06072026-LT-01.qxd 7/6/2026 12:30 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune CITY SHUTTLER LAKSHAY BAGS TWO GOLD MEDALS Lakshay Sharma clinches two gold medals at all-India inter-institutional badminton championship. P2 » RAHUL QUITS X AFTER TROLLS TARGET HIS FAMILY Honestly, hate doesn’t get to me as long as it’s directed at me, says filmmaker Rahul Ravindran. P4 » KANGANA CONFRONTS YOGESH ON LOCK UPP 2 OG Lock Upphost Kangana Ranaut returned to reality show’s second season with her no-holds-barred style. P4 » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 26°C SUNSET MONDAY 7.28 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 5:26 AM MONDAY | 6 JULY 2026 | LUDHIANA Op Prahar-3: Over 100 nabbed in crackdown on criminal elements 102 gm heroin, 19 kg ganja, intoxicating tablets, two illegal weapons among seized items Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 5 Continuing the sustained campaign against organised crime and anti-social elements, the Ludhiana Commissionerate Police on Sunday carried out Operation Prahar-3. It was conducted across the commissionerate with a focused objective of targeting criminals, absconders, drug traffickers and other antisocial elements. been provided to the Ludhiana police by the DGP office, so that the campaign could be implemented with strictness. “We have established highly effective blockades at eight key and sensitive locations in the city. With additional police forces, every suspicious vehicle is being thoroughly checked and accurately checked,” the CP asserted. Senior police officials, including DCP (Crime) Harpal Singh, ADCP (Crime) Amandeep Brar, ADCP Dev Singh, ADCP Karanvir Singh, ACP Deep Karan Singh, ACP Harshpreet Singh and others had been leading the operation with their teams. The CP reiterated that the Ludhiana police remain committed to maintaining public safety and ensuring that criminal elements find no safe haven in the city. He emphasised that such intelligence-led enforcement drives would continue with zero tolerance towards organised crime, drug trafficking and other anti-social activities. Waterlogging on a road near Samrala Chowk after a few hours of rainfall. PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN Rainfall exposes poor drainage; low-lying areas waterlogged again said the same areas have been facing waterlogging every monsoon for several years. They alleged that no permanent solution has been found, forcing thousands of commuters to struggle whenever it rains. Roads at several places remained submerged with rainwater for hours, making it difficult for two-wheelers, cars and auto-rickshaws to pass through. Long traffic queues were witnessed at Sherpur Chowk and Dhandari as vehicles moved at a snail’s pace. In many places, motorists had to navigate through potholes hidden beneath the accu- mulated water. Residents of Bhamian Khurd said waterlogging has become a routine problem during every spell of rain. “Every year we face the same situation. Rainwater enters streets and commuting becomes difficult. Despite several complaints, nothing has changed,” said Rajesh Kumar, a local resident. Harpreet Singh, who was travelling through Sherpur Chowk, said the rainwater made it impossible to judge the condition of the road. “Potholes remain hidden under the water, increasing the risk of accidents. It continued on page 3 Keeping footpaths encroachment-free MC’s duty: HC Minor girl raped; kin attacked with bricks, stones Woman sexually assaulted on marriage pretext 166 raids CONDUCTED 44 FIRs REGISTERED The Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma personally supervised the operation by visiting the field, inspecting ongoing raids and checking naka points established at strategic locations across the city to ensure effective implementation and operational readiness. CP Swapan Sharma with police personnel during Operation Prahar-3 at the Verka Milk Plant Chowk in Ludhiana on Sunday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN During the operation, police teams conducted 166 raids, resulting in the registration of 44 FIRs. A total of 132 persons were rounded up, 106 suspects were arrested, 62 persons were detained under preventive action and three proclaimed offenders were arrested. The Operation Prahar-3 also led to the recovery of 102.45 gm of heroin, 19 kg of ganja, 135 intoxicating tablets, two illegal weapons, two cartridges, 15 motorcycles, three mobile phones, 43 boxes of liquor, over two litres of illicit liquor and four keys. Sharma shared live updates of the massive tar- Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, July 5 The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Ludhiana Municipal Commissioner to examine allegations of encroachments on footpaths and other public utility spaces and take appropriate steps in accordance with law to ensure that areas earmarked as footpaths and for movement of the public at large are not obstructed or encroached upon. The directions came as the court relied on the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that a pedestrian’s right to use a footpath is a fundamental right. The directions came as the Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor disposed of a public interest litigation filed by Jasbir Singh. The The HC said the MC should ensure that no encroachment is allowed on areas earmarked for movement of public at large. FILE petitioner contended that footpaths and other public utility spaces had been allowed to be unauthorisedly encroached upon by the Municipal Corporation, causing inconven- ience to pedestrians and the public at large. He also referred to representations submitted to the municipal authorities highlighting specific areas where footpaths had allegedly geted operation during a press meet at Verka Milk Plant chowk. He said 60 special teams consisting of 360 dedicated policemen were formed for the operation, which conducted raids at various targeted locations across the commissionerate area. Besides, additional force had also been encroached upon. Appearing for the petitioner, counsel Chandan Singh Rana relied upon a Supreme Court’s judgment holding “the right of a pedestrian to move on a footpath to be a fundamental right, as it has been found integral to the freedom of movement guaranteed under Article 19(1) (d), read with other clauses of Article 19 i.e. Article 19(1) (a), (b), and (c) and Article 21 of the Constitution.” Counsel appearing for the Municipal Corporation, on the other hand, told the court that the competent authority would have the petitioner’s grievances factually examined and take appropriate action as per law. Taking note of the Supreme Court’s ruling, the High Court observed that, “in view of the authoritative pronouncement of law on the right of pedestrians to use footpaths, it becomes the obligation of the municipal authority to ensure that no encroachment or obstruction is allowed to exist on areas which are specifically earmarked for movement of public at large in the form of footpaths, etc.” While disposing of the PIL, the Bench directed the Municipal Commissioner, “to get the petitioner’s grievance factually examined and to take appropriate steps as may be warranted in law to ensure that areas earmarked as footpath and for movement of public are not allowed to be encroached upon and that remedial measures are taken forthwith in accordance with law.” Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 5 A few hours of early morning rainfall on Sunday were enough to expose the city’s poor drainage system as several low-lying areas were submerged, causing inconvenience to commuters and residents. Waterlogging was reported from Sherpur Chowk, Dhandari, Bhamian Khurd, Tajpur Road, Dholewal Chowk and a number of other vulnerable pockets, disrupting traffic and slowing vehicular movement. Despite repeated claims of improving the city’s drainage network, residents Ludhiana, July 5 A shocking incident has come to light from the Dhandra Road area where a 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a youth and when her family went to suspect’s house to complain, they were attacked with bricks and stones. Her kin alleged that when the victim’s family reached the youth’s house to talk, the suspects attacked the girl’s family with bricks and stones. In the complaint given to the Sadar police station, the victim’s father said a few weeks ago, when his 17-yearold daughter was alone at home, a youth staying in the neighbourhood allegedly forcibly entered the house, threatened the girl and raped her. After committing the crime, he fled the scene. The victim remained silent for a few days due to fear and trauma. Later, she gathered courage and informed her family about the incident. Afterwards, her family members reached the suspect’s house to confront him. It is alleged that the suspect and members of his family became furious and attacked them with bricks and stones, causing them injuries. Following which, they got medical treatment from a hospital. After probing the matter, the police have filed a case against the suspects, residents of the Dhandra Road area. — TNS Nearly three years on, MC yet to float tenders for six major parking lots Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 5 Nearly three years have passed since the contracts of six major Municipal Corporation (MC) parking lots were due for a fresh auction, yet the civic body continues to grant extensions to the existing contractor despite repeated complaints of overcharging and alleged violations. Over the years, commuters have repeatedly flagged issues such as charging above approved rates, absence of mandatory rate boards, parking attendants without uniforms, illegal collection of parking charges from roadside vendors and refusal to issue receipts. While residents and Opposition leaders allege that the continued extensions point to an alleged nexus between officials and political leaders, The Bhadaur House parking lot in Ludhiana. PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN the MC is yet to explain why fresh tenders for some of its busiest parking sites have still not been floated. The six parking sites — Multi-Level Parking at Zone A (near Mata Rani Chowk), Feroze Gandhi Market, Sarabha Nagar Market, Bhadaur House, BRS Nagar Market and Model Town Extension Market — were allotted through an e-auction in October 2022 for a one-year period. After the contract expired in October 2023, the MC initially granted a threemonth extension. However, instead of floating fresh tenders, the civic body continued extending the same contract after every few months, allowing the contractor to remain in operation for nearly three years. The Feroze Gandhi Market parking caters to visitors to commercial establishments, banks and offices while the multi-level parking near Mata Rani Chowk serves one of the city’s most congested commercial belts. Sarabha c m y b Nagar, Model Town Extension and BRS Nagar markets attract thousands of shoppers every day, making them key revenue-generating parking sites for the MC. Despite their importance, commuters allege that little has changed on the ground except repeated complaints. Several complaints have also been made regarding rude behaviour of attendants and arguments with visitors. Municipal officials had on earlier occasions imposed penalties on the contractor over overcharging complaints and even prepared a report recommending cancellation of the contract after repeated violations. However, no cancellation followed and the same contractor continued to operate through successive extensions. Jagjot Singh, a city resident, who had earlier sub- mitted a video recording to the MC allegedly showing overcharging by parking attendants, said: “I personally submitted a video proof to the Municipal Corporation and expected strict action. Months have passed but nothing has happened. If there is evidence and still no action is taken, it raises serious questions about the enforcement mechanism.” Another resident, Rajesh Kumar, who frequently visits Feroze Gandhi Market, said: “If the contractor has violated conditions repeatedly, why the MC continues to extend the contract instead of holding a transparent auction?” Opposition leaders and residents have alleged that the repeated extensions point towards an alleged nexus between influential persons and sections of the civic administration. They questioned why fresh tenders have not been floated despite the passage of over three years and repeated assurances from successive MC Commissioners that a fresh eauction would be held soon. Officials have maintained on several occasions that the tender process was under preparation but no final auction has taken place so far. Residents have demanded that the civic body should conduct fresh e-auctions, fix responsibility for the delay and initiate action wherever contract conditions have been violated. MC Commissioner Ojasvi Alankar said: “We have passed the agenda of floating tenders of six major parking lots in a recent F&CC meeting and soon, a parking lot tender will be allotted.” Ludhiana, July 5 A friendship that began on social media became a nightmare for a woman when the man she trusted allegedly deceived her by promising marriage, exploiting her sexually and later refusing to fulfil his commitment. The woman also accused the man of threatening her to make her objectionable pictures viral. The Sadar police have registered a case against the suspect and initiated an investigation. In her complaint to the Sadar police, the 32-year-old woman from Ishar Nagar stated that she was currently involved in a court case with her husband and staying at her parents’ house. She came in contact with Gurdip Singh, a resident of Chak Bhaika village in Raikot, through Instagram. Their initial conversations gradually turned into closeness and the two remained in regular contact. The victim alleged that the suspect won her trust and assured her that he would marry her in the future. On the basis of the assurance, he allegedly developed a physical relationship with her. The woman claimed that when she pressured him to fulfil the promise to marry her, the suspect refused to continue the relationship. As per the complaint, later, the suspect began threatening to make her obscene pictures viral on social media. She started staying in fear and stress due to the threats. Following which, she approached the police in the hope of getting justice and lodged a formal complaint detailing the entire incident. Following verification of the complaint, the police registered a case. Conversations between the two, available as digital evidence, and other facts will also be examined to bring out the truth. — TNS