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P4 Acclaimed director Hansal Mehta's cinema has all the gravitas needed to make thought-provoking content.P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 31°C | MIN 13°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 14°C SUNSET SATURDAY 6.35 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 6:23 AM » SATURDAY | 22 MARCH 2025 | LUDHIANA Dist badminton assn official accused of misusing govt facility, probe ordered Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 21 National badminton player and coach Anand Tiwari has accused Ludhiana Badminton Association’s general secretary Anupam Kumaria of alleged misuse of Shastri Badminton Hall, collecting funds and other irregularities. The complaint was lodged before the Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner (DC) and the Commissioner of Police. Following the complaint, a probe was ordered to verify allegations. Anupam Kumaria termed the allegations levelled against him fake and motivated. He said there was no misuse of Shastri Badminton Hall. At present, he was out of town to take part in a badminton tournament and he would present his side after reaching Ludhiana. Conduct any inquiry, truth would prevail, he said. Tiwari in his complaint alleged that Ludhiana’s prestigious Shastri Badminton Hall, a government-owned multi crore property facility, was being illegally controlled and misused by unauthorised Ludhiana Badminton Association. The association A board of the Ludhiana Badminton Academy put up at Shastri Badminton Hall in Ludhiana. DC FORMS SIT TO SUBMIT REPORT IN FOUR DAYS Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain while talking to The Tribune on Friday confirmed that after receiving a complaint, he had formed a threemember SIT comprising MC Additional Commissioner, District Sports Officer and another official. It would submit report within four days after thoroughly examining allegations levelled in the complaint and further action would be taken accordingly. is led by Anupam Kumaria for the past 15 years. Tiwari alleged that the association had been operating from the governmentowned Shastri Badminton Hall without any official authorisation, the association has no constitution, no bank account, no balance sheets, no auditors, no elections, and no executive meetings. It is functioning as a closed group with only six life members, effectively avoiding legal scrutiny and oversight. Tiwari further alleged that Kumaria had been running the unauthorised Ludhiana Badminton Academy registered at his residence without government approval. Entry fees, donations and sponsorship money had been collected in cash, siphoning millions from innocent players and their families. Despite claims of offering free coaching, bank records suggest that parents have paid in lakhs in the names of donations. The association has been functioning without proper elections, AGMs, financial disclosures or audits for nearly two decades. The association’s official address is illegally mentioned as Shastri Badminton Hall, without any official permission. Multiple complaints have been filed against Kumaria by parents, players and whistleblowers but no action has been taken allegedly due to his close ties with people in politics, asserted the complainant. “I urge the DC and the CP to conduct an investigation into the illegal occupation and financial mismanagement of Shastri Badminton Hall. File an FIR against responsible persons, recover the illegally siphoned funds and dissolve the association and restore control of the hall to the Municipal Corporation and initiate fair and government-approved management practices for its operation,” he demanded. Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain while talking to The Tribune on Friday confirmed that after receiving complaint, he had formed a three-member special investigation team (SIT) comprising MC Additional Commissioner, District Sports Officer and another official. It would submit report within four days after thoroughly examining the allegations levelled in the complaint and further action would be taken accordingly. Three wanted criminals held after exchange of fire Had demanded ~50L extortion by posing as gangster Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 21 The Ludhiana police arrested three wanted criminals in an extortion case after an exchange of fire on the Dhandra road in the wee hours on Friday. The suspects suffered bullet injuries and were hospitalised. ADCP Amandeep Singh Brar said when three CIA teams were doing patrolling on the Dhandra road, on suspicion the police signalled a car to stop for checking. Instead of stopping the vehicle, occupants of the car started firing at the team. In retaliation, the police also fired shots. The suspects suffered bullet injuries. Two received bullet injuries in their legs while one suffered an injury in his arm. Following the exchange of fire, all suspects were arrested. “The suspects were wanted in an FIR registered at Police Division 6 on the complaint of the owner of an immigration company regarding extortion call from some unidentified persons. Around 2 am this morning, based on a tip-off, the SHO, along with CIA in- charges, who were present near Khedi village on the Dhandra road for checking suspicious persons, tried to stop a Maruti Swift car (without registration number), Following which, three persons sitting in the car started firing at the police and in retaliatory firing by the police, the suspects got injuries in their legs and arm. The suspects are identified as Mudit, Abhijit Mand and Ankush. Many cases of snatching and robbery were registered against them in the past. One .30 bore and a .315 bore illegal weapon seized from the suspects,” Brar said. Sources said the suspects had demanded Rs 50 lakh extortion from Karan Preet Singh, owner of KS Immigration, located at Gill Chowk, here. The suspects posed themselves as gangster Prabh Dasuwal, who is said to be staying in America at present. Earlier, the Punjab Police arrested several persons with illegal weapons for demanding extortion at the gangster’s behest. The suspects had a criminal background as Abhijit is facing six cases, including snatching and robberies, Mudit is facing four cases of attempt to murder and snatching while Ankush is facing three criminal cases, including attempt to murder. One of suspects was shot by rivals in past On March 9, the police had arrested two wanted criminals, Munish Toni and Sumit, after exchange of fire and they also had an old enmity with Abhijit and Ankush. On February 3, three miscreants had kidnapped 22-year-old Ankush, who was walking towards Beri Colony from Guru Teg Bahadur Chowk, and severely injured him by hitting him on the head with bricks. After getting to know about the fight, when Abhijit, a friend of Ankush, reached the scene, the miscreants opened fire at him. The ADCP (Crime) said Abhijit and Ankush, who were arrested on Friday were complainant in the case which they got registered against members of their rival gang. Addressing grievances, promoting Suvidha kendras development priority, says new DC open today Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 21 Himanshu Jain, a 2017 batch officer, who joined as the Deputy Commissioner (DC), feels Ludhiana is a vibrant and industrially pivotal region in the state, often referred to as the ‘Manchester of India’. It comes with unique challenges and priorities. Speaking on his role as the DC, especially when the bypoll can be announced anytime soon, Jain said, “The upcoming byelections add a layer of responsibility and I view it as an opportunity to ensure a fair, transparent and smooth electoral process. My focus will be on maintaining law and order, fostering public trust and ensuring that the administrative machinery functions efficiently to support the democratic process.” Himanshu Jain WAS SERVING AS RUPNAGAR DC Himanshu Jain, a 2017 batch officer, joined office jhere on Thursday. He was serving as the Deputy Commissioner, Rupnagar. Jain, who joined office on Thursday, was serving as the DC, Rupnagar. He did BTech and MS in computer science. Basically an engineer, Jain worked previously with Amazon as a software developer. Thereafter, he joined the IAS services. He also did MPhil in Public administration from the JNU and a diploma from the ISB. Talking particularly about Ludhiana, the new DC said every district has its own dynamics and Ludhiana, with its diverse population and economic importance, demands a proactive and inclusive approach. “My priority will be to address grievances and needs of the people, promote development and uphold principles of good governance. I am committed to serving the people of Ludhiana with dedication and integrity and I see this as a challenge and an opportunity to contribute to the district’s progress,”Jain added. Ludhiana, March 21 For facilitating residents in submitting property tax on time, the Municipal Corporation (MC) has decided to keep its zonal suvidha kendras in civic body offices open on Saturday (March 22). March 31 is the last day to pay property tax for the financial year (2024-25) without any penalty. After March 31, residents will have to pay a 20 per cent penalty and 18 per cent annual interest on the delayed payment of property tax. Mayor Inderjit Kaur and MC March 31 is last day to pay property tax without penalty Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal appealed to residents to pay taxes on time to avoid penalty. The officials said besides working days, the MC zonal suvidha kendras would also remain open on March 29 (Saturday), March 30 (Sunday) and March 31 (government holiday Eid-ul-Fitr) during working hours to facilitate residents. Cops examine the spot where the encounter took place in Ludhiana on Friday. Man held for outraging daughter’s modesty Tribune News Service Residents pay property tax at a suvidha kendra in Ludhiana. Ludhiana, March 21 The Haibowal police on Thursday registered a case against a man for outraging the modesty of his daughter. Fed up with the indecent acts of her husband, the victim’s mother had lodged a complaint in the Haibowal police station. The woman told the police on March 20, her daughter told her that the previous night when she was in the bedroom, her father came inside and took off all her clothes and made her stand in front of mirror. He also used abusive language for her as well. The suspect also threatened her that if she tells anyone about the matter, he would strangle her to death. After investigating the matter, the police registered a case. The suspect is at large in the case. A few days ago, the man put chilli powder in private parts of the girl. MC bags Smart City award for Pakhowal road ROB/RUBs project Man kidnapped, attacked Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 21 Adding another feather to their cap, the Municipal Corporation (MC), Ludhiana, and Ludhiana Smart City Limited (LSCL) bagged the Smart City award for the Pakhowal road Railway Overbridge (ROB)/Railway underbridges (RUB) project during the 10th Smart Cities India Expo held in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on Friday. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), GoI, presented the award to the LSCL under the category of ‘Innovative Transport Solution for the city’. MC Commissioner-cumChief Executive Officer (CEO) of the LSCL Aaditya Dachalwal was felicitated with the award by former Joint Direc- MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal receives the award from MoHUA officials in Delhi. tor (Finance), National Capital Region Planning Board, MoHUA, Rajeev Chadha; Joint Secretary, Ministry of Science and technology, A Dhanalakshmi, and founder and chief architect, Shilpa Architects Planners Designers Private Limited, Sheila Sriprakash, in Delhi on Friday. Nodal officer (Smart City Mission) SE Sanjay Kanwar and Executive Engineer Balwinder Singh were among other officials who accompanied the MC chief. Dachalwal said the project had been taken up at a cost of around Rs 130 crore (including the cost of the railway portion) under the Smart City mission and it had provided a major relief to residents in terms of movement of traffic. One ROB and two RUBs have been constructed under the project with advanced techniques which minimised environmental impact. The project was taken up to address persistent challenges of traffic conges- c m y b tion, frequent delays due to railway crossings and poor connectivity in one of Ludhiana’s busiest corridors. The project aligns with core objectives of the Smart Cities Mission by enhancing urban mobility, ensuring safety and adopting sustainable engineering practices. Ecofriendly materials and techniques were utilised under the project that minimise environmental impact. By addressing the longstanding issue of traffic congestion, the project had significantly reduced travel time and fuel consumption for daily commuters. The elimination of level crossings had minimised the risk of accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians, the MC Commissioner said. In January 2024, the LSCL had bagged ‘Best Retrofit Green Spaces Award’ during the Smart Cities India Awards, organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in Delhi. It was bagged for Retrofitting of Leisure Valley adjoining Municipal Corporation’s (MC) Zone D office in Sarabha Nagar. In December 2023, the MC had bagged ‘Best Energy Conservation Award’ for ‘Smart LED street lights project’ at the 4th Elets National Urban Innovation Summit held in Chandigarh. In December 2022, the civic body had also bagged the ‘Energy Efficient Solution of the Year award’ during the National Digital Transformation Conclave and Awards. The award was also presented to the Ludhiana MC for Smart LED Smart Street Lights project. auto driver; nabbed in 24 hrs Ludhiana, March 21 The Sadar police have claimed to have cracked the case of a kidnapping and brutal torture of an auto- rickshaw driver by nabbing the suspect. The latter was identified as Ranbir Singh, alias Robin Oberoi, a resident of City Enclave, Dhandra Road. After the incident came to the fore, ADCP Dev Singh supervised the probe and the police achieved success in nabbing the suspect within 24 hours of receiving the complaint. The ADCP said Jagdish Prasad (60)’s auto was hired by Ranbir Singh, who was in the attire of a Nihang Sikh at the bus stand on March 17, and he taken to City Enclave, Dhandra Road. When the victim asked for Rs 150 fare, he was pulled inside the house and locked up. From 7 pm to 5 am, he endured torture. The suspect stabbed the victim repeatedly. The auto driver begged for mercy but the suspect did not budge. At 5 am, the suspect fled with his auto. He demanded Rs 2 lakh, threatening to kill the victim. It was only when the victim broke the window with a gas cylinder and alerted colony residents, they gave him medical help and informed his family. The ADCP said on March 19, the victim recorded his statement, following which police cracked the case within 24 hours. — TNS