021 while already being married. She accused him of continued sexual exploitation, threats, and sending obscene material to her. After the FIR was filed, Pathanmajra went live on Facebook on Tuesday, strongly criticising the Punjab government and alleging that the Delhi-based AAP leadership was illegitimately ruling over Punjab. He appealed to fellow party MLAs to stand with him, claiming that during Congress or BJP governments, the central leadership did not interfere in state affairs the way AAP was doing. On Sunday, Pathanmajra had also accused a senior IAS officer of failing to act on his repeated requests for desilting and clean-up of rivers, particularly the Tangri river. However, AAP leader Baltej Singh Pannu on Tuesday said Pathanmajra started raising the flood issue and targeting the IAS officer only after learning that police could take action against him based on the woman's complaint.
Punjab AAP MLA booked for rape flees police custody, gunshots fired: Sources
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Sanaur, Harmeet Singh Dhillon alias Pathanmajra, reportedly escaped from police custody on Tuesday. He was arrested by the Punjab Police from Karnal in Haryana for rape and cheating charges days after the MLA criticised his own party's government over handling floods and questioned its central leadership. Pathanmajra managed to flee the scene in a white SUV, reportedly aided by villagers and supporters. There was an alleged exchange of fire during the escape, said police sources. As the Patiala Police booked Pathanmajra for rape charges, a police team was sent to Dabri village in Karnal to arrest him. Pathanmajra, who was at the residence of one of his relatives Gurnam Singh Laadi, an elected member of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), reportedly absconded fearing arrest. Despite the fact that there were multiple police teams, the MLA escaped with the help of locals. We are now coordinating with Haryana police to track him down, said a police officer on condition of anonymity. He added that a policeman was injured after being hit by Pathanmajra's SUV. Another FIR will be registered against him for assaulting and injuring a police officer on duty. Sources said that the initial case against Pathanmajra was registered on Monday evening under Section 376 of the IPC. The legislator was booked on rape charges as an old complaint which was against him was under investigation. Also a fresh complaint was submitted on August 26 by the woman involved, alleging that the MLA had sexually exploited her under the pretext of marriage, said a senior police official. Yesterday, the government withdrew his security cover and eight of his gunmen were taken back. Pathanmajra was provided additional security a few months ago, after he claimed to have received threat calls. The government also ordered to transfer of all SHOs and police post heads in the Sanaur constituency. I had already told my gunmen yesterday that they would be sent back. The Delhi leaders of AAP think they can scare me with vigilance action or FIRs, but I will never bow down. I will stand like a rock with my people, he had said. The MLA on Sunday criticized his own government over the handling of floods in Patiala. He accused senior officials of the irrigation department, including a senior IAS officer, of ignoring repeated requests to desilt rivers such as the Tangri, warning it had worsened flooding in villages. He had alleged that this was done under the direction of the state government. He also alleged the party was trying to suppress Punjab MLAs instead of fixing the administration. Pathanmajra said the government should listen to people. The legislator had said he raised the issue in the Punjab assembly several times, submitted deputations, and personally met Principal Secretary (Water Resources) Krishan Kumar several times, but ot a single meaningful step was taken. He said Kumar ignored his repeated pleas of allowing the use of soil from the Tangri and the Ghaggar to strengthen banks. He also alleged that his security was withdrawn, and local police officers were transferred as retaliation. As per the FIR, Pathanmajra has been booked on charges of rape, cheating and criminal intimidation. The case has been registered on a complaint by a Zirakpur-based woman, who alleged that the MLA misrepresented himself as divorced. She alleged that the MLA entered into a relationship with her and later married in 2021 while still being married. She accused him of continued sexual exploitation, threats, and sending obscene material to her. After the FIR, Pathanmajra went live on Facebook, strongly criticising the Punjab government and alleging that Delhi-based AAP leadership was illegitimately ruling over Punjab. He appealed to fellow party MLAs to stand with him, as he alleged that during the Congress or BJP governments, the central leadership did not interfere in state affairs the way AAP's did.
Punjab AAP MLA booked for rape flees police custody in a dramatic fashion, gunshots fired: Sources
PATIALA: AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra on Tuesday allegedly escaped police out to arrest him in a rape case, sources said. Gunshots were fired, and a policeman sustained an injury after being hit by an SUV in which Pathanmajra escaped, they said. The Sanour MLA was helped in his escape by his supporters, sources said. Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Varun Sharma could not be reached for comments. A hunt is on for the MLA, who attacked his own party's government over floods and questioned its central leadership. Earlier in the day, Pathanmajra, in a video message on Facebook, claimed that he had been booked under the charge of rape. According to an FIR filed in the matter, Pathanmajra was booked on charges of rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation. The case was registered on a complaint by a Zirakpur-based woman, who alleged that the MLA misrepresented himself as divorced, entered into a relationship with her, and later married in 2021 while still being married. She accused him of continued sexual exploitation, threats, and sending obscene material to her. After the FIR, Pathanmajra went live on Facebook, strongly criticising the Punjab government and alleging that Delhi-based AAP leadership was illegitimately ruling over Punjab. He appealed to fellow party MLAs to stand with him, as he alleged that during the Congress or BJP governments, the central leadership did not interfere in state affairs the way AAP's did. They can lodge FIRs against me, I can stay in jail, but my voice cannot be suppressed, the lawmaker said in the video message. On Sunday, Pathanmajra accused a senior IAS officer of not taking such actions as desilting and cleaning rivers, particularly the Tangri River, despite his requests. He said the government should listen to people or they will thrash us. Pathanmajra also alleged the party was trying to suppress Punjab MLAs instead of fixing the administration. The MLA said he raised the issue in the Punjab Assembly several times, submitted deputations, and personally met Principal Secretary (Water Resources) Krishan Kumar several times, but ot a single meaningful step was taken. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, as several villages in his constituency were flooded, Pathanmajra lashed out at bureaucrats and said he had been demanding cleaning of the Tangri and permission to allow the use of soil near rivers to strengthen banks, but to no avail. He also urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to immediately remove Krishan Kumar from his post. On Monday, Pathanmajra claimed that his security had been withdrawn and that all station house officers and police post heads in his constituency had been transferred. He said that he never anticipated this action. I had already told my gunmen yesterday that they would be sent back.The Delhi leaders (of AAP) think they can scare me with vigilance (action) or FIRs, but I will never bow down. I will stand like a rock with my people, he said.
Punjab: After he targeted own AAP govt, Sanour MLA Harmeet Pathanmajra booked in rape case
PATIALA, Sept 2: AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, who attacked his own partys government over floods and questioned its central leadership, has been booked under the charge of rape. The lawmaker from the Sanour seat in Patiala said police came to arrest him. According to an FIR filed in the matter, Pathanmajra was booked on charges of rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation. The case was registered on a complaint by a Zirakpur-based woman, who alleged that the MLA misrepresented [] The post Punjab: After he targeted own AAP govt, Sanour MLA Harmeet Pathanmajra booked in rape case appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Punjab recorded 74% excess, Haryana received 32% more than normal rain in August
CHANDIGARH: In August, Punjab received 253.7 mm of rain, the highest the state has witnessed in the past 25 years, while Haryana recorded 194.5 mm of rain against an average of 147.7 mm for the month. Punjab received deficient rainfall multiple times in the past couple of decades, but this year it recorded the highest rainfall figures for August in the last 25 years, the Met department stated. Punjab recorded 253.7 mm rainfall in August, which was 74 per cent more than the months normal of 146.2 mm. The neighbouring Haryana received 194.5 mm of rain in August against an average of 147.7 mm for the month, which was 32 per cent in excess. Both states received excess rain in August only five times in the past 25 years, including this year. Heavy rains lash several parts of Punjab, Haryana 18 out of the total 23 districts in Punjab recorded excess rain, while a few districts like Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib recorded deficient rainfall. Meanwhile, Gurdaspur recorded 577.5 mm rainfall, 181 per cent more than normal of 205.3 mm; Pathankot received 944.2 mm of rain in August which was 152 per cent in excess than the normal of 375.2 mm; while Tarn Taran recorded 208 mm of rain against the normal of 87.1 per cent in August, which was 139 per cent in excess; Ferozepur received 170.6 mm of rain against a normal of 74.5 mm, which was 129 per cent in excess; Fazilka recorded 146.8 mm of rain as against 68.1 mm, a rise of 115 per cent; Hoshiarpur received 360.6 mm of rain in August, 74 per cent in excess of the normal figures of 207.6 mm; and Amritsar received 226.8 mm of rain in August against a normal of 162.4 mm, which was 40 per cent more. 18 out of the 22 districts in Haryana recorded excess rain in the month of August while four districts including Bhiwani and Ambala, recorded deficient rain. In Haryana excess rainfall was recorded in Fatehabad (252 per cent), Hisar (68 per cent), Faridabad (31 per cent) and Gurugram (24 per cent). Meanwhile Chandigarh (Union Territory), the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, recorded 308.5 mm rainfall in August as against the normal of 248.8 mm which was only 8 per cent more.
Heavy rains lash several parts of Punjab, Haryana
CHANDIGARH: Rains lashed several parts of Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory Chandigarh on Monday, with Ludhiana logging the highest rainfall of 216.70 mm. According to the Met department here, several places in Punjab and Haryana received rain during the 24-hour period ending 8:30 am Monday. Among other places in Punjab which received rain included Amritsar (24.1 mm), Patiala (80.4 mm), Pathankot (3.6 mm), Bathinda (3 mm), Faridkot (10.2 mm), Gurdaspur (2.7 mm), SBS Nagar (112.7 mm), Mohali (64 mm), Mansa (42 mm) and Rupnagar (82.5 mm). Chandigarh, the joint capital of both states, received 76.5 mm of rainfall. Among other places in Haryana, Ambala recorded 48.4 mm, Hisar (11.8 mm), Karnal (12.8 mm), Narnaul (66 mm), Rohtak (13.4 mm), Sirsa (130 mm), Panchkula (57 mm), Panipat (33 mm) and Gurugram (9.5 mm). Punjab is under the grip of massive floods, caused by the swollen Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers and seasonal rivulets due to heavy rain in their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Villages worst-affected by the floods were in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar districts. Relief and rescue operations by the NDRF, Army, BSF, Punjab Police and district authorities continued on a war footing in the affected areas.
Punjab weather: IMD issues red alert for heavy rainfall in several districts
The India Meteorological Department issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in several parts of Punjab, including Gurdaspur and Patiala. An orange alert has been sounded in nearby areas. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has requested Rs 60,000 crore from the Prime Minister for flood relief, citing severe impact on villages and farms.
CHANDIGARH: The flood situation in Punjab has worsened due to incessant heavy rainfall, causing major rivers including the Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, and Ghaggar to swell. Out of Punjabs 23 districts, 22 have been affected so far. A total of 1,312 villages are impacted, nearly 3 lakh acres of standing crops have been inundated, and 26 people have lost their lives. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the release of Rs 60,000 crore in state funds that he claims are pending with the Union Government. Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian confirmed that the 1,312 affected villages include, 93 in Amritsar, 26 in Barnala, 21 in Bathinda, 1 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 92 in Fazilka, 107 in Ferozepur, 324 in Gurdaspur, 86 in Hoshiarpur, 55 in Jalandhar, 123 in Kapurthala, 26 in Ludhiana, 4 in Malerkotla, 77 in Mansa, 35 in Moga, 81 in Pathankot, 14 in Patiala, 2 in Rupnagar, 22 in Sangrur, 1 in SAS Nagar, 3 in SBS Nagar, 74 in Muktsar and 45 in Tarn Taran. Emergency response teams from the state machinery, along with NDRF, SDRF, the Army, and Punjab Police, are working round-the-clock to protect lives and property. Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Anurag Verma, after inspecting villages along the Sutlej River in Ferozepur district, reported that nearly 3 lakh acres of land have been affected and around 1.25 lakh people are impacted by the floods. He added that the government has ordered a special girdawari (crop damage assessment) to provide compensation for crop losses. District authorities have been instructed to gather accurate loss data, and compensation will be disbursed per CM Manns directives. Currently, six NDRF teams are deployed in Gurdaspur and one each in Fazilka, Ferozepur, Pathankot, and Amritsar. Two SDRF teams are operational in Kapurthala. The Army, Navy, and Air Force are assisting in Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, and Pathankot, while BSF teams are engaged in Gurdaspur and Ferozepur. Punjab Police and Fire Brigade are also assisting in Kapurthala and Ferozepur. Additionally, 15 boats in Kapurthala, 12 in Ferozepur, and 4 in Pathankot are engaged in evacuations, with airlifting operations carried out where required. So far, 26 people have died in the floods, including an irrigation department employee who fell into the Ravi River last week while trying to open flood gates at the Madhopur barrage. Sources said that the Ghaggar River is also overflowing due to excess water from the Markanda and Tangri rivers. Water levels at Chika (Haryana), Khanauri (Sangrur), and Sardulgarh (Mansa) are very high, though still below the danger mark. CM writes to PM Modi In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, CM Mann said that Punjab is facing one of its worst flood disasters in decades, with around 1,300 villages and lakhs of people affected. He said heavy rains and dam releases caused severe flooding in Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Hoshiarpur. He noted that nearly 3 lakh acres of mainly paddy crops are submerged just weeks before harvest. Losses of livestock have also deeply affected rural families. The Chief Minister emphasized that Punjab has suffered a permanent revenue loss of Rs 49,727 crore due to the GST replacing VAT, with no compensation granted. Additionally, reductions in RDF and MDF have cost the state over Rs 8,000 crore, and the scrapping of PMGSY projects worth Rs 828 crore has further hurt development. He also slammed the existing State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms, calling them grossly inadequate. Current compensation for crop loss exceeding 33% stands at Rs 17,000 per hectare (or Rs 6,800 per acre). Mann stated the state government already tops this up to Rs 15,000 per acre, but given the extent of devastation, at least Rs 50,000 per acre should be provided. He urged a revision of SDRF norms and assured the Centre that Punjab would continue contributing its 25% share as per scheme guidelines. The Punjab government has extended school holidays till September 3. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the decision was taken on CM Manns instructions to ensure student safety. He urged parents to prioritise their childrens well-being and requested teachers to stay in touch with district administrations to support community efforts. Schools were originally closed from August 27 to 30.
CHANDIGARH: The flood situation in Punjab has worsened due to incessant heavy rainfall, causing major rivers including the Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, and Ghaggar to swell. Out of Punjabs 23 districts, 22 have been affected so far. A total of 1,312 villages are impacted, nearly 3 lakh acres of standing crops have been inundated, and 26 people have lost their lives. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the release of 60,000 crore in state funds that he claims are pending with the Union Government. Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian confirmed that the 1,312 affected villages include, 93 in Amritsar, 26 in Barnala, 21 in Bathinda, 1 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 92 in Fazilka, 107 in Ferozepur, 324 in Gurdaspur, 86 in Hoshiarpur, 55 in Jalandhar, 123 in Kapurthala, 26 in Ludhiana, 4 in Malerkotla, 77 in Mansa, 35 in Moga, 81 in Pathankot, 14 in Patiala, 2 in Rupnagar, 22 in Sangrur, 1 in SAS Nagar, 3 in SBS Nagar, 74 in Muktsar and 45 in Tarn Taran. Emergency response teams from the state machinery, along with NDRF, SDRF, the Army, and Punjab Police, are working round-the-clock to protect lives and property. Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Anurag Verma, after inspecting villages along the Sutlej River in Ferozepur district, reported that nearly 3 lakh acres of land have been affected and around 1.25 lakh people are impacted by the floods. He added that the government has ordered a special girdawari (crop damage assessment) to provide compensation for crop losses. District authorities have been instructed to gather accurate loss data, and compensation will be disbursed per CM Manns directives. Currently, six NDRF teams are deployed in Gurdaspur and one each in Fazilka, Ferozepur, Pathankot, and Amritsar. Two SDRF teams are operational in Kapurthala. The Army, Navy, and Air Force are assisting in Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, and Pathankot, while BSF teams are engaged in Gurdaspur and Ferozepur. Punjab Police and Fire Brigade are also assisting in Kapurthala and Ferozepur. Additionally, 15 boats in Kapurthala, 12 in Ferozepur, and 4 in Pathankot are engaged in evacuations, with airlifting operations carried out where required. So far, 26 people have died in the floods, including an irrigation department employee who fell into the Ravi River last week while trying to open flood gates at the Madhopur barrage. Sources said that the Ghaggar River is also overflowing due to excess water from the Markanda and Tangri rivers. Water levels at Chika (Haryana), Khanauri (Sangrur), and Sardulgarh (Mansa) are very high, though still below the danger mark. CM writes to PM Modi In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, CM Mann said that Punjab is facing one of its worst flood disasters in decades, with around 1,300 villages and lakhs of people affected. He said heavy rains and dam releases caused severe flooding in Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Hoshiarpur. He noted that nearly 3 lakh acres of mainly paddy crops are submerged just weeks before harvest. Losses of livestock have also deeply affected rural families. The Chief Minister emphasized that Punjab has suffered a permanent revenue loss of Rs 49,727 crore due to the GST replacing VAT, with no compensation granted. Additionally, reductions in RDF and MDF have cost the state over Rs 8,000 crore, and the scrapping of PMGSY projects worth Rs 828 crore has further hurt development. He also slammed the existing State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms, calling them grossly inadequate. Current compensation for crop loss exceeding 33% stands at Rs 17,000 per hectare (or Rs 6,800 per acre). Mann stated the state government already tops this up to Rs 15,000 per acre, but given the extent of devastation, at least Rs 50,000 per acre should be provided. He urged a revision of SDRF norms and assured the Centre that Punjab would continue contributing its 25% share as per scheme guidelines. The Punjab government has extended school holidays till September 3. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the decision was taken on CM Manns instructions to ensure student safety. He urged parents to prioritise their childrens well-being and requested teachers to stay in touch with district administrations to support community efforts. Schools were originally closed from August 27 to 30.
CHANDIGARH: The flood situation in Punjab remains critical, with 836 villages and standing crops across more than 1.10 lakh acres affected in eight districts, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar, due to swelling of the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers. So far, 7,689 people have been evacuated to safer locations. Heavy rains and the rising Ghaggar river, following intense rainfall in its catchment area and the opening of floodgates at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, have prompted a flood alert in Patiala. Drones have been pressed into service to deliver relief material, including medicines, dry rations and water bottles, to affected residents in Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district. Meanwhile, amphibious ATOR (All Terrain Off Road) vehicles have been deployed to evacuate stranded villagers in the Ramdas area of Amritsar. Chairing a high-level meeting to review the flood situation, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, The heavy flow of water from hilly areas has created havoc for the state. Till date, 14.11 lakh cusecs of water has been received in river Ravi. This is the highest discharge the state has ever received; it was 11.20 lakh cusecs when severe floods struck the state in 1988. He added that the state government has already written to Haryana and Rajasthan, urging them to release maximum water from the rivers. The army has already been deployed in five flood-affected districts and is conducting rescue operations along with the administration using state-of-the-art equipment and machinery, CM Mann said. Seventeen teams of the NDRF have also been deployed to carry out relief measures so that the flood-affected people can be rescued. He noted that continuous on-ground operations are ongoing to evacuate stranded people, assess damage, and prevent disease outbreaks. Flood situation remains grim in eight districts of Punjab; dams near capacity CM Mann also said the government has constituted a high-powered committee of three senior officers to supervise relief and rescue operations in the flood-hit districts daily. The committee, comprising senior officers from the Revenue, Water Resources and Food and Civil Supplies departments, will remain stationed in Amritsar and other affected areas. He asked the Chief Secretary to visit flood-affected areas to ensure relief and rescue operations are carried out more effectively. Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla said, With heavy rainfall in the catchment areas continuing to swell the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi and Ujh rivers, Punjab Police, along with teams from the Army, Border Security Force, NDRF, SDRF and civil administration, have been working in tandem. So far, 7,689 people have been evacuated and shifted to safe places. Shukla, personally supervising the situation, added, Drones are being used to trace people for evacuation and to deliver food packets and other essential items. He noted that 20 Indian Army helicopters have been stationed in the state to help evacuate and relocate people safely. Since 27 August, troops of the Army's Panther Division have been tirelessly operating in the flood-hit Ramdas-Ajnala belt. In 40+ submerged villages, soldiers are carrying out nonstop rescue and relief operationsevacuating families, delivering medical aid, distributing food and essentials, and supporting civil authorities in restoring normalcy, the Army posted on X. Amritsar district administration has deployed amphibious ATOR vehicles and boats to reach stranded villagers. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said, We are reaching out to stranded people in waterlogged villages by boat. People are being continuously evacuated to safe locations, and those who wish to stay back are being provided with necessary supplies through boats. While 836 villages and standing crops across 1.10 lakh acres were worst affected, heavy rains have triggered flood alerts in Patiala, where 202 villages in Gurdaspur, 107 in Kapurthala, 85 in Gurdaspur, 81 in Pathankot, 93 in Ferozepur, 64 in Muktsar and 45 in Tarn Taran are at risk. The Patiala district administration has issued a high alert for low-lying villages along the Ghaggar river following heavy rainfall in its catchment area and the opening of Sukhna Lake floodgates. Punjab flood crisis deepens: rivers overflow, dams exceed limits, villages submerged Villages along the Ghaggar river embankment near Derabassi were also advised to stay alert, although authorities assured residents there was no cause for panic. In Hoshiarpur, villages are still reeling from the damage caused by the Chakki Khad tributary of the Beas, which breached embankments and submerged farmlands in Mukerian subdivision. Residents have urged authorities to plug the breaches immediately to prevent further losses. Farmlands in several villages across Tanda and Mukerian subdivisions have remained submerged for days. Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain visited flood-affected areas of Tanda and Dasuya subdivisions and assured that all efforts were being made to provide timely assistance. The Ferozepur district remains heavily affected, with nearly 16,000 acres of crops inundated and 62 villages badly hit. Over 2,500 residents have been rescued, and 13 relief camps have been established to shelter displaced families. Officials also noted that the Pong Dam on the Beas river remains above the danger mark, with water levels at 1,391.98 feet on Friday morning, an outflow of 1,00,614 cusecs, and an inflow of 53,000 cusecs. Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said, All INC Punjab MLAs and I have decided to contribute one month's salary to the Chief Minister's Flood Relief Fund. In solidarity with the flood-affected families of Punjab, this is a humble gesture of empathy in these testing times. I urge all citizens and organisations to come forward for relief and rehabilitation. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had earlier stated that his entire cabinet and all AAP MLAs would donate one month's salary towards flood relief efforts. Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar visited the flood-affected Ajnala Assembly constituency, criticising the state governments utilisation of disaster funds. The Central Government has released 229 crore out of the allocated 611 crore for disaster management in Punjab, but the state government has failed to utilise these funds effectively, he said. Jakhar added that he would write to the Prime Minister to request additional assistance for Punjabs flood-affected people.
Stray Dog Seen Carrying Baby's Head At A Govt Hospital In Punjab, Probe Underway
A stray dog was seen with a babys severed head at Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, prompting an inquiry. Authorities say no baby is missing from the hospital.
Charge sheet of 40,000 pages filed against senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia in DA case
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau today filed a 40,000-page charge sheet against senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who is the brother-in-law of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, in a Prevention of Corruption Act case in the Mohali court. Sources claimed that over 200 witnesses have been cited in the case in the charge sheet, which runs into approximately 40,000 pages. These documents reportedly detail financial transactions, property records, and other evidence collected during the investigation. The documents were brought to the court this afternoon in four sealed trunks loaded in a pick-up truck. It was on June 25 that Majithia was arrested from his house in Amritsar in the disproportionate assets case involving laundering of Rs 540 crore of drug money. He was sent to judicial custody on July 6, and his judicial remand was extended on July 19 and again on August 2. Recently, the court dismissed his bail application, and he is presently in judicial custody as he is lodged at New Nabha Jail near Patiala. The Vigilance Bureau, in its FIR, claimed that preliminary investigations revealed that over 540 crore of drug money was laundered through several channels, and this was facilitated by Majithia. This case against Majithia stems from an ongoing investigation being conducted by a Punjab Police special investigation team into the 2021 drug case. In 2021, Majithia was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The action was taken on the basis of a 2018 report of the anti-drug special task force. Majithia spent more than five months in Patiala Jail and walked out of prison in August 2022 after the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted him bail.
13 J&K fencers qualify for Asian Games 2026 selection trials
Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 21: The Jammu & Kashmir Fencing Association (JKFA) has announced a historic milestone for the Union Territory, with 13 talented fencers from the region qualifying for the prestigious Asian Games 2026 selection trials, as per the communication from the Fencing Association of India. The trials will be held at premier sporting institutions across the country SAI NCOE Aurangabad (Foil), SAI NCOE Patiala (Epee) and the Army Sports Institute, Pune (Sabre). The selected athletes include [] The post 13 J&K fencers qualify for Asian Games 2026 selection trials appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Mohali court rejects bail plea of Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia
CHANDIGARH: A Mohali court on Monday rejected the bail plea of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who was arrested in a disproportionate assets (DA) case. Speaking to the media after the bail hearing, public prosecutor Ferry Sofat said that the court dismissed the bail plea filed by Majithia. The bail application was dismissed on two grounds: (1) that an investigation is underway, and (2) the serious nature of the alleged offences, he noted. The court held day-to-day hearing for at least 10 days on the bail plea, he added. Ashardeep Singh Kler spokesman of the party and the counsel of Majithia said that they will approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court for bail. On August 14, the court extended his judicial custody till August 28. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested Majithia on June 25 in the DA case allegedly involving laundering of Rs 540 crore of drug money. He was sent to judicial custody on July 6 and his judicial remand was extended on July 19 and on August 2. Majithia is currently lodged in New Nabha Jail in Patiala. The vigilance bureau in its FIR claimed preliminary investigations revealed over Rs 540 crore of drug money was laundered through several ways and it was allegedly facilitated by Majithia. This case against Majithia stems from an ongoing investigation being conducted by a Punjab Police special investigation team into the 2021 drug case. In 2021, Majithia was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The action was taken on the basis of a 2018 report of the anti-drug special task force. Majithia spent more than five months in Patiala Jail and walked out of prison in August 2022 after the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted him bail.
CHANDIGARH: Punjab has recorded a staggering rise of more than one lakh dog bite cases in the last five years, with daily averages now touching 882 incidents. The state, which has around 6.5 lakh dogs, including over three lakh stray dogs, has witnessed a sharp increase in cases, with officials warning of the public health risks. In the first seven months of this year alone, a total of 1.88 lakh dog bite cases have been reported, while last years total stood at 2.13 lakh. The worst affected districts are Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Patiala. As per the official data accessed by this newspaper from the state health department, between January and July this year, Amritsar district recorded the highest number of cases at 29,504, followed by Ludhiana (21,777), Patiala (14,120), Jalandhar (12,349), Hoshiarpur (10,920) and SAS Nagar (9,860). There has been a steady jump in incidents over the past five years, 1.10 lakh cases in 2020, 1.26 lakh in 2021, 1.65 lakh in 2022, 2.02 lakh in 2023, and 2.13 lakh in 2024, reflecting a rise of more than one lakh cases during the period. This year, three deaths have been reported. Last month, a mother and daughter allegedly died of rabies in Pathankot, and on July 17, a 32-year-old man succumbed in Patiala after being bitten by a stray dog. An analysis of data from 2020 to 2024 shows Jalandhar district has recorded the highest total of 1.12 lakh cases over the four years, followed by Ludhiana (99,678), Patiala (63,782), Hoshiarpur (56,113), SAS Nagar (55,286) and Amritsar (44,249). Stray dogs in Delhi: SC slams local authorities for inaction, reserves order According to the 2019 animal census conducted by the state animal husbandry department, there were 2.90 lakh stray dogs and 3.32 lakh pet dogs in Punjab. The latest animal census has been completed this year but is yet to be notified. There has been an increase of 5 per cent in the dog population in the state after the last census, said an official. Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh said vaccination for dog bites is available at all community health centres (CHCs) and treatment has now been extended to all Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state. The people should immediately rush to the nearest government health centres for treatment, which is free, and should not ignore it at all, he added. The health department is yet to issue standard operating procedures (SOPs) for government doctors, whose diagnosis will determine compensation for dog bite cases. Although SOPs have been formulated, they have not been circulated. A five-member committee was constituted following an order from the Punjab and Haryana High Court last year, which announced compensation of Rs 10,000 for each tooth mark and Rs 20,000 for every 0.2 cm of wound where the flesh is torn off, said sources. A veterinary expert said that in 50 per cent of dog bite cases, the culprit is a pet dog biting its owner or someone else, not a stray. However, the general perception remains that stray dogs are primarily responsible. Sources added that the animal birth control (ABC) programme to sterilise dogs has been outsourced to private agencies by most municipalities under the local bodies department, but it has not achieved the desired results, particularly in major cities. Sterilisation is the only scientific method to control the stray dog population and thus, in turn, can reduce dog bite incidents, said a senior officer on condition of anonymity. It was also pointed out that there are few dog shelters in large municipalities across the state for post-animal care under the birth control set-up, and no dedicated dog pounds exist.
2 Bishnoi Gang Operatives Arrested In Punjab, Pistols, Ammunition Recovered
Anti Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab has arrested two most-wanted Lawrence Bishnoi gang operatives from the Patiala-Ambala Highway near village Shambhu in Patiala, Director General of Police Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, said on Thursday.
Punjab Police arrests two operatives of Lawrence Bishnoi gang
In a major breakthrough, Anti Gangster Task Force (#AGTF) Punjab, arrests two most-wanted Lawrence Bishnoi gang operatives from #Patiala-#Ambala Highway near Village Shambhu, says DGP Gaurav Yadav on X
Here's why Punjab govt struggles to raise revenue to fund its populist schemes
CHANDIGARH: After scrapping the controversial land pooling scheme, the cash-strapped AAP-led Punjab government seems to have landed itself in trouble. It is presently struggling to raise revenue to fund its populist schemes. In order to secure a loan to fund the schemes, the government has asked the Housing and Urban Development Department to prepare an inventory of the Rs 20,000 crore worth of property belonging to the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) for auctioning. The properties to be auctioned, after consultations with the Finance Department, includes residential, commercial and industrial sites in Mohali. This matter was discussed at a recent meeting headed by Chief Secretary KAP Sinha. However, GMADA at present owes a loan of nearly Rs 5,000 crore to financial institutions. Interestingly, out of the eight urban development authorities, only GMADA and the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority are financially viable in the state. The other six housing authorities, Amritsar, Bathinda, Patiala, Jalandhar, Anandpur Sahib (Urban) and Dera Baba Nanak, are allegedly unable to even meet their expenditure. Sources further said that a part of the total inventory could be used to raise a loan from financial institutions to fund populist schemes, such as providing Rs 1,100 monthly assistance to women above 18 years of age. Defending the move, sources claimed that this kind of practice is not new, as previous governments had also mortgaged assets of the state to raise loans and had even pledged future income to raise resources. During the SAD-BJP rule, the then government had raised a loan of Rs 2,000 crore by mortgaging its properties to banks. Later, the properties were transferred to the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) for auction after developing them under the optimum utilisation of vacant government land scheme. On the other hand, sources said that the decisions on proposals received from deputy commissioners of some districts for increasing the collector rates have been kept in abeyance for the time being. While the government has increased the collector rates by 550 per cent in 12 districts, the proposals sent by administrations of some of the remaining districts to the state revenue department have so far not been implemented. The Ludhiana administration had sent a proposal to increase the collector rates by 2540 per cent, which is still awaiting approval. In Bathinda, the rates have been increased by five per cent, but the approval for a further increase in some of the posh areas is awaiting clearance from the revenue department. It is learnt that the state government allegedly wanted to increase the revenue collection from stamps and registration to Rs 7,000 crore this year, compared to Rs 5,750 crore earned last year. Sources said that the government is yet to issue a notification to scrap the land pooling scheme, which was scrapped amid opposition from farmers unions. The notification is being prepared, said an official, adding that the government is likely to summon a cabinet meeting for scrapping the policy. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has decided to continue its protest against the land pooling policy until an official notification regarding its withdrawal is issued. The farmer leaders have asked the state government to clarify the issue by August 20, or they would be forced to intensify their struggle. Senior SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal said the farmers rally, to be held on August 24 in Samrala regarding the land pooling policy and other demands of farmers and labourers, would be held as announced.
Another split in Akali Dal as Harpreet Singh elected president of breakaway faction
CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal saw another split on Monday, with former Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh being unanimously elected president of the breakaway faction of the 104-year-old party. Satwant Kaur was appointed chairperson of the Panthic council of the new party by a five-member committee constituted by the Akal Takht. The Akal Takht-appointed committee held a meeting of the breakaway group of the SAD at Gurdwara Burj Akali Phoola Singh in Amritsar, which is being touted by the dissidents as the rebirth of the 'real' party. The move is an open challenge to the authority of Sukhir Singh Badal whose leadership, these rebels say, has plunged the once-dominant regional force into a crisis. Issuing a clarion call to revive the original Akali Dal of 1920, the panel announced that Harpreet Singh would not contest elections. The breakaway faction claims to represent the original Akali Dal and intends to approach the Election Commission of India (ECI) for ratification. Former SGPC presidents Bibi Jagir Kaur and Gobind Singh Longowal, along with Prem Singh Chandumajra, were present, sending a clear message that these prominent Akali leaders support the breakaway faction. The election of the president was conducted under the supervision of Santa Singh Umaidpuri, a panel member appointed as election officer after duly notifying the ECI. Other panel members include Manpreet Singh Ayali, Gurpartap Singh Wadala and Iqbal Singh Jhunda. This split is due to years of frustration with Sukhbir, who was declared tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) last year for allegedly violating the religious code of conduct by mishandling the crisis sparked by incidents of sacrilege in October 2015. Under his leadership, the party lost the 2017 and then the 2022 assembly elections and now has just three MLAs in the assembly. Harpreet Singh was part of the Sikh clergy that had pronounced Sukhbir and other party leaders 'tankhaiya' on December 2 last year. In February, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had dismissed Harpreet Singh from the post of jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib. This five-member committee including rebel Akali leaders (MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali, Iqbal Singh Jhunda, Santa Singh Umaidpur, former MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala and Satwant Kaur) was constituted by the highest temporal seat through a 'hukamnama' (edict) issued on December 2 last year. It was tasked with holding a membership drive for the party, besides holding organizational elections. Earlier, the committee had seven members but SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami and former SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar had resigned from the Akal Takht-appointed panel. However, the SAD rejected the Takht-constituted committee and the partys working committee, in January, formed its own panel and initiated a membership drive. This drew criticism from the rebel leaders for defying the Akal Takht directive, leaving the fate of the Takht panel in limbo. Later, on April 12, the SAD re-elected Sukhbir Singh Badal as the party president. The rebels had earlier launched their own membership drive on March 18, accusing Sukhbir of ignoring the December 2 edict from the Akal Takht, which called for fresh membership and unity across SAD factions. The 53-year-old Harpreet Singh, who paused his PhD work at Punjabi University in Patiala, hails from Muktsar and is from the Scheduled Caste community. He was a priest in SGPC-run gurudwaras when he was appointed acting Akal Takht Jathedar in 2018, replacing Giani Gurbachan Singh who had become an unpopular figure. Satwant Kaur, who hails from Bhoora Kohna village in Tarn Taran district, is considered a good orator and is currently serving in a senior position in the education wing of the SGPC. She has strong panthic roots, being the granddaughter of former Damdami Taksal chief Kartar Singh Bhindranwale and the daughter of Bhai Amrik Singh, president of the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), who was killed during Operation Bluestar.
HC orders 4-week interim stay on Punjab land pooling policy; seeks clarity on rehab provisions
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has put a four-week interim stay on the implementation of the controversial land pooling policy of the Punjab Government. The court made clear its intent to stay the policy after the government refused to withdraw it. The division bench of Justice Anupinder Grewal and Justice Deepak Manchanda also gave the state four weeks time after hearing detailed arguments for about two hours. We will stay the policy and give you time to address the concerns, the court said. The state has also been directed to inform the court whether a social impact assessment was carried out before notifying the policy. The court reiterated its concerns regarding the lack of provision for the rehabilitation of landless labourers and others dependent on land for their sustenance. It also questioned the government for not conducting the compulsory social impact assessment before identifying the land to be acquired. Earlier, the petitioner Gurdeep Singh Gill had contended that the policy was an act of colourable legislation, allegedly framed under a Central law that contained no enabling provision for such a scheme. His counsel Gurjeet Singh Gill, Manan Kheterpal, Manat Kaur, Rahul Jadge, and Rajat Verma also sought directions for quashing the notification and the policy as ultra vires, arbitrary, and violative of Articles 14, 19(1)(g), and 21 read with Article 300-A of the Constitution. After the hearing, Gurjeet Singh, lawyer of Gill, said that neither a social impact assessment nor any environment-related assessment was carried out under the land pooling policy. That no such social impact assessment report was either prepared or published, as per the provisions of law. Moreover, none of the gram panchayats or gram sabhas were approached or consulted by the respondents before bringing the Land Pooling Policy 2025, which is a clear disregard of the provisions mandated under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, said the petition. It further added that since there was no such provision of law under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, to frame the Land Pooling Policy 2025, there lies no mechanism or forum to challenge such a policy and the petitioner is left with no remedy to redress his grievance. On August 6, the court asked the Punjab government whether there was any provision in the policy for the rehabilitation of landless labourers for their sustenance. The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government has been facing flak from opposition parties and various farmer unions, which have termed the policy a looting scheme to rob the farmers of their fertile land. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced a state-wide yatra titled Save Land, Save Farmers, from August 17 to September 5. BJPs state Vice President Kewal Singh Dhillon said that during this yatra, BJP Punjab will go village-to-village creating awareness among farmers against this scheme and mobilising them. Backlash grows over Punjab's land pooling policy as AAP faces internal revolt in CM Manns constituency It will meet the farmers who are already aware and struggling, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder, will support them, he said. The yatra will kick off on August 17 from Patiala and pass through villages in the Malwa, Majha, and Doaba regions affected by the land pooling plan, culminating in Pathankot on September 5. Also, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has announced the launch of an indefinite Morcha from September 1. Party President Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the Morcha is dedicated to safeguarding Punjabs farmers, khet mazdoor, traders, and other sections of Punjabi society. He also announced that the party was unanimous in its decision to revoke the land pooling scheme after taking over the reins of the state in 2027, in case the AAP government persisted with its nefarious designs. We will hand over the entire acquired land back to the farmers after forming a special law for the purpose, in the same manner in which the land on which the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal was handed back to the original owners by Parkash Singh Badal in 2016, he said. Badal will lead the first Jatha on September 1 from Amb Sahib Gurudwara in Mohali and march to the new Sheesh Mahal at the nearby Panchayat Bhawan. Party workers from each constituency in Punjab will subsequently participate in a continuous dharna and march from the same site in Jathas of 500 persons each, indefinitely, till the AAP government revokes the land pooling scheme. A three-member coordinating committee comprising Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, N. K. Sharma, and Mohali district president Parminder Singh Sohana has also been formed for this purpose. Punjabs land pooling policy challenged in High Court as activists flag environmental concern
CHANDIGARH: Amid growing backlash from farmers and opposition parties over its controversial land pooling policy, Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is now grappling with growing internal dissent. The political storm has reached Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Dhuri assembly constituency, where several party leaders have resigned, denouncing the scheme as anti-farmer. According to sources, a few local leaders have conveyed the people's concerns to the party leadership. In the latest development, AAP block president from Dhuri, Gurjeet Singh Kanjhla, resigned stating that This fight against land pooling policy is not just of the farmers, but also of the entire state. Former OSD to CM Mann, Onkar Singh Sidhu, who was removed last year, criticised the policy on social media, People of Punjab have never bowed before Delhi, and they never will. AAP's Kisan wing leader from Jalandhar, Jaswant Singh Lovely also resigned, posting on social media that I hope the party will reconsider its decisions. I request my companions to stand with our farmer brothers. It is in your hands whether you want to become a son of Punjab or a son of Delhi. He also wrote that he resigned Gian Singh Mann, the CM's cousin from Satauj village, posted on social media, Just as the anti-sacrilege law has been sent to the standing committee for review and to seek public opinion, the same way the views of the landholders and farmers should be sought. Punjabs land pooling policy challenged in High Court as activists flag environmental concern Last week, Harmanjit Singh Brar, the Chairman of the District Planning Board of Moga and former district president of AAP in Moga, resigned citing strong opposition to the policy. He gave up his post but remained in the party. Brar announced his resignation through a Facebook post, stating that the decision was made in solidarity with the farmers, whose interests he believes are being compromised by the new policy. The government's land pooling scheme is against the welfare of the farming community. I cannot remain silent while farmers are pushed to the brink, he wrote, urging the state leadership to withdraw or review the controversial policy. A few days back, AAP's Jodhan block president in Ludhiana district Tapinder Singh Grewal also resigned from his post, denouncing the new scheme as anti-farmer. He also announced his decision via a post on Facebook, I, Tapinder Singh Jodhan block president of AAP appreciate all the good work done by the Punjab government. However, I strongly oppose the newly introduced land pooling policy and hereby resign from the post and my responsibilities within the party. Earlier, AAP Anandpur MP Sahib Malvinder Singh Kang criticised the scheme in a post on X and asked his party leaders to earn the trust of farmers before introducing any such policy. He had suggested the need for addressing the objections of farm unions through empathy and meaningful dialogue. But Kang later deleted the post drawing criticism from the opposition leaders who had commended him for breaking ranks with AAP to support the farmers. Kang had tweeted, The objections raised by farmer unions on the Land Pooling Policy must, in my view, be heard with empathy and addressed through meaningful dialogue. In the last three years, our government has ensured uninterrupted agri-power, pushed canal water to every field, fast-tracked mandi reforms and promoted crop diversification. On this, too, trust must be earnednot assumedbefore any policy takes root. Farmers take out tractor marches demanding immediate withdrawal of land pooling scheme in Punjab With nineteen months left for the 2027 assembly elections, the AAP government faces mounting pressure as farmer protests intensify. Protesters have burned effigies of CM Mann and Arvind Kejriwal, while opposition parties have termed the policy anti-peasantry and impractical. The policy has also been challenged in Punjab and Haryana High Court. On the other hand, the government claims that many farmers have agreed to follow this policy and give up their lands. However, compared to the protesting farmers, the number of farmers complying is very less: only 115 land owners in total (15 from Ludhiana and 100 from Mohali) have come forward to adopt the scheme since it was launched on June 2. As per the policy the state government plans to acquire 65,533 acres of land across 21 cities and towns in the state to develop both industrial and residential zones. The move is said to be the largest acquisition of land by the Punjab government since 1966. Partially relenting to the protest, the government has decided to implement the policy only in Ludhiana, Patiala and Mohali while putting smaller towns on hold. Last week, CM Mann said his government would continue engaging with farmers, calling their consent and their consent would remain pivotal to the land pooling policy. A senior AAP functionary said the party was holding talks to explain the policy's benefits.
Punjab farmers intensify protest against land pooling policy, AAP leaders quit in solidarity
Punjabs land pooling policy challenged in High Court as activists flag environmental concern CHANDIGARH: Apart from facing backlash from farmers and opposition parties over its controversial land pooling policy, Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is now grappling with growing internal dissent. The political storm has reached Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Dhuri assembly constituency, where several party leaders have resigned, denouncing the scheme as anti-farmer. According to sources, a few local leaders have conveyed the people's concerns to the party leadership. In the latest development, AAP block president from Dhuri, Gurjeet Singh Kanjhla, resigned stating that This fight against land pooling policy is not just of the farmers, but also of the entire state. Former OSD to CM Mann, Onkar Singh Sidhu, who was removed last year, criticised the policy on social media, People of Punjab have never bowed before Delhi, and they never will. AAP's Kisan wing leader from Jalandhar, Jaswant Singh Lovely also resigned, posting on social media that I hope the party will reconsider its decisions. I request my companions to stand with our farmer brothers. It is in your hands whether you want to become a son of Punjab or a son of Delhi. He also wrote that he resigned Gian Singh Mann, the CM's cousin from Satauj village, posted on social media, Just as the anti-sacrilege law has been sent to the standing committee for review and to seek public opinion, the same way the views of the landholders and farmers should be sought. Farmers take out tractor marches demanding immediate withdrawal of land pooling scheme in Punjab Last week, Harmanjit Singh Brar, the Chairman of the District Planning Board of Moga and former district president of AAP in Moga, resigned citing strong opposition to the policy. He gave up his post but remained in the party. Brar announced his resignation through a Facebook post, stating that the decision was made in solidarity with the farmers, whose interests he believes are being compromised by the new policy. The government's land pooling scheme is against the welfare of the farming community. I cannot remain silent while farmers are pushed to the brink, he wrote, urging the state leadership to withdraw or review the controversial policy. A few days back, AAP's Jodhan block president in Ludhiana district Tapinder Singh Grewal also resigned from his post, denouncing the new scheme as anti-farmer. He also announced his decision via a post on Facebook, I, Tapinder Singh Jodhan block president of AAP appreciate all the good work done by the Punjab government. However, I strongly oppose the newly introduced land pooling policy and hereby resign from the post and my responsibilities within the party. Earlier, AAP Anandpur MP Sahib Malvinder Singh Kang criticised the scheme in a post on X and asked his party leaders to earn the trust of farmers before introducing any such policy. He had suggested the need for addressing the objections of farm unions through empathy and meaningful dialogue. But Kang later deleted the post drawing criticism from the opposition leaders who had commended him for breaking ranks with AAP to support the farmers. Kang had tweeted, The objections raised by farmer unions on the Land Pooling Policy must, in my view, be heard with empathy and addressed through meaningful dialogue. In the last three years, our government has ensured uninterrupted agri-power, pushed canal water to every field, fast-tracked mandi reforms and promoted crop diversification. On this, too, trust must be earnednot assumedbefore any policy takes root. With nineteen months left for the 2027 assembly elections, the AAP government faces mounting pressure as farmer protests intensify. Protesters have burned effigies of CM Mann and Arvind Kejriwal, while opposition parties have termed the policy anti-peasantry and impractical. The policy has also been challenged in Punjab and Haryana High Court. On the other hand, the government claims that many farmers have agreed to follow this policy and give up their lands. However, compared to the protesting farmers, the number of farmers complying is very less: only 115 land owners in total (15 from Ludhiana and 100 from Mohali) have come forward to adopt the scheme since it was launched on June 2. As per the policy the state government plans to acquire 65,533 acres of land across 21 cities and towns in the state to develop both industrial and residential zones. The move is said to be the largest acquisition of land by the Punjab government since 1966. Partially relenting to the protest, the government has decided to implement the policy only in Ludhiana, Patiala and Mohali while putting smaller towns on hold. Last week, CM Mann said his government would continue engaging with farmers, calling their consent and their consent would remain pivotal to the land pooling policy. A senior AAP functionary said the party was holding talks to explain the policy's benefits.
Tawawur Rana, the alleged mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, wants a private lawyer. He needs to speak with his family for this. The Patiala House Court has reserved its order on this matter until August 7. Previously, the court denied Rana regular phone access to his family. The NIA filed a supplementary charge sheet against Rana.
Have some respect for the Army: SC affirms CBI probe in Col assault case
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday deplored the conduct of the Punjab police officers accused of assaulting a Colonel over a parking dispute, reminding the police personnel that they are sleeping peacefully at home because Army personnel are serving at the border. Have some respect for Army people. You are sleeping peacefully in your house because that man is serving at the border at -40 degrees, the apex court observed, dismissing a special leave petition filed by the Punjab police challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Courts order transferring the probe into the matter from the police to the CBI. The HC had observed at the time that there was no material to show that the investigation was being conducted in a fair manner. A bench of SC Justices Sanjay Kumar and Satish Chandra Sharma noted that the court had passed a well-reasoned order. The incident involving Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath and his son reportedly took place on the intervening night of March 13 and 14 this year when they were eating at a roadside dhaba (eatery) in Patiala. Col Bath, the complainant, has accused 12 Punjab Police personnel of assaulting him and his son for refusing to move their car while having a meal. He has also alleged a delay in the registration of an FIR. Taking a serious view of lapses on the part of the police, the court asked, An eight-day delay in lodging an FIR? The top court further stressed that it was not willing to accept any kind of lawlessness. We are going to dismiss this appeal with heavy costs. Let the CBI look into this. They (Army) go and defend you, and they come back wrapped in a national flag, Justice Sharma added. Also in top court Top court junks Baghels plea on ED powers The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea by former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and his son Chaitanya Baghel challenging the powers of the CBI and the ED to arrest and investigate accused individuals and their respective jurisdictions in cases related to the alleged liquor scam. Junking the petition, the apex court asked Baghel and his son to move the high court concerned for interim relief.
Farmers take out tractor marches demanding immediate withdrawal of land pooling scheme in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: With anger mounting against the controversial land pooling scheme of the Punjab government, farmers across the state held tractor marches demanding its immediate withdrawal. The state government plans to acquire 65,533 acres of land across 21 cities and towns in the state to develop both industrial and residential zones. It is the largest acquisition of land by the government in the state since it was reorganized in 1966. The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) comprising 35 farm unions had given a call for tractor marches which got support from other farm unions including the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and BKU Ekta-Ugrahan, the largest farm union of the state. On the call given by the SKM, tractor marches were taken out in various parts of the state including Ludhiana, Amritsar, Sangrur, Mohali, Bathinda, Taran Taran, Patiala, Ferozepur, Fategarh Sahib, Ropar, Jalandhar, SBS Nagar, Hoshiarpur, Moga and Mansa districts despite inclement weather. The biggest show of strength by farmers was witnessed in Ludhiana district where the state government proposes to acquire 45,861 acres of land. This includes 24,311 acres of land for residential purposes and 21,550 acres for setting up industrial zones. The epicentre of the protest was Dana Mandi in Jodhan near Ludhiana. A cavalcade of nearly 300 vehicles including tractors and tempos carrying many farmers and activists made its way through various villages. Senior SKM leader and president of BKU (Lakhowal Group) Harinder Singh Lakhowal who himself led the tractor march from Kum Kalan to Ratangarh village, covering 30 villages of the area, told TNIE that farmers in thousands participated in the tractor march, which started at around 9.30 am and ended at 2 pm. On August 4, a meeting of the SKM will be held to decide where to hold the massive rally which we have planned for August 24. If by then the government does not take back the land pooling scheme, a big agitation will be announced by us, he added. Without naming the AAP, posters have been put up in many villages, which read, Any official or leader of any party who wants to apprise about the benefits of the scheme will not be allowed to enter the village. Terming the policy a 'major conspiracy' to erase villages from the map of the state, senior SKM leader and president of BKU (Rajewal Group) Balbir Singh Rajewal said the tractor rally was held in several places of Ludhiana district including Kumkalan, Balion, Dakha, Jodha and Jagraon. It was the biggest-ever march in recent times, as the public in rural areas showed their anger against the governments bid to take over their fertile lands and displace them from their homes. This policy will ruin at least 20,000 families of farmers and leave farm labourers jobless, he said. In Amritsar district, tractor marches were taken out in Ajnala and Mannawala as farmers from villages around Guru Ka Bagh marched towards Gurdwara Morcha Sahib on the Amritsar-Ajnala road where they were joined by another cavalcade from villages around Rajasansi. A march was also taken out in neighboring Tarn Taran district. In Sangrur district, the rally started from Sohian village, near Sangrur, and culminated at the deputy commissioner's office. Farmers led by SKM leaders also started a dharna against the government in front of the DC office in Fatehgarh Sahib. Sarwan Singh Pandher, General Secretary of Kisan Mazdoor Sangarsh Committee, said they appeal to the government to withdraw the policy before a massive agitation starts. We know that the proposed acquisition announcement by the government was just a start, he said. Several tractors were fitted with music systems and extra seating to accommodate more protesters. These mobile convoys passed through the villages where the government reportedly plans to acquire land under the pooling policy. Women also extended support to the protesting farmers as they offered refreshments including chabeels, langars and parshad. The farmer leaders say that farmers are getting ready to fall into direct confrontation if such a situation arises. We are determined to oppose the land pooling scheme and do not want to part with our fertile lands and will go to any length to stop our land to be taken forcibly, said a farmer Kamalpreet Singh. The AAP government has been facing flak from opposition parties, including the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP, which dubbed its land pooling policy a looting scheme to rob farmers of their land. In return, the AAP has hit out at the opposition parties for spreading misleading propaganda.
Punjab: Gazetted Holiday declared on Udham Singhs Martyrdom Day on Jul 31
Chandigarh, Jul 29: The Punjab government has declared a gazetted holiday on of freedom fighter Udham Singhs martyrdom day on July 31. Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, Punjab Minister and AAP state president Aman Arora said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written a letter to the Centre to name the Patiala-Bhawanigarh road stretch [] The post Punjab: Gazetted Holiday declared on Udham Singhs Martyrdom Day on Jul 31 appeared first on Northlines .
Punjab Govt Declares Gazetted Holiday On Udham Singhs Martyrdom Day On Jul 31
Chandigarh, Jul 29: The Punjab government has declared a gazetted holiday on of freedom fighter Udham Singhs martyrdom day on July 31. Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, Punjab Minister and AAP state president Aman Arora said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written a letter to the Centre to name the Patiala-Bhawanigarh road stretch a national highway after Udham Singh. July 31, which is Shaheed Udham Singhs martyrdom day, has been declared a gazetted holiday by the Punjab [] The post Punjab Govt Declares Gazetted Holiday On Udham Singhs Martyrdom Day On Jul 31 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
CBI registers two separate cases over alleged assault of Army colonel by Punjab police
CHANDIGARH: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday registered two separate cases (First Information Reports) into the alleged assault on Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath by Punjab Police personnel. The CBI has re-registered both the FIRs filed by the Civil Lines Police Station, Patiala, as its own separate cases on the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court earlier this month. The premier investigating agency has tasked its special crime unit to carry out investigations in this case. Both the FIRs, one from Colonel Bath and the other from the dhaba owner, were registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which also include charges under attempted murder. In the second FIR taken over by the CBI, the owner of the eatery alleged that the occupants of Colonel Bath's car had parked their vehicle in the middle of the road where they were drinking when a minor scuffle took place between them and some passersby and the individuals in an unknown car. On July 16, the Punjab and Haryana High Court transferred the investigation into the alleged assault on Colonel Bath over a parking dispute outside a dhaba in Patiala by Punjab Police personnel to the CBI. Previously, the court had entrusted the investigation to the Chandigarh Police. Justice Rajesh Bhardwaj had expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Chandigarh Police. He had asserted that the conduct of the police amounted to setting the wrong example and protecting the accused. The court was earlier informed that five accused, four of whom are police inspectors, are absconding, and no non-bailable warrants have been issued against them. 'They were like a pack of wolves': Wife of Army colonel attacked by Punjab cops demands CBI probe In his petition, Colonel Bath sought an independent probe into the matter, preferably by the CBI. It is noteworthy to mention that the investigation of the instant case was transferred to the Chandigarh Police on 4 April and it is being stated with utmost disappointment that even despite the lapse of more than three-and-a-half months since the registration of the FIR and lapse of three months since the investigation has been handed over to the Chandigarh Police, neither a single accused has been arrested so far, nor any accused has been associated with the investigation, the petition stated. In March, Colonel Bath had moved the High Court after the Punjab Police allegedly delayed filing an FIR regarding the alleged assault on him and his son by a group of 12 policemen, including four inspectors. The family had rejected the SIT formed by the Punjab Police. The Punjab Police had registered an FIR only on 22 March, eight days after the incident, following repeated appeals from the officers family. The incident took place on the intervening night of 13 and 14 March when Colonel Bath and his son Angad Singh were having dinner at a dhaba near Rajindra Hospital. Colonel Bath alleged that a group of men aggressively approached them, demanding they move their car. After Colonel Bath identified himself as an Army officer, the attackers allegedly snatched his ID card and mobile phone.
CBI takes over attack on Army officer by Punjab cops
The CBI has taken over the investigation into the alleged assault of a colonel by Punjab Police personnel, registering two separate FIRs. The incident allegedly occurred at a roadside dhaba in Patiala.
Taste the flavours of Lahore and Patiala in Delhi at Amninder Sandhus Kikli
Court Seeks Tihar's Reply On 26/11 Accused Tahawwur Ranas Plea For Phone Call To Family
Delhi's Patiala House Court directed Tihar Jail to respond to 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana's plea for a phone call.
BJP leader Mithun refutes Mamata's claim on harassment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers
KOLKATA: Actor and BJP National Executive member Mithun Chakraborty on Thursday refuted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees allegation that Bengali-speaking migrant workers were being harassed and tortured in various BJP-ruled states. After attending an organizational meeting of the BJP in Kolkata, he said, These are all lies. I opened a hotel in Bengaluru where most of the workers were Bengali migrants. There were no Bangladeshis. But if someone is Bangladeshi, he will obviously be identified as Bangladeshi. He was replying to a question of Banerjees allegation over attack on Bengali-speaking people form West Bengal in various BJP-ruled states. INDIA bloc MPs protest in Parliament complex against SIR in Bihar In the Trinamool Congress Martyrs Day rally on July 21, Banerjee had alleged that the Election Commission of India was working at the behest of the BJP, referring to the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar. The BJP and the Election Commission are conspiring against West Bengal. They want to do in West Bengal what they did in Bihar through EC's SIR. If they try the same here, we will gherao them. We will never allow it, she had threatened. Have been increasingly receiving reports of detentions of and atrocities on our Bengali-speaking people from different districts of West Bengal in Gurgaon, Haryana. West Bengal police is receiving these reports from Haryana police in the name of requests for identity searches. Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 24, 2025 On Banerjees threat to gherao ECI, Chakraborty said, She has no other option, but this will definitely happen. The Election Commission must act. Fake and bogus voters names have to be removed from the list and only then elections be fair. Even if the Commission is gheraoed, what will be achieved? Whats the point of such protests? he added. Meanwhile, armed with the order of the Patiala House Court on Thursday, the Trinamool Congress escalated its attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre. In an order, the Patiala House Court directed the Union Government to immediately restore the supply of water and electricity in Delhis Jai Hind Colony. Alleging the harassment and forced eviction of Bengali migrant workers in Jai Hind Colony, Banerjee had accused BJP of targeting Bengali migrant workers and vowed to raise this issue in every possible forum. In a post on X on July 10, Banerjee had said, Their water supply was reportedly cut on orders from the BJP-led government. Electricity meters were confiscated and power was abruptly cut the day before yesterday. Residents also claim Delhi Police, backed by RAF personnel, blocked private water tankers they had arranged and paid for. I am deeply disturbed by the alarming news of harassment emerging from Jai Hind Colony in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi a settlement predominantly inhabited by Bengalis who build the city as part of its unorganised workforce. Their water supply was reportedly cut on orders from the Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 10, 2025 Welcoming the order of the Patiala House Court, the Trinamool Congress said that this verdict exposes the unconstitutional and targeted harassment of Bengali migrant workers by the BJP-led Central Government. In a post on X, the Trinamool Congress said, The Patiala House Court has directed the Centre to immediately restore water and electricity to residents of Delhis Jai Hind Colony. This verdict exposes the unconstitutional and targeted harassment of Bengali migrant workers by the @BJP4India -led Central Government. It is a significant step forward in the fight led by Smt. @MamataOfficial against the Centres continued oppression of Bengali-speaking communities, the post added.
CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex representative body of Sikhs, are at daggers drawn over events planned to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur from November 19 to 25 this year. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the Punjab government should focus on establishing meaningful memorials in connection with the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the Ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Teg Bahadar, instead of creating a confrontational atmosphere by organising parallel religious events. Dhami said the SGPC had already planned a series of events related 350th martyrdom anniversary a year in advance, beginning in April 2025 from Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal, Amritsar. Since then, events have been organised across various parts of the country. He said that the Punjab governments announcement of parallel eventsoverlapping with those planned by the SGPC at Anandpur Sahibwill cause confusion among the Sangat (community) and goes against long-standing traditions He alleged that the government appears to be deliberately trying to sideline Sikh institutions. Historically, centenary celebrations related to Sikh heritage and history have been led by the Khalsa Panth, with participation from all Sikh sampradas and organisations while the governments supporting them. Dhami questioned why the government has not shown due seriousness towards nearly 12 Sikh centenaries during its tenureincluding the centenary of the Guru Ka Bagh Morcha, the centenary of the Saka Panja Sahib, 200 years of Shaheedi of Akali Baba Phoola Singh, Guru Angad Devs Guruship Day, and the 450th Jyoti Jot Diwas of Guru Amar Das. He recalled how earlier governments cooperated with the Panth in marking the centenaries, establishing major memorials such as Guru Nanak Dev University, Guru Nanak Hospital (Amritsar), and colleges during Guru Nanak Devs 500th Prakash Purab (birth anniversary) in 1969; Virasat-e-Khalsa and Panj Piara Park during the 300th Khalsa Sajna Diwas in 1999 and a historical memorial at Chappar Chiri in 2010 in remembrance of Baba Banda Singh Bahadars victory at Sirhind. However, the current government led by Bhagwant Mann is instead interfering in the jurisdiction of Panthic institutions and organizations, he alleged. Dhami reaffirmed that the SGPC, as the supreme religious body of the Sikh Panth, has already made clear that heads of all governments will be invited to participate in these commemorations, ensuring inclusivity. In such a context, the government's move to announce parallel programs raises serious concerns. Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday had announced a series of events to be organised by the state government to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur. After chairing a meeting, Mann said the events would primarily be held at Anandpur Sahib under the aegis of the state government . He had said that from November 19 to November 25, a series of events will beorganised with deep reverence and respect across the state. In a statement, Mann said these events will primarily take place in Anandpur Sahib under the auspices of the state government. To mark the occasion, CM Mann announced that four grand yatras will begin from different corners of Punjab and converge at Anandpur Sahib. The first will begin on November 21 from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and pass through Pathankot and Hoshiarpur to reach Anandpur Sahib. Likewise, CM Mann said that the second yatra will start from Gurdaspur and travel through Baba Bakala, Amritsar Sahib, Tarn Taran, and Jalandhar, eventually reaching Anandpur Sahib. He said the third yatra will start from Ferozepur, pass through Moga and Ludhiana to proceed towards Anandpur Sahib and the fourth yatra will also start from Ferozepur and will pass through Faridkot, Bathinda, Barnala, Sangrur, Mansa, and Patiala, and conclude at Anandpur Sahib. The CM had added that light-and-sound shows and poetry sessions based on Guru Sahib's life and sacrifice would be organised in all 23 districts of Punjab. Blaming the SGPCs stance, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, You know the reasons. They do not want to meet us. Through you, we are extending an invitation to them. They can call us or approach the state government.
Punjab police busts BKI terror module linked to grenade attacks in Patiala
Three arrested for targeting police posts; foreign-based handlers identified, further attacks were allegedly being planned
Punjab Police arrests three BKI terror module members linked to grenade attacks in Patiala, Haryana
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Police has busted a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module operated by foreign-based handlers Maninder Billa and Manu Agwan, arresting three members linked to grenade attacks on police posts in Badshahpur in Patiala and Ajimgarh in Haryana. Director General of Police, Punjab Gaurav Yadav said here on Sunday that the operation was jointly conducted by Counter Intelligence (CI) Patiala and State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), SAS Nagar. Those arrested have been identified as Sandeep Singh alias Deepu, a resident of Badshahpur in Patiala, Harpreet Singh alias Jagga, a resident of Harchandpura in Patiala, Harmanpreet Singh alias Preet, a resident of Gurdialpura in Patiala. The development came after grenade attacks were reported at Police Post Badshahpur in Patiala on April 1 this year and Police Post Ajimgarh in Haryana on April 6. Following the incidents, operatives of BKI, Happy Passia, Manu Agwan, and Gopi Nawasherian, had used social media to claim the responsibility for these terror acts. By successfully busting this module, Punjab Police has solved both incidents of grenade attacks on police establishments in the state, said Yadav, while adding that both the handlers were working on the directions of terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda. Yadav said that the module had received logistical and financial support. Preliminary investigation has also suggested that the module was actively planning further attacks on police establishments in Punjab, he said, while adding that further investigation is on to trace forward and backward linkages in this case. Sharing more details, Assistant Inspector General of Police (Counter Intelligence) Patiala Dr Simrat Kaur during the interrogation, arrested accused persons have confessed that attacks at both the police establishments were masterminded by their associate identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Babbu, who is lodged in Patiala Jail and currently is in the Police custody. She said that probe has found that mastermind Gurpreet Singh alias Babbu had promised Sandeep Singh alias Deepu Rs 3-4 lakh for participating in the Badshahpur attack, while, Harmanpreet Singh alias Preet was paid Rs 10,000 for accompanying in the Ajimgarh attack. She said that further investigation is on and more arrests and recoveries are likely in coming days. A case has been registered under sections sections 25 (1) (B) and 61 (2) of the Arms Act at Police Station SSOC SAS Nagar, while, sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Explosive Substances Act have been added later.
Jailed J&K MP Engineer Rashid to move resolution for statehood in Parliament
SRINAGAR: As politics on restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir has gained momentum ahead of the monsoon session of parliament, jailed J&K MP Sheikh Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, will move a resolution in Parliament seeking its restoration, his party said on Friday. Awami Ittihad Party (AIP) chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi said today that party president and jailed Lok Sabha MP from Baramulla Engineer Rashid will bring a resolution in the upcoming Parliament session demanding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The monsoon session of parliament begins on July 21. The demand for statehood is not a favour but a constitutional right that was unilaterally taken away in 2019. It is time Parliament corrects this historic wrong. Engineer Rashids resolution is a reflection of peoples yearning for dignity, democratic rights and self-respect, Inam said. He said despite being unjustly jailed, Engineer Rashid has not allowed chains of incarceration to silence the voice of his people. He will continue to use every democratic platform available to uphold the aspirations and sentiments of Jammu and Kashmir. Engineer Rashid, who is in jail since 2019 in an alleged case of terror funding, last year contested the parliamentary election from Baramulla Lok Sabha seat from jail and won by defeating two political heavy weights Omar Abdullah and Peoples conference chairman and former minister Sajjad Gani Lone. The AIP has moved an application in Patiala House Court New Delhi seeking permission for Engineer Rashid to attend the monsoon session of parliament starting from July 21. The NIA has, however, opposed Engineer Rashids plea. The court on July 8 reserved its order and it is likely to be announced on July 21, the opening day of the parliament session.
Punjab, Haryana HC transfers investigation in Col Bath assault case to CBI
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court today transferred the investigation into the alleged assault on Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath over a parking dispute outside a dhaba in Patiala by Punjab Police personnel to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Previously, the court had entrusted the investigation to the Chandigarh Police. Justice Rajesh Bhardwaj, expressing dissatisfaction with the investigation conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Chandigarh Police, directed that the case be transferred to the CBI. The direction came just two days after the bench of Justice Bhardwaj admonished the Chandigarh Police for its failure to arrest any of the accused Punjab Police personnel. He had asserted that the conduct of the police amounted to setting the wrong example and protecting the accused. The court was earlier informed that all five accused, four of whom are police inspectors, are absconding, and no non-bailable warrants have been issued against them. After the hearing, Pushpinder Singh Ahluwalia, lawyer of Colonel Bath, said, The petitioner in its fresh plea sought an independent probe, preferably by the CBI, into the matter. After the hearing in the matter today, the court of Justice Rajesh Bhardwaj then transferred the case to the CBI. Seeking an independent probe into the matter, preferably by the CBI, in his petition, Colonel Bath asserted that the investigation of the case was transferred to the Chandigarh Police on 2 April. That it is noteworthy to mention that the investigation of the instant case was transferred to the Chandigarh Police on 4 April and it is being stated with utmost disappointment that even despite lapse of more than three and a half months since the registration of the FIR and lapse of three months since the investigation has been handed over to the Chandigarh Police, neither a single accused has been arrested so far, nor any accused has been associated with the investigation, the petition stated. In April, the High Court had directed the Chandigarh Police to form a special investigation team and probe the case, with a mandate to complete the probe within four months. In March, Colonel Bath had moved the High Court after the Punjab Police allegedly delayed filing an FIR regarding the alleged assault on him and his son by a group of 12 policemen, including four inspectors. The family had rejected the SIT formed by the Punjab Police. The Punjab Police had registered an FIR only on 22 March, eight days after the incident, following repeated appeals from the officers family. The incident took place on the intervening night of 13 and 14 March when Colonel Bath and his son, Angad Singh, were having dinner at a dhaba near Rajindra Hospital. Colonel Bath alleged that a group of men aggressively approached them, demanding they move their car. One of them threatened to break our legs and then punched me. I lost consciousness. Then they assaulted my son, he had said at the time. When Colonel Bath identified himself as an Army officer, the attackers allegedly snatched his ID card and mobile phone. The petitioner had alleged that the Patiala Police failed to act despite the severity of the incident. He claimed that distress calls to senior officials were ignored. Instead of registering an FIR on his complaint, the police initially lodged a case of affray against unknown persons based on a third-party complaint. The officers family had to approach senior police officials and even the Punjab Governor before an FIR was finally registered eight days later.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has summoned the IPS officer leading the Chandigarh Police SIT investigation into the alleged assault on Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath by Punjab Police personnel in Patiala. Justice Rajesh Bhardwaj's directive follows Colonel Bath's plea accusing the SIT of shielding the accused cops.
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government on Monday tabled a stringent bill to tackle acts of sacrilege. The proposed legislation includes provisions that could lead to life imprisonment and a fine up to Rs 10 lakh for individuals found guilty of desecrating any religious scripture. Before this bill was introduced, the assembly was adjourned for an hour. During the break, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan called representatives of all parties to inform them about the bills introduction. Once the House reconvened, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann introduced the 'Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill 2025'. The bill mandates strict punishment for the desecration of holy scriptures including the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Bible and Quran. Though the Bill was tabled in the assembly on Monday afternoon, discussion on it has been deferred till Tuesday morning as the Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa described the sacrilege issue as serious and urged the Speaker to hold the discussion on the bill on Tuesday. I request you to discuss this on Tuesday. Legislators should ideally get 48 hours to study any bill. This bill will have to get the presidential assent later, so it is important that all party MLAs are well prepared for discussing the bill, he said. Following the debate, the bill is expected to be referred to a select committee for discussions with all stakeholders. As per the bill, the offences under this law will be cognizable, non-compoundable, and tried by a sessions court. Police officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and above will be authorized to investigate such cases. Those convicted under the proposed law will also be liable to pay a fine of Rs 5 lakh, which may be extended to Rs 10 lakh. The bill also includes punishment for abetment of sacrilege, as anyone who instigates or conspires to commit acts like damaging, destroying, defacing, decolouring, defiling, decomposing, burning, breaking or treating of any holy scripture or its part will face three to five years in jail, along with a fine of up to Rs 3 lakh. Before the start of the third day of the special session of the state assembly, the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture Bill, 2025 was cleared by the cabinet in a meeting. The government went ahead and tabled the bill in the state assembly amid growing political and public pressure for tougher punishment. Gurjeet Singh Khalsa has been protesting since October last year atop a BSNL tower in Samana (Patiala), demanding the death penalty for those found guilty of sacrilege. This is the third consecutive government in the state to bring forward anti-sacrilege legislation. Previous attempts by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP government in 2016 and the Congress government in 2018 were either returned by the Centre or failed to receive Presidential assent. The first legislative effort came in 2016 when the SAD-BJP government introduced the Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016 and the Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016, recommending life imprisonment for desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib. However, the Centre returned the bills, stating that the amendments must apply to all religions in keeping with the secular principles of the Constitution. In 2018, the Amarinder Singh-led Congress government passed two similar bills, expanding the scope to include the Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Quran and Bible, but these were referred back to the state government by the Centre. The Union government had then noted that the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) had replaced the IPC, and any amendments needed to align with the provisions of the new code. CM Mann had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in 2022 seeking Presidential assent to the two bills passed by the Congress government. A government spokesman said that with the enactment of the law, the state seeks to further strengthen the ethos of communal harmony, brotherhood, peace and amity. It will also act as a strong deterrent against anti-social and anti-national activities by ensuring severe punishment for perpetrators of this heinous crime, he said. He added that there have been numerous incidents in the past involving the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and other revered granths, deeply wounding public sentiments and causing unrest in society. While sections 298, 299 and 300 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, address such issues, they do not prescribe sufficiently stringent penalties to serve as an effective deterrent, said the spokesperson. Considering the gravity of such offences and the imperative to preserve communal harmony and religious sanctity, the cabinet found it necessary to introduce state-specific legislation providing enhanced penalties, including life imprisonment, for those convicted of sacrilege against any holy granth, he added.
AAP government in Punjab to hire retired doctors amid severe shortage of medical specialists
CHANDIGARH: Facing an acute shortage of medical specialists, the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government has begun hiring retired doctors, even as it claims to have improved the states healthcare infrastructure. Nearly 47 per cent of sanctioned specialist posts in government hospitals remain vacant across Punjab. Sources said that out of the 2,098 posts of sanctioned specialists, 990 are lying vacant. Not only specialist doctors but also posts of doctors in the general medical officer cadre are lying vacant. 1,962 posts are yet to be filled out of 3,847, which comes to 51 per cent. Sources said that the state health department has decided to recruit 100 retired medical specialists through walk-in interviews. Thus, it has invited applications from the retired government doctors to apply for these contractual posts of consultants in district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals and community health centres (CHCs). As per the notification issued by the state health department, the posts to be filled include 21 in paediatrics, 20 in general medicine, 20 in gynaecology, 15 in general surgery, 13 in anaesthesia, 7 radiologists and four doctors in psychiatry. Also, only retired specialist doctors between 58 and 64 years of age will be eligible to apply. The contract will be for one year and can be extended annually based on performance and subject to the approval of the finance department. These doctors will get remuneration equivalent to the last pay drawn, minus pension, plus dearness allowance as admissible on the date of appointment. Besides, they must be free of disciplinary proceedings. They will not be allowed to engage in private practice during the contractual period and will only do clinical duties (outpatient, inpatient, and emergency care) and will be exempted from medico-legal, administrative, or post-mortem responsibilities. Recently, posts of specialised doctors were advertised, but only 60 doctors joined. In 2022, the government also tried to fill 634 posts of specialist doctors but did not get a good response. The reason that doctors refrain from joining the state medical services is due to pay disparities, lack of emergency medical staff thus, specialist doctors have to take care of emergencies, and they are also deployed for VVIP duties. This decision of the state health department to hire retired specialists has not gone well with the young doctors, and many of them say they have been awaiting recruitment since November 2022, when the last advertisement for regular posts was issued. Interestingly, 31 specialist doctors who pursued post-graduation under the government quota have exited service without completing the mandatory service period or depositing the stipulated bond amount of Rs 50 lakh. As per rules, after one gets admission under the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) quota, one has to serve with the state government as one signs a 10-year service bond in exchange for subsidised admission. As four doctors each resigned from Sangrur and Ludhiana, three each from Kapurthala, Mansa, and Faridkot, two each from Mohali, Tarn Taran, and Ropar and one each from Bathinda, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar and Barnala. They have also not deposited the bond amount they pledged at the time of admission. The health department has directed civil surgeons to initiate recovery proceedings. The civil surgeons have been instructed to contact these doctors immediately and serve them a 21-day notice to deposit the bond, amount and if they fail, disciplinary action will be initiated, and the department has directed that a formal request be made to the Punjab Medical Council or relevant regulatory bodies to cancel their medical registration. Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) president Dr Akhil Sarin said a few months back, 110 specialised doctors joined as part of their bond obligation, and in the coming days a few more are likely to join after the end of the extensions granted to them. Also, walk-in interviews for an additional 160 specialist posts are also in the pipeline. All these steps are effectively aimed at providing specialist services to the poor and underserved. In 2020, the then government stalled career progression of medical officers this was one of the causes why specialised doctors did not opt for government jobs. While lack of security is another issue, he said. ` A few years back their were similar schemes of re-employment of post retirement and few doctors had taken the extensions then, he said.
Patiala Court Orders Seizure Of Civic Body's Office, Car, ACs To Pay Dead Man's Dues
The court stated that the Municipal Corporation must pay the pending dues or face confiscation of its properties to recover the Rs 3.2 lakh owed to the employee's family
Patiala court orders seizure of municipal corporation building, assets over ex-staffer's dues
A Patiala court has ordered the attachment of the municipal corporation's office building and assets, including the commissioner's car, due to unpaid dues of Rs 3.2 lakh to the family of a deceased employee. Despite previous court orders and a Supreme Court dismissal of their appeal, the corporation failed to fully compensate Varinderjit Singh's family, leading to this action.
26/11 Mumbai terror case: NIA files fresh charges against Tahawwur Rana
The National Investigation Agency has submitted an additional charge sheet against Tahawwur Rana in the 26/11 Mumbai terror case at Patiala House Court. This action is part of a larger investigation. It involves David Coleman Headley and Pakistan's ISI. The court will consider the charge sheet on August 13. Rana's judicial custody has been extended until then.
JALANDHAR: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches in multiple cities of Punjab and Haryana as part of a money laundering investigation into a 'donkey route' case related to illegal Indian immigrants who were deported by the US this year , official sources said. Offices and houses of suspects and agents in at least 11 cities in the two states , Amritsar, Sangrur, Patiala and Moga in Punjab and Ambala, Kurukshetra and Karnal in Haryana are being raided under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said. The money laundering case stems from 17 FIRs registered by Punjab and Haryana police departments against the travel/visa agents and middlemen who cheated various persons willing to go to the US illegally, they said. A number of Indians from these two states and few others were deported onboard US military planes in February this year and the agency later recorded the statements of few deportees. These statements and some linked investigation threw up the names of certain suspects and they are being searched, the sources said. 682 Indians deported from US since January, majority had attempted to enter illegally: MEA The agents used to arget innocent persons who were willing to go abroad and on the false promise of sending them to the US through legal channels and flights they used to charge an amount ranging from Rs 45-50 lakh per candidate. However, the agents used to dupe these people as they were sent through illegal routes (donkey route) by crossing the borders of many countries illegally through dangerous/jungle routes under the influence of 'donkers' and mafias, the sources said. These agents, in collusion with 'donkers' and mafia used to create a hreatening situation for the aspiring travellers and their families that they were forced to cough up more and more money, the sources said.
ED conducts searches across Punjab and Haryana in Donkey Route case
The searches were carried out in Punjabs Amritsar, Sangrur, Patiala, and Moga; and Ambala, Kurukshetra, and Karnal in Haryana, as part of the probe into money-laundering angle
ED Raids In Punjab, Haryana In Donkey Route Case
Jalandhar, Jul 9: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches in multiple cities of Punjab and Haryana as part of a money laundering investigation into a donkey route case related to illegal Indian immigrants who were deported by the US this year, official sources said. Offices and houses of suspects and agents in at least 11 cities in the two states Amritsar, Sangrur, Patiala and Moga in Punjab and Ambala, Kurukshetra and Karnal in Haryana are being raided under [] The post ED Raids In Punjab, Haryana In Donkey Route Case appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Punjab govt to introduce stringent anti-sacrilege bill, proposes life term or death penalty
CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Government is set to introduce a fresh and more stringent bill to tackle acts of sacrilege during a special two-day assembly session scheduled for July 10 and 11. The proposed legislation includes provisions for life imprisonment or even the death penalty for individuals found guilty of desecrating any religious scripture. This will be the third consecutive Punjab government to bring forward anti-sacrilege legislation. Previous attempts by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP government in 2016 and the Congress government in 2018 were either returned by the Centre or failed to receive Presidential assent. During a meeting held last Saturday at the Chief Ministers official residence with representatives of the Sarb Dharam Beadbi Rokko Kanoon Morcha, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had announced the governments intent to introduce the new law. Sources confirmed that a state-specific amendment to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) will be required. The government is currently seeking legal opinion on including the death penalty for sacrilege. If not legally viable, the bill will at least propose life imprisonment, a senior official said. The move comes amid growing political and public pressure for tougher punishment. Gurjeet Singh Khalsa has been protesting since October last year atop a BSNL tower in Samana (Patiala), demanding the death penalty for those found guilty of sacrilege. The first legislative effort came in 2016 when the SAD-BJP government introduced The Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016 and The Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2016, recommending life imprisonment for desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib. However, the Centre returned the bills, stating that the amendments must apply to all religions in keeping with the secular principles of the Constitution. In 2018, the Captain Amarinder Singh-led Congress government passed two similar bills, expanding the scope to include the Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Holy Quran, and Holy Bible, but these too failed to secure Presidential assent. The Union Government recently returned these bills, advising the state to draft fresh legislation under the framework of the new BNS. CM Mann has repeatedly asserted that the desecration of religious scriptures is a serious issue and noted that while the BNS addresses religious places, it is silent on sacred texts. He emphasised that the matter falls under the Concurrent List, giving states the authority to enact their own law. Sections 298 and 299 of the BNS provide for lighter penalties: up to two years' imprisonment for defiling a place of worship and up to three years for deliberate acts meant to offend religious sentiments. The political sensitivity of the issue dates back to October 2015, when an incident of sacrilege involving the Guru Granth Sahib in Bargari during the SAD-BJP regime triggered widespread outrage and had a profound impact on Punjabs political landscape an event from which the Akali Dal is still seen to be recovering. While CM Mann favours capital punishment for sacrilege, some voices within the party argue that such a sentence may not stand legal scrutiny and could be seen as excessively harsh. Nonetheless, the upcoming bill signals a firm political stance on a matter that continues to stir strong emotions across the state.
Husband kills self unaware wife died by suicide after a fight; three children orphaned
In a tragic turn of events in Punjab's Patiala district, a couple died by suicide following a misunderstanding. Gurmeet Singh, unaware of his wife Manpreet Kaur's earlier suicide, took his own life, leaving their three children orphaned. Manpreet had left home after a marital dispute, and Gurmeet mistakenly believed she had eloped, prompting his devastating decision.
SAD leader Majithia sent to 14 days judicial custody in disproportionate assets case
CHANDIGARH: Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who is the brother-in-law of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, was today sent to 14 days judicial custody in a disproportionate assets case by a court in Mohali. Amid tight security arrangements, Majithia was produced before the court. The police also detained several prominent SAD leaders and workers in different parts of the state in the morning to prevent them from coming towards Mohali. Speaking to the media after the court hearing, public prosecutors Ferry Sofat and Preet Inderpal Singh said Majithia has been sent to judicial custody for two weeks and will be lodged in the New Jail at Nabha. During investigations, many things have come to the fore during the remand period, Sofat said. Preet Inderpal said under the provisions of the law, if an investigating agency feels that remand is again required based on new facts emerging during the investigation, an application can be moved before the court to seek the remand. On the other hand, Arshdeep Singh Kler, counsel for Majithia, claimed the investigating agency does not have anything to back their case. The government only wants to suppress the voice of the Akali Dal. The police did not have proof in the drug case till today, and now in the disproportionate assets case, they did not find any asset. They only created media hype around the case, Kler alleged. Earlier, on July 2, a court here had extended the vigilance remand of Majithia by four more days. The next date of hearing is now set for July 19. Sources said Majithia was taken to Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday to gather evidence related to Saraya Industries. Majithia, on July 1, had moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the DA case, in which the next date of hearing has been fixed for July 8. He had termed it political witch-hunting and vendetta for being a vocal critic of the present government. In his petition, he sought appropriate relief against his illegal arrest and the subsequent remand granted in the FIR registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The said FIR is a result of political witch-hunting and vendetta, initiated by the present political dispensation with the sole object of maligning and harassing the petitioner, who has been a vocal critic and political opponent, the petition read. The petitioner submitted that the FIR registered against him is patently illegal, while his arrest was carried out in gross violation of settled legal procedures. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau had arrested Majithia on June 25 in a DA case allegedly involving the laundering of Rs 540 crore of drug money. In the fresh FIR registered against Majithia, the agency claimed that preliminary investigations revealed more than Rs 540 crore of drug money had been laundered through several means and that it was allegedly facilitated by Majithia. This FIR against Majithia stems from an ongoing investigation being conducted by a Punjab Police Special Investigation Team into a drug case. In 2021, Majithia was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The action was taken on the basis of a 2018 report of the anti-drug Special Task Force. Majithia had spent more than five months in Patiala Central Jail and walked out of prison in August 2022 after the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted him bail.
Man & wife die by suicide due to mistrust & fights, 3 kids orphaned
A tragic misunderstanding led to a double suicide in Patiala's Pooniwal village, leaving three children orphaned. Manpreet Kaur, facing marital issues, left home with her children after a quarrel. Unbeknownst to her husband, Gurmeet Singh, she died by suicide. Thinking she had eloped, Gurmeet also took his own life, compounding the family's devastation.
Partition survivor who was saved by a Muslim dies at 102
Ram Krishan Singh, a 102-year-old survivor of the 1947 Partition, passed away in Punjab's Patiala. During the violent upheaval, his father was murdered, but Ram Krishan was saved by a Muslim villager's courageous intervention. His life exemplified resilience and the enduring impact of kindness amidst the horrors of communal violence, leaving behind a legacy of compassion.
SAD leader Majithias custody extended as Badal lashes out at undeclared emergency in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: A Mohali court on Tuesday extended by four days the vigilance custody of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, brother-in-law of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal. Majithia was earlier arrested in a disproportionate assets (DA) case. Meanwhile, Badal and several party workers were taken into preventive custody by Punjab Police to stop them from marching to the district court complex to express solidarity with Majithia. Majithia was produced before the court amid tight security outside the Vigilance Bureau (VB) office and the district court complex in Mohali after his seven-day vigilance remand ended. He will be produced in court again on Sunday. He was brought to the court in a cavalcade of vehicles under heavy police protection. The special public prosecutor stated that an alleged benami property of around 400 acres had been found at Mashobra in Shimla district. Speaking to the media after a three-hour hearing, public prosecutor Ferry Sofat said the court extended Majithias remand by four more days after the Vigilance Bureau filed an application. Meanwhile, SAD workers had gathered at Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali to stage a protest against the vendetta politics of the AAP government, with several workers reaching Mohali from different parts of the state. The police detained a few workers en route to Mohali to prevent any law-and-order situation. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested Majithia on 25 June in the DA case, which allegedly involves laundering of 540 crore of drug money. Following his arrest, the court on 26 June remanded him to seven days of vigilance custody. In the fresh case registered against Majithia, the VB claimed preliminary investigations had revealed laundering of over 540 crore of drug money through multiple channels, allegedly facilitated by him. In 2021, Majithia was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The action was based on a 2018 report of the anti-drug Special Task Force. He spent more than five months in Patiala jail and walked out of prison in August 2022 after being granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Badal, who was whisked away from Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali, accused the AAP-led Punjab government of imposing an undeclared emergency in the state by cracking down on SAD workers who, he said, had the right to express solidarity with Majithia. Badal alleged that Arvind Kejriwal committed heinous sacrilege against sacred Sikh Gurdhams by abusing police to prevent devotees, including Akali workers, from paying obeisance at Gurdwara Amb Sahib, Mohali this morning. Earlier, Badal courted arrest along with numerous Akali workers to protest what he described as political vendetta symbolised by the registration of a false case against senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia. He said, That case is nothing but a symptom of Kejriwals hatred against Punjabis and an attempt to cover up his greed and loot in Punjab. Badal was stopped by police squads from visiting Gurdwara Amb Sahib to pay obeisance. He was scheduled to lead Akali workers to the State Vigilance Bureau office to protest the political vendetta unleashed against Akali leader Bikram Majithia. He said the AAP was so afraid of the Shiromani Akali Dal that it launched a state-level crackdown on Akali workers and detained hundreds of senior leaders and workers at their residences, besides making preventive arrests. Everything in Punjab is being directed and run by Arvind Kejriwal. Police cases are just a faade. The real issue is the hatred this communal leader has against Punjabis. We, as Sikhs, Punjabis and Akalis, accept his challenge. We will not allow Punjab to be ruled by communal elements from Delhi, Badal alleged. He further claimed, Kejriwal and his gang have finally and unashamedly shown their true dictatorial colours and brought back the dark memories of the worst draconian days of the Emergency. Now, as during the Emergency, the real targets are Punjabis in general and Akalis in particular. Badal added that Kejriwal had resorted to repression as a last desperate measure to divert public attention from the loot that his gang was currently carrying out in Punjab. Repression and political vendetta, he said, were the last resorts of all unpopular and rootless leaders. Describing the crackdown on peaceful Akalis as worse than that during the Emergency or even the Jaitu Da Morcha, he said, Not even during those days were Sikhs stopped from going to their sacred shrines, as Akali workers and I were stopped today from peacefully visiting our Gurdham, Gurdwara Amb Sahib, Mohali.
Akali leader Majithia lashes out at AAP after Punjab Vigilance raids, arrest in assets case
CHANDIGARH: Senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who is the brother-in-law of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, was on Tuesday arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau following a raid on his residence in Amritsar. Sources said the vigilance bureau carried out raids at 25 locations across the state. The vigilance team, led by Assistant Inspector General of Police Swarandeep Singh, raided Majithias house and seized 29 mobile phones, four laptops, two iPads, eight diaries, and several documents. He was arrested in connection with a disproportionate assets case. SAD leaders attempted to enter the Majithia residence but were pushed back by the state police after a minor scuffle. As the news of the raid spread on social media, Akali leaders and supporters gathered at the residence and raised slogans against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. A heavy police presence was deployed on the road leading to the residence, and barricades were set up to restrict access. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Punjab Police is also investigating a 2021 drug case against Majithia. The Vigilance Bureau has yet to issue an official statement regarding the case or the charges against Majithia. As a team of officials entered his house, Majithia and his wife, Akali MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia, claimed that members of the Vigilance Bureau barged into their Green Avenue home in Amritsar. They also alleged that a similar raid had taken place at their residence in Chandigarh. She said a disproportionate assets case had been registered against her husband. We will continue to fight. People will stand by Majithia, she said, claiming that a 30-member team from the bureau entered their house. She asked the officials, What is happening? I want to know what is going on. How did you barge into my house without my knowledge? Majithia was heard arguing with vigilance officials, expressing his dismay over the manner in which they entered his house. He also alleged that the officials terrified his children. You have forced your way through. This is not the way. I am not going anywhere. I am ready to cooperate, Majithia told the vigilance team. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, his wife and former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and several senior Akali leaders criticised the AAP government over the raid at Majithias residence. The Shiromani Akali Dal stands like a rock with Bikram Singh Majithia. It is clear that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his government are deeply rattled by Majithias bold and outspoken exposure of their corrupt and dark dealings. We have never bowed down, nor will we ever bow down, said Badal. In a video message, Majithia lashed out at the government, alleging that the AAP was using such tactics to silence opposition voices. He claimed a fresh case had been lodged by the vigilance department on Tuesday night. They forcefully entered the house. If an FIR has been lodged, we are submitted to the law. If they wanted to register an FIR in the DA (disproportionate assets) case, they could have given a notice and registered an FIR. It is very clear that they (AAP) are rattled, he said. Majithia said a team from the vigilance bureau, led by the Senior Superintendent of Police, had conducted the raid. Bhagwant Mann, understand this, no matter how many FIRs you register, neither I will be afraid, nor can your government suppress my voice. I have always talked about the issues of Punjab and will continue to do so, he said. Majithia had earlier been summoned and questioned several times in connection with the drug case. In March this year, the SIT claimed it had found suspicious financial transactions involving firms linked to Majithia and his family. It had also stated that its investigation had expanded to examine overseas transactions. A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was registered against Majithia on 20 December 2021, during the tenure of the Congress government. The action was based on a 2018 report from the anti-drug Special Task Force. The FIR was filed by the state Crime Branch at its Mohali police station. Majithia had then spent over five months in Patiala jail and was released in August 2022 after being granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Punjab Property Dealer, Wife, 15-Year-Old Son Found Dead Inside Fortuner SUV
A somber scene unfolded in the fields near a village in Punjab's Patiala district when three members of a family were found dead inside a Toyota Fortuner SUV under mysterious circumstances.
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala was known for his extravagant lifestyle, grand jewellery, vast harem, and love for food and luxury.
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CHANDIGARH: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that as the Indus Waters Treaty has been put in abeyance, efforts will be made to ensure that more water reaches farmers in Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan. He said that 80 per cent of water from the Indus river system was flowing into Pakistan. Giving 80 per cent water to Pakistan at that time was not justified. Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan require water and that water is ours. Now we will utilize that water for our farmers, said Chouhan. Chouhan, who was on a day-long visit to Punjab, visited a farmers' gathering (Kisan Chaupal) in Rajpura, Patiala, as well as the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Rauni. He was accompanied by Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Punjab Agricultural University vice-chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal and ICAR scientists. He has been engaging with farmers across various states to promote sustainable and progressive farming practices as part of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan. Citing its benefits in water conservation and reduced labour costs, he said that farmers should adopt the Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) method and also urged them to refrain from excessive pesticide use. I have been apprised of good crop practices, be it direct seeding, mushroom farming or making silage, he said. When asked about complaints about fake pesticides, Chouhan said that the government will frame a new law, making a provision for stringent action against any company which supplies fake pesticides to farmers. Lauding the role of Punjab farmers in filling the foodgrain stock of the country, Chouhan said the country has registered an all-time record production in wheat, paddy, maize and soybean this year. For this, Punjab has the biggest role and I bow to the land of Punjab, said Chouhan. He emphasised that the research of agricultural scientists should reach farmers and scientists should know what problems farmers are facing at their fields so that research can be undertaken in that regard. I am not a guest here, I am a family member, I am not here for rhetoric but I am here to directly interact with farmers and understand the ground reality. Our focus should be to connect land and lab, so that farmers benefit from real-time innovation. Policies should come from the field not from officers in air-conditioned rooms. Chouhan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a target that crop output should increase, input cost should drop, farmers should get remunerative prices for their crops and they should be compensated if they suffer any loss. Under the campaign, he said scientists are going amongst farmers and informing them which crops are better for them, considering the agro-climatic conditions in their respective areas. He added that the crop diversification programme is the need of the hour. We should grow crops which give profit as well as consume less water, he said. Earlier, he asked farmers to make experiments with fruits, vegetables and other crops. Crop diversification is an important issue. What are the crops which can generate more income? I am not saying that wheat and paddy will not be sown. That will be grown. We can make experiments towards growing mushrooms, fruits and vegetables, he told farmers. Chouhan visited the state at a time when farmers are up in arms against the AAP-led state government over the issue of missing tractor trolleys, following the sudden crackdown on protesting farmers on March 19 and the eviction of the Shambhu and Khanauri Morcha. Punjab Agriculture Minister Khudian, who accompanied Chouhan during the visit, raised concerns about the shortfall in DAP fertilizer supply, stating that while the requirement is around 90,000 metric tonnes, only 38,000 to 39,000 MT has been received so far. He also requested Chouhan to enhance compensation schemes to further discourage farm fires as stubble burning incidents during the Kharif season have decreased by 86 per cent. On crop diversification, Khudian said that while Rs 17,000 in compensation was promised, farmers have so far received only Rs 10,000.
Former DSP Bhola, convicted in Rs 700 crore drug racket case, out on bail after 12 years
CHANDIGARH: Former Deputy Superintendent of Punjab Police and Arjuna Award-winning wrestler Jagdish Bhola, an alleged kingpin of a synthetic narcotics racket worth Rs 700 crore, walked out of Bathinda Central Jail on June 1 after nearly 12 years of incarceration. He was granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on May 21. Hailing from Raike Kalan village in Bathinda, Bhola had been convicted in one of the largest drug trafficking cases in the history of the State, which involved a Rs 700 crore synthetic narcotics racket. He has been convicted in two cases, while a few more criminal cases were pending against him. In 2019, a special CBI court sentenced Bhola to 24 years in prison. Last year, he received an additional 10-year sentence following a conviction for money laundering. Confirming that Bhola has been released, Bathinda Central Jail Superintendent Manjit Singh Sidhu said that it took place in the evening of Sunday after all formalities were completed. The bail order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court came with strict conditions. Bhola was required to furnish a Rs 5 lakh bond and surrender his passport and complete a community service project (planting 100 trees within 15 days of his release). He was dismissed from the police force in 2012 after the recovery of poppy husk. Bhola was arrested by Punjab Police in November 2013 in connection with the Rs 700-crore multi-state drug trafficking network. Investigations led by Punjab Police and central agencies uncovered the illegal trade of synthetic drugs, including pseudoephedrine. The ED arrested him in 2014 and filed six charge sheets till 2017. His case became emblematic of the alleged nexus between crime and politics in Punjab. The Punjab Police had seized heroin, methamphetamine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, opium, intoxicating powder, and Rs 1.91 crore, besides foreign currency and arms from him. Despite being out on bail, Bholas legal troubles are far from over. His appeals in both the drug trafficking and money laundering cases are currently pending. Many FIRs have been registered against him in Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib and SAS Nagar districts of the State. Earlier he was allowed to visit his native village, Raike Kalan in Bathinda district, for five hours to perform the last rites of his father, Balshinder Singh, on July 26 last year. Earlier, he had come out to perform the last rites for his mother for a brief period in June 2023. Once celebrated as the 'King Kong' of Indian wrestling, he won a silver medal at the 1991 Asian Wrestling Championship. His dominance on the mat earned him the prestigious Arjuna Award, and he was appointed as a DSP by the Punjab Government in recognition of his sporting excellence.
CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Governments ambitious plan to acquire over 24,000 acres of land in Ludhiana for urban development meets strong opposition from Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal, despite Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns assurances of voluntary participation and fair compensation. The most ambitious land acquisition initiative of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab Government to acquire 24,311 acres across more than 30 villages in Ludhiana for the development of urban estates may face significant hurdles. A political confrontation has erupted over the project, with both the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) declaring their opposition. They have pledged to prevent the acquisition of even an inch of land, threatening agitation if necessary. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has emphasized that the government is not forcibly acquiring land but is instead seeking consent from landowners. Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal warned of a state-wide protest if the government does not withdraw the project. He stated that his party would resist any land acquisition, even if it required launching an agitation. He alleged that the project was designed to enable large-scale corruption by AAP leaders from Delhi, including party chief Arvind Kejriwal. Badal further demanded a ban on land sales to residents of other states and stated, If Punjabis cannot purchase land in Himachal Pradesh, why should Punjab allow outsiders to buy land here? Criticizing the AAP Government, Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring sent a letter to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, stating, Punjab is an agricultural state. We cannot afford to sacrifice green fields to cement and concrete, especially when there is no urgent requirement. You are stripping tens of thousands of farmers of their livelihoods, pushing them from prosperity to poverty. The large-scale acquisition would not only cripple the rural economy but also threaten Punjab's agricultural identity. If executed, this will turn farmers into landless labourers in urban slums. The anger among affected communities is real and growing. He questioned the necessity of acquiring new land when many existing colonies around Ludhiana remain underdeveloped. Warring urged Mann to reconsider the proposal, saying, Our ancestors belong to this land and so will our children. Let's not destroy what they built. Responding to opposition criticism, Chief Minister Mann reiterated during his 'AAP Sarkar, Aapke Dwar' programme in Patiala that the government is acting with transparency and consent. Some are creating baseless panic that the government plans to forcibly acquire your land. I am here today to clarify that we are not taking away anyone's land without their agreement. We are here to seek your advice, ensure your participation, and bring development to your doorstep. He also criticized past governments for corrupt land acquisition practices. Earlier, leaders like Sukhbir Badal approved plans, then shared them with their favourite few, the result was massive profiteering by a few, while farmers and common people were left to suffer. Those days are gone now. We are committed to transparency and fairness. Mann explained the land pooling policy, noting that it is entirely voluntary and allows landowners to retain their land for farming or other uses if they choose not to participate. Those who do not wish to give their land can continue using it for farming or other purposes. For those who opt in, Mann detailed the benefits: For every acre contributed, land owners receive a residential plot of 1,000 square yards in developed urban areas and a commercial space of 200 square yards for shops or showrooms. He added, All development costs, including roads, drainage, electricity and water supply infrastructure, will be borne by the government. For instance, if your land is worth Rs 1 crore per acre today, the developed property you receive in return will be worth Rs 3 to 4 crore. You can keep the property, rent it for consistent income, or sell it at your discretion. He also accused opposition leaders of hypocrisy and alleged links to the land mafia. Half of these leaders, who now claim to stand with the people, are builders themselves. They are friends with the land mafia and were responsible for selling off Punjab's lands to their associates at throwaway prices. They fear our policies because they bring accountability and remove corruption from the system. He assured that all agreements under the land pooling policy would be directly between the government and landowners, ensuring legal safeguards and preventing exploitation. Highlighting the issue of illegal colonies, the Punjab CM said, Illegal colonies mushroomed across Punjab, leaving residents without basic amenities like sewage, electricity or potable water. Builders and developers made profits and abandoned people. Our government is determined to regulate and redevelop these colonies, ensuring every resident gets access to modern facilities. The Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA), under the state housing department, has received the go-ahead to begin acquiring land for the proposed urban estate projects.
Tahawwur Rana seeks courts nod to communicate with family from jail
Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks case, has filed a plea. He approached the Patiala House Court on Tuesday. Rana is seeking permission to communicate with his family. He wants to do so while he remains in judicial custody. The court is yet to respond to Rana's request. The case continues to draw significant attention.
Delhi Court drops POCSO case against ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan after minor withdraws allegation
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has accepted the closure report filed by city police in a sexual harassment case against BJP leader and former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, involving allegations made by a female wrestler who was a minor at the time. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case, which carries a minimum jail term of three years depending on the charges, was closed after the complainant expressed no objection to the police findings. The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge Gomti Manocha at Patiala House Court. During an in-camera hearing on August 1, 2023, the wrestler told the judge she was satisfied with the police investigation and did not wish to pursue the matter further. Delhi Police had moved to close the case on June 15, 2023, after the minors father admitted during the probe that he had lodged a false complaint against Singh. Citing a lack of corroborative evidence, police recommended that the case under the POCSO Act be dropped. Singh claimed the allegations were made in retaliation for what he perceived as unfair treatment of his daughter. The former BJP MP from Gonda has denied all allegations. However, he continues to face separate charges of sexual harassment and stalking in another case filed by six adult women wrestlers. In that case, formal charges were framed against Singh and ex-WFI assistant secretary Vinod Tomar on May 21, 2024, with both denying the allegations and demanding a trial. Charges under Sections 354 and 354A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) have been framed against Singh, along with charges under Section 506 (part 1), based on allegations by two women. Tomar faces charges under Section 506 (part 1) of the IPC based on one womans allegations but has been discharged from other allegations. The Delhi Police chargesheet, submitted on June 15, 2023, stated that both accused complied with investigative requirements under Section 41A of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), allowing the trial to proceed without arrest. The comprehensive 1,599-page document includes statements from 44 witnesses and photographic evidence.
POCSO case: Delhi court accepts closure report against ex-WFI chief Brij Bhushan Singh
The 550-page report filed by the police before the Patiala House Courts had said that no corroborative evidence was found in the allegations levelled by the minor wrestler.
Six trainee recruit constables of Punjab police dismissed for failing dope test
CHANDIGARH: Six trainee recruit constables of Punjab Police who tested positive for drug consumption at the Punjab Police Recruit Training Centre at Jahankhelan in Hoshiarpur were relieved from the basic training with immediate effect. The incident has prompted many to question the impact of the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' program started by the AAP-led Punjab government to eradicate drug menace from state. Sources said that the trainee recruits reportedly exhibited suspicious behavior and that it was decided to conduct their dope tests. They trainees were tested on May 21 at the Civil Hospital in Hoshiarpur. Of the six trainees relieved from training, three were from Patiala district, two from Tarn Taran, and one from Ludhiana. They were all from the same batch, No. 270. All six have been sent back to their respective districts and struck off from the training program, said an official on condition of anonymity. The official letter issued by Camp Adjutant (Outdoor) Kuldeep Singh of Punjab Police Recruit Training Centre at Jahankhelan in Hoshiarpur on May 24, stated that the behaviour of the trainees indicated possible use of odourless intoxicants thus prompting the decision to subject them to a drug screening. The letter was addressed to Ludhiana Police Commissioner and senior police officials of Tarn Taran and Patiala. The office of the civil surgeon confirmed the positive results to the training centre authorities following which immediate disciplinary action was taken. The letter further stated that the names of recruits have been struck off from the ongoing training batch, and they have been directed to return to their respective districts. The district police officials concerned have been instructed to monitor and address the drug-related issues of the dismissed recruits to prevent any negative influence on other personnel. The problem of the drug abuse is prevalent in the state. Last month, a constable of the state police who rose to fame on social media as Insta Queen, Amandeep Kaur, was arrested for drug possession. 17 grams of drugs were recovered from her Thar jeep during a search on Badal Road in Bathinda last month, after which she was dismissed from service. On Monday, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested her in connection with a disproportionate assets case. She was taken into custody from the residence of Raftar Khan, the elder sister of singer Afsana Khan, at Badal village in Muktsar district. Sources said that during the investigation, they found Amandeep had amassed assets worth approximately Rs 31 lakh more than her known sources of income between 2018 and 2025. Interestingly, the Punjab Government had started war against drugs Yudh Nashian Virudh to eradicate drug menace from state, and till date, 13,449 drug smugglers have been arrested in last 85 days. The state government is claiming to enforce a three-pronged strategy Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP) to eradicate drugs from the state. A few years back an assistant sub-inspector and a head constable of Tarant Taran were dismissed from service after they tested positive in a dope test. Both were posted at Patti and the Tarn Taran civil hospital had conducted their dope test.
