PunjabENews

Category: Punjab

  • Wife sent ‘death certificate’, remarried: Family alleges foul play in Punjab youth’s Dubai disappearance

    Wife sent ‘death certificate’, remarried: Family alleges foul play in Punjab youth’s Dubai disappearance

    Chandigarh: A Punjab family has alleged a conspiracy in the mysterious disappearance of their son, after receiving a purported death certificate through the village sarpanch, even as they remain unsure whether he is alive or dead.

    The missing youth, Lakhbir Singh, a resident of Jagdev Kalan village, was sent to Dubai in April 2024 along with his wife with plans to later move to Italy for work. His father, Desh Singh, said the family spent around ₹18 lakh — raised by selling land — to send the couple abroad through an agent.

    However, the agent allegedly fled with the money, following which the family asked the couple to return to India in September 2024. A day before their scheduled return, the father claims, the daughter-in-law forcibly took Lakhbir somewhere, and later returned alone, stating that he had gone missing.

    The family alleged that during their stay in Dubai, the daughter-in-law had her relative threaten Lakhbir and prevented him from returning to India. Initially, she told the family that Lakhbir was being searched for, and later claimed he was in jail due to possession of objectionable material, assuring them of his release.

    The father further alleged that the woman returned to India after about a month but went directly to her parental home and filed for divorce without informing the in-laws. Since then, the family has had no confirmed information about Lakhbir’s whereabouts.

    Recently, the family received a death certificate via the village sarpanch, which they have termed suspicious. They also claimed that the woman has since remarried, and the certificate was sent just days before her second marriage.

    Lakhbir, a national-level volleyball player, is remembered by his family through the medals and trophies displayed at their home.

    The family has demanded a thorough government probe into the matter, stating that they still do not know whether their son is alive and are seeking clarity on his fate.

  • Panic buying grips Punjab as fuel pumps run dry amid rumours, situation eases after govt clarification

    Panic buying grips Punjab as fuel pumps run dry amid rumours, situation eases after govt clarification

    Chandigarh: Fuel panic buying was reported across parts of Punjab, with several petrol pumps running dry and restrictions imposed on the sale of fuel in drums and bottles amid rumours of shortage and a possible lockdown.

    Long queues were seen at fuel stations across the Majha and Doaba regions, including Jalandhar, Amritsar, Moga and Patiala, as people rushed to stock petrol and diesel. Farmers were also seen carrying drums to pumps ahead of the wheat harvesting season starting April 1, when diesel demand typically rises.

    Petrol pump dealers said the sudden surge in demand was triggered by fears of supply disruption due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, coupled with misinformation about a possible lockdown and expected price hikes.

    In response, oil companies instructed pump operators to restrict the sale of loose fuel to prevent hoarding. Several pumps in rural areas, especially in Sangrur and Hoshiarpur, reportedly ran dry due to the sudden spike in consumption.

    According to industry estimates, Punjab has around 4,000 fuel stations and an average monthly consumption of nearly 3.5 million kilolitres, which fluctuates during peak agricultural seasons.

    However, the situation began to stabilise after the Centre stepped in. Union ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and Nirmala Sitharaman dismissed rumours of a lockdown and assured that there was no shortage of fuel in the country.

    The Centre also reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel, easing pressure on oil companies and lowering the likelihood of price hikes — a move reported earlier.

    Following the clarification, queues at fuel stations started to thin out, particularly in the Malwa region, where the situation returned to near normal on Friday. Many pumps in Bathinda and Mansa displayed notices prohibiting fuel sale in containers to curb hoarding.

    Petrol Pump Dealers Association representatives said the panic was largely driven by misinformation and urged the public to avoid unnecessary stockpiling, assuring that fuel supply remains stable.

  • Main Shooter in Panjab University Firing Incident Held After Brief Exchange of Fire in Fatehgarh Sahib; Pistol Recovered

    Main Shooter in Panjab University Firing Incident Held After Brief Exchange of Fire in Fatehgarh Sahib; Pistol Recovered

    Punjab E News (March 26): In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police’s Anti Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in a joint operation with Chandigarh Police, on Thursday apprehended the main shooter involved in the firing incident on student leader Jashanpreet Singh Jawanda at Panjab University, Chandigarh and recovered one .32 bore country-made pistol from his possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Thursday.

    The arrested accused has been identified as Jaspreet Singh alias Jas, a resident of Kheri Noudh Singh in Kotla Masud, Fatehgarh Sahib. Apart from recovering pistol, police teams have also recovered magazines, two live cartridges, and four empty shells.

    DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the arrested accused is a key member of the Doni Bal/Bambiha group. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the attack was carried out at the behest of this group, he added.

    The DGP said that further investigations are ongoing to establish backward and forward linkages in this case.

    Sharing operational details, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) AGTF Promod Ban said that a dedicated team comprising Insp. Vikramjeet Singh and SI Amandeep Singh of AGTF Punjab, along with ASI Harbhajan Singh (District Crime Cell) and ASI Pardeep Singh (AGTF Chandigarh), had been continuously tracking leads across Chandigarh, Fatehgarh Sahib, and the Amloh area since the day of the incident.

    The ADGP said that during the operation, the accused was intercepted on the Amloh–Patran road, where he opened fire at the police team. In the retaliatory exchange, the accused sustained injuries and was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, he said.

    In this regard, FIR no 72 dated 26-3-26 has been registered under sections 109, 132 and 221 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Amloh in Fatehgarh Sahib.

  • ‘Shandaar 4 Saal, Bhagwant Mann de Naal’; AAP takes Bhagwant Mann Govt’s achievements to every doorstep across Punjab

    ‘Shandaar 4 Saal, Bhagwant Mann de Naal’; AAP takes Bhagwant Mann Govt’s achievements to every doorstep across Punjab

    Ministers, MLAs cover 1,000+ villages & wards in single day, massive public outreach marks 4 years of Bhagwant Mann Govt

    Punjab E News (26March 2026): Marking four years of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the party on Wednesday launched a massive statewide outreach campaign titled “Shandaar 4 Saal, Bhagwant Mann de Naal,” taking its governance record directly to the people across villages and urban wards.

    Ministers, MLAs and constituency in-charges fanned out across nearly 1,000 villages and wards in a single day, engaging with citizens and highlighting key achievements of the Punjab Government. The campaign witnessed strong public participation, with people expressing satisfaction over governance and welfare delivery under CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

    Interacting with people in Sham Chaurasi, Cabinet Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh stated, “Today, Punjab’s government schools are being discussed across the country. Even surveys conducted by the Government of India have acknowledged that Punjab’s schools have become number one. The transparent recruitment of more than 28,000 teachers and their training in Finland and Singapore have resulted in Punjab’s students now clearing competitive exams like JEE and NEET.”

    Highlighting power sector reforms in Ludhiana West, Power Minister Sanjeev Arora said, “The Mann government has created history by making electricity bills zero for 90% of households in Punjab. Earlier, people feared high bills, but today they are getting major relief along with 24-hour uninterrupted power supply.”

    Speaking in Bhoa, Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak underscored the Punjab Government’s campaign against drugs, stating, “The Bhagwant Mann government has launched a decisive war against drugs, under which more than 92,000 smugglers have been put behind bars. Along with this, 65,000 government jobs have been provided purely on merit, without any bribery or recommendation.”

    In Jandiala, Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO highlighted healthcare transformation, stating, “985 Aam Aadmi Clinics are successfully functioning in Punjab, where more than 5 crore people have received free treatment. Now, every family is getting up to ₹10 lakh of free cashless treatment, ensuring that the poor no longer need to take loans for medical care.”

    Addressing people in Malout, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur spoke about women-centric initiatives, stating, “Under the ‘Mawan-Dhian Satkar Yojana,’ every woman will receive ₹1,000 per month and women from SC communities will receive ₹1,500 per month starting from Baisakhi. Along with this, free bus travel has empowered women.”

    In Jalandhar West, Minister Mohinder Bhagat emphasized agricultural support, stating, “Only the Mann government is the true well-wisher of farmers. Today, farmers are receiving free electricity during the daytime, and after decades, canal water has reached the tail-end of fields. Crop payments are now being transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts within just 24 hours.”

    Speaking in Lehra, Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal highlighted welfare and infrastructure initiatives, stating, “The government is facilitating free pilgrimage for senior citizens. Additionally, families of soldiers who sacrifice their lives for the nation are being given an ex gratia of ₹1 crore, which is the highest in the country. The formation of the ‘Sadak Surakhya Force’ has reduced deaths in road accidents by 50%.”

    He added, “In the last four years, work has been done that had not been accomplished since independence. With the construction of 40,000 kilometers of roads, 9,000 playgrounds, and 6,000 gyms, the dream of restoring ‘Rangla Punjab’ is becoming a reality.”

    During the outreach drive, leaders reiterated that the AAP Government is focused not just on policy announcements but on ensuring last-mile delivery, taking the benefits of governance to every household across Punjab.

  • Punjab marching towards No. 1 state of India- Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora

    Punjab marching towards No. 1 state of India- Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora

    Punjab bags No. 1 award in education, road safety & ease of doing business: Sanjeev Arora

    Chandigarh News (March 26, 2026): Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora on Thursday presented the four-year report card of the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann during a nukkad meeting in Sarabha Nagar.

    Addressing the gathering, Sanjeev Arora said that Punjab is progressing towards a rapid growth rate and will soon transform into a vibrant Rangla Punjab. He claimed that the state has witnessed historic and unprecedented development in the last four years, something that was never imagined and had not happened in the previous 70 years.

    Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora also reiterated that Punjab has been awarded by the Government of India as the number-1 state in road safety, education, and ease of doing business. He emphasised that this is the first time in the history of Punjab that the state has achieved such recognition in these key sectors. He added that everyone in the country is now talking about how Punjab is marching towards becoming the number one state in the country, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

    Sanjeev Arora stated that every household in Punjab is receiving 300 units of free electricity per month for last four years. He further informed that 75 percent of the farmers are getting uninterrupted power supply in the morning, which will be increased to 95 percent during the upcoming paddy season. He further informed that the services of PSPCL have been made more efficient and effective, resulting in more profits, fewer losses, and better uninterrupted power supply. He also mentioned that the Punjab government has launched a universal cashless health insurance scheme of up to Rs 10 lakh for every Punjabi, making the state the first in the country to implement such a comprehensive programme.

    He announced that women in Punjab will soon start receiving financial assistance of Rs 1000 and Rs 1500 per month as announced by Chief Minister of Punjab S. Bhagwant Singh Mann. He added that the state’s roads will soon be free of garbage and will have the best road infrastructure in the country.

  • Two Linked To Inter-State Illegal Weapons Supply Module Held From UP; 10 Pistols Recovered

    Two Linked To Inter-State Illegal Weapons Supply Module Held From UP; 10 Pistols Recovered

    Jalandhar News (March 26): In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Counter Intelligence (CI) Jalandhar has busted an interstate illegal weapons supply module with the arrest of two accused from Uttar Pradesh and recovered 10 7.65MM country-made pistols along with 20 magazines from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Thursday.

    Those arrested have been identified as Dalesh Kumar alias Saurav Kumar alias Nannu, a resident of village Paindapur in Aligarh, UP and Amit Chahar, a resident of village Baseri Chahar in Agra, UP.

    The development came almost a month after two BKI operatives— Sukhwinder alias Sunny and Rawal— were arrested for procuring and further placing three grenades and one IED near Balachaur on the directions of their foreign-based handler Jassi Kulam. The same IED was later used in the blast at PS Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh.

    DGP Gaurav Yadav said that during sustained investigation, both the accused were arrested from Mathura and first recovery of five pistols along-with 10 magazines was affected from the Grand Vitara car of accused Dalesh Kumar alias Nannu. Further pursuant to his disclosure statement, five more pistols along with 10 magazines were recovered from Mathura–Palwal Highway, taking a total count of 10 pistols and 20 magazines, he added.

    The DGP said that the arrest of these two UP-based accused has revealed that they were acting at the behest of foreign-based criminals operating from Germany and USA, supplying weapons to criminal gangs in Punjab. Both were also involved in procuring weapons and carrying out firing for extortion at a travel agent’s residence in Garhshankar in the directions of foreign-based handlers, he added.

    In this regard, a case FIR No 11 dated 23-02-2026 had been registered under relevent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act at Police Station SSOC Amritsar.

  • Nyara hikes petrol by ₹5, diesel by ₹3 in Punjab; supply normal, no shortage: dealers

    Nyara hikes petrol by ₹5, diesel by ₹3 in Punjab; supply normal, no shortage: dealers

    Chandigarh: Private fuel retailer Nayara Energy on Thursday increased petrol and diesel prices in Punjab, raising petrol by ₹5 per litre and diesel by ₹3 per litre.

    The revised rates have been implemented across the state from Thursday morning. In Ludhiana, petrol at Nayara pumps is now priced at ₹103.31 per litre, while diesel is being sold at ₹90.96 per litre. Earlier, petrol was priced at ₹98.31 and diesel at ₹87.96 per litre.

    Government-run oil companies, however, have not changed their prices, keeping rates stable.

    Fuel dealers said there is no shortage of petrol or diesel and urged people not to panic. Rajan Kapoor, a pump owner in Ludhiana, said global factors, including ongoing conflicts, are impacting prices, but supply remains adequate.

    He added that misleading videos on social media are creating unnecessary panic among consumers. “There is no need to rush to fuel stations. Stocks are sufficient and the situation is normal,” he said.

    Authorities and dealers have advised the public to rely on verified information and avoid spreading unconfirmed claims regarding fuel shortages.

  • Punjab Government Strengthens Women’s Health Security with 28 Crore Free Sanitary Pad Initiative:Dr. Baljit Kaur

    Punjab Government Strengthens Women’s Health Security with 28 Crore Free Sanitary Pad Initiative:Dr. Baljit Kaur

    7.37 Crore Sanitary Pads Distributed, 13.65 Lakh Women Benefited Across the State

    Chandigarh News (March 26): Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is taking significant and people-centric steps to strengthen women’s health, hygiene and dignity across the state. This was stated by Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur while highlighting the government’s initiative to provide free sanitary pads to poor and needy women.

    Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that during the current year, the Punjab Government has distributed more than 7.37 crore sanitary pads free of cost, at an expenditure of approximately ₹28 crore. She said that this initiative is playing a crucial role in improving menstrual hygiene while also promoting awareness about women’s health, particularly among economically weaker sections.

    The Minister further stated that over 13.65 lakh women across Punjab have directly benefited from this initiative. She added that women, especially from rural and underprivileged backgrounds, are receiving not only financial relief but also improved access to essential hygiene facilities, helping them lead healthier and more dignified lives.

    Dr. Baljit Kaur further informed that under the ‘Nawi Disha Scheme’, free sanitary pads are being distributed every month through 27,314 Anganwadi Centres across the state. Each eligible woman is provided 9 sanitary pads per month, ensuring regular, accessible and consistent support for menstrual hygiene management.

    She further emphasized that this initiative is also helping in breaking menstrual stigma, improving awareness and ensuring that women and adolescent girls no longer face challenges in accessing basic hygiene facilities.

    Highlighting future plans, the Minister stated that during the current financial year, the Punjab Government has set a target to distribute over 3.68 crore additional sanitary pads at an estimated cost of ₹14.60 crore, which will further expand the coverage and benefit a larger number of women across the state.

    “The Mann Government is committed to ensuring that every woman in Punjab has access to essential health and hygiene facilities. Our aim is to ensure that no woman is deprived of a healthy, safe and dignified life,” said Dr. Baljit Kaur.

    Reaffirming the government’s commitment, she added that the Punjab Government will continue to implement such women-centric and welfare-oriented initiatives to strengthen women’s empowerment and promote a healthier society across the state.

  • 4 lakh life-saving surgery delivered cashless under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, one of highest claims under Bhagwant Mann Govt’s healthcare push

    4 lakh life-saving surgery delivered cashless under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, one of highest claims under Bhagwant Mann Govt’s healthcare push

    Every life matters & ensuring free, life-saving treatment through Sehat Card reflects our commitment to protecting every citizen: Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh

    Punjab E News (March 26): Marking one of the highest claims facilitated under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna to date, a ₹4 lakh life-saving surgery was delivered cashless, reflecting the scale and on-ground effectiveness of the Bhagwant Mann Government’s healthcare system.

    The beneficiary, Sukhpal Kaur, a 37 year old resident of Chandigarh, was admitted to PGIMER Chandigarh after being diagnosed with a critical aortic dissection, a serious cardio-thoracic and vascular condition requiring immediate surgical intervention. The procedure, along with hospitalisation and specialised care, was estimated to cost nearly ₹4 lakh, an amount that would have been extremely difficult for the family to arrange at short notice.

    With the Sehat Card verified at the hospital, the treatment began without delay. The entire procedure was carried out cashless under the scheme’s coverage of up to ₹10 lakh per family.

    A family member said, “Everything happened very quickly. We were told the condition was serious and required immediate surgery. Arranging such a large amount instantly would not have been possible. The Sehat Card ensured treatment started without delay.”

    Highlighting the clinical aspect of the case, Dr. Sachin Mahajan, PGIMER Chandigarh, said, “Aortic dissection is a critical condition that requires immediate surgical intervention. In such cases, even a short delay can significantly increase risk. Under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, once the Sehat Card was verified, we are able to proceed without waiting for financial clearances. This ensures timely and uninterrupted treatment in high-risk cardiac cases.”

    Reinforcing the government’s approach, Minister of Health and Family Welfare of Punjab, Dr. Balbir Singh said, “Being able to save a precious life in a critical moment like that of Sukhpal Kaur brings immense satisfaction. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna is making a real ground impact where families are able to access immediate treatment without the stress of arranging funds.”

    With lakhs of families already covered and high-value treatments being delivered across the state, the scheme continues to strengthen healthcare access across Punjab.

    The Punjab Government continues to encourage residents to enrol for the Sehat Card at designated centres to avail cashless treatment benefits under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna.

  • Punjab govt withdraws ₹80 FIR download fee

    Punjab govt withdraws ₹80 FIR download fee

    Chandigarh: The Punjab government has withdrawn its decision to charge ₹80 for downloading FIRs from the police website, cancelling the earlier notification and issuing fresh orders.

    According to the new directive, no fee will be charged for downloading FIRs from the Sanjh Portal or for obtaining copies from Sanjh Kendras. The earlier service charge has been scrapped with immediate effect.

    However, the implementation is yet to be fully reflected online, as the payment option for FIR downloads is still visible on the portal.

    The issue had reached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed challenging the legality of the charges.

    Advocate Vasu Ranjan Shandilya, chairman of the Council of Lawyers, and national coordinator Abhishek Malhotra said the PIL will not be withdrawn. They pointed out that fees of ₹100 for DDR copies and ₹20 for lodging lost reports are still being charged.

    The petition also seeks a refund for individuals who paid the ₹80 fee for FIR downloads in the past few days.

    The government’s move is being seen as a response to legal pressure, with the matter likely to remain under judicial scrutiny until all related charges are reviewed.