28072026-LT-01.qxd 7/28/2026 12:37 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune THIRD ROAD CAVE-IN AT MINTGUMRI CHOWK IN A YEAR CLASS XII STUDENT DEVELOPS HEATING SUIT FOR BIKERS JYOTIRMAYEE NAYAK WINS INDIAN IDOL Commuters flag safety risks; traders in the area allege their businesses taking a hit. P2 Suit utilises heat generated by bike’s exhaust silencer to keep the rider warm during cold weather.P3 Hailing from Odisha, Jyotirmayee delivered a breathtaking performance on the song Saiyaan O Saiyaan. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 26°C SUNSET TUESDAY 7:20 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5:38 AM TUESDAY | 28 JULY 2026 | LUDHIANA Doc’s divorced daughter-in-law plotted Jagraon hospital robbery; five nabbed 16 months on, Civil Hospital runs sans regular Medicine Specialist Another woman, parents among arrested; five suspects still at large registered against Pawanpreet Kaur in different police stations of SAS Nagar. Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 27 The Ludhiana rural police claimed to have cracked the robbery that occurred on July 23 at Chopra Hospital on Raikot Road in Jagraon here. The crime was masterminded by a former daughter-in-law of the victim doctor and also orchestrated by another woman. The police now arrested a total of five suspects, including a couple and their daughter, Pawanpreet Kaur, who executed the crime. SSP Ankur Gupta said Pawanpreet Kaur, is a resident of Leela Megh Singh village. Investigation had revealed that she executed the entire robbery. According to the police probe, the complainant, Dr Vijay Chopra, had a divorced son. His former daughter-inlaw provided crucial information regarding hospital operations, cash and jewellery to Pawanpreet Kaur. Based on the information, Pawanpreet executed the robbery. The police are now taking action to arrest the complainant’s former daughter-in-law by naming her in the case. The other four suspects who were Pawanpreet did recce by posing as patient The suspects in police custody in Ludhiana on Monday. arrested are identified as Rahul Singh, Akashdeep Singh, alias Akash, Beant Kaur and her husband Balwant Singh, all residents of Sidhwan Bet. Pawandeep Kaur is the daughter of Beant Kaur and Balwant. The police also recovered the jeep and motorcycle used in the crime. However, five other suspects involved in the robbery remain at large and police teams are conducting raids to apprehend them. On July 23, some criminals entered Chopra Hospital while posing as patients. They held Dr Chopra and his wife hostage at gunpoint. They then looted cash, gold rings and mobile phones worth lakhs of rupees. WhatsApp group created to plan crime SSP Ankur Gupta said the suspects had created a WhatsApp group to plan the robbery. The crime plan was discussed in the group and discussions were also held regarding the successful execution of the robbery. The police collected technical evidence of the chat, which can be presented as crucial evidence in court. Pawanpreet Kaur, who executed the robbery, involved her parents and younger brother in the crime. The father of Pawanpreet Kaur, Balwant Singh, younger brother Harry and mother stood near the old government hospital with a jeep while the other suspects reached the hospital on a stolen bike, which remained there at the time of the incident. After which, the suspects ran to the jeep and fled the scene. Two cases, including robbery, had already been Former daughter-in-law of Dr Vijay Chopra gave complete information about the hospital and the house to the accomplice of the criminals. Then the Pawanpreet Kaur first went to the hospital as a patient for several days on the pretext of taking medicine and kept doing recce. During this time, she gathered complete information about the opening time of the hospital, opening time of the nearby market, the daily routine of the doctor and the possible escape routes after the incident. Then she, along with her accomplices, had planned the robbery. As per the plan, the woman, along with others, first went to the hospital to get medicine by posing as a patient and then on Thursday morning, with the intention of committing the crime, some of the suspects reached the place on a stolen bike, where they misled the doctor while administering glucose and committed the robbery. A huge rush of patients at the Civil Hospital in Ludhiana. PHOTO: INDERJEET VERMA Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 27 The Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, records a daily Out Patient Department (OPD) footfall of nearly 1,500-2,000 patients. Currently the hospital is working on a make-shift arrangement when it comes to the Medicine Specialist. The Medicine Specialists are considered the first line of treatment for most patients due to their broad expertise in diagnosing and managing a wide range of conditions. It was in March 2025 that the lone medicine specialist of the Civil Hospital, Dr Amanpreet Kaur, was promoted as the District Health and Family Welfare Officer. Afterwards, the medicine department has been working on make-shift arrangements. There are only three sanctioned posts of medicine specialist, which according to experts should be increased to six keeping in view that it is a 300-bed hospital, which has a huge footfall of patients in the OPD. Though now, the lone medicine specialist is appointed here, he comes only once a week, on Saturday, as he has been given additional charge of Faridkot. Besides, two empanelled doctors come to the place for three hours every day and doctors from other stations such as Khanna and Maachiwara also visit the hospital. Patients sometimes get confused when they fail to see the same doctor during their next visits. “Today is my third visit to meet the doctor and every 3 industrialists booked for ~69-cr bank fraud High drama as cops try to nab man in minor’s gang rape case Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 27 The Ludhiana police have registered a case against three industrialists for committing a fraud of Rs 68.91 crore with Indian Bank. The case was registered on the complaint of bank’s chief manager in Chandigarh Sandeep Rathi. He stated in the complaint that the suspects had committed a criminal breach of trust, cheating, falsification of accounts resulting in wrongful loss to the tune of Rs. 68.91 crore to the bank. The investigation of the case was carried out by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Ludhiana, Ramandeep Bhullar, following which an FIR was registered at the Police Division 2 on Sunday. The suspects were identified as Dhrampal Jain, Jainender Jain and Anju Jain, wife of Jainender. The complainant alleged that since 2008, Rs 68.91 crore loan and credit facility was obtained by Dharampal Jain and Jaininder Jain, who are directors of Vallabh Exports and Vallabh Overseas, and Anju Jain, proprietor of AJ Impex. The firms of the suspects had issued new export bills in the names of wrong buyers, despite the existence of previous outstanding bills. The new bills were discounted by the bank and many bills were issued in the name of Golden Century Textile Trading company, which were returned by foreign banks. The complainant alleged that the suspects had misappropriated funds of their bank. It is clear that the suspects had obtained a total loan and credit facility of Rs 68.91 crore from the bank since 2008 and by cutting export bills in the name of wrong buyers and misappropriating the bank’s funds, thereby defrauded the bank by deriving illegal financial benefits for themselves and causing illegal financial losses to the bank. Meanwhile, the police said if during investigation, if any matter comes to light regarding the use of fake documents or the involvement of any other person, action would be taken as per the law. Ludhiana, July 27 High drama unfolded in the case of gang rape of a minor in the city. The police team that went to apprehend the key suspect in the abduction and gang-rape of a 16-year-old minor girl in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Colony of Sherpur Kalan faced stiff opposition from his family members but the alert team arrested the man from the spot. As per information, when the Ludhiana police team raided the hideout of the main named suspect, Manish, to nab him, a ruckus broke out at the spot. His family members tried to stop the police action and even scuffled with the team. However, the policemen showed alertness, took the man into custody and brought him to the police station. The police are now preparing to present the suspect before the court and seek police remand. The police officials said during the remand, he would be interrogated so that the whereabouts of his absconding accomplices Naresh and Saurav, who were involved in the incident, could be traced. On July 21, based on the statements of the victim’s mother, a case was registered at the Moti Nagar police station under various sections of the BNS and the POCSO Act. In the complaint, it was alleged that Manish, who stays in the victim’s neighbourhood, and his two friends, Saurav and Naresh, abducted the minor, administered some intoxicating substance to her and committed the heinous act with her. The police said continuous raids were on to arrest the absconding suspects. — TNS Education most powerful tool for eliminating poverty: Mann to students Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 27 Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, who visited Government Primary School, Lohara, on Monday had a delightful surprise when young students from the school asked him a series of interesting questions. Kids got opportunity to interact with CM when he visited Lohara school to inaugurate a block One of the most heartwarming moments came when a little girl of Class V asked him whether he had known he would become the Chief Minister one day? Responding with a smile, Mann said he had never imagined reaching the position. However, he shared that during Classes IX and X, he had started developing interest in politics, which gradually shaped his journey into CM Bhagwant Singh Mann interacts with students of Government Primary School in Lohara. what he was today. Another student asked which was his favourite subject? The CM said he liked mathematics. During the interaction with the students, the CM was also asked who was his favourite teacher in the primary school. Replying to it in a nostalgic manner, he said it was his father from whom he used to get lessons in his foundation classes, he was his mentor and idol. The students got the opportunity to interact with the CM when he visited the school to inaugurate the Rs 5 crore Vardhman Block at Government Pri- c m y b mary School, Lohara. The Chief Minister said the remarkable success of government school students in competitive examinations such as National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and the Punjab State Talent Search Examination (PSTSE) reflects the far-reaching impact of the government’s education reforms and reaffirmed that education remains the most powerful instrument for eliminating poverty and empowering future generations. Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the new block at the school, CM Mann said: “The new block has been constructed at a cost of Rs 5 crore. The entire cost has been borne by the Vardhman Textiles Group, for which I thank the group’s leadership. The new block comprises 18 classrooms for students, along with furniture and three rooms for teaching staff.” The Chief Minister said, “The Vardhman group has been making a significant contribution towards strengthening educational infrastructure, particularly in government schools. It has also constructed buildings in government schools of Giaspura, Kasabad, Ladowal, Sekhewal and others. No freebie or concession can eliminate poverty or other social maladies in the state but education is the key that can pull people out of this vicious circle by raising their standards of living.” He said: “Punjab has surpassed Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi to secure the number one position in primary and middle-school education due to the strenuous efforts of the state government. The government has upgraded primary and middle-school education, strengthened the system, introduced smart classrooms and provided advanced training to teachers. As a result of these efforts, the state is excelling in the school education sector and NITI Aayog, one of the Central Government’s premier institutions, has released new figures showing that the state has secured the number one position in primary and middle-school education.” The Chief Minister said: “Nearly three lakh students are studying in government schools across Ludhiana district, which has 16 Schools of Eminence, 11 Schools of Brilliance and 35 Schools of Happiness. Two more Schools of Eminence at Millerganj and Division No 3, Ludhiana, have been completed and will soon be dedicated to the public. As many as 146 students qualified the NEET examination, 33 students qualified the JEE Main examination, nine students qualified the JEE Advanced examination and 47 students qualified the PSTSE.” time I see a new doctor. It is better when you meet the same doctor as it becomes easy to discuss the follow-up,” said Ram Parkash, a patient. Another patient, Savitri Devi, from Salem Tabri said she was undergoing treatment for diabetes for the past many years. “Earlier a female doctor used to give medicine but now doctors keep on changing and they had also changed my medicine. I feel confused now,” she said. Senior Medical Officer Akhil Sareen said they were managing things with the help of empanelled doctors and doctors coming to the hospital on additional charge. The Health Department has been regularly writing to the higher authorities for appointment of more staff. Five booked in 2 fraud cases Ludhiana, July 27 Two cases of fraud involving people duped of crores of rupees by promising huge investment returns have come to light in Ludhiana. The city police have booked five persons in the cases. After investigating the complaints, the Jodhewal and Dugri police stations, respectively, registered FIRs against the suspects under various sections, including fraud, criminal breach of trust and conspiracy. In the cases, the suspects are accused of defrauding a total of Rs 3.29 crore. According to the Jodhewal police, the case came to light after investigating a complaint. The complainant, Inderjit Singh, a resident of Omaxe Township, here, alleged that Sifat Singh, Lakhwinder Singh and Harmeet Kaur lured him and his son Jagmohit Singh with promises of higher profits. The complainant claimed that the suspects had coerced him into investing Rs 19.96 lakh by promising huge returns. He was subsequently neither paid any profits nor returned the amount he invested. Following a probe, the police registered a case against the suspects. The second case is registered by the Dugri police. According to the police, the FIR was registered after investigating a complaint lodged recently. Complainant Manjit Singh, a resident of BRS Nagar alleged that Sanjay Ahuja and Harshita Ahuja, associated with Simplex Finvest Limited, made him invest Rs 3.10 crore between 2020 and 2024 by promising huge returns on investment. He alleged that he was not given any amount in return for the investment. His principal amount was also not returned. The Dugri police registered a case against the suspects. — TNS