09032026-LT-01.qxd 3/9/2026 12:23 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune 2 SNATCHERS HELD, 8 MOBILES, JEWELLERY RECOVERED: COPS SYSTEMIC REFORMS MUST TO ENSURE LASTING CHANGE CELEBS ATTEND PRE-WEDDING EVENT OF KOMAL NAHTA'S SON Police arrested two members of a gang of snatchers that was involved in robbing passengers of auto-rickshaws. P2 Locals say authorities, community must work together to mitigate the waste crisis plaguing the city. P3 The pre-wedding event of film trade analyst Komal Nahta’s son turned into a star-studded evening in Mumbai. P4 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 33°C | MIN 16°C YESTERDAY MAX 32°C | MIN 16°C SUNSET MONDAY 6.30 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:45 AM MONDAY | 9 MARCH 2026 | LUDHIANA Mahesh Sharma Ludhiana, March 8 The Punjab State Commission for Women has directed Ludhiana Police Commissionerate to investigate a viral video in which senior advocate and former councillor Harish Rai Dhanda utters disrespectful remarks about women. Panel asks for report by tomorrow; Dhanda refutes charges The investigation is to be conducted by an officer not below rank of an SP and the report on findings to be submitted by Tuesday. Advocate Harish Rai Dhanda said he had high respect for women and was ready to cooperate in any inquiry of investigations. He alleged that some of professional and political rivals were trying to malign his image by misguiding the Commission. “It is not suo moto action but a motivated and allegedly implanted by my rivals,” said Dhanda. Perusal of letter addressed to Commissioner of Police revealed that the Punjab State Commission for Women had taken a serious cognisance of a video clip going viral on social media in which a senior advocate and former legislator from Ludhiana Harish Rai Dhanda is seen uttering alleged disrespectful words about the esteem of the women. “It has been observed from the viral video and complaints that Advocate Harish Rai Dhanda used disrespectful language about women. Under the Punjab State Commission for Women Act 2001, we take suo motu notice and direct immediate SP-level investigation. Submit action-taken report by email by Tuesday,” it concluded. Women rejoice ~1K monthly cash scheme on dhol beats Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 8 Across Ludhiana, International Women’s Day was marked in an unusual way this year as giant LED screens outside the houses of local MLAs drew large crowds of women eager to watch the state Budget live. The atmosphere turned festive as women gathered in strength, clapping, showering flowers and dancing to the beat of dhol. The day became historic when Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, presenting the 2026–27 budget in the Vidhan Sabha, dedicated it to the women of Punjab. The highlight was the launch of the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana, under which all adult women will receive Rs 1,000 per month, while Dalit women will get Rs 1,500. Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond’s wife, Kamaljit Kaur Sond, who joined the celebrations in Khanna, called it “a proud moment in Punjab’s history.” At MLA Madan Lal Bagga’s residence in Ludhiana, dozens of women gathered to witness the announcements. Bagga said, “The Rs 1,000 monthly assistance will prove truly beneficial. It will give women financial confidence and dignity in their everyday lives.” While women-centric announcements dominated, Ludhiana—the state’s industrial capital—emerged as a major beneficiary of development funds. The Municipal Development Fund has quadrupled to Rs 1,000 crore, with Rs 500 PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Ex-councillor lands in trouble over ‘disrespectful’ remarks on women Give women ~60K for full 5 years: Bittu Ludhiana, March 8 Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu held a press conference at the district BJP office in Ludhiana today, questioning the Punjab government’s Budget announcement of Rs 1,000 monthly for women. Bittu alleged the Aam Aadmi Party government’s latetenure promise is a fraud. He demanded Rs 60,000 per woman for the full five years, while questioning other announcements and expressing concern over the state’s fiscal health. Commenting on Ludhiana MP and Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Bittu said people no longer invite him to their homes. He asked how much development has occurred in recent years.— TNS Biker’s stunts endanger lives on Ferozepur Road Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 8 A video from Ludhiana shows a blatant traffic violation, with a young man performing dangerous stunts atop a moving motorcycle on Ferozepur Road. Recorded late at night on the elevated bridge, it captures him standing upright on a Bullet bike. Wearing trousers and a Tshirt, the man spreads both arms wide as bystanders film his antics. The motorcycle speeds along, endangering his life and other road users. Fearless and helmetless, he shows no concern for potential accidents. Ferozepur Road—one of Ludhiana’s busiest—has seen rising fatal crashes in recent months, yet such reckless stunts persist, A video grab of the rider standing on a moving bike. flouting law and order. Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma, noting the video, vowed legal action against the youth. “We have zero tolerance for those violating traffic norms with impunity,” he said. Women celebrate the announcement of Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana. crore earmarked for the Punjab Municipal Services Improvement Project (PMSIP) to secure longterm water needs in Ludhiana and Amritsar. MLA Ashok Prashar hailed this as “a landmark step in urban renewal.” “A Rs 250 crore water supply project was announced today to upgrade the city’s ageing network, ensuring 24-hour clean water even in longshortage areas and stabilising falling groundwater levels,” said Mayor Inderjeet Kaur. Healthcare also received a boost. The budget allocates Rs 2,000 crore for the Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana, offering free health insurance up to Rs 10 lakh for 65 lakh families, plus more Aam Aadmi Clinics, specialist and nurse recruitment. Residents welcomed the move, with homemaker Rajinder Kaur calling it “a huge relief for middle-class families,” while doctors noted that grassroots clinics would ease the burden on tertiary hospitals. A bundle of lies: Congress Former District Congress Committee (Ludhiana Urban) president and ex-Chairman of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board, Pawan Dewan, termed the budget “one of the worst ever” in the state’s history. He called it “disappointing, disheartening and disillusioning”—a “bundle of lies” to deceive Punjabis. “For four years, this government denied the promise. With elections under a year away, it suddenly remembers. Had it been serious, it would clear arrears from the past four years.” He added that Punjab’s women are intelligent enough to see through this “politically motivated” move. Dr Arun Mitra, President of the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) and Dr Inderveer Singh Gill, member Central council of the IDPD questioned the Punjab government’s priorities, noting that only Rs 6,879 crore has been set aside for health out of the total Rs 2,60,437 crore budget. This comes to only 2.6% of the Budget. To meet the health care needs of the state at least 6% of the total budget is required towards health. They said the allocation is insufficient to meet the health needs of Punjab. Congress councillor from ward 26, Gaurav Batti, wrote to MLA East Constituency Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal, requesting Rs 48,000 per woman for the last 48 months from his personal account. “During the 2022 elections, you promised Rs 1,000 monthly, but the scheme starts after four years. Please give women of Ludhiana East their due Rs 48,000. If the government won’t release past amounts, do so personally.” Today, the state meeting of Bhartiya Kissan Union (Kadian) was held and president of the union stated that before coming to power, the AAP government used to talk about giving MSP on every crop, but in today’s Budget session, no such mention was made. It lacks proposals for food processing industries nor was any special allocation made for dairy farming, he added. Close relative of key accused 2 firm directors held in Baddowal firing case booked in ~5-cr Mahesh Sharma Ludhiana, March 8 The police have arrested Kulwinder Singh Kinda, a close relative of prime accused Mohabbat Randhawa, from Tharike village in Amritsar. The arrest was made in connection with the January 10 Baddowal luxury car showroom firing. While confirming the arrest, the police withheld details of Kinda’s disclosures. It brings them closer to Randhawa, whose name appeared, alongside gangster Pawan Shaukeen’s, on a Rs 2 crore extortion money slip left by miscreants who opened fire at a showroom. Randhawa, an alleged gangster linked to the Davinder Bambiha gang, operates across Punjab. Kinda is 29th arrest made in the case in which two motorcyclists had opened fire on a Luxury Car Showroom at Baddowal on January 10, 2026 and left a slip demanding extortion money in the name of Randhawa and Pawan Shaukeen. The arrested suspects included those who had provided shelter to the main accused. High-profile arrests include Kaushal Chaudhary and associate Amit Dagar. Chaudhari’s broken his legs when he tried to escape custody by jumping over a wall and Amit Dagar got a fracture when the vehicle carrying him for medical examination overturned on the return journey to the police station. SHO Dakha Kuljinder Singh confirmed that Kinda was identified on the basis of human and digital investigations conducted earlier. Though Singh did not divulge details, he acknowledged that he is a close relative of accused Randhawa. loan fraud Ludhiana, March 8 The police have launched a probe into a Rs 5 crore financial fraud, where directors of a finance firm duped another by securing loans with fake documents. A case under Sections 318(4), 336(3), 340(2), 316 and 61 of the BNS was registered on Saturday at Division Number 5 Police Station against Ajit Singh Chawla and Sumel Chawla, directors of Up Money Limited, Ludhiana. Investigation officer Kuldeep Kumar said police verified allegations by complainant Rajesh Gupta, director of Usha Financial Services Limited, who claimed the suspects used bogus papers. Gupta discovered the fraud when the accused failed to repay loans per schedule. He complained to the CP who ordered Division Number 5 officials to investigate. — TNS Mother of three conquers World Marathon Majors Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Fans wave the Tricolour to celebrate team India’s victory against New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final, in Ludhiana on Sunday. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Elated residents throng streets as India retain T20 WC Anil Datt LUDHIANA, MARCH 8 Celebrations erupted across Ludhiana on Sunday as India crushed New Zealand by 96 runs in the ICC T20 World Cup final—piling up 255 for 5 before restricting the Kiwis to 159—to retain the title and thrill cricket fans citywide. Fans gathered around televisions and mobiles for the high-voltage clash. Cheers exploded as India seized control, with streets filling the moment victory was sealed. Jubilant crowds poured out, bursting firecrackers, waving Tricolours and chanting for the team. Giant LED screens and projectors lit up residential colonies and markets like Kipps in Sarabha Nagar, Fountain Chowk, BRS Nagar, Model Town and near Dairy Com- plex on Hambran Road. Residents said communal viewing recreated stadium fever. Youngsters from nearby Machhiwara thronged Kipps Market for the big-screen thrill. “We’ll head home after India wins,” they declared. Enthusiasts stayed glued through the tense finale, anticipation peaking ball by ball. Victory unleashed roars from homes, restaurants and clubs, as motorbike and car cavalcades honked, flags flew and fireworks blazed. Groups danced to drums and patriotic tunes, sharing sweets in festive joy. Local fans hailed it a national proud moment, praising the team’s determination, discipline and teamwork. “A thrilling final—the whole country backed them. World Cup glory makes every Indi- c m y b an proud,” said one celebrating with friends. Coaches and academy members congratulated the side, noting such wins spur Punjab’s youth to chase international dreams with renewed dedication. Revelry stretched late, as residents replayed highlights and savoured India’s triumph—a joyous night for Ludhiana’s cricket fans. Ludhiana, March 8 As women worldwide celebrate International Women’s Day, Ludhiana’s Sameera Auluck has completed the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors, securing all six stars and the coveted medal after racing in London, Berlin, Chicago, New York, Boston and most recently, Tokyo. Sharing her experience on Women’s Day, Sameera said the sky is the limit for women. A fashion designer, ultra cyclist, amateur runner and mother of three teenagers, she began her endurance journey with long-distance cycling, completing 200 km, 300 km, 400 km and 600 km brevet rides to earn the Super Randonneur title from Audax Club Parisien (ACP). In December 2020, she accomplished her dream ultra ride, G2G (Gate to Gate), cycling 1,460 km from India Gate in New Delhi to Gateway of India in Mumbai over five nights and six days— nearly 280 km daily. “After a year-long cycling sabbatical, I discovered running in 2021, which became a deep passion,” she said. Sameera won gold at the Tuffman Goa Beach Half Marathon (December 2021) and Tuffman Kasauli Hills Half Marathon (April 2022), and ran in Ludhiana 10K Run (November 2022) and Tata Mumbai Marathon (January 2023). Her World Marathon Majors journey includes: Berlin (September 2023), London (April 21, 2024), Chicago (October 13, 2024), New York (November 3, 2024), Boston (April 21, 2025) and Tokyo (March 1, 2026). Sameera called her Tokyo finish—a proud moment among elite participants—a testament to women’s strength, achievable with commitment and family support. Back in Ludhiana, she added: “This journey isn’t just medals or miles—it’s resilience, balance and showing up every day.”