Punjab govt moves SC against CBI probe into bribe syndicate linked to Mann OSD
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's government has approached the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing. They aim to challenge a High Court order that mandated a CBI investigation into corruption allegations. The High Court's concerns include alleged coercive actions by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the state. The Punjab government argues that the orders violate governance principles outlined in the Constitution.
Punjab CM Accuses BJP of Using CBI for Political Gains Ahead of Elections
Punjabs Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann claims CBI raids are politically motivated as BJP prepares for upcoming assembly elections. Punjab CM Accuses BJP of Using CBI for Political Gains Ahead of Elections
AAP Criticizes BJP Following CBI Raids in Punjab, Asserts People Are Not Afraid
AAPs Berinder Kumar Goyal criticizes BJPs CBI raids in Punjab, claiming the party is losing public support ahead of elections. AAP Criticizes BJP Following CBI Raids in Punjab, Asserts People Are Not Afraid
CBI raids CM Bhagwant Manns camp office, his OSDs home in graft probe
CBI conducted raids on multiple locations including the camp office of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. The investigation stems from a High Court order based on allegations from the Enforcement Directorate. Various individuals are named in the FIR for their alleged involvement in corruption and manipulation of government processes. Mann criticized the timing of the raids as politically motivated amid upcoming elections.
4.9-magnitude earthquake hits Uttarakhand, tremors felt in Delhi-NCR
A 4.9-magnitude earthquake struck Uttarakhand on Tuesday night, with tremors felt across several parts of northern India, including Delhi-NCR, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana.
Guns, Political Killings, Attacks On Cops: Punjab's Arms Trail Before Polls
What does the availability of sophisticated illegal weapons indicate about the state's evolving law-and-order and security challenge?
Farm fires: Flying squads in 34 Punjab, Haryana districts
Political Turmoil Erupts in Punjab Over CBI Investigation
Political tensions rise in Punjab as CBI investigates Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns OSD and others, sparking a war of words between parties. Political Turmoil Erupts in Punjab Over CBI Investigation
'CBI raid at Punjab CM's office result of BJP's frustration': AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal
CBI Raids Punjab CMs Office, Arvind Kejriwal Calls It BJPs Election Strategy
CBIs raid on Punjab CMs office sparks political tensions, with Kejriwal accusing BJP of using agencies for electoral gain. CBI Raids Punjab CMs Office, Arvind Kejriwal Calls It BJPs Election Strategy
CBI Action Sparks Allegations of Corruption in Punjab: Daljit Singh Cheema
Senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema criticizes Punjab government amid CBI investigations into alleged corruption linked to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. CBI Action Sparks Allegations of Corruption in Punjab: Daljit Singh Cheema
CBI Begins Probe Into Alleged Corruption in Punjab CMO, Searches Chandigarh Camp Office
Chandigarh, October 6 (Udaipur Kiran): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun an investigation into alleged corruption in the office of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. On Tuesday evening, CBI teams conducted searches at several locations, including the Chief Ministers camp office in Chandigarh. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has openly opposed the action. Meanwhile, ... Read more CBI Begins Probe Into Alleged Corruption in Punjab CMO, Searches Chandigarh Camp Office
How India-UK economic ties can expand at regional level
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) The visit of a business delegation from the north of England to India offers an opportunity to shift the focus of bilateral economic engagement between the two nations from London to regional industries, universities and emerging centres of innovation, according to a media report. The delegation, operating under the Great North banner, brings together representatives from Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, York and North Yorkshire, the North East, Cheshire and Warrington, according to the report on the Khalsa Vox news website. Indias economic relationship with Britain need not be limited to attracting investment from London-based corporations or securing access to the British consumer market. Its companies can also benefit from establishing direct relationships with regional industrial clusters, universities and local administrations, it observed. For the United Kingdom, the initiative also addresses a longstanding domestic challenge: ensuring that the benefits of international trade extend beyond London and the South East. Northern England possesses substantial strengths in advanced manufacturing, engineering, technology, higher education, clean energy, and creative industries. Yet international perceptions of Britains economy often remain disproportionately associated with its capital. The India mission offers an opportunity to challenge that imbalance by positioning northern cities and industrial clusters as destinations for Indian investment and collaboration. This approach is particularly relevant for Indian states seeking to strengthen exports, attract technology partnerships and diversify international investment. Punjab and Haryana provide an instructive example. Earlier Northern Powerhouse initiatives included engagement with Punjab, Karnataka, and Delhi. British diplomatic representatives in Chandigarh subsequently highlighted progress in education, skills development and exchanges involving students and businesses. A stakeholder consultation organised by Indias Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Chandigarh in June highlighted opportunities arising from Indias expanding network of free trade agreements. Among the sectors identified as having export potential for Punjab and Haryana were textiles, apparel, engineering goods, agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Several of these industries align with the capabilities and commercial interests of northern England. For example, Punjabs manufacturing enterprises could explore partnerships involving specialised engineering, industrial technology and advanced production systems. Textile businesses could examine opportunities for technology transfer, product development and access to new distribution networks. Universities and technical institutions could collaborate on vocational education, research and industry-oriented skills programmes. Clean energy and sustainable industrial development offer another promising area of cooperation, particularly as businesses in both countries respond to changing environmental requirements and the transition towards lower-carbon production, the article added.
'Result of BJP's frustration': Arvind Kejriwal after CBI raids Punjab CM's camp office
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided the Punjab Chief Minister's camp office in Chandigarh for evidence in a graft case linked to the CMs Officer on Special Duty (OSD), calling it the esult of BJP's frustration. The CBI took over the investigation into alleged corruption involving Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman and other associates and conducted searches at eight locations in Chandigarh, Mohali, Jalandhar and other cities. It also registered an FIR against Punjab CM Mann's OSD and five others. In a post on the social media platform X, Kejriwal said: The CBI raid on the Punjab Chief Minister's office two months before the elections is the result of the BJP's frustration. Ever since the BJP government came to power at the Centre, it has always pushed 'Punjabis' aroundbe it the farmers' movement, the issue of Punjab's water, or the Punjab University issue. And now, it's even pushing around their elected Chief Minister, he added. The AAP chief remarked that because the BJP can't win elections by contesting in Punjab, so it wants to fight the elections with the help of ED-CBI. However, he expressed confidence in the AAP's victory in the upcoming Assembly polls in the state, saying: But Punjabis have made up their minds, and they will respond to the BJP's CBI raid in the upcoming elections by electing Bhagwant Mann with 100+ seats and making him Chief Minister again. During the searches, the CBI collected incriminating evidence such as laptops, mobile phones and documents and sent them to a forensic lab for extracting data linked to the alleged bribery and impropriety, a CBI official said in a statement. The probe agency said it registered an FIR in the matter following orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and receipt of a report from the Enforcement Directorate. The CBI has booked six persons, including two public servants, middlemen and associates, namely Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister, Punjab, Nitin Gohal, Jitin Gohal alias Raja, Romi Raja Mahajan, Bir Devinder, R.S. Nagra and unknown public servant(s) and private person(s).
CBI raids Punjab's CM Bhagwant Mann's camp office, AAP hits back at BJP amid poll preparations
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday carried out a raid at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's camp office in Chandigarh, triggering a sharp political reaction from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).The CBI team...
Punjab: CBI books 6, raids 8 locations for evidence in graft case linked to CM Manns OSD
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 6 (IANS) The CBI on Tuesday took over the investigation into alleged corruption involving Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman and other associates and conducted searches at eight locations in Chandigarh, Mohali, Jalandhar and other cities. During the searches, the CBI collected incriminating evidence, laptops, mobile phones and documents and sent digital devices to forensic lab for extracting data linked to the alleged bribery and impropriety, a CBI official said in a statement. The probe agency said it registered the FIR in the matter following orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and receipt of report from the ED. The CBI has booked six persons, including two public servants, middlemen and associates namely Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Chief Minister, Punjab, Nitin Gohal, Jitin Gohal alias Raja, Romi Raja Mahajan, Bir Devinder, R.S. Nagra and unknown public servant(s) and private person(s). An official statement said that the CBI has registered the FIR to investigate the allegations of corruption against the OSD to the Punjab Chief Minister (CM) and his associates for influencing and manipulating postings of officers, including that of IAS and IPS officers, departmental proceedings and matters pertaining to policy formulation. The probe will also cover decisions of the accused aimed at manipulating administrative approvals, tender conditions, licensing matters, land use conversion matters, property disputes, revenue and land related issues in lieu of pecuniary benefits, said the statement. It is also alleged that the accused public servants purportedly accessed and provided drafts of orders and policies to private persons prior to their issuance by the government. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday alleged that the CBI action was politically motivated. The allegations came a day after the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the CBI to register a case and submit a status report within two months regarding allegations of corruption involving CM Manns OSD Ghuman and others. The ED had earlier written three letters to Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav alleging that Ghuman and his associates, Nitin Gohal and Bir Devinder, were involved in corruption-related activities. The anti-money laundering agency alleged that they were interfering in administrative transfers, postings and government tenders, and had sought registration of an FIR. After the Punjab Police did not register a case on the basis of the ED communications, advocate Nikhil Saraf filed a public interest litigation (PIL) before the High Court seeking a CBI investigation. In the petition, Saraf argued that the ED letters contained serious allegations involving persons linked to the Punjab Chief Ministers Office and sought a fair and independent investigation free from the influence of the Punjab Police and Punjab Vigilance Bureau.
Woman 'Dupes' AAP Leader Into Marriage Posing As Officer, Runs Away With Jewellery
AAP joint secretary and Zila Parishad member Amarinder Singh Mandofal has alleged that he was duped into marriage by a woman who was introduced to him as a PCS officer. Singh married Manwinder Kaur in February 2026 at a ceremony attended by several prominent AAP leaders. He has alleged that Kaur and her family concealed her previous marriage, falsely claimed she was unmarried and misrepresented her age. Singh also accused her of leaving with jewellery and other valuables. Based on his complaint, Punjab Police registered a cheating and forgery case against six people, including Kaur and her family members. Police are investigating the allegations.
After High Court order, CBI registers corruption case in connection to Punjab CM Manns office
A CBI official confirmed the development, adding that the CBI conducted searches at multiple locations, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns camp office in Chandigarh
After High Court order, CBI registers corruption case in connection to Punjab CM Manns office
A CBI official confirmed the development, adding that the CBI conducted searches at multiple locations, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns camp office in Chandigarh
Jeevna Kaur Notay on meeting Diljit Dosanjh on stage and the moment she
Highlights Eight-year-old Jeevna Kaur Notay was invited on stage by Diljit Dosanjh after he spotted her dancing in the crowd at his Manchester concert. The Leeds girl, who was born with a congenital limb difference, told Eastern Eye about the emotional moment and why wearing her pagh on stage made her proud. Her father Surjeet Singh Notay explains how amputee football helped Jeevna find a community and why he hopes her story will encourage other families. Eight-year-old Jeevna Kaur Notay arrived at Manchesters Co-op Live on September 20 expecting to spend the evening watching her favourite singer, Diljit Dosanjh. Instead, the Leeds girl found herself on stage with the Punjabi superstar, microphone in hand, as thousands of people cheered her on. Jeevna had been dancing in the crowd when Diljit noticed her, waved at her and eventually invited her up. She proudly shouted his famous Panjabi aa gaye oye! before telling him she was from Leeds. The moment became one of the most memorable parts of the show when Diljit sat beside her and sang Ik Kudi . For Jeevna, the experience was almost impossible to take in. I felt really happy and excited, she told Eastern Eye. I couldnt believe everyone was cheering for me! When Diljit began singing Ik Kudi , she found herself wondering whether it was really happening. I was just thinking, Is this actually happening?! she said. I was really happy and couldnt stop smiling. Jeevna was born with a congenital limb difference and lost her left foot when she was two Surjeet Singh Notay What made the moment particularly special was that Jeevna was wearing her pagh, something she says is closely tied to her identity. Standing on stage in it made her feel proud to be Punjabi and Sikh, while for her father, Surjeet Singh Notay, the significance went beyond meeting a singer his daughter admires. Watching Diljit notice Jeevna in the crowd gave him the feeling that his daughter was finally being seen for who she is. Not only did Diljit see her, but the whole world has seen her, Surjeet said. Thats what made me think, wow, she has been seen. Shes not going to be defined by her disability Jeevna was born with a congenital limb difference and lost her left foot when she was two. At four, she underwent major reconstruction on her right leg and had to learn to walk again. She is now going through another period of treatment, using a frame on her leg and a wheelchair while she recovers, but Surjeet says the family has spent years making sure those challenges do not become the way she sees herself. For everything weve been working on for the last eight years, bringing her forward, making her confident, he said, when she steps out into the world on her own, me and my wife know weve done a really good job. For him, the goal has always been to make sure Jeevna is recognised for the person she is rather than defined by her disability. Shes not going to be defined by her disability. Shes going to be defined by who she is. Jeevna has developed her own way of expressing that attitude Surjeet Singh Notay Jeevna has developed her own way of expressing that attitude. I just keep going and dont give up, she said. Like I always say, Im not disabled, Im differently abled. The phrase has been part of her familys vocabulary since before she was born. Surjeet recalled travelling with his wife in India, from Delhi towards Punjab, when he noticed the term differently abled being used in relation to access. He never expected it to become something so personal to his family, but the expression stayed with him and eventually became the language Jeevna chose for herself. How football gave Jeevna a team of her own Football has also become an important part of Jeevnas life. She has loved the sport since she was four, and after her first frame came off, the hospital introduced the family to the England Amputee Football Association. Surjeet said the organisations junior programme gave Jeevna an opportunity to meet other children and families who understood experiences similar to hers, turning what could have been an isolating part of her childhood into a community. Joining them really helped us, because we were with like-minded people in the same situation as us, he said. Weve really become like a family now, no matter what background youre from. Jeevna continues to play amputee football, and for Surjeet, being part of that team has been about much more than sport. It has given his daughter another space where she can simply be a child, meet people and take part without being defined by the medical challenges she has faced. See on Instagram That same determination is what Surjeet saw on the Manchester stage. He often describes Jeevna as someone who gets knocked down and gets back up again, and she has a simple answer when asked how she keeps going: she does not give up. Her advice to another child who might be frightened to come forward and follow what they love is just as direct. Youve got this. Just be brave and believe in yourself, no matter what you do. There is light at the end of the tunnel The reaction to Jeevnas appearance has made the experience bigger than one concert. After Diljits video spread online, Surjeet began hearing from parents of children with disabilities, including parents of autistic children, who wanted to connect with the family. For him, that response has been one of the most meaningful parts of what happened because he remembers what it felt like when his own family did not know where to turn. It gave a platform for other parents in my situation who may not be confident to come forward, he said. Jeevna will achieve, behind closed doors or in the open. That doesnt matter to me. What matters is that I help somebody else in my position, because when I was there, I didnt have anybody to help me. Surjeet hopes their experience can reassure parents who may be frightened about giving their children more independence. We want to be the beacon for somebody. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Its not the end of the world, he said, urging parents to have faith and allow their children to experience life rather than letting fear dictate what they can do. For Jeevna, though, the night in Manchester is also something much simpler: a childhood memory she will hopefully carry with her for years. Surjeet remembers being nine when his own father took him to see Michael Jackson at Wembley, an experience that has stayed with him decades later. Now he feels he has given his daughter a memory of her own. When I was nine years old, my father took me to see Michael Jackson at Wembley. That has stayed with me, and Im 45 now, he said. This is something Im giving her. Ive given her this memory, and thats like a medal for me. Memories are worth more than material things, he added. I just want her to know that whatever shes going through, shes loved and blessed and cared for. And perhaps the best way to understand Jeevna is through the words she would offer another child facing their own challenges: Youve got this.
Guru Randhawa drops new Punjabi single FOSHO: We wanted to take the energy literally to the skies
Punjabi singer, actor, songwriter and composer Guru Randhawa has released his latest single, FOSHO, in collaboration with T-Series. The track, whose title means for Sure, combines contemporary Punjabi pop production with an upbeat rhythm and a confident lyrical theme. At the centre of FOSHO is the recurring line pakki pakki gal aae, which reflects the certainty of pursuing someone who has caught the protagonists attention. The song follows the idea of trying to win over a woman who appears out of reach, while maintaining a playful and self-assured tone. Written and composed with a mix of romantic and street-inspired elements, the track opens with a bass-heavy sound as Randhawa describes a woman who attracts attention wherever she goes. The lyrics include references to fashion and Hollywood, including a comparison to actor Scarlett Johansson, while also touching on the possibility of developing a deeper connection beyond casual messages. The song also features references to Gurjit Gill and Guru Randhawa, adding another layer to its storytelling. The overall composition maintains a light and energetic approach while focusing on attraction and confidence. Speaking about the song and its music video, Guru Randhawa states, With FOSHO, we wanted to take the energy literally to the skies! The track has a very fresh and fun vibe to it, which is why shooting the entire music video inside an airplane felt perfect. Working with Bhushan Sir has always been a great creative experience, and together we wanted to create something that feels fresh, larger-than-life and instantly connects with the audience. Pakki Pakki Gal Aae is that ultimate confident statement we all make when we know something is bound to be a hit. I cant wait to see the fans vibing to this one mid-flight or on their own road trips! The music video, directed by Preet Singh and Harry Singh, takes the airplane setting further by turning a flight into the backdrop for the track. It features Randhawa along with a group of passengers and crew members dancing through the aisles before the celebrations continue with a dance sequence at the airport after landing. Also Read : Guru Randhawa donates Rs.5 lakhs to Nepal flood relief on birthday, becomes first Punjabi artist to support rescue efforts
AAP Sarpanch Shot Dead By Men On Bikes In Poll-Bound Punjab
This is the second such murder in the state in just three days.
Merchants onboarded cannot pass on MDR charges to customers while accepting payments through UPI. The framework ensures consumers pay only the posted price
UN experts urge Pakistan to protect girls from forced religious conversion, marriage
Digital Desk | Islamabad, Oct 6 (IANS) Three United Nations special rapporteurs have urged Pakistan to protect girls from kidnapping, forced religious conversion and child marriage, stressing that the existing laws in the country have little impact until authorities ensure access to justice and implement them consistently. The experts made the remarks during a side event of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, jointly organised by advocacy groups Jubilee Campaign and the European Center for Law and Justice (ECLJ). The UN experts spoke about the alleged kidnapping, forced conversion and marriage of Christian girls to Muslim men, Morning Star News, a US-based independent news service focusing exclusively on the persecution of Christians, reported. UN special rapporteur on minority issues Nicolas Levrat; special rapporteur on violence against women and girls Reem Alsalem and Katarina Schwarz, the newly appointed special rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery and trafficking in persons, participated in the event. Levrat said that Pakistan, under its international obligations, needs to protect children from forced religious conversion and child marriage. He stated that the impunity surrounding forced religious conversions will not be resolved through new laws or legislation and demanded that religious minorities should have better access to justice in Pakistan, a press statement issued by Jubilee Campaign USA detailed. In a virtual statement, Schwarz said child marriage can fall within the category of slavery and emphasised that slavery and other forms of exploitation take place in environments, where discrimination occurs, especially against women and girls. She urged Pakistan to take measures and provide obust and effective protection to fulfill its obligations, Morning Star News reported. Reem Alsalem spoke about recent legal reforms in Pakistan, including Punjabs Child Marriage Restraint Act 2026, which raised the minimum marriage age to 18 years for boys and girls and made underage marriage a non-bailable offense. However, she voiced concern over the inconsistent implementation of such laws and spoke about the pressure faced by victims and their families to withdraw complaints. During the event, the families of the victims shared their ordeal, including the mother of 13-year-old Christian girl Maria Shahbaz, who disappeared from her home in July last year and later told a court that she had willingly converted and married her 30-year-old alleged kidnapped, Shehryar Ahmad. In a video played during the event, Maria Shahbaz's mother said, We dont know where they are keeping her. We have terrible thoughts about what is happening to her, the report quoted her as saying. In July, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the Pakistani authorities to end the abduction and forced conversion to Islam of girls belonging to religious minority communities. Citing United Nations data for 2025, the resolution stated that Christian girls account for nearly 25 per cent of cases involving forced religious conversion through marriage. In the resolution, members of the European Parliament urged Pakistan to establish a comprehensive national framework to eliminate child marriage and create a national mechanism for handling complaints from families of abducted or forcibly converted girls from minorities, a report published in The Christian Post stated.
'PCS officer bride vanishes with 14 tola gold, cash after marrying AAP neta; 6 booked
A woman from Tarn Taran allegedly posed as a Punjab Civil Services officer to deceive an AAP functionary. After marrying Amarinder Singh Mandofal, she left her matrimonial home with valuables and cash. Her family purported false information about her background, including her deceased parents. Mandofal discovered multiple instances of forgery regarding her identity documents and previous marriage.
CBI conducts raid at Punjab CM Manns camp office, FIR filed against OSD
The CBI is now investigating allegations of corruption that ensnare Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's OSD and other officials. This development comes on the heels of a High Court directive citing possible misconduct in government actions. The Enforcement Directorate has pointed fingers at businessman Nitin Gohal, linking him to a 'cash-for-transfer' scheme.
Punjab Congress Heavyweights Rally Behind Newly Appointed Chief Pargat Singh to End Factionalism
Enjoy The New Punjabi Music Video For 'Fosho' By Guru Randhawa
Enjoy the latest Punjabi song ''Fosho'' sung by 'Guru Randhawa'. The music for this captivating track has been composed by 'Guru Randhawa, Gurjit Gill and Ary B', with heartfelt lyrics penned by 'Guru Randhawa and Gurjit Gill'. Don't miss the opportunity to watch the latest Punjabi video song ''Fosho'', by 'Guru Randhawa' and immerse yourself in its mesmerizing melodies. For more Punjabi songs, be sure to visit the music videos section of Punjabi ETimes. Experience the musical prowess of 'Guru Randhawa', New Video Songs of 2026, 'Guru Randhawa, Gurjit Gill and Ary B' songs, Punjabi Gana Video Song, '' music videos and 'Guru Randhawa and Gurjit Gill' songs.
Delhi CM Accuses Kejriwal of Betraying Punjab Farmers Over Stubble Burning
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta criticizes Arvind Kejriwal for failing to address stubble burning and air pollution in Punjab. Delhi CM Accuses Kejriwal of Betraying Punjab Farmers Over Stubble Burning
As Harmanpreet Kaur steps down, her Punjab village remembers the girl who played cricket with boys
Major Crackdown on Gangster Network in Punjab Leads to Arrests and Weapon Seizure
Punjab police, in a joint operation, arrested two gang associates linked to a network and seized a Glock pistol and ammunition. Major Crackdown on Gangster Network in Punjab Leads to Arrests and Weapon Seizure
Delhi CM slams Arvind Kejriwal for hollow promise to check stubble burning in Punjab
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday hit out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal for betraying Punjab farmers and not offering any solution to stubble burning that adds to air pollution in north India during winter. Taking to his official X account, the Delhi Chief Minister shared a video of stubble burning in Punjab's Tarn Taran and reminded Kejriwal of his promise to resolved the problem that adds to air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR). She accused Kejriwal, a former Delhi Chief Minister himself, of lack of intent and willpower to find a collective solution with Punjab farmers, despite the Centre providing resources for the purpose. In her message on X, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said, Kejriwal ji had said, give me one year, and I'll stop the burning of stubble in Punjab. Years passed by. Farmers kept waiting for help, and the 'AAP'da government, instead of freeing them from the compulsion to burn stubble, just left them to fend for themselves. Stubble burning has started again in Tarn Taran. The Central government provided funds, gave machines, offered subsidies, yet Bhagwant Mann ji and Kejriwal ji's 'AAP'da government couldn't even manage arrangements on the ground, she added. Resources were fully provided, but intent, willpower, and accountability all three have failed. The people of Delhi have rejected Kejriwal ji. Is he now venting the frustration of that crushing defeat on the people of Delhi? CM Gupta asked. Highlighting that efforts are being made in the NCR to curb air pollution, the Delhi CM said, We are working day and night to roll out new solutions on the ground to clean up Delhi's air. Meanwhile, in Punjab, the fire from stubble burning has exposed the 'AAP'da government's true colours. No preparation, no solutions. Just false promises and betrayal of the farmers. Earlier, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has deployed of flying squads in 18 districts across Punjab to monitor stubble burning, a statement said. The deployment, from October 1 to November 30, has been structured in successive phases, with flying squads assigned to respective districts for different deployment periods to ensure sustained field-level monitoring throughout the paddy harvesting season 2026, it added. The deployment of flying squads in Punjab covers key paddy-producing districts, including Sangrur, Tarn Taran, Firozpur, Muktsar, Bathinda, Amritsar, Moga, Mansa, Fazilka, Patiala, Ludhiana, Kapurthala, Faridkot, Barnala, Malerkotla, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar and Fatehgarh Sahib, it said. The teams will coordinate with farmers, Parali Protection Force, district-level authorities, state government nodal officers, officers of the respective State Pollution Control Boards, the CAQM Cell at SAS Nagar and the Commission, the statement said.
In its statement on the Chawla case, Panch Pradhani Jatha called on the Khalsa Panth to reflect on the decline in Sikh institutions, form a Panth-approved inquiry committee, and restore collective leadership and decision-making in accordance with Panthic traditions. The post Chawla Case: Khalsa Panth Should Mobilise to Address Decline in Management of Sikh Institutions: Panch Pradhani Jatha appeared first on Sikh Siyasat News .
Kochhar Leads Raptors In High-Stakes IGPL Round
The Krishna Punjab Raptors, spearheaded by Karandeep Kochhar, are set to compete in another round of the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) in Hyderabad. The team, featuring a mix of experienced players and emerging talents, aims to make a significant impact as the competition intensifies. The article highlights the depth of the IGPL, showcasing various winners and promising young professionals.
Karwa Chauth 2026: Date, Timings And 5 Traditional Dishes To Prepare For The Festival
Karwa Chauth is celebrated with great devotion across several North Indian states, including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
Analysis | The Pargat Play: New Challenges For New Punjab Congress Chief
Pargat Singh was picked as the new PCC chief because he is a low-profile, clean, non-controversial figure. That is a strength inside the party and a risk outside it.
Hardeep Singh Puri out: 8 new faces in BJPs UP Rajya Sabha list carries a 2027 message
BJP has nominated eight new leaders for the Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. This new slate emphasizes social and regional diversity within the party's representation. Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri was notably excluded from the new nominations, raising questions about his future role. The BJP prepares for upcoming Assembly elections in both Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, which may influence future cabinet reshuffles.
Punjab HC Seeks Chief Secretary's Response Over 'False Statement' On DA Appeal
Court asks K A P Sinha to explain why criminal contempt proceedings should not be initiated
UPI MDR: Merchants Cannot Charge Customers
Punjab and Sind Bank MD and CEO Swarup Kumar Saha clarified that merchants cannot pass on Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges to customers for UPI payments, ensuring consumers only pay the displayed price. The new MDR structure, effective October 15, applies a 0.4% charge on P2M transactions above Rs 2,000, with specific flat rates for certain sectors, but small-value transactions remain free.
Punjab Teen Handball Player Falls Off Scooter, Dies As Tractor Crushes Head
The incident took place on Monday evening when Anshika, a Class 9 student, was on her way to school for practice with two other boys on a two-wheeler.
Rabbi Shergill: Our music of the 90s, 2000s gave songs you still listen to
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 6 (IANS) Singer-songwriter Rabbi Shergill reflected on how the music industry has changed over the years, saying the absence of the filtering system that once existed through music labels may be affecting the longevity of contemporary music. Giving his two cents on how the scene for Indie music has changed, Rabbi told IANS: The parameters of the industry have changed a lot. The specifics have changed a lot. Earlier, there used to be a music label. The music label had its own A&R. The chairman, directors and gatekeepers of the music label used to be there. And an artist had to please all of them. He went on to share: At that time, we used to feel that these people were not associated with the audience. We used to feel that. But what we could not see at that time was a basic minimum filtering. Rabbi feels that there is no filtering. Now you see that there is no basic minimum filtering. Our music of the 90s and 2000s gave you songs that you still listen to today. Citing examples, he said: You may still listen to Lucky Ali and Hariharanji. So, I think in the next 20 years, we will get an answer to this. Is there any longevity in today's music? You may be able to answer this question Does today's music tell the back story of your life? What is going on inside you? Does it give you a direction? Does it give you an expression? Sheirgill, whose music has been described variously as rock, Punjabi, with a bani style melody, and sufiana, and semi-Sufi semi-folksy kind of music with a lot of Western arrangements, concluded: I feel that art has disappeared a little. His chartbuster hit Bullah Ki Jaana was based on the Kafi poem written by the Punjabi Sufi saint Bulleh Shah. He lent his voice to Yash Chopra's 2012 romantic film Jab Tak Hai Jaan starring Shah Rukh Khan as she crooned the leading number Challa composed by A. R. Rahman and the lyrics penned by Gulzar.
Punjab: Drug menace takes centre stage ahead of assembly polls
Chandigarh: With the Punjab assembly polls just a few months away, the issue of drug menace has taken a centre stage in political discourse with opposition parties mounting a sustained attack on the AAP government for allegedly failing to wipe out the scourge. The Bhagwant Mann dispensation, however, highlighted its anti-drug drive Yudh Nashian Virudh, Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Watch the Official Teaser from Punjabi movie '70 Syaal' starring Dhanveer Singh, Nikeet Dhillon, Amrit Amby and Karamjit Anmol. '70 Syaal' movie is directed by Inderpal Singh. To know more about '70 Syaal' teaser watch the video. Check out the latest Punjabi teasers, new movie teasers, trending Punjabi movie teasers, and more at ETimes - Times of India Entertainment.
High Court Pulls Up Punjab Government's Top Officer Over Pending Arrears
The Chief Secretary, who appeared personally before the court, was questioned over the government's failure to submit the compliance report by the August 31 deadline.
PSEB board exams 2027: Class 10, 12 form schedule and fee dates announced
PSEB has issued the Class 10 and 12 board exam form-filling and fee payment for 2027, with late-fee windows extending till Nov 26. The Punjab Board has released the important schedule
Harmanpreet Kaur home: Harmanpreet Kaur, who recently stepped down as captain of the Indian women's cricket team, owns a family home in her hometown Moga in Punjab. Media reports estimate the house to be worth up to Rs 1.5 crore. The home has spacious rooms, open outdoor areas and modern interiors.
Supreme Court agrees to hear urgently Punjabs plea against CBI probe linked to CM Manns office
The allegations raised by the ED against public servants and private individuals linked to the AAP government include corruption in transfers and postings, policy manipulation, cash for tenders, and other serious irregularities
Rebel AAP MLAs poser on education revolution in Punjab: a reality check
AAP has since made school education a central part of its political identity. Its initiatives include the Schools of Eminence scheme, teacher training, foundational-learning programmes, and larger parent-teacher meetings.
Rebel AAP MLAs poser on education revolution in Punjab: a reality check
AAP has since made school education a central part of its political identity. Its initiatives include the Schools of Eminence scheme, teacher training, foundational-learning programmes, and larger parent-teacher meetings.
PSEB Class 10, 12 Exams 2027: Form Filling and Fee Payment Schedule Released
The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) has released the examination form-filling and fee payment schedule for the Class 10 and Class 12 regular board examinations 2027. The examinations are scheduled to be conducted in February-March 2027, and schools and educational
The Punjab government has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Courts order directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register a criminal case and probe allegations of corruption linked to the office of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The State filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) against the High Court [] The post Punjab Government challenges High Court ordered CBI probe into corruption allegations involving CM Bhagwant Manns pffice appeared first on India Legal .
'Playing With Vaibhav Takes Pressure Off You': Priyansh On Batting With Sooryavanshi
New Delhi: Delhi, India A and Punjab Kings batter Priyansh Arya reflected on his time batting with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh as he continues his rise in Indian cricket. Priyansh has set the IPL on fire in the last two seasons and has also scored runs for India A, including a century against Australia A last year. Priyansh's strongest format is the T20Is, but with Abhishek, Sooryavanshi and Sanju Samson being India regulars now, even his PBKS partner Prabhsimran remains on the fringes and has not made his debut despite being in the squad for the recent Zimbabwe series. The Delhi batter's road to the senior Indian team remains a bit longer; however, he is putting in the hard yards for India A and will also be featuring in the one-day series against Australia A, which begins on Tuesday. However, Priyansh looks at this as a healthy competition and aims to learn from the openers. It's quite chill between all of us because we only focus on performance, Priyansh told the media in Delhi ahead of India A's opening one-dayer against Australia A on Tuesday. The better you perform, the higher you go in the pecking order. I've batted with Prabhsimran, Abhishek and Vaibhav, and have learnt something from each of them. I've played with all of them at one level or the other, and I always watch them while they're training. I try to incorporate some of their methods into my game so I can benefit from them. I like their batting style and intent. He added that he has enjoyed batting with Sooryavanshi. For instance, I enjoy playing with Vaibhav because he takes pressure off you by scoring big runs. When he bats, the opposition even starts bowling defensively. This makes batting easier for (his partners) as well. There's great joy in watching Vaibhav bat from the non-striker's end. I just tell him, 'If you're hitting well, just keep hitting.' He has batted with Sooryavanshi in the one-day tri-series in Sri Lanka, which also featured Afghanistan A. They played together twice, once against Afghanistan A, where they put up a 75-run stand, and then in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka A, where they made 132 and played a strong part in winning the final for the team. But Priyansh enjoys batting with Prabhsimran the most. I have the best bond with Prabh bhai. He has been playing in the IPL for the last seven or eight years, and is a lot more experienced than me. He has batted with Sooryavanshi in the one-day tri-series in Sri Lanka, which also featured Afghanistan A. They played together twice, once against Afghanistan A, where they put up a 75-run stand, and then in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka A, where they made 132 and played a strong part in winning the final for the team. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Punjab govt to move SC against CBI probe into Mann's OSD over graft claims
Punjab Intensifies Crackdown on Stubble Burning, 84 Cases Reported with Fines Imposed
Punjabs strict measures against stubble burning have led to 84 reported cases and fines totaling 1.40 lakh. Punjab Intensifies Crackdown on Stubble Burning, 84 Cases Reported with Fines Imposed
J&K Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar celebrates 59th Annual Day
Srinagar, Oct 5: The J&K Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar, in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), organised a one-day Punjabi Seminar to commemorate the 59th Annual Day of the Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar at Tagore Hall, Srinagar. The programme brought together eminent Punjabi writers, poets, scholars, intellectuals and literary enthusiasts from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The event highlighted the importance of promoting Punjabi language and literature and showcased the literary and cultural activities undertaken by the Sabha and JKAACL. Harvinder Kour, Secretary, JKAACL; R.S. Rajan, President, Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar; Ajit Singh Mastana, renowned Punjabi poet and writer; and Popinder Singh Paras, Editor, Sheeraza Punjabi, JKAACL, along with other distinguished personalities, were present on the occasion. Secretary, JKAACL, appreciated the initiatives of the Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar for the promotion of Punjabi language and literature. She highlighted the various initiatives and support extended by the Academy for literary and cultural activities across Jammu and Kashmir and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts for enriching the regional literary tradition. The Chief Guest, S. Jaipal Singh, in his address, said that the Punjabi Sahit Sabha and the Cultural Academy are making significant efforts towards the promotion and development of Punjabi language and literature. He appreciated the initiative of organising such programmes and observed that literary and cultural activities provide the younger generation with meaningful opportunities to remain connected with their language, literature and cultural heritage. In his address, Additional Secretary, JKAACL, Lal Chand said that the Academy is committed to organising Punjabi literary-cum-cultural programmes at regular intervals, including in far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir, so that the rich Punjabi literary and cultural traditions reach wider sections of society. R.S. Rajan highlighted the activities and achievements of the Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar and presented an overview of its annual progress. He expressed gratitude to JKAACL for its support and cooperation in organising the annual event. Speaking on the occasion, Ajit Singh Mastana appreciated the efforts of the Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar and JKAACL in providing a common platform to writers, poets and cultural practitioners. He observed that literary gatherings serve not only as platforms for presenting poetry and ideas but also as important links between generations, helping preserve Punjabi language, literary traditions and cultural heritage. Popinder Singh Paras, appreciated the cooperation extended by the Academy in making the programme meaningful. He said that JKAACL remains committed to promoting literary and cultural activities and providing platforms to writers, poets, artists and young literary enthusiasts. He emphasised that such literary-cum-cultural programmes help encourage wider participation and strengthen the younger generation's connection with Punjabi language and culture. The second session featured a vibrant Punjabi Folk Culture Programme, in which folk artists from the Jammu Division presented traditional Punjabi folk music. Master Kuldeep Sharma and Party, enthralled the audience with their performances, adding a colourful cultural dimension to the celebrations. The cultural programme was followed by a Punjabi Mushaira, in which poets from the Kashmir Division presented their poetry. Dr. Baljit Singh Raina, noted Punjabi poet, writer and literary personality, also participated in the Mushaira. In his literary observations, Dr. Raina highlighted the richness, expressive strength and evolving dimensions of Punjabi poetry. He spoke about the relationship between language, literary creativity and the social and cultural experiences of the people, emphasising that poetry preserves the emotional and cultural memory of society while giving voice to contemporary realities. He also presented his poetry, which was warmly appreciated by the audience. The programme provided a vibrant blend of literary discourse, poetry and Punjabi folk culture, reflecting the diverse dimensions of Punjabi language and its rich cultural heritage in Jammu and Kashmir. The event concluded with appreciation from the literary fraternity for the joint efforts of the Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar and JKAACL in organising the 59th Annual Day celebrations and providing a meaningful platform for the promotion of Punjabi language, literature and folk culture.
Congress gears up for statewide Punjab campaign with Pargat Singhs appointment
Congress is preparing to begin its statewide campaign in Punjab, appointing Pargat Singh as the new president. Senior leader Sachin Pilot praised Singh's leadership and announced plans for campaign outreach. Pilot indicated that significant figures would visit Punjab soon to officially launch the initiative. He criticized the current government's handling of law and order in the state.
Punjabi Sahit Sabha marks 59th annual day in Srinagar
Srinagar, Oct 5:The J&K Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar on Sunday marked its 59th annual day with a Punjabi seminar, folk music performances and a mushaira in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages at Tagore Hall here. The programme brought together Punjabi writers, poets, scholars, intellectuals and literary enthusiasts from across Jammu and Kashmir and focused on the promotion of Punjabi language, literature and cultural traditions. JKAACL Secretary Harvinder Kour, Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar President R.S. Rajan, renowned Punjabi poet and writer Ajit Singh Mastana, and Popinder Singh Paras, editor of Sheeraza Punjabi, were among those present. Kour appreciated the Sabha's efforts to promote Punjabi language and literature and highlighted the Academy's support for literary and cultural activities across Jammu and Kashmir. She stressed the need for collaborative efforts to strengthen the region's literary traditions. Chief Guest S. Jaipal Singh said the Punjabi Sahit Sabha and the Cultural Academy were making significant efforts to promote and develop Punjabi language and literature. He said such programmes give younger generations meaningful opportunities to remain connected with their language, literature and cultural heritage. Additional Secretary JKAACL Lal Chand said the Academy was committed to organising Punjabi literary and cultural programmes regularly, including in far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir, to take the region's Punjabi literary and cultural traditions to wider sections of society. Rajan presented an overview of the Sabha's activities and achievements during the year and thanked JKAACL for its support in organising the annual event. Mastana said literary gatherings provided a common platform for writers, poets and cultural practitioners while helping preserve Punjabi language, literary traditions and cultural heritage across generations. Paras also appreciated the Academy's cooperation, saying such programmes provide opportunities for writers, poets, artists and young literary enthusiasts and encourage wider participation in Punjabi cultural activities. The second session featured a Punjabi folk culture programme, with folk artists from the Jammu division presenting traditional Punjabi music. Master Kuldeep Sharma and his party performed before the audience. The cultural programme was followed by a Punjabi mushaira featuring poets from the Kashmir division. Noted Punjabi poet, writer and literary personality Dr. Baljit Singh Raina also participated. Raina spoke about the richness and evolving character of Punjabi poetry and its connection with the social and cultural experiences of people. He said poetry preserves the emotional and cultural memory of society while giving expression to contemporary realities. He also recited his poetry, which was warmly received by the audience. The programme concluded with appreciation from members of the literary fraternity for the joint efforts of the Punjabi Sahit Sabha Srinagar and JKAACL in promoting Punjabi language, literature and cultural heritage in Jammu and Kashmir.
NC will push for inclusion of Punjabi, Gurmukhi in J&K: Sadhotra
Jammu, Oct 5: A delegation of prominent members of the Sikh community Monday called on National Conference Additional General Secretary and former Minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra at the party headquarters at Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, and presented a memorandum seeking inclusion of Punjabi language, in Gurmukhi script, among the officially recognised languages of Jammu and Kashmir. It was organised by Sardar Jatinder Singh Lucky. The delegation, as per a statement, apprised Sadhotra of the aspirations of the Sikh community regarding preservation and promotion of Punjabi and Gurmukhi, which, they said, formed an important part of the linguistic and cultural heritage of the region. They urged the National Conference leadership to take up the matter with the appropriate authorities and work towards fulfilment of the long-pending demand. Sadhotra said the National Conference had always remained committed to respecting the linguistic, cultural and social diversity of Jammu and Kashmir and ensuring that the aspirations of all sections of society were adequately represented. He said the partys commitment to Punjabi and Gurmukhi was clearly reflected in its election manifesto. Referring to the specific provisions concerning minorities and regional cultures, he said the National Conference had explicitly committed that it would advocate for the inclusion of Gurmukhi/Punjabi language to preserve and promote it. This is a clear and conscious commitment of the National Conference. We recognise the importance of Punjabi and Gurmukhi as an integral part of the cultural and linguistic heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. Every language carries the history, traditions, literature and collective memory of its people, and no language should be allowed to lose its rightful place, Sadhotra said.
From Classroom to Orchard: Punjab Youth Finds Promise in Dragon Fruit Farming
What began as a retired fathers wish to own an orchard has grown into The post From Classroom to Orchard: Punjab Youth Finds Promise in Dragon Fruit Farming appeared first on Khalsa Vox .
Golden homecoming for Baljit Kaur after historic Asian triumph
Celebrations swept through Kakka Kandiala as hockey player Baljit Kaur returned to her native The post Golden homecoming for Baljit Kaur after historic Asian triumph appeared first on Khalsa Vox .
Punjabs Law and Order in Crisis, Says BJP Spokesperson RP Singh
BJPs RP Singh criticizes Punjabs deteriorating law and order, calling for urgent action from the state government. Punjabs Law and Order in Crisis, Says BJP Spokesperson RP Singh
Khasi film Ki Sngi Badum wins award at Abohar Int
SHILLONG, Oct 5: Khasi feature film Ki Sngi Badum (The Dark Days) has secured third place under the Honourable Mention Feature Film category at the 1st Abohar International Film Festival, held in Punjab in September. Directed by Moonstar Nongdhar and produced by Banabas L Nongbri, the film is based on real events from Nongbris life, []
Congress to launch Punjab poll campaign following Pargat Singh
The News Mill
Delhi BJP chief slams AAP after Punjab HC orders CBI corruption probe
The News Mill
Rajya Sabha polls: 8 fresh BJP faces for UP, Hardeep Puri among 2 ministers dropped
BJP has chosen not to renominate Union ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and B L Verma for Rajya Sabha. This decision raises speculation about a possible reshuffle of the council of ministers by PM Narendra Modi. Since several ministers have been given organization roles, it indicates their continuation in government may be unlikely. Puri's term ends in November, and he may be reassigned for the Punjab assembly polls.
Playing hide & seek: HC on DA payment order to Punjab govt
HC hands over Punjab cash-for-transfer case to CBI
MP overtakes Punjab in stubble burning, 254 farm fires reported across 7 states
Punjab Congress goes into poll mode under Pargat Singh, plans rally and statewide outreach
In an effort to consolidate its power, Congress is set to kick off its election campaign with a unity rally in Amritsar, showcasing leaders including Rahul Gandhi. With ongoing factional disputes in the Punjab Congress, this rally aims to promote collective leadership. The recent appointment of Pargat Singh as state president is integral to unifying the party after prior electoral defeats.
Mid-sized restaurants hungry for funds as investors stay away
Mid-sized organized restaurant chains such as Punjab Grill and Mad Over Donuts face financing challenges. Investors are being more cautious, focusing on sustainable profits and unit economics. As a result, several chains explore capital raises or stake sales. Recent investments favor businesses demonstrating strong financial performance and growth potential. Meanwhile, larger investments continue to thrive, creating a divide in the restaurant industry.
CPCB deploys flying squads in Punjab, Haryana to check stubble burning
BJP Targets AAP Over Punjab Killings, Graft
Cites 4 killings to target state government
Punjab Cabinet Approves Ranjitgarh Development Authority Bill
The Punjab Cabinet has approved the Ranjitgarh Development Authority Bill to promote sustainable tourism and development in the region. Punjab Cabinet Approves Ranjitgarh Development Authority Bill
Punjab to intensify Hepatitis C screening, strengthen transfusion safety
CAQM deploys flying squads in 34 Punjab & Haryana districts to curb farm fires
Punjab-origin Sikh lawyer at centre of Canada legal battle over loyalty oath
Sambit Patra targets Punjab govt over crime, cites HC-ordered CBI probe
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 5 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sambit Patra on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, alleging corruption and a deteriorating law-and-order situation following a Punjab and Haryana High Court direction for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into corruption allegations against the Chief Ministers OSD and others. Addressing a press conference at the BJPs central office in New Delhi, Patra alleged that law and order has collapsed, and corruption has reached its peak in Punjab. He referred to the High Courts direction for a CBI investigation into allegations of corruption against Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns OSD, Ranbir Singh Ghuman, and others. Patra claimed that allegations had been made that Ghuman and certain other officials facilitated the delivery of government benefits in exchange for bribes or commissions. He said the court had directed the CBI to carry the inquiry forward, complete the investigation within two months and submit its report. The BJP MP from Odishas Puri Lok Sabha constituency also referred to what he described as four murders and attacks on police personnel in Punjab in the past 48 hours and sought answers from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP regarding corruption and the law-and-order situation. Briefing the media, Patra cited an incident on Sunday evening in Amritsar in which social media influencer and makeup artist Mad Sandhu was murdered. He also referred to three murders in Ludhiana within a span of 48 hours, including that of a former sarpanch. According to Patra, Sarpanch Navtej Singh of Malewal village was murdered on Saturday evening, while 29-year-old Laddi Khan of Mullanpur Dakha village was shot dead. He further stated that another murder took place in Anant Vihar Colony, Sahnewal, Ludhiana, where 35-year-old Dinesh Kumar was allegedly stabbed to death. Accusing Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP of double standards, Patra claimed that if a similar situation had occurred in a BJP-ruled state, the party would have organised rallies, held press conferences and demanded dismissal of the government. He further alleged that even police personnel were not safe in Punjab. When police officers themselves are being killed, who will take responsibility for the safety of ordinary citizens? Patra asked. Patra cited several incidents involving attacks on police personnel. He said that on February 22 this year, ASI Gurnam Singh was shot dead at the Aandhiyan Police Post in Gurdaspur district and Home Guard Ashok Kumar was also killed on the same day. He further stated that on May 24, in Hamza village under Fatehgarh Churian on the Majitha Road in Amritsar district, ASI Joga Singh was allegedly killed while on duty by assailants on a scooter. Patra also claimed that ASI Harjit Singh was killed on September 18. He added that five days later, an attempt was made on the life of ASI Jaswant Singh, who narrowly escaped. According to Patra, ASI Sukhchain Singh also came under gunfire on Sunday but survived. We have highlighted the number of police personnel who have been killed, Patra said, while also referring to incidents of firing at police stations.
Pluralism in Geneva, containers in Islamabad: Pakistan's double-faced reality exposed once again
Digital Desk | Islamabad, Oct 5 (IANS) Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly, stood before the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva on July 29, 2025 and warned his colleagues against populism, ultra-nationalism and arrow interpretations of nationalism, before closing with the line -- It is time to promote pluralism. It's time to accept diversity. Fourteen months later, on September 25, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took the podium at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and told the world that Pakistan had chosen dialogue over confrontation, that it would give Kashmiris full diplomatic, political, and moral support, and that the demolition of a mosque in Saharanpur was proof of Islamophobia in India. Both speeches were written for audiences outside Pakistan, and both said very little about the country they came from. However, the most revealing line in Sharif's address was one he probably did not mean as a confession, when he thanked Field Marshal Asim Munir for helping to create space for diplomacy. An elected Prime Minister crediting his Army Chief from the UN podium says more about where power sits in Pakistan than anything he said about Palestine or the Indus. Pakistans domestic challenges and its rhetoric in Geneva are very different. While similar diplomatic displays occur in our region, the extent to which they reflect reality is a matter for deeper introspection. This also highlights the need to consider the structure of the Pakistani state and the record of the past 18 months. The reality on the ground is different from the rhetoric and requires attention. Pakistan's own parliament has been told that of the 1,817 Hindu temples and Sikh gurdwaras in the country only 37 remain operational, a figure placed before its Minority Caucus in late 2025, with the Hindu legislator Ramesh Kumar Vankwani blaming the Evacuee Trust Property Board, the body meant to protect these sites and long accused of being more interested in the land they stand on. Decay by neglect is slower than demolition, but the map it leaves behind is much the same. For the Ahmadis, the state does not wait for neglect. The communitys own records indicate 21 mosques desecrated, 381 graves destroyed and 250 Ahmadis booked in religious cases in 2025 alone. These figures are broadly consistent with the US Commission on International Religious Freedoms documentation including the demolition of three Ahmadiyya mosques in Punjab within 10 days in February and the lynching of Laeeq Cheema by a mob of over 400 in Karachi in April. In January 2025, police and municipal staff razed a pre-Partition mosque in Daska, built under the direction of Pakistan's first Foreign Minister Sir Muhammad Zafarullah Khan, after months of pressure from the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, even though the community had complied with the official notice. In effect, the police are doing the work the mob demands. The smaller communities sit further down the same ladder. The Dawoodi Bohras of Karachi were bombed in 2012 and again in 2015, and while they do not face the legal exclusion the Ahmadis do, their experience shows that the hierarchy of belonging now runs inside Islam as well as outside it. Pakistan's roughly 14,500 Baha'is, named in the Constitutions definition of non-Muslims, face exclusion rather than mass violence. This is the reality for the Bah community in Pakistan. Pakistan still has civil society organisations, some of them among the bravest in South Asia, but it no longer has a civil society in any working sense, a space where citizens can organise and criticise without being treated as enemies of the state. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) recorded 273 new enforced disappearances in 2025, and at the launch of its report in May 2026 Hina Jilani said the state had surrendered to the security apparatus and Pakistan had become a security state. The tools are legal, which is what makes them durable. On January 2, 2026 an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad handed journalists including Moeed Pirzada, Shaheen Sehbai and Wajahat Saeed Khan two life sentences each, in absentia, for May 9 digital terrorism, and three weeks later the human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were sentenced to 17 years each under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act for their tweets, a sentence the Supreme Court suspended only in September. The clearest evidence, however, came from Pakistanis themselves. When the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party took to the streets of Delhi over the NEET paper leaks in July 2026 and the Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned, Pakistani content creators watched with something close to envy. Muhammad Waleed said Pakistan never had a democracy to begin with, Mahwash Ajaz pointed out that Indian protesters sing 'Vande Mataram' while Pakistani protesters are labelled separatists, and the former Dawn Editor Cyril Almeida called Jantar Mantar a warning to Pindi. The Indian state was hardly gentle with the protesters, but the creators were not praising Indian policing, they were noticing that protests in India could still produce a result, and that the same channel had been closed at home. The most striking contrast is in Kashmir. Sharif mentioned to the General Assembly that Kashmiris have been waiting for eight decades for a plebiscite, which is just two months after Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) held its own legislative election, all while being cut off from the internet. The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, a coalition of traders, transporters, lawyers and students that began in 2023 with protests over wheat and electricity prices, had moved on to demanding the abolition of the 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees living elsewhere in Pakistan, seats widely seen as the route through which Islamabad's parties manufacture majorities in Muzaffarabad. The local government banned the committee under anti-terrorism law on June 5, and by July 28 Amnesty International counted at least 40 dead, 34 of them protesters. In effect, a state that has not let the Kashmiris it already governs decide who sits in their own assembly is asking the world to hold a plebiscite for the Kashmiris it does not. At the same time, the capital was telling its own version of the story. In the weeks around the UNGA address, Islamabad was walled off with shipping containers, at least 2,000 of them according to BBC Urdu, stacked two storeys high with spikes welded on top, to stop the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf from marching for Imran Khan's release, and the city earned the name 'Containeristan'. The New York Times quoted an Islamabad urban economist who observed that containers, normally a symbol of trade, had become symbols of chaos and restriction, while truckers in Karachi refused to drive north for fear of having their vehicles seized. Talks between the government and the opposition broke down in the early hours of October 4 over whether PTI leaders could even meet Khan and his doctors, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Chief Minister Sohail Afridi set the march off from Lakki Marwat the same afternoon. India's right of reply, which called Sharif's administration a Form 47 government, and the side events at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, where the Kashmiri radio jockey Harleen Kour spoke of strikes and shutdowns giving way to entrepreneurship on the Indian side, were predictable and should be read as such. What is harder to dismiss is that the critique India voiced had already been made by the HRCP, by Pakistani lawyers and by Pakistani content creators in their own words. The contradiction persists because it is inherent in the structure. The Pakistani state derives its international standing through strategic usefulness as a frontline ally, a mediator between Washington and Tehran or a partner in the Mecca defence pact. The greater its reliance on these roles the less it requires to earn legitimacy from its citizens through transparent elections or open courts. However, as the role of the Army has shifted from being a tacit power broker or the kingmaker, if one has to use the major political lexicon in South Asia to an overt power-sharer demanding its rightful share in the making of the Pakistani story. But the Pakistan story is a troubled road where all of the Generals have seen their legitimacy eroded, Munir will be next in line. At the same Geneva conference where Sadiq spoke of pluralism, the Swedish Speaker described how democratic backsliding usually unfolds, with attacks on free expression and the media first, then manipulation of the electoral system, then attacks on civil society. Pakistan has gone through all three, and its leaders continue to speak abroad as though it has not. The march now moving towards Islamabad will show whether the system still has any room to absorb dissent, or whether the removal of its safety valves has left coercion as the only instrument it is willing to use. If the past is a prologue, then the report in the New York Times on how Islamabad is becoming Containeristan and how state authorities, at times take containers and use them to stop democratic marches from coming to the city, serve as a glimpse on what level the state moves when any democratic pressure applies.
High Court exposes govts claims of zero-tolerance for corruption, says Punjab BJP
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 5 (IANS) Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon on Monday hailed the Punjab and Haryana High Courts decision to hand over to the CBI the investigation into allegations of corruption involving Punjab Chief Ministers OSD Rajvir Ghuman and the Chief Ministers Office (CMO). He said the courts decision has exposed the reality behind a government that claims to be a zero-tolerance government for corruption. Speaking to the media here, Dhillon said that following the exposure of this alleged corruption network, the Chief Minister should immediately resign, as the government has lost the moral right to remain in power. Dhillon said that in this matter, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had written to the Punjab DGP three times, but the Punjab Police did not register an FIR. When the matter reached the court through a public interest litigation, the High Court ordered a CBI probe into the case. The High Court has directed the CBI to register a case and submit a status report within two months. Expressing hope that the CBI will conduct a fair and transparent investigation, Dhillon said that allegations of corruption against the Chief Ministers Office have exposed the government that claims to be zero tolerance for corruption. He questioned whether the government considers itself truly honest, why it runs away from an investigation despite repeated letters from the ED, and why the Chief Minister is afraid of an investigation into his own office. Does this not mean that there is something fishy? he asked. Dhillon said people in Punjab are being misled by putting up boards proclaiming an honest Chief Minister across the state. He said several former ministers and legislators of the AAP government have already faced allegations or investigations related to corruption and money laundering, including former ministers Vijay Singla, Fauja Singh Sarari and Sanjeev Arora, and MLAs Amit Rattan Kotfatta and Jaswant Singh Gajjan Majra. He also alleged that former minister Laljit Singh Bhullar is currently in jail in connection with the suicide case involving a government official. Dhillon demanded that the government and Punjab Police immediately provide the CBI with all necessary records and full cooperation so that the investigation can proceed within the two-month deadline set by the court. The High Court has also directed the government and the police to extend full cooperation to the CBI. The state BJP chief also raised questions over the law and order situation in Punjab, saying not only ordinary citizens but even police personnel are not safe in the state. Referring to recent criminal incidents, including the killing of social media influencer Mad Sandhu in Amritsar, Dhillon said the government must take effective action on the ground instead of merely making statements.
Punjab Government Misleading Court on DA Issue, Claims Ashwini Sharma
Ashwini Sharma accuses Punjab government of misleading the court regarding the DA issue, impacting thousands of employees. Punjab Government Misleading Court on DA Issue, Claims Ashwini Sharma
Ashutosh Sharma Switches From Railways To Gujarat For 2026/27 Domestic Season
Gujarat Cricket Association: Ashutosh Sharma has switched allegiance from Railways to Gujarat for the 2026/27 domestic season, Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) Secretary Anil Patel told IANS on Monday. It is understood that Ashutosh has been training with the Gujarat team and even featured in some of their practice games. Known for his explosive power-hitting in the death overs in the shortest format, Ashutosh is among three guest players signed by the GCA alongside India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who is currently in the squad for the T20I series against the West Indies, starting in Lucknow on Tuesday, and fast bowler Ashok Sharma, who moved on from Rajasthan but is currently undergoing rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Yes, Ashutosh Sharma will be playing domestic cricket for Gujarat from this year. Hes definitely a great addition to our batting order, especially in the white-ball formats. We are waiting for good results now. Theres a need for us to get a big title, as last to last year (2024/25 season), we missed out after coming into the Ranji Trophy semi-finals. With a new coach in Monty Desai, lets hope for the best, Patel told IANS on Monday. Ashutosh initially played domestic cricket for Madhya Pradesh before moving to Railways. His reputation as a high-impact finisher in the shortest format earned him Indian Premier League (IPL) stints with Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals. Earlier this year, Ashutosh had a stint with Hampshire in the One-Day Cup, where he picked 14 scalps in seven games, including a five-wicket haul, though he made only 56 runs with the bat. Gujarat will open their 2026/27 Ranji Trophy campaign against Odisha at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The first round of the Ranji Trophy will also see senior opener KL Rahul turn out for Karnataka against Andhra in Vijayawada, while left-arm spinner Manav Suthar will captain Rajasthan in their opening game against Tamil Nadu in Jaipur. Earlier this year, Ashutosh had a stint with Hampshire in the One-Day Cup, where he picked 14 scalps in seven games, including a five-wicket haul, though he made only 56 runs with the bat. Gujarat will open their 2026/27 Ranji Trophy campaign against Odisha at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Twin Western Disturbances Hit North India From October 6; Rains to Lash Delhi, UP & Punjab
Punjab: 2027 Election Blueprint & Ending Factionalism Top Agenda
Punjab Cabinet : PITS Non-Teaching Staff Regularised & Nursing Tutor Promotions Cleared
High Court Hands Punjab Transfer-Posting Case To Central Probe Agency
The court's order records that the Enforcement Directorate had cited 21 instances allegedly involving interference in the transfers and postings of government officers across various departments.
Punjab Cabinet clears Ranjitgarh Development Authority Bill
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Oct 5 (IANS) The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Monday approved the Ranjitgarh Development Authority (RDA) Bill, 2026. The Chief Ministers Office said the Ranjitgarh Development Authority Bill would provide for the establishment of the Ranjitgarh Development Authority for the planned, sustainable and eco-tourism-oriented development of the Ranjit Sagar Dam and Shahpur Kandi Dam areas. The authority will be constituted as a statutory body under the administrative control of the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. It will be vested with the requisite administrative, financial and regulatory powers for integrated development, land management, project implementation and destination governance. The authority will be chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, with the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs serving as Vice-Chairman. An Executive Committee headed by the Chief Secretary will oversee its day-to-day functioning and inter-departmental coordination. The Cabinet also approved the creation of new driver posts in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. These posts have been created by surrendering peon posts from among 19 permanent positions and one permanent post of Moharrir. The move is aimed at streamlining the functioning of the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. The Cabinet also approved an amendment to Appendix-B of the Punjab Nursing Education Service Rules (Group B), 2016, for filling the posts of tutor in Government College of Nursing, Patiala, and Government College of Nursing, Amritsar, under the Department of Medical Education and Research through promotion. The posts will be filled from among staff nurses and nursing sisters working regularly under the control of the Director, Research and Medical Education, Punjab, who have obtained an M.Sc. (Nursing) in the relevant speciality. Preference will be given to candidates having one year of teaching experience in nursing education. The Cabinet also gave concurrence for the regularisation of the services of non-teaching staff working on a contractual basis under the Punjab Information and Communication Technology Education Society (PICTES). The employees to be regularised will be extended the benefit of regularisation under PICTES in the prescribed pay scales.
CBI To Probe Punjab CM Office Graft Claims
Punjab and Haryana High Court orders a CBI probe into alleged corruption involving Punjab CM Bhagwant Manns office and seeks a status report within two months.
Punjab BJP chief backs HC order for CBI probe into CM
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