A defamation case against BJP Member of Parliament and actor Kangana Ranaut was adjourned in a Bathinda court on Tuesday after proceedings were disrupted due to a statewide lawyers’ strike in Punjab. The matter has now been rescheduled for March 10. Court proceedings were affected as lawyers across Punjab began a week-long strike, leading to the postponement of multiple hearings, including the case involving Ranaut. The strike has impacted regular functioning in several district courts. According to bar representatives, the protest has been called in opposition to certain proposed measures,

A portion of the residence of Punjab Congress MLA Sukhpal Khaira was demolished on Monday in the Ramgarh area of Bhulath, as a team from Punjab Police and local administration carried out what officials described as an action against alleged unauthorized construction. Supporters of Khaira gathered in large numbers at the site during the operation. The legislator sat in front of a JCB machine in protest and began a sit-in against the Punjab government and police, accusing authorities of targeting him. Administrative officials said the demolition was limited to structures deemed illegal under ap

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced plans to visit India next week as part of a broader trip to the Indo Pacific region that will also include stops in Australia and Japan. The tour is scheduled to run from February 26 to March 7 and is aimed at strengthening trade, energy, technology and defence partnerships. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Carney will begin his visit in Mumbai, where he is expected to meet business leaders to promote investment opportunities in Canada. He will then travel to New Delhi for talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Discussions are expect

India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal says an interim trade agreement between India and the United States could be signed as early as March, with implementation expected in April. The minister shared the update on Friday, indicating that negotiations have entered a final legal stage. According to Goyal, officials from both countries are scheduled to meet in the United States starting February 23 for three days of discussions aimed at finalizing the legal framework of the proposed agreement. The interim deal is expected to address tariff issues and market access while broader tr

Chandigarh Police has filed a cancellation report in a case registered against Punjab Congress MLA Pargat Singh and 14 other party leaders in connection with a protest held outside the official residence of the Haryana Chief Minister two years ago. The FIR was registered on February 20, 2024, at Sector 3 police station. The case included allegations of assault and obstructing police personnel from carrying out their official duties during the demonstration. According to police records, the Congress leaders had gathered to condemn the alleged use of force against farmers protesting at the Punja

A court in Bathinda on Wednesday granted bail to two senior leaders of Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta Ugrahan who had been lodged in the Bathinda Central Jail during ongoing farmer protests in Punjab. Confirming the development, state president Joginder Singh Ugrahan said while the bail of the two leaders has been approved, demonstrations across the state will continue until all workers detained during the protests are released. He stated that the union will organize “victory rallies” across Punjab on Thursday. The arrests came as authorities moved to prevent a large-scale protest planned for

Former Punjab Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu has publicly criticized senior Congress figure Rahul Gandhi, alleging that his leadership approach is contributing to the party’s decline in Punjab. In recent remarks, Sidhu claimed that Gandhi is disconnected from ground realities in the state and has failed to address what she described as internal corruption within the Punjab unit of the Indian National Congress. She further alleged that members of his close circle are involved in the sale of party tickets, and suggested that Gandhi is either unaware of or not acting on the issue. Sidhu’s

A senior Enforcement Directorate officer posted in Punjab has been transferred days after summons were issued to former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and his son Raninder Singh in connection with an ongoing investigation. Official sources confirmed that Additional Director Ravi Tiwari has been reassigned to Chennai as part of an administrative transfer. The move has drawn attention in political circles, where it is being viewed in the context of the recent summons sent to the former chief minister and his son. The Enforcement Directorate had asked Raninder Singh to appear on Fe

India’s Defence Acquisition Council has approved a proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter aircraft from France in a deal estimated at approximately ₹3.60 lakh crore, according to officials from the Ministry of Defence. The decision marks one of the largest defence procurement initiatives currently under consideration by the federal government. The council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also cleared several additional proposals aimed at strengthening India’s military capabilities. These include the acquisition of advanced missile systems and modern satellite-based technologie