18112025-CT-01.qxd 11/18/2025 12:10 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune TO CURB LITTERING, CIVIC BODY 'SHAMES' OFFENDERS SPEED UP WORK AT DADUMAJRA LEGACY WASTE SITE: MAYOR MARRYING FACT WITH FICTION IN FILM HAQ A special cleanliness enforcement drive launched in Manimajra to curb littering in public spaces. P3 Babla visits Dadu Majra dump to take stock of ongoing remediation and mining operations. P3 Suparn Varma approached Shazia Bano’s story as a domestic dispute that became a national issue P4 » » AIR QUALITY INDEX CHANDIGARH 150 PANCHKULA 159 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD WHAT’S ON CHANDIGARH PANEL DISCUSSION: A panel discussion on “Understanding gender-based violence in Punjab: A new lens on masculinity”; Chandigarh Press Club, Sector 27-B; 3-5 pm DRAMA: The 20th TFT Winter National Theatre Festival, showcasing rich line-up of performances; Tagore Theatre, Sector 18; 6: 30 pm Photo Exhibition: Special photo exhibition titled “90 Years of Compassionate Vision: His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Democratic Transformation in Exile”, organised in collaboration with the HH the Dalai Lama Chair, the showcase highlights the spiritual leader’s journey and the evolution of democratic governance in exile; Student Centre, Panjab University, 11 am EXPO: Last day of National Silk Wool Expo, offering handwoven silk, cotton dress materials, woollen shawls, traditional silk sarees and suits from all over India; Kisan Bhawan, Sector 35 APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 29 and 56, and Dhanas Panchkula: Sector 15 Mohali: Sectors 68 and 71 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com POWER SHUTDOWN CHANDIGARH 10 am to 2 pm: Parts of Sectors 28, 31, 35, 45, 47, Dadumajra Colony, Motor Market, Sector 38West and Industrial Area, Phase II 2.30 pm to 5 pm:Parts of Sector 33 Students accuse varsity of ‘vilification drive’, vow intensified stir until Senate poll notification ALL-PARTY MEET Chandigarh, November 17 Panjab University’s administrative counter-moves — ranging from safety concerns raised by women employees to the filing of a fresh FIR for the November 10 bandh protest — today triggered sharp reactions from the PU Bachao Morcha, which accused the varsity of running a “vilification campaign” instead of resolving the 17-day-old crisis. This confrontation comes even as The Tribune’s November 1 expose on the PU overhaul set off a massive political storm in Punjab and Chandigarh, pushing the Centre into an unprecedented retreat — rolling back the restructuring within a week through four notifications issued between October 30 and November 7. Earlier today, a delegation of PU’s women employees met Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig and submitted a memorandum expressing deep anxiety over safety and security, citing the tense climate created by rumours of a bandh call on November 18-19. They pointed to the presence of “male elements among protesters,” apprehensions about potential ■ The Morcha has convened an all- party, all-organisation meeting on November 20 to chart the next phase of the movement. ■ “Except for the Centre withdrawing the overhaul, none of our demands has been met in 17 days. We are prepared for a long struggle,” said Avtar Singh. TRIBUTES PAID TO MARTYR Padma Shri recipient and Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney with protesting students at Panjab University on Monday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: VICKY HOW THE UNIVERSITY CRISIS UNFOLDED OCT 30 Centre issues PU restructuring notification. NOV 1 The Tribune breaks overhaul story; political storm erupts. NOV 7 Centre rolls back overhaul after issuing four notifications in a week. NOV 1-15 Students demand early Senate poll, FIR withdrawal. NOV 9 VC sends draft Senate election schedule to VP-cum-Chancellor. NOV 10 Massive bandh; students, farmers, political leaders breach barricades. NOV 15-17 New FIR filed; women employees raise safety concerns. risks, and the need for secure movement within the campus. The Morcha rejected the concerns as “manufactured panic”, insisting no bandh call has been issued after November 10. “This is clearly orches- trated by the PU administration as part of a counter-attack to weaken our movement,” said student leader Avtar Singh. “These tactics will boomerang. Instead of resolving the issue, the authorities Long-route buses for city service Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 17 The Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) has decided to divert diesel buses operating on long routes to the city fleet, as 85 diesel buses will go off the Tricity roads from November 19 after the completion of their operational lifespan of 15 years. The CTU had procured 100 buses under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURMI) scheme in 2010. Of these, 85 buses have now completed their stipulated 15-year operational life. As per the notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, these 85 buses will be phased out and go off road with effect from November 19, said Pradhuman Singh, Director, Transport, UT. implemented interim arrangements. Non-AC buses currently operating on long routes have been diverted to strengthen city bus service within the Tricity area. Longroute connectivity will continue to be maintained through services operated by adjoining State Transport Undertakings (STUs), ensuring minimal impact on passengers who previously used these diverted buses, he added. Reassuring the public that convenience, safety and continuity of service remain the department’s top priorities, Singh said: “The interim measures are aimed solely at maintaining uninterrupted public transport for lakhs of daily commuters across Chandigarh and the tricity region. No tricity routes are being affected due to the phasing out of the 85 buses.” 15-year-old 85 diesel buses to go off UT roads from tomorrow In line with the transition to cleaner and modern public transport, 100 electric buses have already been approved under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, and a contract agreement has been signed with the operator, he said, adding: “The prototype electric bus is currently undergoing inspection and range testing. As per the delivery schedule, 25 electric buses are expected by the end of November, another 25 by December-end and the remaining 50 buses by January–February 2026.” To ensure that commuters face no inconvenience during this transition, the CTU has WHAT NEXT ■ Students plan legal and hinges on CP Radhakrishnan approving or delaying the Senate election schedule. ■ If the notification is not issued soon, the Morcha intends to intensify the agitation, including extended strikes and campus shutdown. political pressure to seek withdrawal of both the old and the newly registered FIR. ■ More committees, advisories or disciplinary moves may emerge, which, students warn, could trigger further confrontation. MAP NOT TO SCALE Tribune News Service UT senior standing counsel Amit Jhanji responded by questioning the locus standi of the petitioners, claiming that none of them was an expert in this field. He added that 72 objections from a public hearing were received and seven shortlisted for detailed discussion. In a related matter, Chief Justice Nagu asserted that the High Court’s “Holistic Development Plan” would take a few years — possibly up to five — to materialise. Until then, the Administration should allow temporary, dismantlable structures to meet immediate needs, including space for lawyers’ chambers and offices. The Bench suggested using the area next to the High Court museum, as well as Ram Darbar in the Industrial Area, for such interim facilities. The Bench is hearing a petition on the holistic development of the High Court precinct, traffic regulation, parking and related infrastructure issues. The case will now come up for detailed hearing on November 29. The High Court, on a previous date of hearing, had verbally questioned the very basis of constructing the proposed Tribune flyover, while observing that the city’s Master Plan apparently had no provisions for flyovers. “The Master Plan is screaming no flyover. How are you going in for it?” the Bench had asked the UT Administration during the hearing on the project. The Bench also sought clarity on whether the Master Plan had been duly notified and due procedure had been followed for its amendment. In response, the c m y b Despite the mounting pressures, the indefinite sit-in outside the VC office entered its 17th consecutive day, with students declaring they will continue the dharna until the Senate election schedule — under the pre-October 30 structure — is formally notified. Local gurdwaras, religious groups and social organisations continued serving roundthe-clock langar, tea, snacks and dry fruits, evoking scenes reminiscent of the 2020 farmer movement at Delhi borders. Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney visited the protest site on Monday, calling the students’ demands “legitimate and constitutional,” and assured them of personally taking up the matter with Vice-President and Chancellor CP Radhakrishnan. He said he would push for the Senate poll notification within the next couple of days. Punjabi singer-writer Gulab Sidhu also met the students and extended full support. Throughout the day, leaders of PSU (Shaheed Randhawa), Revolutionary Student Organisation, Democratic Teachers’ Front, Varg Chetna Manch, Sabka Sainik Krantikari Union, Verka Outsource Union and others marked their presence. 91% conviction rate under new criminal laws Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 17 The first UT to fully implement the three new criminal laws, Chandigarh has achieved an exemplary 91% conviction rate under the reformed system. This was stated by UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria at a meeting of the Northern Zonal Council chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Faridabad today. During the meeting, the Administrator highlighted that Chandigarh was emerging as a model of good governance with significant strides across key sectors. In the power sector, the UT has successfully completed privatisation of its electricity distribution network, ensuring greater efficiency and transparency, he stated. The Administrator also underscored that Chandigarh had been declared the best performer under the PracheSHTA-1 category by the Ministry of Education. He also shared that the forest cover of UT had increased from 47% to 51.4%. The council deliberated on key issues of national and regional importance and reviewed the progress of 27 priority agenda items, of which 13 points pertained to UT Chandigarh. are trying to paint us black.” Students also condemned the new FIR registered against them and outsiders who participated in the massive November 10 bandh rally. “We were already demand- ing that the previous FIR from last November be withdrawn. Instead, the administration has slapped another case on peaceful protesters. We will not take this lying down,” the Morcha said. Charges framed against IFS officer, wife 2 get RI for sexual assault on child Chandigarh, November 17 The special CBI court has framed charges against IFS officer Birendra Chaudhary and his wife in a disproportionate assets case registered four years ago. Choudhary, former member secretary, Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee, was caught red-handed while allegedly taking Rs 1-lakh bribe in 2017 from a businessman. The complainant had alleged that Choudhary issued him a show-cause notice regarding revoking of consent to operate his sawmill on December 6, 2016. He met the officer to explain his side of the story, but was denied a proper hearing. The CBI officials claimed Continued on page 2 Lawyer assisting Bench on plea against project insists on detailed arguments Saurabh Malik Marking the martyrdom day of Kartar Singh Sarabha, students held a discussion on the Ghadar Movement. Speakers emphasised Sarabha’s ideals of resistance and youth leadership, drawing parallels with the ongoing agitation. ■ The biggest turning point World cities are hitting brakes on flyovers, HC told Chandigarh, November 17 Cities across the world are now applying brakes on flyover projects rather than building new ones, the Punjab and Haryana High Court was told today. Arguing before the Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry, advocate Tanu Bedi said flyovers were no longer seen as a solution to urban traffic and were actually being pulled down in several cities across the world. Assisting the Bench on the petition against the flyover, Bedi said the petition before the High Court was not adversarial in nature, but involving the city of Chandigarh. “What is good for Chandigarh, is good for everyone,” she submitted, while insisting on time for detailed arguments. FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE New FIR, safety row fuel PU protest Tribune News Service MAX 25°C | MIN 9°C YESTERDAY MAX 27.4°C | MIN 9.2°C SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6.51 AM /THETRIBUNECHD Nitin Jain MAINLY CLEAR SKY SUNSET TUESDAY 5.25 PM » TUESDAY | 18 NOVEMBER 2025 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST counsel assisting the Bench, advocate Tanu Bedi, submitted that the Chandigarh Master Plan was notified in 2015 following the High Court’s intervention and “had never been amended.” The Bench had also observed that Chandigarh’s uniqueness was “only because of the heritage concept. If that goes, everything goes. The uniqueness goes. It’ll be like any other city.” The Bench had observed that the issue went beyond a single structure and touched the very core of what made Chandigarh distinctive. “The concept of the city is pitted against the traffic congestion. Now, which one do we give more prominence to and why? Which one is more important?” the Chief Justice had asked. The court cautioned that allowing even one such Continued on page 2 Chandigarh, November 17 A local court has sentenced a woman and her male friend to undergo five years of rigorous imprisonment each in a POCSO case registered three years ago. The police registered the case on a complaint filed by the woman’s husband. He told the police that he, along his wife and two children, were residing in a flat. He alleged that his wife had an extra-marital relation with a person. He alleged that her male friend had sexually assaulted his younger son The accused used to send obscene pictures to his younger son the woman threaten both children with dire consequences, if they would disclose their relationship to their father or anybody else. — TNS