08052026-LT-01.qxd 08-05-2026 00:55 Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune CITY GIRLS’ TEAM LIFT SOUTH ASIAN KARATE TROPHY GUV HONOURS INTERNATIONAL ENDURANCE CYCLIST CHAUHAN ABHISHEK BACHCHAN’S FACE-OFF WITH SRK City’s karatekas won 15th South Asian Karate C’ship in Delhi and bagged Senior Girls Team Trophy. P3 Having cycled over 2,10,000 km across India & abroad, the cyclist continues to inspire youth with his fitness.P3 Actor Abhishek is playing a nasty arch-villain in King, at the personal request of Shah Rukh Khan. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 36°C | MIN 22°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 20°C SUNSET FRIDAY 7.04 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 5:33 AM » FRIDAY | 8 MAY 2026 | LUDHIANA Automated challaning cameras send up to 60K traffic violation alerts a day Offences being monitored round the clock, over 20K challans issued in April Shivani Bhakoo RISE IN NUMBER OF CHALLANS Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 7 Residents of the city who have been disregarding traffic rules by engaging in rash driving and other traffic offences now need to mend their ways. Reason: The police’s automated enforcement is yielding positive results as traffic violators are being monitored 24x7, which will lead to more penalties on them. Commissioner of Police (CP) Swapan Sharma said at 46 prominent points in the city, automated cameras were sending regular alerts on violations. Afterwards, these were doublechecked and challans were sent automatically. “It’s high time, residents should start following the traffic norms, else they will be penalised on a regular basis,” he stressed. The automated e-challan drive was started on March 22. From March 22 to March 31, as many as 7,042 challans were sent to traffic violators while the number increased almost three times in April. A total of 20,007 The automated e-challan drive was started on March 22. From March 22 to March 31, as many as 7,042 challans were sent to traffic violators while the number increased almost three times in April. A total of 20,007 challans were issued for violations in April. Cops monitor CCTV feeds while issuing online challans to traffic violators from the Integrated Command and Control Centre in Ludhiana. FILE PHOTO challans were issued for violations in April. The number increased of challans increased as automated cameras work for round the clock. An official said daily average of alerts with the department was anywhere from 50,000 to 60,000. But these were checked and then challans were sent to violators, he said. ACP (Traffic) Jatin Bansal said the system aims to leverage technology to foster traffic discipline and promote road safety. We urge all citizens to follow traffic norms, especially the basic life-saving rules. Prominent points The prominent points in the city from where automated cameras are sending regular alerts on violations include Atam Park, Dandi Swami Chowk, Dhandari Bridge, Dugri, Durga Mata Mandir, Dholewal Chowk, Feroze Gandhi Market, Fountain Chowk, Gill Bridge, Hambran, Hero Bakery, Ishar Nagar, Jagraon bridge, Jamalpur Chowk, Ladowal T-point, Leisure Valley, MBD Mall, Pavilion Mall, Rose Garden, Samrala Chowk, Alamgir cut, 200 Feet Road, ATI cut, Shivpuri Chowk, Sarabha Nagar, Sherpur Chowk, South City, Toll Plaza, Vardhaman Chowk, Bharat Nagar Chowk, PAU Malhar cut and DC cut. The major traffic violations monitored through automated cameras include overspeeding, red light jumping, driving without helmet, wrong-side driving and triple riding. PSPCL cracks down on usage of power beyond sanctioned limits Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 7 Amid surging electricity demand across the state, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has announced stringent measures to curb unauthorised consumption beyond sanctioned limits. The corporation has amended the Supply Code 2024 and directed its officials to enforce compliance without delay. All Engineer-in-Chiefs and Chief Engineers have been sent letters in this regard on May 5. Under the revised rules, any consumer exceeding their sanctioned load by more than 10 per cent will receive a written notice within seven days of billing. The first violation will attract a “demand surcharge” as penalty, along with a warning to reduce usage. If the excess consumption continues in the following month, the PSPCL will levy additional fines but stop short of registering a case. However, a third violation will be treated as unauthorised use of electricity (UUE), prompting the corporation to file an FIR against the consumer for power theft. Officials clarified that penalties will be calculated on a 30day basis, with adjustments made against any previously paid bills or surcharges. The process of issuing Any consumer exceeding sanctioned load by over 10 per cent will get a written notice within seven days of billing. INDERJEET VERMA notices has been digitised to ensure speed and transparency, leaving little scope for violators to escape scrutiny. The management has also tightened internal accountability. Record assistants are tasked with checking every bill for excess load, while senior officials must issue notices within seven days. Any delay or negligence will invite disciplinary action against the officials themselves. In cases of repeated violations, the PSPCL officials will conduct site inspections before issuing a final UUE notice. The amendments make it mandatory for consumers to strictly adhere to their “contract demand” (sanctioned load). Small industries that cross into higher categories due to excess usage will be reclassified, with penalties applied accordingly. Chief Engineer Jagdev Singh Hans said the measures were aimed at stabilising state’s power supply system, protecting infrastructure and safeguarding financial health during peak summer demand. 3 major reasons behind crackdown: Officials Grid and transformer safety: Unauthorised load increases strain on local transformers, leading to burnouts, wire damage and frequent tripping, affecting entire neighbourhoods. Voltage fluctuations: Overloading causes erratic voltage, damaging household appliances and prompting consumers to file cases against the PSPCL in consumer courts. Revenue loss: Large factories and showrooms were taking connections under lower load categories to benefit from cheaper tariffs, costing the PSPCL crores in lost revenue. City property dealer dies by suicide, LIT Thieves decamp with gold, cash worth ~30L employee among 11 named in video Tribune News Service Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 7 A property dealer in the city died by suicide. He reportedly consumed sulphas tablets at night. His family rushed him to a nearby private hospital where he died during treatment. Based on the statement of Parvinder Singh’s wife, Jasleen Kaur, the police registered a case against 11 persons. The suspects were identified as Rajesh Bansal; Vinod Syal; Harpreet Singh, an employee of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT); Pankaj Gupta; Khushwant Singh; property dealer Rishamjit Singh Gaba; property dealer Ajit Singh Swaraj; Sanju Goyal; Anil Kumar; Ranveer Kaur Gill and Varun Goyal. The deceased’s wife said before his death, her husband made a video in which he named 11 persons, including a woman, They owed crores of rupees to her husband. He was upset as they were not paying the money. In the video, the man said he kept all details of financial transactions and the suspects in his car. The deceased, Parvinder, alias Rimpi Aneja (52), was a resident of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. His mother passed away 20 days ago. Victim’s son stays in Canada. A post-mortem examination was conducted on Thursday at the Civil Hospital. His wife Jasleen Kaur said her husband had been facing trouble for quite some time as the suspects were not returning crores of rupees to him. They had told him that they did not give him any money, go and die. On May 6 evening, she received a call from her husband. He said: “I don’t want to live as the suspects have forced me to end my life. I have consumed sulphas tablets in my car. I am ending my life”. Victim’s relative Charanjit Singh took him in his car to Deepak Hospital and later to the DMCH. Doctors at DMCH declared him dead. Parvinder stated in the video that he had written down details of transactions and the suspects on a paper and kept them in a box attached to the gearbox of his car. His money should be given to his family. All those responsible for his death should be punished. Take care of family, deceased told brothers “Put an end to any minor differences. I request my younger brothers to take care of my wife, son and daughter in my absence. Do a little favour for my family. Sell the farmhouse and give the money to your sister-in-law so that she can marry off her daughter. Culprits should not be spared, the family should be given their rights. No culprit should be spared. Whatever I own should be given to my family before my last rites,” he stated in the video. Ludhiana, May 7 Thieves struck at a house in Shaheed Karnail Singh Nagar, Phase 3, located in the Dugri area here. The suspects broke into the house, stealing jewellery and cash worth over Rs 30 lakh. As per the family, the miscreants took away around Rs 4 lakh in cash and 25 to 30 tolas of gold ornaments from the house. House owner Rajinder Sharma said as per the CCTV footage, two thieves entered the street at 4:20 am on Thursday. One entered the house while the other roamed the alley, doing a recce. “My eldest son is engaged and he is now preparing for The owner shows the house ransacked by thieves at Shaheed Karnail Singh Nagar in Ludhiana on Thursday. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN the wedding,” he said. Sharma said his wife’s ornaments and jewellery for the wedding were kept together. My wife and son were upstairs. Others were asleep downstairs. There was a security guard outside. Hence, they were carefree but the incident occurred. He said: “The thieves took our life savings. Several thefts have occurred in the street before, due to which we hired a guard. The police are now questioning the guard also.” The incident was also captured on CCTV cameras. The thieves entered the house from the neighbour’s side and stole the valuables and cash from cupboards and drawers. A probe revealed that two persons were involved in the crime. One of the suspects was standing outside the house keeping a watch while the other was committing the theft. After receiving information about the incident, officials from the Dugri police station reached the scene. SI Sukhdev Raj said the police collected the CCTV camera footage from the area for investigation. Based on the footage, the suspects would be identified and arrested soon. Road accidents, fatalities declined in city, says NCRB report Man found dead in park near 376 lost lives in 2024, 402 in 2023, overspeeding led to most deaths Samrala Chowk Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 7 The city have reported less road accidents and road fatalities in 2024 as compared to 2023, revealed the latest report of the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB)-2024. However, overspeeding remained the key reason behind accidents and casualties. As per the NCRB data, in 2024, as many as 483 road accidents were reported, which killed 376 persons. While in 2023, 504 accidents were reported and 402 persons had lost their lives. In 2022, as compared to 2024 and 2023, less number of people lost their lives as 467 accidents had occurred in which 364 persons had lost lives. Though the figures of road accidents and fatalities Students had a close shave as a school bus collided with a truck on the Chandigarh road in Ludhiana on Thursday. PHOTO: INDERJEET VERMA keep on changing, in these three years, overspeeding and reckless driving had become the main reasons behind road mishaps. The NCRB data highlights that in 2024, 118 accidents were reported due to danger- ous and careless driving in which 48 persons suffered injuries and 88 lost their lives. Interestingly, 246 accidents c m y b reported due to overspeeding, in which 142 persons were injured and 168 breathed their last. Four persons had also died while driving under the influence of drug or alcohol. In 2023, 123 accidents were reported due to dangerous and careless driving in which 59 persons suffered injuries and 104 lost lives and 278 accidents reported due to overspeeding, which injured 133 persons and killed 195. Four persons had also died while driving under the influence of drug or alcohol. Rahul Verma, a businessman and road safety expert from Ludhiana, told The Tribune that overspeeding violation was a cause of concern and the authorities need to keep a check over the same to keep accident and fatality rate down in the future. Strict measures should be in place so that maximum lives can be saved on roads. As per the NCRB data, most accidents have occurred on the National Highway-44 where speed radars have not been installed. Speed interceptor vehicles captured overspeeding violations with high-definition cameras and stopped vehicles to issue challans. “I believe the authorities should instal AI cameras on highways as done on expressways. These can serve as deterrence to overspeeding as AI cameras automatically capture overspeeding vehicles and generate challan online. Challans keep reflecting in the vehicle record till its paid. More nakas should be installed on roads and black spots should be reduced to prevent accidents due to overspeeding,” he said. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 7 The body of an unidentified man was found under suspicious circumstances in a park under a flyover near Samrala Chowk. Passers-by found the man lying on a bench and informed the police. Dr Sahil, a resident, said he received information about the incident after which he informed the police. The park was often frequented by drug addicts. The police swung into action after getting information about the incident. A police official said they received information from the police control room that a man was lying unconscious in the park near Samrala Chowk. He, along with his team, took possession of the body and began a probe. No items found on the victim. The police are examining the nearby CCTV camera footage and questioning local residents. The police had kept the body at the Civil Hospital mortuary for 72 hours for autopsy. They said the cause of death would be revealed only after the arrival of the post-mortem examination report.