14072025-LT-01.qxd 7/13/2025 10:51 PM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune DIST SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP BEGINS AT PAU POOL SADIA KHATEEB BREAKS THE MOULD WITH HER BOLDEST ROLE FILM KUBERAA SET FOR OTT DEBUT ON JULY 18 Swimmers representing different units shared honours on opening day of Ludhiana District Swimming Championship. P2 After success of The Diplomat, Sadia Khateeb steps into her most intense role in upcoming action-drama Silaa. P4 Actor Dhanush’s film Kuberaa is set to premiere on Prime Video on July 18 following its theatrical release last month. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 33°C | MIN 29°C YESTERDAY MAX 32°C | MIN 28°C SUNSET MONDAY 7.31 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 5:33 AM MONDAY | 14 JULY 2025 | LUDHIANA Police crack brutal murder case of ex-SAD MP’s personal assistant | Main accused detained in Jammu Illicit relations allegedly cause of murder Cybercrime Police Station SHO Inspector Satbir Singh gives information about the arrest of cyber fraud accused in Ludhiana. Nikhil Bhardwaj Man who duped city-based industrialist of ~86L held Ludhiana, July 13 The Ludhiana Police Commissionerate has reportedly cracked the case of the brutal murder of an elderly man Kuldeep Singh (65) who remained personal assistant (PA) to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) former Member of Parliament Jagdev Singh Talwandi. Police sources confirmed that illicit relationship of the deceased had allegedly led to his murder. A senior police official requesting anonymity confirmed to The Tribune on Sunday that the Accused brought from West Bengal Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 13 The Cybercrime Police Station of the city claims to have arrested an accused from West Bengal, who committed a cyber-fraud of Rs 86 lakh with a Ludhiana-based businessman, in 2024. A cyber team visited West Bengal after getting tip-off about location of the accused and arrested him. Giving details, cybercrime in-charge Inspector Satbir Singh stated that after the arrest, the accused was presented in a court which sent him to two-day police remand. Inspector believed that during questioning, the accused may divulge many important details. This incident took place in December 2024. According to the complaint, the scamster contacted the accountant, Amit Salariya, through WhatsApp, claiming to be the director, Shrenik Jain, a well known industrialist from the town. He had set up a WhatsApp profile with Jain’s photo, making Amit believe he was talking to his boss. He instructed Amit to transfer Rs 86 lakh to a bank Second accused held in massive GST invoice fraud case Tribune News Service account with regard to a new project. Amit, unaware of the scam, transferred the money. A short while later, when Shrenik spoke with Amit, both were shocked to realise what had happened. During their conversation, it became clear that a cybercriminal had defrauded them of Rs 86 lakh. Acting on the matter, the cybercrime police station immediately registered an FIR in this connection. Inspector Singh said the initial investigation revealed that the perpetrator had opened a fake account to commit the crime, using forged documents to activate it. The cyber team continued its investigation into the matter and eventually, a police party managed to arrest the main accused in the case. Inspector Singh stated that the police traced the accused through technical investigation and took him into custody from West Bengal. The police also recovered over Rs 21.5 lakh from the accused. Further investigation into the matter was in progress, and it was likely that more defrauded money could be recovered from the accused, Inspector Singh said. Tribune News Service main accused, who along with his men killed Kuldeep, had been hiding somewhere in Jammu. After getting tip-off about the whereabouts of the accused, the Jammu Police were given intimation in this regard. A team of the Ludhiana police, was immediately dispatched to Jammu and in a coordinated operation, the accused was taken into custody. Initially the case appeared to be blind, but during investigation, one Inderpal Singh from Doraha, a person known to the deceased, was booked as he had hired a taxi which was used by the assailants to Kuldeep Singh commit murder. A senior police official said, “The key conspirator, who mobilised assailants to commit murder of Kuldeep, was found to be close to family member of the deceased. We have identified the family member who is yet to be arrested in the case. So far, we have taken custody of the key assailant from Jammu and his further questioning will help the police in knowing whereabouts of the other accused.” The police official further said, “The police will probe if the key conspirator had given any money to assailants to commit murder. Further investigation will also expose how the murder was planned by the conspirator as the police will divulge complete information to the media in a day or two.” Notably on June 27 night, Kuldeep Singh was brutally Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 13 The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a stay order against illegal constructions, and formed a committee to verify encroachments along Ludhiana’s polluted stream Buddha Nullah. The order came after the public action committee (PAC) filed a petition pertaining to narrowing of Buddha Nullah amid ongoing constructions within the width of the stream bed. Er Kapil Arora and Kuldeep Singh Khaira, who appeared through video conferencing before the Bench, said they had written to Principal Secretary of the Water Resources Department, Municipal Corporation Ludhiana (MCL), the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and other departments concerned to stop narrowing of natural water body as it would lead to floods in adjoining localities and also damage the ecology of Buddha Nullah. “Further, such offending construction will result into overflow of toxic effluents (mixture of industrial chemicals and sewage) of Buddha Nullah in adjoining colonies which may result in spread of deadly diseases like cholera, typhoid, malaria etc,” said Kapil Arora, the PAC member. “However, the MCL continued to construct RCC City’s cycle industry gears up for production after ~20L tender boost Workers at a cycle-manufacturing factory in Ludhiana. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 13 The city’s iconic cycle industry is riding high after receiving fresh tenders worth Rs 20 lakh from other states, sparking optimism among manufacturers and suppliers. The orders, primarily for school distribution schemes, have revived production lines and morale across Ludhiana’s industrial belt. Cycle tenders floated by various state governments across India have emerged as a lifeline for Ludhiana’s cycle industry, which has long been battling sluggish demand and rising competition from imports. Confirming the development, Avon Cycles Chairman and MD Onkar Singh Pahwa said, “Who else apart from Ludhiana can get cycle tenders? Ludhiana got tenders and is in upbeat mood — production is in progress.” However, industry veterans Ludhiana, July 13 The Khanna police claims to have nabbed a smuggler and recovered 100 gram heroin from his possession. The arrested accused was identified as Rishipal Singh, a resident of Zirakpur in Mohali district. Investigating officer SubInspector Nitish Chaudhary said the police received a secret information that Rishipal was into drug smuggling trade. A police party immediately conducted a raid and nabbed the accused along with drug, he said. A case was registered under the NDPS Act against the accused, he said. The accused would be further questioned so that the entire drug supply line could be busted, Chaudhary said — TNS National Green Tribunal stays illegal construction on Buddha Nullah Forms panel to verify encroachments along water body The order came after the public action committee filed a petition pertaining to narrowing of the Buddha Nullah. have expressed concern over the lack of similar initiatives within Punjab. DS Chawla, past president of the United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association (UCPMA), recalled, “A few years ago, during the Akali government, cycles were distributed among girl students. But that scheme has nearly come to a halt. While other states continue to place orders, Punjab has not issued any such tenders recently.” States like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have consistently issued large-scale tenders for bicycles to be distributed free among school students under welfare schemes — injecting fresh momentum into the city’s manufacturing units. Industry insiders estimate that out of the two to two-andhalf-crore cycles produced annually, nearly 40 to 60 lakh cycles are supplied through these government tenders. Whenever such tenders are announced, Ludhiana’s cycle manufacturers — ranging from major players to small component makers — witness a surge in orders, production and employment. “Despite being home to India’s largest cycle manufacturing cluster, Punjab’s contribution to this tender-driven revival remains disproportionately low. The Punjab Government has not floated significant cycle tenders in recent years, missing an opportunity to support its own industrial base and promote student mobility,” said Lakhbir Singh, a cycle part manufacturer. Industry experts have urged the Punjab Government to consider launching its own bicycle distribution schemes, especially for rural and underprivileged students. Such initiatives could not only improve access to education, but also strengthen the state’s manufacturing sector, they said. c m y b by 40 per cent. Keeping in view of the irresponsible behaviour of the MCL, we moved the NGT immediately,” PAC members said. Er Jaskirat Singh, Dr Amandeep Singh Bains and Gurpreet Singh said the Principal Secretary of Water Resources Department, who is custodian of the Buddha Nullah, failed to prevent encroachments at initial stage resulting into sheer wastage of crores of public money spent on such illegal construction. If the department had acted responsibly, such project with major environmental violations would have not started, they said. PAC members said after hearing the plea, the Bench directed formation of the joint committee comprising representatives of various departments concerned and also asked the District Magistrate- cum-District Collector, Ludhiana, to visit the site, ascertain the correctness of the allegation made and find out nature of constructions being raised in Buddha Nullah and its effect on flow in the water body and its ecology and submit a report within eight weeks. Ludhiana District Magistrate would also ensure that no illegal constructions take place in or near the water body, the Bench stated. The next hearing on the issue is on October 14 this year. (reinforced cement concrete) wall on the bed of nul- lah resulting in decrease of bed width at various points Mayor tells officials to expedite pending development works Travel agent cheats youth of Gambling racket being run from ~25 lakh on promise of permanent residence in Canada factory busted Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 13 In a significant development following the arrest on July 8, in connection with a multicrore GST invoice fraud, the Anti-Evasion Wing of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Ludhiana Commissionerate apprehended another key accused on July 11. The individual is alleged to be the controller and operator of two fake firms and played a pivotal role in issuing bogus GST invoices and facilitating fraudulent refunds, resulting in substantial losses to the exchequer. Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate was operating multiple shell companies, collectively issuing fake GST invoices involving a taxable value of Rs 1,786 crore. The network allegedly passed on fraudulent Input Tax Credit (ITC) worth approximately Rs 180 crore without the actual supply of goods or services. These credits were then used to claim GST refunds under the inverted duty structure. One firm within the network had reportedly availed a GST refund of Rs 8.74 crore by claiming ITC from nonexistent suppliers. The operator of this firm was arrested earlier on July 8. With two arrests made so far, investigations are underway to unearth the full scale of the fraud and identify additional entities involved in the nexus. assaulted with swords after dragging him out of the car on Missing Link-2 near the Dhandra road. Video of the gruesome murder had also gone viral on social media. When contacted Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Karanveer Singh said among the five accused identified so far in the murder case, the key accused was arrested from Jammu on Sunday. A family member of the deceased was found to be the key conspirator in the case, he said. The police would divulge other details about the case on Monday, the ADCP said. Zirakpur man arrested with 100 gm heroin Ludhiana, July 13 With an aim to give a push to development works, Mayor Inderjit Kaur held a meeting with civic body officials at the Municipal Corporation (MC) Zone D office in Sarabha Nagar today. She issued strict directions to officials to expedite pending development works. Officials were instructed to tighten the noose around contractors delaying development works. They were asked to ensure that pending works were completed within stipulated time period and there was no compromise with the quality of works. Senior civic body officials, including MC Additional Commissioner Paramdeep Singh, Superintending Engineers Parveen Singla, Rahul Gagneja, Ranjit Singh and Sham Lal Gupta, along with executive engineers, SDOs and JEs, attended the meeting. Mayor also directed officials concerned to ensure that no manhole was left uncovered and wherever required, these be repaired/replaced at the earliest. Further officials were told that road gullies were cleaned on a regular basis. Mayor said pending road construction projects should be initiated as soon as weather conditions were favourable. She further told officials that public parks across the city should be properly maintained. Ludhiana, July 13 A resident from Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar (BRS )Nagar was defrauded of Rs 25 lakh by a Mohali-based travel agent who lured him with the false promise of securing permanent residence (PR) in Canada. The accused failed to arrange any visa for the complainant and also did not return his money. The victim fell prey to the fraud tempted by attractive assurances. In this case, the Sarabha Nagar police yesterday registered a case of fraud against agent Sanjay Sharma, the owner of — Saksham Induchand Management — in Mohali, based on a complaint filed by Yuvraj Singh, a resident of Ludhiana. The complainant in his complaint to the police stated that after completing his studies in 2022, he planned to pursue further education abroad. While searching for a good travel agent, a friend of his uncle identified as Sanjay Sharma visited their home and claimed to run a travel agency in Mohali. Sharma advised the family to send the boy to Canada not on a student visa, but through permanent residence, stating that although it would cost more, he would permanently settle in Canada. With such enticing promises, the agent convinced his family, the complainant said. Yuvraj alleged that the deal for the Canadian permanent residence was struck at Rs 30 lakh. He gave some money to Sanjay Sharma in March 2022, and by May 2022, he had handed over Rs 25 lakh to the accused. However, when they later asked for updates or proof regarding the PR process, Sharma said that another travel agent in Delhi was demanding more money and he continued to demand more amount from the complainant’s family. When his family insisted the agent to return money, the accused initially agreed. Yuvraj claimed that despite months of waiting, the accused kept making excuses and eventually stopped answering their calls. Frustrated and hopeless having lost Rs 25 lakh, Singh submitted a written complaint to senior police officials. After several months of investigation, senior police officials instructed the Sarabha Nagar police to register a case against the travel agent. “I have lost a huge sum. Now, I have returned to work in my family’s traditional farming business. I hope that the law will help me recover the lost amount,” said complainant Yuvraj. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 13 The police claimed to have busted a gambling racket which was running at a factory in Ashok Nagar, Salem Tabri. During raid, the police arrested 10 persons redhanded from the spot and recovered Rs 1.48 lakh in cash and several currency tokens from them. The arrested accused were identified as Nakul Garg, Gaurav Dang, Naveen Negi, Yogesh Kumar, Balpreet Singh, Vinay, Sunil Kumar, Kewal Krishan, Prabhdeep Singh and Rajwinder Singh. Investigating Officer ASI Nirmal Singh said on July 12, the police had received secret information that several people were gambling in a factory — Munish Knitwears. After verifying the information, a police party immediately conducted a raid and arrested the accused redhanded while gambling at the factory. A case under the Gambling Act was registered against the accused and further investigation was initiated into the case. As per the police, Nakul Garg was the key person who was running this racket.