Former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar has called for an NIA investigation into the incidents at Lovely Professional University (LPU) to identify the forces behind the unrest. Jakhar said it needs to be investigated how the situation suddenly escalated after armed outsiders allegedly became involved during a peaceful protest by LPU students. He said it is important to identify any external or internal forces behind the incident while respecting the students’ sentiments and protecting their interests. He also called for an investigation into the entire sequence of events, including any inci

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president, Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, said on Monday that a five-member inquiry committee has been constituted to investigate the incident that took place at the sarai (guest house) at Sri Anandpur Sahib. Dhami said the committee has been directed to submit its report within 15 days. Meanwhile, Giani Malkit Singh, the additional head granthi of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, who had earlier been suspended, has now been relieved of his services. Dhami also clarified his position on the matter, saying he had no information about the arrival of the w

British citizen Jagtar Singh Johal, alias Jaggi Johal, has been granted bail by the Delhi High Court in connection with seven separate UAPA cases related to targeted killings in Punjab’s Jalandhar and Ludhiana districts. A bench comprising Justice Naveen Chawla and Justice Ravinder Dudeja passed the order. The High Court had rejected Johal’s bail plea in 2024. The matter was subsequently taken to the Supreme Court, which directed the High Court to reconsider the case. Following the fresh hearing, the Delhi High Court granted him bail. Jagtar Singh Johal was arrested in Punjab in 2017 and h

The ‘Rail Roko’ protest launched by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha across Punjab on Thursday significantly disrupted rail services. Farmers blocked railway tracks at several locations over their various demands. At Devidaspura near Jandiala Guru in Amritsar, farmers staged a protest on the railway tracks, affecting the Amritsar-Delhi rail route. Several trains were diverted, while some services were cancelled. The protest was held at five locations in Punjab-Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Moga, Ferozepur and Sangrur. The farmers’ organisations are demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (M

Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is serving a death sentence in connection with the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Patiala Central Jail, urging the government to make a decision on his long-pending mercy petition. In the letter, Rajoana said that no final decision has been taken on his mercy petition for the past 15 years. He said he has been in prison for 31 years and has been waiting for a final decision regarding his death sentence for a long time. Rajoana stated that he had never concealed his actions before th

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has expelled former MLA Ravinder Singh Brahmpura from the party, citing alleged anti-party activities. Brahmpura, the son of late senior SAD leader Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, represents the Khadoor Sahib constituency and has reportedly been facing allegations of working against the party for some time. According to the party, written complaints were received from SAD workers in Khadoor Sahib. Local leaders also raised concerns about Brahmpura’s alleged activities against the party during the Punjab Bachao Rally held at Goindwal Sahib on Se

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal did not appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the 2015 Behbal Kalan firing case, despite being summoned to appear before the investigating team. However, Badal’s representatives, Parmbans Singh Romana and advocate Arshdeep Singh Kaler, met SIT officials at around 11 a.m. on Friday. In a written request, Badal cited health issues as the reason for not appearing before the SIT. He said he needed to visit a doctor for a medical check-up and was therefore unable to attend. Badal also referred to his busy schedule of public ra

An IndiGo flight from Lucknow to Dammam, Saudi Arabia, made an emergency landing at Ahmedabad airport on Thursday evening after receiving a bomb threat. Police said IndiGo flight 6E97 landed at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at around 5:45 p.m. local time. All 107 passengers and six crew members were safely evacuated, and no suspicious object was found on board. According to an airport police inspector, a crew member found a piece of paper with the word “bomb” written on it, prompting the emergency response.

Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has demanded a CBI probe into the alleged suicide of labourer Gulzar Singh in Sangrur district. He also sought the resignation and arrest of Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. Leading a delegation of Congress leaders, Channi met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of failing to maintain law and order in the state. Channi alleged that Gulzar Singh had raised his voice over his son’s drug addiction and was subsequently harassed and threatened by local AAP-linked office-bearers. He further c