24082025-LT-01.qxd 8/24/2025 12:56 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune LUDHIANA-I ZONE BOYS TRIUMPH IN BADMINTON COMEDY IS CATHARTIC, SAYS VARUN GROVER NORA UNVEILS HER NEW AVATAR IN UFF YEH SIYAPAA Ludhiana-I zone boys clinched top positions in badminton during the District School Games. P2 Comedian-director Varun Grover says comedy is arena where he allows himself to be personal & vulnerable . P3 Nora’s first look from Uff Yeh Siyapaa has been unveiled. Poster presents her in a new avatar as Kamini. P3 » » » FORECAST GENERALLY CLOUDY MAX 31°C | MIN 24°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 24°C SUNSET SUNDAY 6.54 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 5:56 AM SUNDAY | 24 AUGUST 2025 | LUDHIANA 5 youths nabbed after exchangeof fire 2 held for robbing shopkeeper at Sidhwan Bet, hand grenade seized Tribune News Service Ludhiana, August 23 The Khanna police claimed to have arrested two miscreants who had looted a physically challenged shopkeeper of Rs 70,000 by barging into his shop. On August 20, three masked miscreants had looted a bag containing Rs 70,000 from the shop of the physically challenged shopkeeper, Manpreet Singh, located in Bibipur village. CCTV cameras had captured the three suspects. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Khanna, Amrit- Suspects ‘planned’ to throw grenade in Nakodar, verifying info, say police Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, August 23 Taking a major action against organised crime, the Ludhiana rural police have arrested five youths after exchange of fire at Sidhwan Bet near Jagraon on Saturday evening and seized a hand grenade (suspected to be live) and a .32 bore pistol from their possession. The preliminary questioning of the suspects disclosed that they could have used the grenade to attack some bakery in Nakodar district in Jalandhar. Police investigation was on to verify the fact. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ludhiana rural, Ankur Gupta; Superintendent of Police Harkamal Kaur, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Detective) Inderjit Singh and other police officials supervised the operation. The SSP told The Tribune that the police team had received a tip-off that five persons travelling in a black Scorpio-N (bearing registration number PB 46AM 9116) were carrying a live hand Cops during a probe near the crime scene at Sidhwan Bet in Ludhiana on Saturday. grenade and they had plans to use the same in Nakodar. The police party followed the lead and started chasing the SUV. Near Jandi village in Sidhwan Bet when police vehicles were chasing the SUV, suspects hit their vehicle with a tree. As the police officials took positions, the suspects opened fire at them and a bullet grazed through the turban of ASI Balwinder Singh from the CIA. “In their self-defence, one of our cops also fired and a bullet hit the leg of Amjid Masih. Later, the suspects tried to flee but the police overpowered them and arrested them. The injured suspect was sent to a hospital in ambulance,” the SSP said. The arrested suspects were identified as Arjun Singh, alias Taj (18), a resident of Mugal Chak Gill village; Amjid Masih, alias Benny (22), Sajan (18), both residents of Kakka Kandiala village, Tarn Taran; Balraj Singh (22), a resident of Pandori Gola village, Tarn Taran; and Manpreet Singh of Mugal Chak Gill village, Tarn Taran, (20). Man ‘harassed’ by brother-in-law dies by suicide, suspect nabbed Tribune News Service Ludhiana, August 23 A man died by suicide after being allegedly harassed by his brother-in-law. He ended his life by hanging himself from a fan at his residence in Chet Singh Nagar. The victim was taken down from the noose and rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. The suspect, Ranjit Singh, was arrested by the city police on the charge of abetment to suicide. The deceased was identified as 36-year-old Mandeep Singh. The Police Division 6 on Friday registered a case against the victim’s brotherin-law, Ranjit Singh, alias Prince, a resident of Marado Colony, on the complaint of deceased’s sister. Mandeep’s sister Kanwaljit Kaur said her brother was into the clothing business. Her brother’s divorce case with his wife Rupinder Kaur was going on in the court. During this period, his wife was staying in her parents’ house along with their children. The complainant said whenever Mandeep used to visit his in-laws’ house to meet his children, his brother-in-law Ranjit Singh did not allow him to meet the children. Instead, he used to threaten Mandeep. Once the latter was also beaten up and thrown out of the house by the suspect. Troubled by such incidents, Mandeep died by suicide by hanging himself. The deceased’s sister said Mandeep was also ready to keep his wife and children with him but at his in-laws’ house, his brother-in-law Ranjit used to misbehave with him and warned him of dire consequences if he dared to come to meet his children. He took the extreme step due to these reasons. Investigating officer ASI Omkar Singh said after receiving a complaint, the police registered a case and arrested the suspect. Later during the search of their SUV a grenade and a ille, gal weapon were recovered. The grenade was reportedly being possessed by Arjun. It was suspected to be live and a bomb disposal squad was called to verify its status, Gupta said. “Though preliminary probe has found that the suspects had plans to throw the grenade at some place in Nakodar but nothing is confirmed yet as further probe can only unveil the motive of possessing grenade. There is a possibility that the suspects might be going to deliver the grenade to some other persons in the area. Nothing could be said at this moment, the police would unearth whosoever gang was behind it and what was the motive of possessing a deadly grenade,” maintained Gupta. DSP (Detective) Inderjit Singh said it would be too early to reveal for which gang the suspects were working for. The police probe would find out the reason of possessing the grenade. So far, a case under the Arms Act and Explosives Act was registered against them and soon, the police will reveal more about the conspiracy or plans of the gang. pal Singh Bhatti, while addressing a press conference on Saturday, said the nabbed suspects were identified as Satpal Singh Satta, a resident of Bibipur in Khanna, and Manveer Singh, alias Billa, a resident of Lallon Khurd, near Khanna. Their third accomplice was also identified and raids were underway to arrest him. Even a scooter used in the crime was also seized. The incident was captured on CCTV cameras. In the footage, it was seen that the miscreants came on a Honda Activa scooter and threatened Manpreet and fled with the Person was guiding them online Police sources confirmed that the five suspects were being guided by a person through a Snapchat ID. The technical team of the police is already on the job to trace the ID. Even mobile phones seized from the suspects had also given major leads to the police about persons operating in their (suspects’) backend. Soon, the police may make major disclosures. The suspects in police custody in Khanna on Saturday. Property tax: Suvidha kendras open on weekends as August 31 deadline nears Tribune News Service Ludhiana, August 23 To facilitate residents ahead of the August 31 deadline under the one-time settlement (OTS) policy, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) has announced extended working hours, including weekends, at its zonal suvidha kendras. The kendras remained open on August 23 and will function on next Saturday too (August 30). These will also remain open on Sundays (August 24 and 31) during regular office hours to ensure maximum public convenience. MC Commissioner Aaditya Residents pay property tax at a suvidha kendra in Ludhiana. Dachalwal said the decision was taken keeping in mind the welfare of residents, as August 31, marks the last day to pay pending property tax without penalty or interest under the OTS scheme notified by the state government. Officials reiterated that property tax has to be paid annually on a self-assessment basis. Failure to do so results in a 20 per cent penalty and 18 per cent annual interest on the outstanding amount. The OTS policy offers a rare opportunity for defaulters to clear dues without financial burden. The civic body has deployed staff across all zonal offices to assist residents. On Saturday, a steady stream of citizens visited Suvidha Kendras to settle their dues. Ramesh Arora, a resident of Model Town, said: “I had been delaying the payment due to the penalty amount. The scheme is a relief. The staff here is cooperative and the process is smooth.” Harpreet Kaur, who came from Gill Road, said: “I appre- Uncovered Lodhi Club underpass turns hazardous after every rainfall Manav Mander VOICES FROM THE GROUND Tribune News Service A drain without cover near Lodhi Club underpass poses a threat to motorists and pedestrians. TRIBUNE PHOTOS: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Ludhiana, August 23 Every monsoon, the uncovered railway underpass near Lodhi Club transforms from a vital commuter link into a flooded trap, leaving vehicles stranded and residents frustrated. Damaged railings, non-functional sewerage system and lack of drain cover have turned the underpass into a safety hazard. Even a short spell of rain is enough to render the underpass impassable for hours, with stagnant water getting accumulated due to a failed drainage system and broken infrastructure. The situation has become a recurring nightmare for thousands of commuters who rely on the route daily. Residents say water takes hours to recede, often forcing people to abandon vehicles mid-route or take long detours. Despite repeated complaints over the years, the authorities concerned have failed to take concrete action. The underpass bag of cash kept on the counter. The police caught the two main suspects within 48 hours of the case being registered and further probe was on to recover the looted amount, which could be lying with the third suspect, he said. He revealed that the police remand of the suspects would be sought from court so that their involvement in past snatching incidents could be verified and more members of the gang, if any, could also be arrested. Even the arrest of the third suspect would also give vital information about the gang. ❝ It is not about water — but fear. Every time it rains, we wonder if we’ll make it through or get stuck. It isn’t only inconvenience but also negligence. — Ajitpal Singh, DAILY COMMUTER ❝ ❞ The authorities keep passing the buck. The drainage system should be improved at the earlier as the people get stuck in the mess. — Daljeet Singh, RESIDENT ❞ ❝ ❞ ❝ We’ve seen children wade through knee-deep water just to reach their school. It’s heartbreaking and dangerous. — Jaswinder Singh, SHOPKEEPER ❞ Damaged railings, non-functional sewerage system and lack of drain cover have turned the underpass into a safety hazard. Even a short spell of rain is enough to render the underpass impassable for hours, with stagnant water getting accumulated due to a failed drainage system and broken infrastructure. The situation has become a nightmare for thousands of commuters who rely on the route daily. c m y b Now, the issue has caught the attention of the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC), which has directed the MC Commissioner to probe the matter and submit a detailed report by September 24. Youth booked for raping college girl Our Correspondent Thousands suffer every monsoon. This is the first time the human rights panel has responded swiftly. But why did it take so long for someone to listen? — Arvind Sharma, ACTIVIST AND COMPLAINANT NIGHTMARE FOR COMMUTERS remains uncovered, unlike the RUB at Pakhowal Road, which has a shed to prevent water ingress. Locals argue that similar protective measures at Lodhi Club could significantly reduce waterlogging. ciate that the office is open on a weekend. For working people like me, this flexibility makes a big difference.” MC officials have urged residents to take full advantage of the scheme before the deadline. Payments could be made at Suvidha Kendras located in all zonal offices of the civic body. The MC Commissioner said: “This is a public-friendly initiative. We want every eligible resident to benefit from the scheme and avoid future penalties.” With just days left, the civic body is also ramping up awareness drives to ensure no taxpayer misses the opportunity. The complaint was filed by activist Arvind Sharma of SBS Nagar, who highlighted structural faults and public safety risks in his submission to the commission recently. The PSHRC, in its order, not- A drain with a damaged cover. ed that the drainage system had failed and broken railings posed a threat to commuters. It emphasised the need for accountability and timely action, putting pressure on the civic authorities to respond. Ludhiana, August 23 The Ludhiana (rural) police have booked a youth of Lakha village, Harjot Singh, for allegedly raping a college student on Wednesday. Though the victim had refused to accompany the suspect in his car on the fateful day, he persuaded her to sit in his car on the pretext of leaving her at the bus stop. But instead of dropping her to a bus stop, the youth took her to a hotel and raped her. “Though I had refused to accompany Harjot in his car, he reached my college at 2 pm on Wednesday and allured me to sit in the car on the pretext of helping me board a bus to my village,” the victim told the police while accusing the suspect of taking her forcibly to a hotel and raping her there.