27102026-LT-01.qxd 10/27/2026 12:47 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune MC WORKERS BLOCK ROAD TO FILL GARBAGE TRUCK MC workers block a road to fill a garbage truck using a JCB machine, much to dismay of commuters. P2 » EMINENT PAINTER JOGEN CHOWDHURY PASSES AWAY MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 32°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 32°C | MIN 16°C DILJIT HINTS AT KOFFEE WITH KARAN SEASON 9 APPEARANCE He passed away at a hospital in Kolkata following a prolonged battle with a rare blood cancer at age of 87. P4 FORECAST On an Insta Live session, Diljit said he had recently received offer to appear on show,whichwasabouttoconclude. P4 » SUNSET TUESDAY 5:40 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6:33 AM » TUESDAY | 27 OCTOBER 2026 | LUDHIANA Damaged roads, broken grills, poor Post office agent dupes elderly woman of ~15-lakh RD savings street lighting trouble Dugri residents Nikhil Bhardwaj CASE REGISTERED AFTER OVER ONE YEAR Tribune News Service Sukhpreet Singh Ludhiana, October 26 A case of alleged fraud involving savings of an elderly woman has come to light in the city. Hoping to save funds for her old age, the woman deposited monthly instalments of a recurring deposit (RD) with a post office agent for 14 years and the total amount paid was Rs 15 lakh. However, the agent misappropriated the funds. The woman in her complaint alleged that when the time came to reclaim her deposit, she was allegedly given false assurances instead of receiving the money. The woman claimed the amount she had carefully saved over the years was never actually deposited in the post office. After investigation, the Daresi police on Sunday registered a case against Roshan Lal Kalra, a resident of Lucky Enclave, Basti Chowk, on the complaint of Kulwant Kaur of New Shivpuri. The complainant told the police that she had started a recurring deposit scheme through a post office agent, who had a office near the Clock Tower here. From 1998 to 2012 she reg- Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 26 Residents of Dugri Phases 1 and 2 have raised concerns over damaged roads, deep potholes and other civic issues, saying the deteriorating infrastructure has made commuting difficult and increased the risk of accidents. Several stretches were dug up for civic works and though the work has been completed at many locations, residents alleged that the roads had not been restored properly. The condition of the main Dugri Road has added to their concerns, with broken road grills and uneven stretches posing a safety hazard to motorists. Residents said the problem becomes more acute during night hours as streetlights remain non-functional at several locations. Poor illumination, coupled with potholes and damaged road surfaces, makes it difficult for motorists to spot obstacles in time. “Accidents have become a regular occurrence due to the damaged roads and poor lighting. People have to drive cautiously even on familiar roads, as deep potholes can appear in front of them,” said Sanjeev Sharma, a resident. ABANDONED VEHICLES OUTSIDE POLICE STN MAJOR OBSTRUCTION A road in a pathetic condition; and (top right) broken iron grills along a road in the Dugri area of Ludhiana. TRIBUNE PHOTOS: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Another resident, Kiran, said the condition of the roads had caused inconvenience to families staying in the area. “It is a densely populated residential locality with heavy vehicular movement throughout the day. The authorities need to repair the roads and ensure streetlights are functional, particularly before winter,” she said. Residents also highlighted another issue on Dugri Road, where several abandoned and unused vehicles have been parked along the road and service lane outside the Dugri police station. They said these vehicles occupy valuable road space and become a major obstruction, especially during peak evening hours. Residents also highlighted another issue on Dugri Road, where several abandoned and unused vehicles have been parked along the road and service lane outside the Dugri police station. They said these vehicles occupy valuable road space and become a major obstruction, especially during peak evening hours. The indiscriminate parking of vehicles along the main road and service lane has led to traffic bottlenecks, forcing motorists to navigate through narrow gaps and increasing the likelihood of minor accidents, the residents said. With winter approaching, residents have urged the authorities to expedite pending road repairs, replace damaged grills and restore street lighting to make the area safer for both pedestrians and motorists. Superintending Engineer Harkiranpal Singh said: “I will direct the officials concerned to address the issue on a priority basis. The damaged road will be repaired soon as tenders have already been floated.” Alleging fraud, the woman lodged a complaint with senior police officers on September 11, 2025. The police examined the complaint and after a probe lasting over a year, the Daresi police have now registered a case against the post office agent, Roshan Lal. The victim claimed the amount she had carefully saved over the years was never actually deposited in the post office. ularly paid him monthly instalments. The agent, she said, would assure her each time that the money had been deposited in her RD account. Relying on the assurances, she continued paying him for years without any inkling of the trouble that lay ahead. The woman alleged that in 2012 she left for Canada to stay with her children. Even after going abroad she believed her years of savings were safe and that she would receive the amount later. She sent a relative to the agent to enquire about the RD. He again assured that the money would be released soon and mentioned that the woman had been given a card containing all details, thereby stalling the matter. Years passed but the woman received nothing. In 2025, after returning to India from Canada, she again contacted the agent and asked about her deposit. Once more she received no satisfactory reply and was met only with further assurances. When she approached the post office, she was shocked to learn that no RD account existed in her name. She then suspected that the money she had paid for 14 years under the RD scheme had never been deposited and had been retained by the agent. Alleging fraud, she lodged a complaint with senior police officers on September 11, 2025. The police examined the complaint and after a probe lasting over a year, the Daresi police have now registered a case against Roshan Lal. The police said a thorough investigation was under way. Efforts would be made to trace where the money paid by the woman over the years had gone and whether any amount was actually deposited in the post office under the RD scheme. Further action would follow on the basis of findings. Minor accident triggers major clash; SUV Air India winter schedule comes into force; vandalised, youngster dragged on bonnet missing Saturday morning flight dejects flyers Ludhiana, October 26 A minor road accident at Hargobind Nagar in Haibowal here resulted in a major clash between two groups. In the scuffle, a youth was dragged on the bonnet of a Hyundai Creta vehicle and later, the SUV was vandalised by a mob. Bricks and stones were also pelted during the incident. After registering a crosscase against members of both groups, three persons were arrested by the police. According to information, the Hyundai Creta vehicle carrying a family Cross-case registered against both groups, three land in police dragnet and an e-rickshaw with its driver and a passenger were involved in a minor collision. The argument that followed soon turned into a quarrel. Some people chased the SUV driver. In an attempt to escape, the driver sped away. But one person clung to the bonnet of the vehicle and the suspect dragged him for nearly 500 metres before stopping. Sources said when the SUV stopped, the angry crowd surrounded the vehicle and damaged it. Hit by speeding vehicle, five-year-old girl dies Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 26 A five-year-old girl died on the spot after being hit by a speeding pick-up driver outside the bus stand here on Sunday. The victim, identified as Ananya, was accompanying her grandfather to board a bus for their ancestral village in Uttar Pradesh. They were crossing the main road in front of the bus stand when the vehicle hit the child with force, resulting in her death. The driver fled the scene along with the vehicle. On receiving information, a police team from the Kochhar Market police post reached the place, took possession of the body and initiated a probe. Investigating officer ASI Harvinder Singh said the police had started examining CCTV footage obtained from the accident scene and sur- Victim, grandfather were going to board bus for ancestral village in UP rounding areas to identify the speeding vehicle’s registration number and trace the absconding driver. The girl’s father, Monu Yadav, a labourer at the fish market on Tajpur Road, said his father had come to the city to take the children to the village. The family had initially planned to send the younger daughter with her grandfather but Ananya insisted on going along with him. He said he had dropped them at the bus stand in an auto-rickshaw after which the tragedy occurred. CCTV footage of the vandalism was circulated on social media. The wife of the person driving the SUV later alleged that a large number of people surrounded the vehicle when she, her husband and their children were inside it. Had she not intervened, she and her family could have been seriously harmed. She alleged that the police reached the scene only after two hours and that the crowd indulged in hooliganism at the place. ACP Jatin Bansal said the incident occurred on the evening of October 25 at Hargobind Nagar in Haibowal. Initially, Creta and the e-rickshaw had a minor collision, following which heated arguments ensued and both sides started a fight on the road. “Both the groups created a ruckus on the road and attacked each other. A cross-case has been registered against both groups. Three suspects have also been arrested in the case. Even vehicles involved in the accident are also seized by the police and further investigation is on in the matter,” he said. Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 26 Air India’s winter schedule for Halwara International Airport, which came into effect on October 25, has excluded the Saturday morning flight, disappointing frequent travellers between Ludhiana and Delhi. Speaking to The Tribune, Halwara airport Director Jagir Singh said Air India had withdrawn its Saturday morning service (AI 481/482) from the winter schedule. Ankur Mahajan, a chartered accountant and regular flyer, said Ludhiana residents had long awaited improved air connectivity through the Halwara airport. FILE PHOTO Tribune News Service “However, as a frequent traveller, I feel the authorities have begun showing less interest in the airport and its operations. Air India has discontinued one of its Saturday flights in the winter schedule, which is uncalled for. The government and airport authorities should take up the matter so that public confidence in the airport remains intact and it does not meet the same fate as the Sahnewal airport,” he said. Several concerns had earlier been raised by residents regarding flight operations and connectivity. Following these complaints, Dr Amar Singh, MP visited the airport and held , a meeting with the airport authorities and officials, assuring residents that their issues would be addressed. Anti-drug crackdown: Chemists across Youth booked city start returning psychotropic drugs for opening fire Move has left many patients struggling to obtain prescribed medicines Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 26 Chemists across the city have started returning stocks of pregabalin and other habitforming, narcotic and psychotropic medicines, commonly prescribed for anxiety, post-operative pain and muscle tension, in protest against what they term excessive enforcement and inspections by the authorities. The process began last Wednesday, with most chemists either returning their stocks to distributors or exhausting available inventory. They have announced that sales of these medicines would remain suspended till the government addresses their concerns over surprise inspections and punitive action for even small discrepancies in stock records. Chemists alleged that the entire fraternity was being penalised for violations committed by a few. PHOTO; ASHWANI DHIMAN GS Chalwa, general secretary of the Punjab Chemists Association, said the government could make their own arrangement by making these drugs available at the Civil Hospital or Civil Surgeon’s office but they won’t be selling them at their shops. Chemists alleged that the entire fraternity was being c m y b penalised for violations committed by a few. “If some people are involved in selling these medicines without prescriptions, why is action being taken against everyone, even for minor discrepancies in records? We are being targeted unnecessarily,” said Mukesh, a city chemist. The move has left many patients struggling to obtain prescribed medicines. Meanwhile, patients are facing a difficult situation. “My mother got operated recently and was experiencing pain. I went from one chemist to another but was unable to find the medicine,” said Maninder, a resident of Civil Lines. Another patient, who regularly takes medicines for anxiety, was caught in a difficult situation when she was unable to get the medicine. “I buy medicine from a nearby chemist after showing the doctor’s slip but today I went to many shops but none had the medicine and finally I went to the hospital to get the same,” said Prabhnoor, a resident. Registered chemists are legally permitted to dispense them if a person has a valid physical prescription. The chemists, however, claimed they were being targeted unnecessarily. at Dasehra fair Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 26 A week after a man allegedly opened fire in the air with a pistol in an inebriated state at the Dasehra fair held at the Partap Chowk ground here, the Ludhiana police on Sunday registered a case against the suspect. According to the complainant, Satpal Singh, who is a resident of the Gill Road area here and president of the Punjab Youth Club, he went to the fair with a friend on the night of October 19. An unidentified youth, who appeared to be under the influence of liquor, started firing shots in the air with a pistol he was holding. When the people tried to Incident occurred at Partap Chowk ground a week ago stop him, he escaped from the scene. The suspect was later identified as Gurkirat Singh, a resident of Janta Nagar in Ludhiana. Satpal alleged that by opening fire in the air in a public place, the suspect had endangered the life and property of the people. The Police Division 6 has registered a case against Gurkirat under Section 125 (endangering human life and personal safety of others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act.