26022025-JTR-01.qxd 2/25/2025 10:42 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune DSP ONKAR SINGH BRAR GETS COMMENDATION DISC RAVEENA, HER DAUGHTER OFFER PRAYERS AT PRAYAGRAJ On Feb 24, Rasha and her mother Raveena attended Ganga Aarti, where actress Katrina Kaif was seen too. P4 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 24°C | MIN 14°C YESTERDAY MAX 24°C | MIN 13°C MAHASHIVRATRI IS A TIME FOR SPIRITUAL REFLECTION The honour was given in acknowledgment of his contributions to maintaining law and order. P2 FORECAST Sherleen Dutt says Mahashivratri is a time for reflection, devotion and connecting with Shiva’s energy. P4 » » SUNSET WEDNESDAY 6.23 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:57 AM » WEDNESDAY | 26 FEBRUARY 2025 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF LABOURER'S BODY FOUND IN FIELD Hoshiarpur: The police have recovered a body buried in a field in village Patiadiyan. The deceased's daughter said her father used to work as a woodcutter. He had come to the village with his four companions to cut poplar and had been missing since February 21. She started searching for him but could not find him. Last night, she came to know that her father's companions had murdered him by slitting his throat and buried the body in a nearby field. After this, the family contacted the police and in the morning the police took out his body in the presence of villagers and sent it to Civil Hospital for post-mortem. A case has been registered. OC PO ARRESTED FOR FRAUD Phagwara: The Shahkot police have arrested a proclaimed offender (PO) on the charges of fraud and criminal conspiracy. The accused has been identified Bachan Singh of Bajwa Kalan village. Ajaib Singh of Dhandowal village had complained to the police that the accused and his accomplices hatched a conspiracy and prepared a fake agreement to usurp his land and committed a fraud. A case was registered against the accused on December 25, 2022, and was declared a PO on January 10, 2025. OC Cops file cancellation report in realtor Puneet Sood case No illicit liquor, drugs, weapons found from him: Report Deepkamal Kaur ABOUT THE CASE Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 25 Hoshiarpur-based realtor Puneet Sood, who had been arrested in a high-profile case by the city police under the Excise Act and NDPS Act in July last year with the recovery of over nearly Rs 3 crore, has finally got a relief. The police have now filed a cancellation report in the case, following recommendation of the SIT. Swapan Sharma, former CP , had projected the case to be a suspected hawala racket being run by illegal travel agents in the region. Sood’s family had held a presser soon after his arrest, alleging that he was carrying Rs 1 crore more, which was found missing after the police action. A SIT, headed by former IG Police, Ludhiana Range, and new Commissioner of Police, Dhanpreet Kaur, had submitted a report on February 6 in which she had concluded that Sood was innocent. A copy of ■ Hoshiarpur-based realtor Puneet Sood had been arrested in July last year with the recovery of over nearly ~3 crore ■ Sood’s family had held a presser soon after his arrest, alleging that he was carrying ~1 cr more, which was found missing after police action ■ A SIT, headed by former IG Police, Ludhiana Range, Dhanpreet Kaur, had submitted a report on February 6 in which she had concluded that Sood was innocent the report has been submitted by the state counsel to the Punjab and Haryana Court in reply to a writ petition moved by Sood. Sood had sought a CBI inquiry into the case and security cover for himself. While submitting the SIT findings in the court, the state counsel has also mentioned that a cancellation report had already been filed in the case. The report mentions that no recovery of illicit liquor, narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or illegal weapons had been made from Sood. “However, Indian and foreign currency was recovered from Last-minute tension him. As there is no evidence available in the case, the recommendation has been made by the SIT to file the cancellation report before the competent court”, it reads. Dhanpreet had also reported, “The Police Commissioner will take necessary action in coordination with the Income Tax Department regarding the recovery of Rs 2.93 crore and $3100.” Dhanpreet, however, is now on the post weeks after her own recommendation. The IPS officer had also recommended that an inquiry be conducted against Inspector Kamaljit Singh, SHO of Police Jarnail Nangal new PIT chief Station, Navi Baradari, and ASI Vinay Kumar from the same police station for negligence in the discharge of official duties. “Explanation shall also be called from Gurpartap Sahota, ADCP-1, Jalandhar, who was the supervisory officer of the police station. The court of Justice Kuldeep Tiwari had on February 21 ordered, “In view of the events, the first prayer regarding issuance of mandamus to transfer the investigation in the FIR has been rendered infructuous. The second prayer with regard to issuance of mandamus to ensure protection of life of the petitions goes without saying that it is the duty of the state to protect the life and liberty of each and every citizen. In case there is an imminent threat to the life of the petitioners, an apt action shall be taken by the competent authority, in accordance with the law as well as the scheme adopted by the state of Punjab”. Visually challenged Ankurjeet takes over as Nawanshahr DC Tribune News Service Aashika Hoshiarpur DC Nawanshahr, February 25 Visually challenged Ankurjeet Singh, a 2018 batch IAS officer, has taken over the charge of DC, Nawanshahr, here today. Earlier, he was posted as Chief Administrator of the Jalandhar Development Authority (JDA) and Amritsar Development Authority (ADA). Apart from this, he has also served as ADC (G) Pathankot, Municipal Commissioner, Pathankot, and SDM at Patiala district. Talking to the media, he said the government had given him a great responsibility and he was feeling proud to hold the position here which is known to be the land of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. He said his thrust areas would be on effective implementation of the schemes and the flagship programmes of the government. He said as per the orders of the government, no stone would be left unturned for the all-round development of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district and residents would not be allowed to face any problem for their work in the government departments. He also appealed to the residents to cooperate with the district administration in the development of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district and other works. Hoshiarpur, February 25 Aashika Jain, 2015-batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre, assuming charge as DC at the local District Administrative Complex today, said the priority would be given to further accelerating the pace of development in the district, making people aware against drug addiction and providing services in a better and timely manner. On reaching the District Administrative Complex, Aashika was given a guard of honour by the police. She held a meeting with the SSP Additional Deputy Commis, sioner, SDM and other officers and got information about various development projects and important issues related to the district. She said essential services should always be provided to people in government offices within the stipulated time and matters related to the people should be given priority. Prior to this appointment, she was the DC of SAS Nagar. She had worked as the Joint Commissioner of Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, in 2018 and in 2019 as ADC, SAS Nagar. — OC Rajwinder Thiara new JIT chairperson Tribune News Service SANGHERA WANTED FIRS IN MORE GRAFT CASES Our Correspondent DRUG PEDDLER ARRESTED Phagwara: The Shahkot police have arrested a 'drug peddler' on the charge of selling intoxicated tablets. As many as 45 intoxicant tablets (loose) were seized from the possession of the accused Mukhtiar Singh of Saidpur Jhirri village. A case under Sections 22/61/85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused. OC WOMAN HELD FOR SELLING HOOCH Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have arrested a woman for selling hooch prepared from chemicals. As much as 110 litre of hooch were seized from the accused Raj Kaur of Mohala Samra, Mehatpur. A case under Sections 61/1/14 of the Punjab Excise Act was registered against the accused. oc MAN BOOKED FOR DEATH BY MISHAP Phagwara: The police have booked a car driver for causing death by negligence. Manjit Singh of Salaichan village complained to the police that a person was driving negligently and fast on February 24 morning hit Gurwindar Singh of Shindarr village and Indarjit Singh of Meerpur village and killed them on the NakodarJandiala road. A case has been registered against the unidentified accused. oc TWO ARRESTED FOR WIRES THEFT Phagwara: The Shahkot police have arrested two 'thieves' on the charge of stealing electricity wires. The accused have been identified as Karan Luthra of Mohalla Dhurrkot and Rohit Dheer of Mohalla Baghwala, Shahkot. The accused were involved in stealing wires and other items which were recovered from them. A case had been registered against the accused. oc With final exams going on, a student is seen cramming lastminute notes on an autorickshaw while rushing to school in Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH PHAGWARA, FEBRUARY 25 The government today removed the Phagwara Improvement Trust Chairman Kashmir Singh Malhi and appointed labour leader Jarnail Nangal as new Chairman. Malhi had joined the post on September 25, 2023. Though the government has appointed Santosh Kumar Gogi and Ashok Bhatia (district secretary, AAP) as members of the Improvement Trust Phagwara, Bhatia has refused to accept the post of trustee. Talking to this correspondent here this evening, Bhatia said he was contender for the MLA ticket for the next Assembly elections and would continue to serve the party. Jalandhar, February 25 Senior AAP leader Rajwinder Kaur Thiara has been appointed as the chairperson of the Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT), replacing Jagtar Singh Sanghera, a long-time party loyalist and state spokesperson since 2016. The party has appointed Dr Jasbir, Harcharan Singh Sandhu and Atam Prakash Bablu as trustees of the JIT. Thiara, the party’s in-charge for Jalandhar Cantt, had previously served as a state secretary for AAP Punjab, and was , recently appointed Chairperson of the Punjab Container Warehouse Corporation. However, she never formally assumed the role and, last month, the party reassigned the position to Dr Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi — a two-time ■ Jagtar Sanghera served on the post for only two years and three Rajwinder Kaur Thiara months. He had registered three FIRs with the Vigilance against the staff over corruption. He had claimed he was investigation some more cases, which could lead to embezzlement of ~500 cr. He had forwarded more files to the VB, recommending more FIRs. Sanghera is also learnt to have written to the DGP VB, seeking action on these files. ■ Till he was in the saddle, no ex-officio trustee was appointed in the JIT. More trustees are likely to be appointed from among the newly elected councillors. No other political party had changed the JIT chief once appointed by it in a term. Sanghera has congratulated the new team and wished them luck on his FB post this evening. MLA from Banga and former president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) — who had recently switched from SAD to the ruling party. Following her appointment, Thiara expressed gratitude to AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, pledging to work with dedication. “In Aam Aadmi Party, every worker is valued and respected and every- one receives the rewards of their hard work,” she said. “With the inspiration of Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, I will move forward to fulfil the responsibilities entrusted to me.” Meanwhile, her appointment comes at a critical time for JIT, which has been struggling with financial distress and legal troubles. For many affected allottees, Thiara’s appointment brings a renewed hope. Manohar Lal Sehgal, who has yet to receive his refund despite winning a case in the District Consumer Commission, expressed optimism. “We have suffered for years, but with her experience and position in the party, we believe she can finally resolve the issues of Surya Enclave Extension and other stalled projects,” he said. Two bootleggers Massive protest against Notorious criminal held with 15 cases ‘graft’ in Phillaur tehsil office nabbed with four Protesters burn effigy of tehsildar, take out march pistols, cartridges of illicit liquor Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 25 In a crackdown on the illegal liquor trade, the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur, have arrested two persons and seized 15 cases of illicit liquor. The operation, carried out by teams from Police Station, Bhargo Camp, and Division Number 5, is part of the police department’s intensified efforts to curb illegal liquor sale in the city. According to the Commissioner of Police, under the supervision of the ACP-West, a police team arrested Raj Kumar, alias Raju, a resident of Guru Sant Mandir Street, Basti Danishmanda. He was found in possession of eight cases of illegal liquor branded as “Punjab King Desi Theka.” An FIR has been registered under Sections 61-1-14 of the Excise Act at Bhargo Camp. Simultaneously, another team arrested another accused Aakash, a resident of Basti Shekh. He was caught with seven cases of illicit liquor labelled “First Choice.” An FIR under the same sections of the Excise Act has been lodged at Division Number 5. Both accused were previously booked in different cases at Bhargo Camp, Basti Bawa Khel and Police Division Number 5. Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur emphasised that the arrests were part of a broader campaign to dismantle illegal liquor network in Jalandhar. “The police are intensifying their intelligence efforts to track down other persons involved in the trade”, she added. Ashok Kaura Phagwara , February 25 Hundreds of workers and leaders from various organisations staged a massive protest against the alleged corruption and administrative high-handedness at the Phillaur tehsil office. The protesters gathered at Ambedkar Chowk before marching through the city’s markets and streets, raising slogans against the administration. Holding banners and placards highlighting corruption and misconduct in the office, the demonstrators expressed their outrage. As part of the first phase of their struggle, they burnt the effigy of the tehsildar outside the tehsil office and raised slogans demanding his removal. The protest was led by leaders from the Lok Insaaf Manch and various public organisa- c m y b tions, including Jarnail, advocate Sanjeev Bhora, Gurnam Singh Taggar and Purshotam. Addressing a gathering, the leaders claimed that corruption and misuse of power in the tehsil office had reached the extreme levels. They alleged that those raising their voices against these malpractices were being falsely implicated in legal cases. They demanded that the government should immediately quash such false cases and take action against the tehsildar. Written complaints regarding these issues had been sent to AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, DGP and other offi, cials. They announced that they would soon make public the evidence of the alleged misconduct by the tehsildar and other officials. Furthermore, they planned to mobilise people at the village level through awareness campaigns. The demonstration saw participation from numerous representatives of farmer unions, labour organisations and local panchayats. Among those present were Hans Raj, Hani Santokhpura, Dr Ashok Kumar, Dr Sandeep Santokhpura, Deepak Kumar, Shiv Kalsi Nagar, Nikka Sandhu, Nitin Kumar, Rimpi Kumar, advocate Narinder Begampur, Kuljit Singh from the Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, Tarjinder Dhaliwal, Kuldeep Phillaur, and several other activists and village leaders. The protesters vowed to intensify their movement if their demands were not met, warning of larger demonstrations in the near future. Despite repeated attempts no officer could be contacted to comment. Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 25 In a major crackdown on illegal arms trafficking, the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police has arrested a habitual offender in possession of four illegal pistols and 12 rounds near Workshop Chowk, here. The operation, led by the CIA team under the supervision of Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur, has dealt a significant blow to criminal networks operating in the region. Commissioner Kaur said the accused Sukhwant Singh, alias Sukha Shekho, a resident of Dhirpur village, was intercepted while he was heading towards Burlton Park with the intent to commit a crime. Acting on a tip-off, the police arrested Singh and recovered the illegal firearms and ammunition from his possession. Following his arrest, an FIR was registered at Police Station Division No. 1 under Sections 25(1)-B, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act. Singh was subsequently presented before the court, which granted a remand for further investigation. Enquiries have revealed Singh’s extensive criminal background, with multiple cases registered against him under the Arms Act, NDPS Act and serious offences such as attempt to murder, murder and criminal conspiracy. “His activities have spanned across Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Tarn Taran districts. We are now investigating his possible connections to larger arms smuggling networks and organised crime syndicates”, said police officials. Commissioner Kaur reaffirmed the police’s commitment to eliminating illegal weapons and ensuring public safety.