PunjabENews

Category: Crime

  • SC overturns Allahabad HC ruling, says grabbing breasts amounts to attempt to rape

    SC overturns Allahabad HC ruling, says grabbing breasts amounts to attempt to rape

    New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has delivered a landmark judgment overturning an earlier ruling of the Allahabad High Court, which had observed that grabbing a woman’s breasts or pulling her clothes amounted only to “preparation for rape” and not an “attempt to rape.”

    A Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant clarified that such acts fall squarely within the ambit of attempt to rape, given the clear intent reflected in the accused’s conduct.

    The apex court termed the High Court’s observations legally unsustainable and restored stringent charges against the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

    The case pertains to a 2021 incident involving a 14-year-old minor girl who was allegedly molested by two men on the way and dragged towards a bridge. The Supreme Court said the actions of the accused clearly demonstrated criminal intent and could not be trivialised as mere physical assault.

    The court upheld the original summoning order passed by a special court in Kasganj, paving the way for trial of the accused on serious charges of attempt to rape.

  • Home ministry clears prosecution of suspended Punjab DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar

    Home ministry clears prosecution of suspended Punjab DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar

    Chandigarh: The Union home ministry has granted formal sanction to prosecute suspended Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, who is facing serious corruption charges. The decision clears the way for trial proceedings against the 2009-batch IPS officer under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

    The approval was issued on January 23 in the name of the President of India under Section 19(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The sanction follows an investigation conducted by the CBI’s anti-corruption branch, which reportedly found substantial evidence of Bhullar’s involvement in bribery and financial irregularities.

    A day earlier, the Punjab and Haryana high court had dismissed Bhullar’s regular bail plea, further compounding his legal troubles.

    After examining all documents and records related to the case, the home ministry referred the matter to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The commission, in its review, also concluded that sufficient material existed to proceed with prosecution.

    With the mandatory sanction now in place, the case is expected to be taken up soon before a competent court for trial proceedings.

  • Vigilance Bureau nabs Junior Engineer red handed accepting bribe of Rs 4000

    Vigilance Bureau nabs Junior Engineer red handed accepting bribe of Rs 4000

    Punjab News: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Junior Engineer Swarn Singh, posted at PSPCL office district Fazilka, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 4000/-.

    Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of village Gagan Ke district Fazilka.

    He said that the complainant is engaged in agricultural work and his family member had connected a direct wire to main electricity wire to start the electricity supply due to the faulty electricity meter. This was checked by the accused Swarn Singh Junior Engineer PSPCL Fazilka and threatened to register a power theft case against him. After this, the complainant met the Junior Engineer in his office wherein he demanded a bribe of Rs. 5000/- from the complainant to end this matter. In this regard, the complainant had recorded the conversation of demanding bribe of Rs. 5000/-. After requesting to the accused Junior Engineer, deal was settled at Rs 4000/-.

    After a preliminary enquiry on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 4000/- from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses.

    In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Ferozepur and further investigation into this case is under progress.

  • Vigilance Bureau nabs Parminder Singh, brother of Kanungo red handed accepting bribe of Rs 20,000

    Vigilance Bureau nabs Parminder Singh, brother of Kanungo red handed accepting bribe of Rs 20,000

    Jalandhar News: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against the corruption in the state, has apprehended Parminder Singh, brother of Kanungo Jatinder Singh posted at Sub-Tehsil Mehatpur, district Jalandhar, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 20,000/-.

    Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused have been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, Nakodar, district Jalandhar.

    He said that the complainant, an agriculturalist who also runs a car trading business had purchased a 12-marla house in village Haripur. As the sale deed was not executed, a civil suit was filed, which was decided in favour of the complainant. Then appeal was filed against the said judgment which was dismissed by the Hon’ble Court and to compliance the court orders, the sale deed was registered in favour of the complainant.

    Furthermore he informed that for delivery of possession of the house, an application was marked to the said Kanungo. In this connection, an amount of Rs. 15,000/- was taken from the complainant in the name of computerised demarcation. Thereafter, a notice for vacating the house was issued by the Kanungo. Accused Kanungo Jatinder Singh demanded a bribe of ₹1,00,000/- in the name of Tehsildar from the complainant for facilitating delivery of possession of the house.

    He added that despite repeated requests by the complainant, the Kanungo insisted for the bribe in the name of the Tehsildar. An amount of Rs. 10,000/- as bribe was taken on the spot, and the remaining amount was demanded in instalments. The entire conversation regarding the demand of illegal gratification was recorded by the complainant.

    He revealed that accused Kanungo Jatinder Singh again pressured the complainant to pay the next instalment of the bribe. As the complainant did not want to get his work done by paying bribe, he approached Vigilance Bureau Range Jalandhar.

    After a preliminary enquiry of his complaint, the VB team laid a trap in which Parminder Singh brother of main accused Jatinder Singh Kanungo who sent him to collect bribe, was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 20000/- from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses.

    The main accused Kanungo Jatinder Singh, is currently absconding, and raids are being conducted to arrest him and he will be arrested soon, he added.

    In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against these accused at VB police station Jalandhar and further investigation into this case is under progress.

  • Sidhu Moosewala’s father clarifies on financial dispute, questions Bunty Bains over ‘backdated contract’

    Sidhu Moosewala’s father clarifies on financial dispute, questions Bunty Bains over ‘backdated contract’

    Mansa: Late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala’s father Balkaur Singh has issued a public clarification amid an ongoing dispute over financial dealings linked to his son. The statement comes days after music director Bunty Bains shared an audio clip allegedly featuring a conversation between Moosewala’s mother Charan Kaur and himself.

    In a social media post, Balkaur Singh said the family never intended to bring private matters into the public domain but felt compelled to respond after the audio was “distorted and presented selectively.”

    ‘All financial matters were handled by you’

    Balkaur Singh stated that all financial transactions related to Moosewala’s work were handled by Bains. “All reports and accounts were with you. We trusted you completely,” he wrote. He also claimed that Bains had advised them against receiving large payments from a digital company in one go, citing possible tax complications.

    Allegation of backdated contract

    The singer’s father further alleged that on June 4, 2022 — four days after Moosewala’s death — Bains visited their home and got them to sign a contract that was backdated to August 2020. “We were in deep shock and not in a state of awareness. Why was there such urgency? Was it appropriate to get documents signed in that condition?” he questioned.

    ‘We never met Shabir’

    Balkaur Singh also said the family had never met an individual named Shabir, nor had Moosewala. “If we didn’t even know the person, how could we have signed any agreement or taken any decision?” he asked. He added that they had met Gurpreet only once, and that too through Bains.

    The clarification has intensified the controversy surrounding the financial management of the late singer’s work, even as the family maintains that they had acted in good faith and trust.

  • Woman injured in acid attack by bike-borne assailant in Ludhiana

    Woman injured in acid attack by bike-borne assailant in Ludhiana

    Ludhiana: A 40-year-old woman labourer was allegedly attacked with acid by an unidentified motorcycle-borne assailant in Dugri Colony of Ludhiana, police said on Tuesday.

    According to preliminary information, the victim, a native of Uttar Pradesh and mother of three children, was targeted when the accused called her over on the pretext of asking something. As she approached him, he allegedly threw acid on her and fled the spot.

    The attack severely affected the woman’s face and eyes. She was immediately rushed to the Civil Hospital in Ludhiana, where she is undergoing treatment.

    Police have launched an investigation and are scanning CCTV footage from the area to identify and trace the accused. Further details are awaited as the probe continues.

  • Day 27 of ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’: Punjab Police Conducts 516 Raids, 181 Arrested

    Day 27 of ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’: Punjab Police Conducts 516 Raids, 181 Arrested

    Punjab News: As the decisive ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ campaign launched under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann enters its 27th day, Punjab Police on Monday conducted 516 raids at the at identified and mapped locations linked to associates of gangsters across the state.

    As per the information, the “Gangstran Te Vaar”— a decisive war to make Punjab a gangster-free state was launched by the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on January 20, 2026. Police teams from all the districts in coordination with Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab has been conducting special operations across the state.

    On Day 27, Police teams arrested 181 individuals and recovered two weapons from their possession, taking the total arrests to 9,442 since the launch of the campaign.

    Apart from this, preventive action has been taken against 67 persons, whereas, 139 persons were verified and released after questioning. Police teams have also arrested seven proclaimed offenders (POs) during the operation.

    People can anonymously report information related to wanted criminals and gangsters, and also share tips on crime and criminal activity, through the Anti Gangster Helpline number 93946-93946.

    Meanwhile, Police teams have continued its drive against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” for 352nd day with 77 drug smugglers arrested on Monday and recovered 2 kg heroin, 1345 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 69,120 drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 49,841 in just 352 days.

    Notably, Bathinda police has arrested one drug smuggler and recovered 1.5 kg heroin from his possession.

    As part of De-addiction, the Punjab Police has convinced 16 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

  • Sidhu Moosewala fraud case: Mansa police register FIR after parents’ protest

    Sidhu Moosewala fraud case: Mansa police register FIR after parents’ protest

    Mansa: Five days after the parents of late singer Sidhu Moosewala staged a protest outside the SSP office at the district administrative complex in Mansa, the police on Monday registered a fraud case against two individuals and a digital entertainment company.

    The action follows a complaint filed by Moosewala’s mother, Charan Kaur, alleging financial fraud linked to two companies. The family had earlier staged a sit-in protest, demanding registration of an FIR in connection with a complaint submitted nearly six months ago.

    Based on the complaint, Mansa Sadar police have registered a case against Gurpreet Singh, Shabbir Momin and One Digital Network Private Limited under Sections 316(2), 336(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2), 344, 66, 318(4) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

    Police officials said further investigation into the matter is underway.

  • Excise Department Jalandhar Cracks Down on Illicit Liquor; Two Arrested, 62 Litres Seized

    Excise Department Jalandhar Cracks Down on Illicit Liquor; Two Arrested, 62 Litres Seized

    Jalandhar News: Acting on the directions of Deputy Commissioner (Excise) S.K. Garg, the Excise Department conducted two successful raids in Jalandhar, leading to the recovery of a significant quantity of illicit liquor and the arrest of two individuals. The operations were carried out under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner (Excise), Jalandhar Range-II, Navjeet Singh.

    In the first raid, a team comprising Excise Officer Jaspreet Singh, Excise Inspector Manjit Singh Dhindsa of Circle Basti Bawa Khel, along with Excise Police, conducted a search in the basement of a shop located behind a Juice Corner in Raj Nagar, Basti Bawa Khel, Kapurthala Road, following a tip-off. During the checking, 230 nips (41.4 litres) of “Punjab King” liquor were recovered. The accused, Baldeep Singh, son of Mohinder Singh, a resident of Basti Bawa Khel, was apprehended on the spot. FIR No. 36 dated 14.02.2026 has been registered at Police Station Basti Bawa Khel.

    In another operation, Excise Inspector Somant Mahi of Excise Circle Jalandhar North, along with local police of Police Station Maqsudan, raided village Kanpur. The team recovered 57 pints (21.375 litres) of “Punjab King” liquor. The accused, Gopi Bhagat of Paschimi Manoharpur, Madhepura (Bihar), was arrested. An FIR is being registered at Police Station Maqsudan.

    Assistant Commissioner Navjeet Singh reiterated that strict action against illegal liquor trade will continue in coming days.

  • Honey Sethi gets bail after arrest under NDPS Act in Ludhiana

    Honey Sethi gets bail after arrest under NDPS Act in Ludhiana

    Ludhiana: A social media influencer and footwear businessman from Punjab’s Khanna area was arrested after a medical test confirmed consumption of narcotic substances, police said on Sunday.

    Honey Sethi, who is active as a social worker and influencer in Khanna, Payal and Doraha, was booked under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act after his dope test returned positive.

    Doraha SHO Akash Dutt said the accused was arrested following medical confirmation of drug consumption. “Acting on prior complaints and suspicion regarding his activities, we conducted a medical examination. The report confirmed drug use, following which legal action was initiated,” he said.

    The case was registered at Doraha police station near Khanna. However, since the sections invoked were bailable, Sethi was granted bail as per legal procedure shortly after his arrest.

    Police said further investigation in the matter is underway.