14102025-JTR-01.qxd 10/13/2025 10:56 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune SONALIKA GROUP DONATES 12 AMBULANCES TO HEALTH SYSTEM K’THALA TEACHER BAGS STATE AWARD FOR SCHOOL REFORMS As part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, Sonalika Group donated 12 ambulances to Punjab Health System. P2 RISHAB ON CRAFTING UNIVERSAL APPEAL OF KANTARA: CHAPTER 1 Gurmukh Singh was selected for the State Teacher Award for his efforts to enhance student well-being.P3 » Kantara: Chapter 1 delves into themes of faith and spirituality, drawing deeply from the folklore of Karnataka. P4 » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 30°C | MIN 19°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 18°C SUNSET TUESDAY 5.57 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6.30 AM » TUESDAY | 14 OCTOBER 2025 | JALANDHAR Army officer alleges assault by advocate on court premises HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Man attacks son after argument Our Correspondent Phagwara, October 13 A 26-year-old man, identified as Ramandeep, was reportedly attacked and injured with a sharp weapon by his father, Bhupinder Lal, at Khalwara Colony, near Suvidha Centre, in Phagwara on Sunday evening. According to the police, the incident occurred following a minor argument between father and son duo, which quickly escalated into violence. Despite sustaining injuries, Ramandeep managed to reach the local Civil Hospital on his own for medical assistance. Doctors attending to him said his condition was stable and he was out of danger. The police have initiated an investigation into the matter and are trying to ascertain the exact circumstances that led to the incident. Two arrested for assaulting woman Our Correspondent Phagwara, October 13 The police have arrested two women on the charge of assaulting another woman. Investigating officer (IO) Amrik Lal said the accused were identified as Savina and Sveeti, both residents of Swami Nagar, Mehatpur. Gurjit Kaur, a resident of Swami Nagar, Mehatpur, had complained to the police that the accused had assaulted her on October 3. The IO said a case was registered against the accused in this connection. Travel agent booked for duping villager of ~7.25 lakh Our Correspondent Phagwara, October 13 The Lohian Khas police have booked a travel agent for allegedly duping a villager of Rs 7.25 lakh on the pretext of sending his son abroad. Shahkot Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Onkar Singh Brar said the accused was identified as Mohindar Singh, a resident of Thalla village. Surjit Singh, a resident on Ward No. 11, Lohian Khas, complained to Jalandhar (Rural) Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) that he had paid Rs 7.25 lakh to the accused for facilitating his son’s migration to Cyprus. However, he neither sent his son abroad nor returned the money. The DSP said a case was registered against the accused after an inquiry into the matter. A garbage dumping site at Urban Estate, Phase 2, Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTO Lok Adalat instructs MC to properly manage garbage collection point Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 13 A Permanent Lok Adalat has passed an order directing the Municipal Corporation (MC), Jalandhar, to ensure that the garbage collection point near Urban Estate Phase-II petrol pump is properly managed in compliance with the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The petition was filed by the Urban Estate Welfare Society. During the hearing, the Municipal Corporation, through its Health Officer Dr Shri Krishan, had assured that the site was only a temporary transfer station and not a permanent dump, and all waste would be transported daily to the Wariana dumping site. The case was represented by advocate JP Singh. The Bench comprising Jagdeep Singh Marok (Chairman), Sushma Handoo, and DK Sharma (both members) recorded this assurance as binding on the corporation. The decision marks a positive step towards safeguarding the public health and maintaining environmental standards in Urban Estate. The residents in their peti- tion had sought removal of the unauthorised garbage dumping site. The petition, filed under Section 22B of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, had pointed out that though the site had never been designated for the waste disposal under any master plan or municipal notification, yet it continued to be used as a dumping ground in violation of the law. The residents highlighted grave risks arising from the dump because of its location. “The dump is located opposite a busy market and hospitals and emanates foul smell and spreads contamination and disease. It falls adjacent to a petrol pump and 132 KV PSTCL Sub-Station, posing risks of fire and explosion. The dump also obstructs a 60feet road and is dangerously close to the railway line and religious places.” The residents demanded that the practice of dumping waste at the site be immediately stopped. They also demanded that the garbage be shifted to a designated and scientifically managed disposal facility. Besides, they sought cleaning, fumigating and sanitising of the affected area. Jalandhar, October 13 An Army officer has alleged an assault on him by a Jalandhar-based lawyer in a district court during the proceedings of an ongoing case. A complaint regarding this has been submitted by the officer to Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The complainant, Lt-Col Ramandeep Singh, alleged that on October 8, 2025 (at approximately 1630 hours), while he was submitting an application in the court for an expeditious trial in an ongoing case, Advocate Sanjeev Bansal, “physically intercepted and interjected”. The complainant alleged that when objected to, the advocate allegedly “violently held him (Lt-Col Ramandeep Singh) by the neck and attempted to strangulate him in full public view”. The complainant also alleged that immediately thereafter, the advocate’s son, Anuj Bansal, also joined his father in the assault, grabbing the complainant by the collar and further strangulating him, causing visible abrasions on the neck and chest. In his complaint, False complaint, says advocate Lt-Col Ramandeep Singh alleged that the assault occurred in the immediate view of the Presiding officer, Ram Pal, Judicial Magistrate, First Class. The copy of the complaint has been marked to Nirbhow Singh Gill, District and Sessions Judge, Jalandhar; Dr Sushil Bodh, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Jalandhar; the Bar Council of India, Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana and the Bar Association of Jalandhar. The Army officer has sought initiation of a high-level judicial inquiry into the incident by the Chief Justice and directions ensuring safety of litigants, particularly serving defence personnel under trial. The lawyer against whom the complaint has been filed in turn termed it false and denied any assault. Notably, Lt Col Ramandeep Singh is presently facing trial (Case No. CHI/742/2022) in a dowry case — filed by his wife Rashim Mahajan, at Delhi Cantt police station. Subsequently, another FIR under Sections 498-A and 406 of the IPC was registered against the complainant in September 2021 at the Women’s Cell police station, Jalandhar. In his complaint, the LtCol alleged that the incident was “an act of grave professional misconduct and physical assault perpetrated by advocates Sanjeev Bansal and Anuj Bansal inside the courtroom of the Judicial Magistrate Ram Pal”. Speaking to The Tribune, advocate Sanjeev Bansal said, “The officer in question is in a dispute with his wife. He doesn’t want me to represent her. Several litigations against him are pending in Jalandhar, I’m representing all of which. Annoyed at this, he has been creating ugly scenes.” Bansal further said, “He also filed a false complaint against me a month ago to the state bar council - for which I furnished a reply and it was dismissed. In the October 8 complaint issue, it was he (Ramandeep) who crossed over to the lawyer's dais and used abusive language against me. I ignored him. But later, he threatened me again. His complaint is absolutely false.” IPS officer Y Puran Kumar’s suicide Bar chief alleges threats of being implicated in false case Cong holds candle march, seeks action against accused Our Correspondent Hoshiarpur, October 13 It has been alleged that development works have been stalled in some villages of the Dasuya Assembly constituency for the past one year due to political bias. Advocate PS Ghuman, president, District Bar Association, levelled this allegation during a press conference here today, stating that his wife was elected sarpanch for the second time from Khairabad, his village. He alleged that development works in the village were obstructed because they belong to the Congress. He said when they demanded to start development works in their village, which was denied and threats were issued to them. Ghuman alleged that a false complaint was filed against him on the name of a NREGA employee under political pressure and he was threatened that an FIR would be registered against him for obstructing government works. Ghuman filed a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner (DC) demanding action against the police station in-charge and the BDPO in this connection. Ghuman said the DC ordered an investigation into the matter. Meanwhile, the Bar Association of Hoshiarpur, Dasuya and Mukerian and the village residents and panchayat have come in full support of Ghuman. Ex-MP Rinku writes to Amit Shah, seeks quick and impartial inquiry by a central agency Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 13 The District Congress Committees (urban and rural) held a candle march to protest against suicide of senior IPS officer and ADGP Y Puran Kumar in Haryana. Congress leaders attending the march alleged that the officer, a member of the Dalit community, was harassed by the system, which forced him to take the extreme step. MLAs Hardev S Laddi Sherowalia, Sukhwinder Kotli, Vikramijit Singh Chaudhary, ex-MLA Rajinder Beri and Surinder Chaudhary, halqa in-charges Rajinder Singh and Dr Navjot District Congress Committee members hold a candle march in Jalandhar to protest against suicide by IPS officer in Haryana. Singh Dahiya sought action against officers who allegedly harassed the senior IPS officer, forcing him to commit suicide. They demanded that the officer’s family should get justice. They also called for a thorough investigation into the matter, and action against those responsible. Meanwhile, BJP leader and former MP Sushil Rinku on Monday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah calling for an urgent intervention, impartial investigation and strict action against the accused in the ADGP’s suicide case. Rinku stated in his letter: “This heart-wrenching event has not only shaken Punjab, but has also deeply impacted the entire Dalit community across the nation. In view of the sensitive and grave nature of this matter, I earnestly request that the Ministry of Home Affairs to order a time-bound and transparent investigation to be conducted by an independent, impartial and high-level central agency or under the supervision of a sitting/retired High Court Judge.” Meanwhile, leaders and members of the Phagwara unit of the Congress gathered at Dr BR Ambedkar Park in Hargobind Nagar yesterday to express their resentment and grief over the tragic suicide of IPS officer. The protest, which was led by Phagwara MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, drew a significant number of party workers and supporters. Carrying lighted candles in their hands, the participants raised slogans condemning the incident and held the authorities accountable. Avik to represent India at Asian Youth Games in Bahrain Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 13 In an achievement for Indian equestrian sports, Avik Bhatia has been selected to represent India in show jumping at the prestigious Asian Youth Games (AYG) 2025, scheduled to be held in Bahrain. This is for the first time that a rider from Punjab will don national colours in equestrian show-jumping event at the Asian Youth Games. Seventeen-year-old Avik topped the national merit list following an exceptional season, earning his place in the Indian team. With more than 40 medals won across international, national and regional show-jumping competitions during 2024–25, Avik firmly established himself as one of the brightest young talents in Indian equestrian sport. For the past three years, he has been declared as the best rider in Delhi Horse Show. Avik Bhatia has been selected for the show-jumping event at the Asian Youth Games scheduled to be held in Bahrain. TRIBUNE PHOTO He has also been upgraded from the children’s to young rider’s category. Avik started participating in equestrian sports at the age of seven. His father Naveen Bhatia is the regional head of Fortis Healthcare Ltd. Originally from Balachaur, Nawanshahr, Naveen told The Tribune, “We are a family of animal lovers. Avik nat- c m y b urally inherited this trait.” The champion spent the first four years of his life in Nawanshahr before the family relocated to Gurgaon following Naveen’s job transfer. Avik will be competing aboard with his seven-yearold BB’s NirBhau (Nathan), a horse noted for its agility and strong competitive temperament. This is not his first stint representing India. He was a part of the Indian children’s team in 2022 and went on to win an individual bronze medal at the Asian Equestrian Federation Cup (Youth), further highlighting his international pedigree. Sharing the story of buying his son’s first warmblood horse, Naveen recalled, “He was winning every state-level competition and kept asking me to get him a warmblood. I told him, Do well in your first national-level competition, and we’ll buy a horse. I said that knowing it will be a real challenge. It was his first time at that level, and the competition was tough. But Avik went out there and won. That’s how he earned his first horse,” the proud father said with a smile. “Avik trains in the Netherlands. He also trains horses himself,” he said. Speaking to The Tribune, Naveen highlighted several challenges, noting that Avik was currently a Class XII student and had to balance his studies alongside his training. “In show jumping, it’s not just about the rider — the horse’s fitness is equally important. Ensuring that both the rider and horse remain fit and injury-free is crucial,” he shared. With Avki’s selection for the AYG 2025, expectations are high. The equestrian community and sports enthusiasts across the nation are hopeful that Avik would bring laurels to India. Food Safety Department officials collect samples in Nawanshahr. 40 food samples collected fromNawanshahreateries Nawanshahr, October 13 In view of the upcoming festive season and the anticipated surge in the demand for food items, the Food Safety Department has intensified its inspection drive across the district. Forty samples of various food items, including cakes, pastries, loose spices, milk and milk-based products, silver foil (chandi warq), khoya (milk solids), and desi ghee-based sweets, were collected during the drive. Assistant Commissioner (Food) Harpreet Kaur said under this campaign, the main objective was to curb adulteration and ensure that only safe and quality food items reach the public during the festive season. She said, “All food business operators have been strictly instructed to maintain high standards of hygiene and to use only quality raw materials in preparation of food.” — TNS