17042026-LT-01.qxd 4/17/2026 12:57 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune PATWARI ARRESTED FOR ACCEPTING ~15K BRIBE VIKAS KHANNA MAKES IT TO THE TIME 100 LIST KRITIKA EMBRACES GLAMOUR & GRIT IN MATKA KING VB has apprehended patwari Harkinder Singh posted at Revenue Office, Payal, while accepting the bribe. P2 Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna has been named in the magazine’s 2026 list of 100 most influential people. P4 Actress says it is a ‘welcome change’ from simplicity that defined many of her recent roles. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 37°C | MIN 21°C YESTERDAY MAX 38°C | MIN 18°C SUNSET FRIDAY 6.51 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 5:53 AM FRIDAY | 17 APRIL 2026 | LUDHIANA Rail Roko: Six trains likely to be hit as farmers to protest today Why penalties for losses caused by adverse weather, growers ask sonal rains and strong winds, which was beyond their control. “Why should farmers be penalised for adverse weather conditions? It is the government’s responsibility to relax norms in such conditions so that farmers do not suffer losses. No farmer would ever want their crop to be damaged. We invest our hard-earned efforts into cultivation,” Khanna said. Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 16 The Bharti Kisan Union (Dakaunda) has given a ‘rail roko’ call, with farmers across the state set to stage protests from 12 pm to 3 pm on Friday. As part of the agitation, the farmers will hold a dharna at the Jagraon railway station, which is expected to disrupt the movement of several trains. According to information, three passenger trains and three goods trains are likely to be affected due to the protest. Kamaljit Khanna, president of BKU (Dakaunda), told The Tribune that around 500 farmers are expected to gather at the Jagraon railway station and halt train movements during the three-hour protest window and hundreds of passengers were expected to bear the brunt due to the agitation. Around 500 farmers are expected to gather at the Jagraon railway station to hold protest on Friday. FILE “Three goods trains and three passenger trains will be affected due to the protest. These include routes such as Ferozepur to Ludhiana, Ludhiana to Jaipur, Ferozpur to Delhi and Ferozpur to Chandigarh. We do not want to inconvenience anyone but when government agencies fail to address our demands, we are compelled to take such steps,” he said. The primary grievance of the farmers is the proposed action by government agencies, in coordination with the Central Government, to impose penalties despite the losses being caused by natural factors. Farmers said the wheat crop had become discoloured and shrivelled due to unsea- Notice to cops onanticipatory bail plea by Cong leader Indi Tribune Reporters Ludhiana, April 16 The Court of Additional Sessions Judge Dr Gurpreet Kaur has issued a notice to the police for April 17 on an anticipatory bail application filed by Congress leader Inderjit Singh Indi, husband of party councillor Parminder Kaur, in connection with a recent assault case. Taking cognisance of the matter, the court sought a response from the police while fixing the matter for hearing on the next date. According to the case, the Ludhiana police recently registered an FIR against Indi, alleging that he assaulted workers engaged in road construction near Saggu Chowk. A purported video of the incident had also gone viral on social media. The complaint stated that some unidentified individuals were threatening and obstructing labourers carrying out construction work in the area. During the investigation, ASI Subhash Chand reportedly received information at the spot Was booked recently for assaulting labourers indicating Indi’s involvement in obstructing the work and assaulting labourers, following which he was named in the case. The matter will now be taken up by the court on April 17. Move sparks political storm in Ludhiana The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has registered an FIR against Inderjit Singh ‘Indi’, husband of Ward 61 councillor Parminder Kaur and a close aide of former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu. The move has triggered political reactions, raising the temperature in the city’s civic politics. On Thursday, councillors from the Congress and BJP came together on a common platform, holding a joint press conference to denounce what they termed as the government’s “high-handedness.” They warned that attempts to intimidate opposition councillors through administrative pressure would not be tolerated. Congress councillor Pankaj Sharma declared that all parties were united on the issue, “We will face the challenge head-on. Councillors will not bow to threats”. District Congress president Sanjay Talwar was among the first to react, cautioning the police and administration against “bullying Congress workers.” He asserted that such actions would be resisted at all costs. Councillor Pankaj Kaka alleged that false cases were being repeatedly filed against Indi to silence opposition voices. He accused the government of using municipal officials as pawns, pressuring them to testify against Indi and transferring those who refused. “The Mayor and government are treating opposition councillors as if we were outsiders. It is unacceptable,” he said. The united Opposition vowed to launch a strong protest campaign against what they termed as systematic harassment. Central agencies creating hurdles: Farmers Farmers alleged that while the state has an AAP government, central agencies are creating hurdles for both state and its farmers. They claimed that farmers in Haryana received greater relief due to the ruling BJP government there. They alleged that the Central Government was targeting the farmers as a fallout of the prolonged protests held in Delhi. Man booked for joining real estate firm with fake degrees Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 16 A case of fraud has come to light at Vardhman Amrante Private Limited, a real estate company located on Chandigarh Road. A man concealed his true identity and qualifications and obtained the position of senior manager (accounts) in the company using fake degrees. After a lengthy investigation, the police registered a case of fraud and breach of trust against the suspect. In a complaint filed with the Jamalpur police, Divyakant Singh, a firm representative, said Karan Singhania of Model Town submitted false documents and fake degrees to obtain a job in the company. Using the documents, he not only secured a high position but also continued to receive a high salary for a considerable period. The case began with a complaint filed on June 24, 2025. Probe revealed that he not only breached the firm’s trust but also obtained financial gains. ASI Paramjit Singh said after registering a case, further probe was launched. Man falls into 100-ft deep well in Khanna, rescued after four hours of struggle Rescue teams reach in 30 minutes, victim’s condition stable Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 16 A major accident occurred late on Wednesday evening on Lalheri Road in Khanna. A man fell into a well around 70 to 100-ft-deep. For nearly two hours, he pleaded for help but his voice remained unheard. A farmer passing through the area heard screams of the victim. Rescue operations began immediately after the police and fire brigade were informed about the incident. The depth of the well posed a hurdle during the rescue operation. The victim being rescued by the police and fire brigade in Khanna. With the help of a crane, the man was pulled out about four hours later. The man’s condition was stable and he was rushed to a hospital for treatment. Farm owner Gurdeep Singh told mediapersons that he had come to irrigate his fields in the evening when he heard cries of the man near the motor room. He rushed to the well and was shocked to see a man lying in the well, pleading for help. He informed the police and fire brigade. Rescue teams reached the spot within 30 minutes and the victim was rescued. “When we received information, I reached the place with my team. We found that the well was around 100-ft deep, making the rescue process quite difficult. We called for a crane with the help of a social service organisation due to the depth. We then used the crane to bring the victim out of the well,” said a fire brigade official, Nannu. c m y b Undertrial dies in Central Jail, kin allege custodial torture School principal arrested for taking ~6K bribe for issuing Class X certificate MLA assures thorough probe, says autopsy will reveal truth Nikhil Bhardwaj Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 16 The case of death of an undertrial inmate in the Central Jail, Ludhiana, has come to light, with the victim’s family levelling serious allegations of custodial torture. The deceased, identified as Jatinder Singh was lodged in the jail on charges of rape. He was rushed to a hospital in a serious condition, where he succumbed to his injuries. His family claimed there were visible injury marks on his face and body. The deceased’s wife alleged that no one from the jail administration provided them with clear information. She said she first received a call from the jail informing her that her husband had sustained some injuries. Later, another call directed the family to collect the body from the Civil Hospital. She accused same persons who had levelled rape charges against her husband of threatening to have him killed inside the jail. They murdered him. The same people who implicated him in the rape case had threatened to get him killed inside the jail, the woman alleged. Ashok Pappi, AAP MLA from the Ludhiana Central, visited the spot and spoke to the family. He said the matter pertains to his constituency and he had rushed to the hospital when he got information about the incident. “We have assured the family that a post-mortem examination will be conducted first, which will clearly establish the cause of death,” the MLA said. “As far as the rape case is concerned, it is for the courts to decide, we cannot interfere in that. We stand with the family and a thorough inquiry into the entire matter is being conducted. If anyone has manhandled or assaulted the deceased, strict action will be taken against the guilty, irrespective of their position.” he said. Dr Rohit Rampal, Senior Medical Officer (SMO) at the Civil Hospital, said the case was brought to them the previous day. “We are investigating the matter. Once the postmortem report is received, all details will be shared. For now, the body has been kept in the mortuary for the autopsy. The report will clarify the cause of death. His family has demanded a fair and transparent investigation into the matter. Nepalese man facing life term breathes his last at jail A Nepalese man undergoing life imprisonment in a rape/murder case died at the Central Jail. The Jail Superintendent said legal heirs or relatives of a life convict who died on Wednesday could contact the jail authorities. The deceased has been identified as Ram Chandra, son of Badri Mandal, native of Nepal, at present residing of Bahadurke, Ludhiana. He was serving a life sentence at the Central Jai, in a case registered under Sections 302 and 376 of the IPC on July 20, 2001. The jail superintendent said no records of the convict’s legal heirs or family members were available with the department. Anyone having information about his relatives or wishing to claim the body was requested to contact the Control Room, Central Jail, Ludhiana, at 01612660106 or line officer at 90417-24472. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 16 The Vigilance Bureau, Ludhiana, have arrested the principal of Camp Khalsa Senior Second School, Ajitsar Mohie, Ludhiana district, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 6,000 for issuing a duplicate certificate of Class X. Situated in the Sudhar Block, the school is a grant-in-aid school of the state government. The principal has been identified as Gurmit Singh, a resident of Jyoti Colony, Jamalpur. He was arrested on the complaint of Iqbal Singh of Mohie village. The senior Vigilance Official said Iqbal appeared at the office of the Vigilance Bureau, Ludhiana range, and recorded his statement with DSP Shiv Chand that on April 6 that Balraj Singh, a resident of Mohie village, came to him and told him that he had passed his Class X exams in 2020 during the Covid period. He said he did not receive his certificate and now, he wants the certificate to get recruited in the Punjab Police. The official said applicant Balraj had applied for a duplicate certificate from the internet cafe on April 18, which he did not receive. Iqbal met Principal Gurmit Singh on April 6, along with Balraj and his continued on page 2