PunjabENews

Category: Punjab

  • Mobile phone, cash and drugs recovered from pastor Bajinder Singh in Mansa jail

    Mobile phone, cash and drugs recovered from pastor Bajinder Singh in Mansa jail

    Mansa: A mobile phone, Rs 2,500 in cash, and suspected narcotics were recovered from Bajinder Singh, a self-styled godman serving a life sentence in a rape case, during a search operation at Mansa district jail, police said on Sunday.

    The recovery was made on Tuesday during a joint raid conducted by jail authorities and local police. An FIR has been registered based on a complaint filed by the assistant superintendent of the jail.

    According to officials, the presence of drugs and a mobile phone raises serious questions about lapses in prison security and potential collusion by insiders.

    Mansa DSP Buta Singh Gill said, “We are investigating how he got the mobile phone and who gave it to him in jail.” Bajinder Singh was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in April this year in connection with a high-profile rape case registered in 2018.

    He was known to attract a large following from Punjab and neighbouring states, where he regularly held religious sermons before his conviction.

  • Minor brutally assaulted by drug smugglers in Faridkot, video goes viral

    Minor brutally assaulted by drug smugglers in Faridkot, video goes viral

    Faridkot: A shocking case of brutality by drug smugglers has come to light in village Nawan Purba, located on Faridkot Road, where a minor boy was allegedly abducted and assaulted over suspicion of leaking information to the police.

    The victim, Vishal, a daily wage labourer, said he was picked up by a group of smugglers and their accomplices a few days ago, shortly after the police arrested some drug peddlers from his village.

    Suspecting him of tipping off the authorities, the smugglers allegedly took him to a nearby village, Rukna Mungla, and thrashed him brutally after putting red chilli powder in his eyes.

    The attackers also stripped him half-naked and filmed the assault. The video was later circulated on social media, which led to the matter coming to light. The incident reportedly occurred three to four days ago and has sparked outrage in the region.

    Due to fear, Vishal had initially remained silent about the assault. He said his father is deceased, his mother is hospitalised, and he has a younger sister to look after. He claimed he has been living under constant threat from the accused.

    Police have launched an investigation into the matter following the viral video.

  • Majithia accused of laundering Rs 540 crore in drug money: Vigilance Bureau registers fresh case

    Majithia accused of laundering Rs 540 crore in drug money: Vigilance Bureau registers fresh case

    Chandigarh: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing FIR No. 02 of 2021 registered at Punjab State Crime and Vigilance Bureau has uncovered large-scale laundering of drug money allegedly involving former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia.

    According to the Vigilance Bureau, preliminary investigations revealed that more than ₹540 crore of drug money was laundered through various channels.

    These include the deposit of ₹161 crore in cash into accounts of companies linked to Majithia, ₹141 crore routed through suspected foreign entities, and another ₹236 crore deposited without any disclosure in company financial records.

    Authorities also said that Majithia acquired significant movable and immovable properties without any valid or declared source of income.

    A spokesperson of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau said on Wednesday that the agency has registered a new case based on the SIT’s findings under Sections 25, 27-A and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

    The FIR, originally filed on December 20, 2021, pertains to alleged links between Majithia and drug money being channelled into Saraya Industries.

    “So far, drug money to the tune of ₹540 crore has been generated illegally, and Majithia, using his position as an MLA and a cabinet minister in the previous Punjab government, facilitated the laundering of these funds,” the spokesperson said.

    The Vigilance Bureau further said there has been a significant increase in assets in the names of Majithia and his wife Giniv Kaur, with no legitimate source of income to justify the acquisitions.

    The SIT and Vigilance Bureau have carried out searches at three locations, questioning 22 individuals. During the raids, officials seized over 30 mobile phones, five laptops, three iPads, two desktop computers, several diaries, property documents, and paperwork related to Saraya Industries.

    Majithia was arrested following due legal process, the Vigilance Bureau said, adding that the investigation is ongoing and more arrests and seizures are expected. All collected evidence will be submitted to a competent court for judicial proceedings.

  • DC orders identification of black spots to prevent road accidents

    DC orders identification of black spots to prevent road accidents

    Jalandhar News: Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal on Tuesday directed the Police Department to prepare a detailed list of black spots across the district where frequent road accidents occur. Chairing the monthly meeting of the District Road Safety Committee, the DC said that identifying these accident-prone locations is crucial to implementing timely corrective measures and saving precious lives.

    He instructed officials from the Public Works and Transport Departments to conduct joint site visits to these black spots once the police drpqrtment submit the list. “Post-inspection, necessary structural changes and infrastructure improvements must be proposed to eliminate these hazards,” Dr. Aggarwal added.

    The Deputy Commissioner also emphasized the need for thorough reporting of all fatal road accidents, including their causes, especially where such accidents happen due to engineering laps. He catagorically mentioned that strict departmental action will be initiated where road accidents was happened due to engineering lapse. “Understanding the root causes, including engineering faults if any, is essential for permanent solutions,” he said. Dr. Aggarwal also called for strict action against those making cuts on busy roads, especially at Highways for their own convenience; thereny putting others lives at risk.

    He directed that the list and inspections be completed before the committee’s next meeting. He also sought a list of traffic hotspots where frequent jams are happening in the district. In another key direction, Dr. Aggarwal asked officials to prepare a proposal for installing traffic lights at Kishangarh Chowk to streamline vehicular movement in the area. He also took stock of ongoing efforts under the Safe School Vahan policy, availability of parking at congested locations, and enforcement actions such as challaning in drunk driving cases.

    Dr. Aggarwal reiterated the administration’s commitment to strengthening road safety infrastructure and urged all departments to work in close coordination to reduce accident rates across the district. Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included RTO Amanpal Singh, SDMs Vivek Modi, Shubhi Angra, and representatives from Police Department, and NHAI. 

  • INVESTIGATIONS BY S.I.T. AND VIGILANCE BUREAU REVEAL MASSIVE LAUNDERING OF DRUG MONEY FACILITATED BY BIKRAM SINGH MAJITHIA

    INVESTIGATIONS BY S.I.T. AND VIGILANCE BUREAU REVEAL MASSIVE LAUNDERING OF DRUG MONEY FACILITATED BY BIKRAM SINGH MAJITHIA

    HUGE UNACCOUNTED CASH WORTH RS. 161 CRORES DEPOSITED IN BANK ACCOUNTS OF COMPANIES CONTROLLED BY MAJITHIA

    SEARCHES AND SEIZURES OF 22 PERSONS BY S.I.T. AND 03 LOCATIONS BY VB YIELD OVER 30 MOBILE PHONES, 05 LAPTOPS, 03 IPADS, 02 DESKTOPS, SEVERAL DIARIES, MANY PROPERTY DOCUMENTS AND MANY DOCUMENTS OF SARAYA INDUSTRIES

    Amritsar News: Investigations by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the FIR no. 02 of 2021 registered in Police Station Punjab State Crime and the Vigilance Bureau reveal massive laundering of drug money facilitated by Bikram Singh Majithia. Preliminary investigations reveal that more than Rs. 540 crores of drug money has been laundered through several ways, including
    (i) Huge unaccounted cash worth Rs. 161 crores deposited in bank accounts of companies controlled by Bikram Singh Majithia,
    (ii) Channelization of Rs. 141 crores through suspected foreign entities,
    (iii) Excess deposition of Rs. 236 crores without disclosure/explanation in company financial statements, and
    (iv) Acquisition of movable/immovable assets by Bikram Singh Majithia without any legitimate source of income.

    A Punjab Vigilance Bureau spokesperson stated here today that the Vigilance Bureau has registered a case based on a report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating FIR No. 02, dated 20-12-2021 registered u/s 25, 27-A and 29 NDPS Act 1985, PS Punjab State Crime, SAS Nagar wherein substantial evidence has been uncovered indicating massive laundering of drug money by Bikram Singh Majithia.

    These transactions are being investigated by the Vigilance Bureau and the investigations done by the S.I.T. clearly indicate that these funds were laundered drug money funneled into Saraya Industries facilitated by Bikram Singh Majithia.

    The VB spokesperson added that so far, Rs. 540 Crores drug money has been tracked as having been generated illegally and by using the influence of Bikram Singh Majithia as a Public Servant being an MLA and holding a Cabinet post in erstwhile Punjab Government.

    The VB spokesperson stated that assets, including both immovable/movable in the name of Bikram Singh Majithia and his wife Genieve Kaur have increased substantially for which no legitimate source of income has been provided.

    According to the VB spokesperson, searches and seizures have been conducted by the SIT of 22 persons and by the Vigilance Bureau at 03 locations which have yielded over 30 mobile phones, 05 laptops, 03 ipads, 02 desktops, several diaries, many property documents and many documents of Saraya Industries.

    The spokesperson stated that Bikram Singh Majithia has been arrested by the Vigilance Bureau in accordance with law after following due procedure.

    Investigations are ongoing and more arrests, searches and seizures would take place. The investigations would be taken to their logical conclusion by submitting all collected evidence before the court of competent jurisdiction for judicial verdict.

  • Woman dies during surgery at Jalandhar’s Armaan Hospital, family alleges medical negligence

    Woman dies during surgery at Jalandhar’s Armaan Hospital, family alleges medical negligence

    Jalandhar News:  The reputation of Jalandhar, a city known across Asia for its medical facilities, has come under scrutiny following the death of a woman during treatment at Armaan Hospital. The grieving family has accused Dr RPS Chhabra and the hospital staff of negligence during the procedure.

    According to the family, Karanjit Singh, a resident of Navanshala village in Gurdaspur, had brought his daughter Sonam Multani, a school teacher, to Armaan Hospital for spine surgery. Dr Chhabra had reportedly assured the family that it was a minor procedure and that Sonam would recover soon. She was admitted to the hospital on June 24.

    Later that afternoon, Dr Chhabra took Sonam into the operation theatre. For several hours, the family received no updates regarding the surgery. When they repeatedly inquired, they were informed that Sonam had experienced internal bleeding in her abdomen and required another urgent operation, to which the family agreed immediately. However, even after that, no medical updates were provided.

    The family claimed they were only informed of Sonam’s death after local dignitaries and BJP leader Ashok Sareen ‘Hikki’ intervened. They alleged that the hospital showed complete negligence during the treatment and held Dr RPS Chhabra and his staff responsible.

    Upon receiving information about the incident, police from Thana 2 arrived at the hospital. Officials said an investigation is underway, and a panel of three doctors will conduct the post-mortem examination. Legal action will be taken based on the findings of the report.

    Meanwhile, Dr Chhabra has denied all allegations, calling them baseless. He claimed the surgery was successful and Sonam was alive until the following morning. However, her blood pressure could not be stabilised, which ultimately led to her death, he said.

  • Vigilance Bureau raids Bikram Majithia’s residence in Amritsar, seizes mobiles, laptops, documents

    Vigilance Bureau raids Bikram Majithia’s residence in Amritsar, seizes mobiles, laptops, documents

    Amritsar: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Wednesday conducted a raid at the residence of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia in Green Avenue, Amritsar, in connection with ongoing investigations into a drugs case and alleged disproportionate assets.

    During the search, officials seized 29 mobile phones, four laptops, two iPads, eight diaries, and several documents. The operation was led by AIG Swarandeep Singh (PPS), who recently returned to duty after suspension and is currently serving in the Flying Squad team of Vigilance, Mohali.

    Majithia is already under investigation under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in a case registered in 2021. A separate inquiry is also underway into his financial transactions and those linked to him.

    The raid was part of a wider crackdown, with the Vigilance Bureau and Punjab Police carrying out simultaneous searches at 25 locations across the state, including nine in Amritsar. A large contingent of officers was deployed at Majithia’s residence as part of the coordinated operation.

  • Sanjeev Arora to be inducted as minister in upcoming cabinet expansion: CM Mann

    Sanjeev Arora to be inducted as minister in upcoming cabinet expansion: CM Mann

    Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday said that the state cabinet will be expanded within the next two to four days, and Sanjeev Arora, who recently won the Ludhiana West by-election, will be inducted as a minister.

    Speaking to the media after meeting the Governor, Mann said, “The cabinet expansion will take place in two to four days.”

    He added that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had assured voters during the campaign that Arora would be given a ministerial post if elected.

    Arora won the Ludhiana West assembly seat by defeating Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu with a margin of 10,637 votes in the recently held by-election.

  • ECI begins 2-day capacity building programme for 379 field functionaries

    ECI begins 2-day capacity building programme for 379 field functionaries

    Punjab E News: The 13th batch of training for Booth Level Officers (BLO) Supervisors began at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi today. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India Shri Gyanesh Kumar inaugurated the programme with an address to the 379 participants (111 from Uttar Pradesh; 128 from Madhya Pradesh; 67 from Nagaland, 66 from Meghalaya and 7 from Chandigarh). Over 5,000 BLO/BLO Supervisors have been trained in the last three months by ECI in New Delhi.

    2. In his inaugural address, CEC Gyanesh Kumar said that these training programmes are essential to ensure that the preparation of electoral rolls and elections are conducted strictly in accordance with the Representation of People Act 1950, 1951, Registration of Electors Rules 1960, Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 and the instructions issued by the ECI from time to time. He added that there can be nothing more transparent than law in any democracy and the elections in India are held as per law.

    3. CEC also underlined that the participants, through the training, will familiarise themselves with the provisions of first and second appeals against the final electoral rolls as published with the DM/District Collector/Executive Magistrate under section 24(a) of RP Act 1950 and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the State/UT under section 24(b) respectively. He also encouraged the BLOs and BLO Supervisors to make the electors also aware of these provisions during their field level verification.

    4. It may be recalled that no appeals were filed from Meghalaya, Nagaland, Madhya Pradesh, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh after the completion of the Special Summary Revision (SSR) exercise as of 6th-10th of January 2025.

    5. The training is designed to enhance participants’ practical understanding especially in the areas of voter registration, Form handling, and field-level implementation of electoral procedures. Participants will also receive practical training on the IT tools. The officials will also be provided technical demonstrations and training of EVMs and VVPATs including mock polls.