03102026-CT-01.qxd 10/3/2026 1:05 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune COP’S MURDER: MAIN SUSPECT’S FRIEND HELD WILDLIFE WEEK CELEBRATIONS KICK OFF AT CHHATBIR ZOO BIG B SUFFERS KNEE INJURY AT KAUN BANEGA CROREPATI 18 The UT police arrest a 20-year-old friend of the prime suspect in the Head Constable’s murder case. P3 Wildlife Week celebrations began with a cyclothon, “Ride for the Wild”, at Chhatbir Zoo. P5 Amitabh Bachchan reveals he suffered a knee injury while shooting for Kaun Banega Crorepati 18. P7 » » AIR QUALITY INDEX 49 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD WHAT’S ON APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 40, 43 & 49 Mohali: Sectors 71 and 82 Please send information about events in Tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE Audit flags delay in action against Masih over ballot paper tampering 61 PANCHKULA 2024 MAYORAL ELECTION MC says decision pending with higher authority Ramkrishan Upadhyay Tribune News Service Mayor Saurabh Joshi participates in the ‘Khadi Se Swachhata’ programme to mark Gandhi Jayanti at Khadi Ashram in Sector 17, Chandigarh, on Thursday. Skill hub to come up in city, will train 3,000 youth a year POWER SHUTDOWN Nitin Jain CHANDIGARH 10 am to 2 pm: Parts of Sector 20-A, Modern Housing Complex, Dadu Majra Colony and village, Khuda Ali Sher and Bapu Dham Colony 10 am to 5 pm: Parts of Sectors 8, 15, 16, 34, 45, 46, 48, 50 and 63 Chandigarh, October 2 The UT Administration has partnered with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to set up an integrated skill hub on Madhya Marg that will train about 3,000 learners a year. The NSDC will invest Rs 3 Tribune News Service UT, NSDC partner to set up unit on Madhya Marg crore to Rs 5 crore in setting up one of its four centres. At the rate envisaged in the plan, the UT’s cost of training 3,000 students will range from Rs 9.6 crore to Rs 14.4 crore a year. MAX 35°C | MIN 24°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 22°C SUNRISE SUNDAY 6:18 AM /THETRIBUNECHD Remembering Bapu CHANDIGARH MAINLY CLEAR SKY SUNSET SATURDAY 6.06 PM » SATURDAY | 3 OCTOBER 2026 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST Each student will undertake four to six certifications, costing Rs 8,000 each. The courses will be offered through four initiatives, including an international centre that prepares youth for jobs abroad. Training will be imparted in three sectors and three languages. continued on page 6 c m y b Chandigarh, October 2 The Indian Audit and Accounts Department has questioned the Municipal Corporation as to why no action was taken against nominated councillor Anil Masih in an alleged case of tampering with ballot papers during the Mayoral election held on January 30, 2024. The civic body’s reply that the decision on action against Masih was pending with the higher authority has been noted by the department, which has kept its observation pending. In its 2026 report, the Indian Audit and Account Department of the Principal Director General of Audit (Central), Chandigarh, referred to the queries it had raised on June 2 this year. The department had asked the MC whether any action had been taken in light of the Supreme Court’s directions; whether action had been taken against Masih, the presiding officer, under Section 33(2) of the MC Act, 1976, after he was found guilty; the reasons for not taking action; and whether a nominated councillor is a public servant and, if so, why A video grab of presiding officer Anil Masih tampering with ballots. FILE his services continued after the misconduct? The controversy over the tempering with ballot papers during the Mayoral election received nationwide attention two years ago after the incident was captured on CCTV cameras. The Supreme Court subsequently set aside the result of the election declared by the presiding officer, Masih, and declared the appellant, AAP candidate Kuldeep Kumar, to be the validly elected candidate for the post of Chandigarh Mayor. The 2026 report of Assistant Audit Officer mentioned the directions issued by the Supreme Court in the case of Kuldeep Kumar versus UT Chandigarh and Others, and provisions under Section 33 read with Sections 27 and 31 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, as extended to the UT. These sections provide details of offences and penalties relating to the fraudulent defacement or destruction of nomination papers or ballot papers. According to the audit report, the Act provides that if a person found guilty of such an offence is a returning officer or presiding officer of a polling station, or any other officer or clerk employed on official duty in connection with an election, he or she be punished with imprisonment for a term of up to two years or a fine, or both. In case the convict is any other person, the punishment may extend to six months of imprisonment or a fine, or both. The audit report said the department accepted that the MC response that the decision was pending with the higher authority, adding that “the (audit) observation will stand till the final outcomes/decision comes in this case from the MC. Final reply is awaited in the audit.” The report referred to the Supreme Court order in respect of presiding officer Masih’s conduct during the Mayoral election. The court had found it to be a fit and proper case for invoking its jurisdiction under Section 340 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973. The apex court had directed the Registrar (Judicial) to issue a showcause notice to Masih, asking him to explain why steps should not be initiated against him under Section 340 of the CRPC.