12012025-JTR-01.qxd 1/11/2025 11:11 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune POLICE TRACK LOST MOBILE PHONES, RECOVER OVER 38 The Kapurthala police solved several criminal cases and recovered over 38 lost cellphones of different people. P2 » DOC SETS WORLD RECORD FOR FASTEST C-SECTION DELIVERY CRAVING FOR MUNGPHALI DURING LOHRI CELEBRATIONS Dr Ashima Taneja secured a place in the International Book of Records for performing fastest C-section delivery. P2 VERY DENSE FOG MAX 15°C | MIN 8°C YESTERDAY MAX 15°C | MIN 9°C SUNSET SUNDAY 5.44 PM Lohri may be celebrated with a modern twist, but craving for mungphali, rewari, gajjak, bhugga remains the same. P4 » FORECAST SUNRISE MONDAY 7:27 AM » SUNDAY | 12 JANUARY 2025 | JALANDHAR COUPLE BOOKED FOR ~21.72L FRAUD Hoshiarpur: The Thana Dasuya police have registered a case against a couple on the charge of allegedly cheating one person of ~21,72,500 on the pretext of sending his relative to Canada. According to information, Pritpal Satnam Singh, a resident of Bishanpur, told the police that Harpreet Singh, a resident of Jalota village, along with his wife Ramandeep Kaur, allegedly cheated him of~21,72,500 by luring him to send his relative to Canada. After registering a case, the police have initiated further action into the matter. OC MAN ARRESTED FOR TRESPASS Phagwara: The Nurmahal police have arrested a villager on the charge of criminal trespass. Investigating officer (IO) Bodh Raj said the suspect was identified as Lakhwir Singh, a resident of Uppal Khalsa village. Jaswant Singh, a resident of Uppal Khalsa village, had complained to the police that the suspect ploughed his paddy crop on two kanals, raised boundary lines between fields and tried to encroach on his land. The IO said a case was registered against the suspect in this connection. OC MAN HELD FOR MURDER BID Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have arrested a Fazilka resident on the charges of attempt to murder and firing. Station House Officer (SHO) Sukhdev Singh said the suspect was identified as Gurwindar Singh, a resident of Khaanka village falling under the Araliwala police station in Fazilka. The SHO said a case under Sections 109 (attempt to murder), 55 (abetment of offence), 326(G) (mischief by fire or explosive substance), 351(3) (criminal intimidation) and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the BNS and Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act was registered against the suspect and others in this connection. OC 3 PROCLAIMED OFFENDERS HELD Phagwara: The Nakodar city police have arrested a proclaimed offender (PO) who was absconding for the past many days. Investigating officer (IO) Rajinder Kumar said the IO was identified as Manni, a resident of Sianniwal village. He was wanted in an assault case. In the second incident, the Bilga police arrested PO identified as Vikas, a resident of Nurmahal, said IO Kulwindar Singh. In the third incident the Lohian police arrested PO identified as Ram Partap, a resident of Ward No. 11, said IO Harwindar Singh. OC YOUTH DIES IN ROAD MISHAP Hoshiarpur: A youth died after being hit by an unidentified vehicle on the HoshiarpurChintpurni road. The Sadar police have registered a case against the vehicle driver. According to information, Munna, a resident of Chauhal, told the police that his elder brother Ajay Kumar (25) used to sell kulchas to earn his living. Ajay had gone on his bike to buy some goods from the city. When Ajay reached near Adamwal, an unidentified vehicle hit him and he died on the spot. After registering a case, the police have initiated further action in this connection. OC Chaos rules mayoral elections in city Dhir, Bittu, Malkeet get picked for top three posts of the municipal corporation Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 11 Amid allegations of horse trading and flouting of the democratic process, mayoral elections were held at Red Cross Bhawan here this afternoon. Despite the fact that the Aam Aadmi Party (AP) had roped in eight more councillors’ post in the December 21 elections to touch a comfortable figure of 46 in the 85-ward Municipal Corporation (MC), the party leadership was unsure that it would be able to sail through the mayoral polls. For the same reason, the party had pressed all its councillors to reach Hotel Radisson by 11.30 am to ensure that they were all intact and could be taken together in a bus to the Red Cross Bhawan. All those, who did not reach the hotel on time, got repeated phone calls from party leaders to make it to the bhawan. Councillor Amit Dhall and his cousin and Jalandhar (North) halqa in-charge Dinesh Dhall reached the hotel two hours late, that too after senior leadership kept them calling. Dhalls are learnt to be miffed over denial of any post to Amit. By the time Dinesh was brought to Red Cross Bhawan in a car of Local Bodies Minister Dr Ravjot Singh, the election process was already over. He did not even go inside the venue. An Independent councillor Tarsem Lakhotra, who re- Newly elected MC councillors take an oath during a ceremony at Red Cross Bhawan in Jalandhar on Saturday. TRIBUNE PHOTO joined the AAP a few days ago, did not go to the hotel. While coming directly to the venue, he said, “I have decided to go Independent once again. I was lured back to the AAP with a promise for the post of Deputy Mayor, but they ditched me again.” Interestingly, this was his second entry into the AAP and the second exit since July. A Congress councillor, he had joined the AAP during the Jalandhar (West) bypoll. He left the party last month as his name did not figure in the list of AAP candidates for the MC polls. After Lakhotra won the civic body elections as an Independent candidate, he was made to rejoin the AAP . Today, Lakhotra announced that he was Independent MOST COUNCILLORS ONLY SIGNED OATH Majority of the BJP’s 15 councillors could not even reach the venue before the whole election process was over. The councillors said even the oath-taking process was already over by the time they reached Red Cross Bhawan. “We just signed on a paper that mentioned that we have taken oath,” they said. BJP councillor Rajeev Dhingra said, “The AAP seemed to be in a rush of things. We can understand reasons for their nervousness.” MEDIA ENTRY BARRED The entire media was restricted from entering the Red Cross Bhawan despite the fact that a separate gallery was created for reporters in the earlier elections too. None of the councillors was allowed to take cellphones inside the venue so as to prevent recording of the mayoral election process which was completed within minutes. councillor once again. In fact, Lakhotra entered and left Red Cross Bhawan accompanied by Congress MLA Bawa Henry. “He even sat with us at the venue, but was taken away to the AAP side by its leaders,” Congress councillor Jasleen Sethi said. The AAP women council- lors were also clearly miffed today. “Our party could not find a single suitable woman face for any one of the top three posts, despite 44 women making it to the MC House,” said a party insider. Ward No. 11 councillor Karamjeet Kaur, whose name had earlier been finalised for the post of Senior Deputy Mayor, was replaced by her husband Balbir Bittu, a three-time councillor, who was considered an experienced hand. Meanwhile, AAP zonal secretary Rajwinder Thiara termed all the allegations baseless. “The election process was conducted very smoothly in the presence of all administration officials. Though women have not got a chance for any top post in the MC, they will be adjusted on other posts in government departments. The allegations of horse trading among others levelled by the Opposition have no truth behind them.” She also maintained that councillor Lakhotra was still with the AAP . AAP celebrates win amid criticism over bursting of firecrackers Avneet Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 11 The sudden death of Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Ludhiana (West), on Saturday following an accidental firing from his own licensed pistol, was met with a strikingly contrasting response from party leaders in Jalandhar today. While AAP senior leaders, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, visited Ludhiana to offer heartfelt condolences and support to the grieving family, the celebration-filled mayoral poll and oath-taking ceremony in the city failed to strike a sombre tone. Vaneet Dhir was declared the new Mayor of Jalandhar, with Balbir Singh Bittu Dhillon as Senior Deputy Mayor and Malkeet Singh as Deputy Mayor. The announcement was met with celebrations including bursting of firecrackers. Dhol beats resounded through streets and slogans of “AAP Zindabad” echoed TRIBUNE PHOTOS: MALKIAT SINGH INBRIEF New Senior Deputy Mayor Balbir Singh Bittu Dhillon after assuming charge; and (right) new Deputy Mayor Malkeet Singh at his office in Jalandhar. as party members marked the victory in the Municipal Corporation (MC) House. Moreover, the event was marred by allegations of chaos and authoritarianism. Congress councillors accused the AAP of turning the event into an AAP-centric spectacle rather than a formal, inclusive mayoral election. They claimed that not one Congress councillor was administered his/her oath in the traditional manner, but was handed a pro forma to read, with AAP leaders pre-emptively announcing the newly elected councillors. Further fuelling controversy, media access to the venue, Red Cross Bhawan, was restricted. Councillors were prohibited from carrying their mobile phones inside the bhawan premises. Congress leaders decried the move as unethical and undemocratic, while residents questioned AAP’s actions given the current environmental concerns. Jalandhar’s already alarming AQI of over 300 was aggravated by bursting of loud firecrackers during celebrations, prompting residents to speak out against the insensitivity shown by the AAP . “With AQI levels so high, AAP leaders choosing to burst firecrackers just shows their disregard for the environment,” one local resident said. Pankaj Ahuja, another resident, commented on the Jalandhar Tribune’s live video, voicing frustra- tion over the celebrations in the wake of the rising AQI and other environmental concerns. Another local, Kamaljeet Kaur, raised further concerns, pointing out that it took AAP an-year-and-ahalf to conduct the municipal elections, while the party only managed to get majority figure in the civic body House by allying with the Opposition candidates. “Why this celebration now?” she asked. Dhir assumes office of Jalandhar Mayor Pledges development, zero corruption City Mayor Vaneet Dhir, along with his family members, in Jalandhar on Saturday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH Avneet Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 11 Vaneet Dhir, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor from Ward No. 62, was officially declared as the Jalandhar’s new Mayor on Saturday, along with Balbir Singh Bittu and Malkeet Singh, who were announced as Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor, respectively. In his first address after taking charge of the Mayor’s office, Dhir outlined his vision and priorities for Jalandhar’s development, while emphasising that every effort would be made to improve the city’s infrastructure and quality of life for its residents. He assured that public funds would be utilised effectively to transform Jalandhar into a Smart City, while saying, “Every single penny will be invested in building a better city for all. The misuse of funds will not be tolerated under my leadership.” Dhir also reiterated Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s strong stance on corruption, specifically addressing concerns over the Jalandhar Smart City Project. “The project has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, with allegations of fund misuse,” Dhir said, while adding that he would investigate who were responsible for this. He said stalled projects would be resumed to ensure that Jalandhar becomes the city it deserves to be. The new Mayor also turned his focus on the city’s longstanding civic issues. Highlighting challenges such as waste management, damaged roads, poor sewerage systems, contaminated water supply and stray dog populations, Dhir assured the people that urgent action would be taken on these matters. “People deserve better basic services and infrastructure,” he added. “In the coming years, I am committed to resolving these issues comprehensively,” Dhir said. Another thing Dhir mentioned during his address was that his administration would collaborate across the party lines. He said despite political rivalries during the elections, all councillors, regardless of their party affiliation, would work as a united team for Jalandhar’s growth. “Today, we all have the same aim — the development of Jalandhar. Our differences are behind us. Now it’s time for working together for the city’s betterment,” he said. Main suspect involved in Mehatpur JK Restaurant shootout case arrested Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 11 In a major breakthrough against organised crime, the Jalandhar (Rural) police have arrested Gurvinder Singh, leader of the Rocky Fazilka gang, who was wanted in multiple high-profile cases, including the Mehatpur shootout and the Rs 20-crore NRI kidnapping case. His arrest follows a meticulously planned operation by the district police, culminating in a 210-km pursuit. The suspect, Gurvinder Singh, a resident of MC Colony, Fazilka, became leader of the infamous Rocky Fazilka gang, after the demise of its founder. He is linked to several violent crimes, including orchestrating the shootout at JK Restaurant in Mehatpur on December 22, 2024, in which his gang members attempted to intimidate a business owner over financial disputes. Gurvinder was also the key figure in kidnapping of Nachhatar Singh, an NRI, for Rs 20 crore ransom in 2020. Earlier, three of Gurvinder’s accomplices — Paramjit Singh, alias Mor Sidhu, Hira Singh, alias Gurpradeep Singh, and Sunil Kumar, alias Sonu Kamboj, — were arrested and a .32bore revolver and a Maruti SX4 car used in the crime was recovered from them. Speaking to mediapersons here, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh said on December 22, 2024, Gurvinder Singh and his gang carried out an attack at JK Sweet c m y b Shop and Restaurant in Mehatpur around 4.45 am. The gang fired multiple rounds at the restaurant owner, causing panic in the area before fleeing from the spot. A case was registered under various sections of the BNS and the Arms Act at the Mehatpur police station in this connection. The police teams, led by Sub-Inspector Amandeep Verma and Inspector Sukhdev Singh, coordinated the operation based on intelligence gathered from surveillance and forensic evidence recovered from the crime spot, the SSP said. The police teams traced the suspect through CCTV footage, while tracking the vehicle used in the crime over 210 km, which ultimately led to Gurvinder’s arrest, the SSP said. The SSP said Gurvinder’s gang was involved in heinous crimes such as contract killings, extortion and heroin smuggling. The timely arrest of the suspect averted potential future crimes, he added. The operation resulted in the recovery of three illegal firearms, including pistols and a 12-bore double-barrel shotgun, along with live ammunition, he said. The vehicle used in these crimes was also impounded during the operation, the SSP added. During interrogation, it was revealed that Gurvinder had been actively involved in extortion, contract killings and land disputes in Punjab and Rajasthan. His gang operated as a sophisticated network and was responsible for instilling fear and insecurity among res- idents of the region. The suspect was previously booked under various cases, including multiple sections of the IPC and the Arms Act. Gurvinder was remanded to police custody and further investigations were underway to dismantle the gang’s remaining network and recover more weapons, the SSP said. Efforts were on to identify and apprehend other accomplices involved in criminal activities linked to the gang, the SSP added.