15092025-JTR-01.qxd 9/14/2025 11:12 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune SPECIAL ASSESSMENT OF FLOODDAMAGED HOUSES BEGINS TODAY DESILT RESERVOIRS, STRENGTHEN BUNDHS & REGULATE DAM FLOW RUBIO’S STUNNING CANINE COUTURE AT FASHION WEEK The move is aimed at ensuring timely compensation for affected families as per established norms. P2 Install rain forecast and alert systems and establish dedicated flood prevention task force. P3 Anthony Rubio took centre stage in New York City, showcasing his stunning canine couture collection. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 26°C SUNSET MONDAY 6.33 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:12 AM » MONDAY | 15 SEPTEMBER 2025 | JALANDHAR SAD leader Kaypee’s son dies in mishap Was hit by a speeding car Driver absconding, booked Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, September 14 Two-time MP and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Mohinder Singh Kaypee’s son Richi Kaypee died in an accident in Jalandhar last night. Richi Kaypee (36), the only son of former Congressman Kaypee, succumbed to his injuries after being hit by an out-of-control car near Mata Rani Chowk in Jalandhar. The incident took place when Richi was out in his Fortuner. An FIR has been registered against the driver of Creta car, a cloth merchant from Sheikhan Bazar. Identified as Prince, the police have booked the accused. As per CCTV footage of the incident, which went viral today, the incident took place at 10.54 pm on the night of September 13. A footage shows a speeding white car hit several vehicles at Mata Rani Chowk. One of these cars was Richi’s Fortuner. After the incident, the Creta driver fled the spot. Seriously injured Richi was taken to two private hospitals in the night, however, he was declared brought dead. Richi himself called up his family and informed them of the accident. The bonnet and one side of Kaypee’s Fortuner was severely damaged. The incident took place in the posh Model Town area of Jalandhar. Kaypee’s resi- dence is also in the vicinity. Richi had returned home then again went out to return a mobile phone of a friend, which was left in his car. The police reached the spot and launched an investigation. SHO Ajaib Singh said, “The incident took place around 11 pm last night. The Creta was being driven by a man whose wife and daughter were also present in the car. An FIR has been registered, but other statements are still being recorded.” The Creta driver is absconding. Commissioner of Police, Jalandhar, Dhanpreet Kaur could not be contacted despite repeated attempts. Meanwhile, condolences poured in for Mohinder Singh Kaypee from the state CM Bhagwant Mann, SAD president Sukhbir Badal, Congress leader Sukhpal Khaira among others and Kaypee was visited by leaders – state minister and AAP leader Mohinder Bhagat, BJP leaders Sushil Rinku and Sarabjit Makkar, former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur, among others. SAD president Sukhbir Badal shared, “Deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing away of Richi Kaypee, the young son of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Mohinder Singh KP from Jalandhar, in a road accident. May Guru Sahib grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the family, to bear the unbearable loss. Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service ‘Cops reached the spot 3 hours after the accident’ tance from the spot.” Cries and wails reverberated at the Kaypee home. Kaypee wept bitterly as he came to terms with the loss. Richi had been handling his family’s farms and was primarily a farmer. Neighbours and friends rued the loss of a youth famed for his endearing modesty. Congress leader Balraj Thakur, who reached the site of the accident shortly after the incident, said, “A good human being has gone. Richie was a decent man, always polite and soft spoken.” Prof Ramnita Sharda, his neighbour, said, “We have seen him grow up. Richi, including his family, was a very decent man. It is tragic to lose a human being like him.” While the family awaits more relatives from abroad in the coming days, including Richi’s sister, family members said his last rites will be held on Tuesday. CM Bhagwant Mann said, “From Jalandhar, I’ve received the news of the death of Richi Kaypee in a road accident. We express our heartfelt condolences to the family in this sad hour. We pray to God to give the family the strength to bear the loss.” Floods ruin widow’s plans for daughter’s wedding The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. Phagwara,September 14 The police have arrested five men after intercepting a car and recovering an illegal firearm and cartridges at a naka near Dhilwan. Cops said they had set up barricades when a white car bearing registration number PB 07 CE 3307 approached from the Amritsar side. Although signalled to stop, the driver allegedly attempted to speed away but was forced to halt after it collided with the barricades. The vehicle was surrounded and its occupants were told to come out. They identified themselves as Salim of Bham village in Hoshiarpur; Sahil of Panchhata village in Kapurthala; Jaskaran Singh, alias Happy, of Bham; Gurvinder Singh, alias Guri, of Bham and Balraj Singh of Bham. A search of the car led to the discovery of a country-made pistol, a magazine, and five cartridges of 7.62 mm caliber hidden beneath the gear lever cover inside a polythene packet. None of the men could produce a valid licence of the weapon. They were taken into custody. ASI Murat Singh, who supervised the naka, confirmed the recovery and said a case under the Arms Act has been registered. The police have begun investigations. — OC Jalandhar, September 14 Just hours after the tragic death of Richi, the only son of senior SAD leader Mohinder Singh Kaypee, his grieving family has alleged police negligence in responding to the serious accident that shook Model Town last night. A pall of gloom has descended on the Kaypee’s house, as the family struggles to come to terms with the devastating loss of their beloved son. Loved by friends and neighbours alike, Richi’s family found it hard to come to terms with the loss of beloved Richi who was adored by all for his politeness and humility. While Richi had dinner at his home, with his uncle who had returned from the US, he reportedly went out again to hand back a mobile of a friend which had earlier been left behind in his car. Amrik Singh, Richi’s uncle, while speaking to The Tribune, alleged, “The accident took place between 10.30 and 11 pm and the police arrived on the spot at 2.30 pm. If they had come earlier, his life could have been saved and the driver of the Creta could have been caught. He was drunk. The police’s delay caused the culprit to get away. Our boy is gone, what more can we do now. But the question remains what the police were doing when the police station is at a walking dis- (Clockwise) Richi; Fortuner of the son of MS Kaypee; and Minister Mohinder Bhagat, Bibi Jagir Kaur and BJP’s Sushil Rinku at Kaypee’s house in Jalandhar. HEALTH & WELLNESS 5 held, illegal weapon seized Kaypee’s family blames slow police response for death Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Farmers brace for gloomy festive season this time Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Kapurthala, September 14 As everyone is set and preparing to welcome the upcoming festive season with lights, there is a heartbreaking silence in the flood-ravaged villages in Kapurthala. For now, it seems the glow of Diwali will be replaced by despair. For families, who have lost everything in the recent deluge, the festive season will pass like any other season. Jaswant Singh, a farmer from Baupur Jadid, stares helplessly at his waterlogged fields. His entire paddy crop, spread across three acres, was destroyed. “Right now, I can barely manage to buy medicines for my ailing wife,” he says, his voice heavy with exhaustion. Thinking about Diwali or buying anything is not even a possibility. For many like him, this Diwali brings no hope. Farmer Gurpreet Singh summed up the prevailing mood and said it will take them six months to get back on track. “Saadi Diwali te bandh bande hoye… te sirf apne aap nu sambhalan vich hi langh jaani. When there’s no money, celebrating is out of the question — we can’t even think about buying anything for Diwali.” Paramjit Singh, a respected farmer leader from the village, expressed the collective grief of the community. “The flood has robbed people of their earnings. The spirit of the festive season is dimmed this year. For those who’ve lost their source of income, the festivities will be sombre — if they happen at all,” he said. Perhaps the most heartwrenching story is that of Pargat Singh, a daily wager and small-scale farmer. Just two months ago, he completed the construction of his small house, built with years of savings and hard labour. His home was also collapsed in the recent floods. “I built it ahead of Diwali. Now, I do not know where to start from,” he said. The road to recovery is long. As the floodwaters recede, the real struggle begins — to rebuild lives, restore hope, and, celebrate again. Kapurthala, September 14 Kanwaljit Kaur, a widow and mother of three, has been spending sleepless nights for the past month — staring blankly at what once was her only source of livelihood: A one-acre field, now submerged and ruined. As the floodwaters recede at Baupur village in Kapurthala, these leave behind more than just broken homes, waterlogged fields, shattered hopes and unanswered prayers. Kanwaljit had been quietly preparing for her daughter’s wedding, scheduled for January, to a man from a village in Tarn Taran. But the floods washed away not only her crops, but her dreams as well. Her voice breaks as she speaks: “Hun mainu kuch nai milna. How will I marry off my daughter when I have no money in hand?” (“Now I will get nothing. How will I marry off my daughter when I have no money in hand?”) After the untimely death of her husband, Hardyal Singh, in 2022 due to multiple health complications, Kanwaljit was left struggling. Their four acres of land were completely destroyed during 2023 floods. With the help of good samaritans, she was able to restore just two acres. However, she had no choice but to lease out one of the two acres. The income from the field was barely enough to support her family — an 18-year-old daughter and two younger children, both aged 12 — whom she has been raising single-handedly. “Acre toh paise aa jaande te chaah paani pila lendi ladke vaaleya nu changi tarike naal. Par hun oh nahi hona,” she says, wiping her tears. (“Had the crops come through, I could have served the groom’s family with dignity. But now, that won’t happen.”) She confesses that she hasn’t bought a single item for Marriage scheduled for Jan, but woman lost everything Kanwaljit Kaur (right) with her daughter at Baupur village in Kapurthala. her daughter’s wedding yet. “I am feeling very low,” she says, her voice barely a whisper. In her desperate efforts to save her husband’s life, she had taken several loans — Man dead, family blames friend Our Correspondent Phagwara, September 14 A 32-year-old man from Karahal Kalan village in Kapurthala district was found dead under mysterious circumstances last evening, after he reportedly left home earlier in the day with an acquaintance. According to a statement given to the police by Jit Singh, the victim’s father, his son Jaswinder Singh, also known as Jaji, had gone with his friend Aksdeep Singh, alias Bullu, around 1:15 pm on Sep- c m y b tember 12. When Jaswinder did not return home, the family began searching. Around 7:30 pm, a villager informed them that Jaswinder’s body had been spotted near a drain close to a shrine on the kucha road leading to Daulatpur. His motorcycle was also found lying nearby. Family members, with the help of locals, shifted the body first to the village gurdwara and later to the Civil Hospital mortuary in Kapurthala. The grieving father told the police that Jaswinder’s mouth was bleeding, though there were no visible external injuries on his body. He demanded a post-mortem to ascertain the exact cause of death. Singh alleged that Aksdeep Singh, who had taken Jaswinder on his motorcycle, was responsible for his son’s death and urged the authorities to investigate the involvement of others. The police have registered a case at Sadar police station, Kapurthala. The investigation is underway, and the post-mortem report is awaited. clinging to the hope that things would eventually turn around. The land was her only hope. Her story is just one among several in Baupur, where families are clinging to what little they have left — if anything at all. For Kanwaljit, it’s not just about land or money; it’s about a mother’s longing to see her daughter begin a new life with dignity. Two youths die in train accidents Phagwara, September 14 Two youths lost their lives in separate train accidents in Phagwara on Saturday, the GRP said. In the first incident, Jarnail Singh of Patiala, who was travelling to Amritsar on the Dadar Express, died after coming under the wheels of the train at Phagwara railway station. The police said Singh had stepped off the train to purchase something when it halted at the station. While attempting to re-board the moving train, he slipped and was crushed to death. In another accident, Munish Kumar of Ludhiana was fatally struck by a train near Chiherru on the Phagwara–Jalandhar rail section. According to the police, Kumar was crossing the tracks when the mishap occurred. The GRP have registered cases in connection with both incidents. — OC