22092026-TTC-01.qxd 9/22/2026 12:31 AM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 10 NO. 262 | 16 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 PAK CLAIMS 28 MILITANTS KILLED IN AF STRIKES; UN SAYS 3 CIVILIANS DEAD WORLD /thetribunechd CHAOS MARKS DAY 1 OF ASSEMBLY SESSION AS BJP PROTESTS J&K GOOGLE FINED $463 MN INDIA-NEW ZEALAND FTA TO FOR EU LOCATION RULE COME INTO EFFECT FROM BREACH BUSINESS OCT 20: GOYAL BACK PAGE tuesday | 22 september 2026 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com Ram Temple SIT finds 105 theft cases; chargesheet by Sept 25 Team analysed CCTV footage, statements, records | SC studies status report Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, September 21 The special investigation team (SIT) probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple on Monday informed the Supreme Court that it would file its first chargesheet by September 25. The SIT has reportedly uncovered 105 instances of alleged theft of donations in its probe. “Within two days, we will be filing (a chargesheet),” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, noting that the statutory 90-day period from the first arrest in the case would lapse soon. “Ninety days from the date of the first arrest are going to be over on September 25, so we will have to file the chargesheet, otherwise, they (the accused) will get default bail,” Mehta told the Bench, which also included Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana. Under Section 187 of the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita that replaced Section 167(2) of the CrPC, an accused becomes entitled to statutory bail if the The SC had set up the SIT on July 26 to probe embezzlement of funds. AIR MARSHAL MISHRA TAKES CHARGE AS TRUST CEO ■ Air Marshal Jeetendra ■ Mishra arrived in Ayodhya Mishra (retd) took over as Trust CEO on Monday ■ His appointment came amid row over theft of temple offerings on Sunday and offered prayers at the temple ■ He then reached his new office on temple premises to assume charge probe agency fails to file the chargesheet within the stipulated period of either 60 or 90 days as the case may be. The Bench also perused a detailed status report submitted by the SIT in a sealed cover. The SIT has reportedly found 105 instances of alleged theft after analysing CCTV footage, witness statements and donation records. It analysed hundreds of hours of surveillance video footage, transaction logs and bank deposit records to reconstruct the donation theft. Set up on July 26 on the orders of the top court, the second SIT comprises Lucknow BiharClassXgirl groped,threeheld afterclipgoesviral Tribune News Service New Delhi, September 21 Three men have been arrested and seven others identified after a Class X girl was allegedly molested and dragged by a group of men in Bihar’s Jamui, while her male classmate was assaulted when the two tried to leave. Patiala, September 21 A foreign coach associated with the Indian cycling team has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act following a rape complaint by a minor cyclist training at the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Patiala. The police have issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against the coach, identified as Maxat Ayazbayev, who has been untraceable since the matter came to light last week. The case stems from a complaint filed by a minor cyclist training at the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Patiala, accusing the coach of rape. While details of the alleged incident are being withheld to protect the iden- Tribune News Service New Delhi, September 21 A Delhi sessions court on Monday reopened the question of an FIR against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi over allegations that her name appeared in the electoral rolls in 1980, three years before she acquired Indian citizenship. It held that a magistrate had rejected the complaint without properly examining whether it disclosed a cognisable offence. Setting aside the September 2025 order, Special Judge Vishal Gogne termed it “perverse and improper” and found that it was non-speaking on a key question: whether the allegations against Sonia warranted a criminal investigation. The judge sent the complaint back for a fresh decision and directed the magistrate to hear complainant Vikas Tripathi and the Delhi Police, conduct the required inquiry and pass a reasoned order. The matter will come up on September 29. The sessions court has neither ordered the registration of an FIR nor recorded any finding that Sonia used forged documents. “The sanctity of the electoral roll is an article of faith for every citizen in a par- Court sets aside order of magistrate, directs fresh look at plea for FIR Sonia Gandhi liamentary democracy,” the court observed, adding that even the “mightiest” in the land ultimately stand as voters like ordinary citizens. It said allegations of tampering with electoral rolls, fraudulent inclusion of a noncitizen or false declarations deserved a reasoned examination. The complaint rests on a sequence of events spanning three years. Tripathi claims Sonia’s name was included in the electoral roll of the New Delhi constituency in 1980, although she became an Indian citizen only in April 1983. He alleges that her name was deleted in 1982 before being included again in 1983, POCSO case lodged; Rahul slams govt The incident, which took place around 7 pm on Saturday, came to light after a video surfaced online showing the two minors being surrounded and harassed by a group of men. The police traced the students after the footage went viral and registered a case under the POCSO Act continued on page 6 FIR filed under POCSO Act; cops issue lookout circular tity of the athlete, the police have constituted a special team to trace the accused. The police said a case was registered immediately after the complaint was received, but the coach was in Delhi at the time and subsequently went untraceable. “We have formed two teams to trace accused Maxat Ayazbayev, a former professional road cyclist from Kazakhstan who is now associated with the Indian cycling team,” Patiala SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans said. The FIR was registered at the Civil Lines police station in Patiala on September 18 on the complaint of the minor athlete. The 34-year-old coach continued on page 6 Harsh Yadav Tribune News Service SHOOTERS ON TARGET S HISTORIC MMA BRONZE H imanshu Dhillon (C) and Rudrankksh Patil (L) claimed individual silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the men’s 10m air rifle, while the two joined Parth Mane (R) to fetch a team silver. With this, India’s shooting tally in games stands at five — four silver and a bronze. uchika Tariyal becomes first Indian Asian Games medallist in mixed martial arts, securing a bronze in 60kg category. Despite her semis bout ending in a draw, she missed out on the final as she weighed 700 gm more than her opponent. Sikh group stopped from heading to IB for ardas Hisar panchayat prohibits GS Paul same-village marriages Tribune News Service Deepender Deswal Chandigarh, September 21 Tension prevailed at Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur after the Border Security Force (BSF) on Monday stopped a Sikh group led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj from going to the Zero Line at the International Border (IB) to offer prayers for the reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor. The BSF cited security reasons for not allowing the delegation to approach the border line. Sikh devotees from India and Pakistan had planned to conduct special ardas at the Zero Line for the reopening of the dedicated corridor leading to Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib in Narowal district, Pakistan. A nagar kirtan was scheduled to proceed from the Pakistan gurdwara to the Zero Tribune News Service KARTARPUR CORRIDOR Devotees from India, Pak had planned prayers for reopening Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and devotees protest after being denied access to the Zero Line on the IB. Line on Monday under the leadership of Ramesh Singh Arora, president of the PSGPC, to mark the Jyoti Jyot Diwas of Guru Nanak Dev. From the Indian side, on the call of Giani Gargaj, Sikh community members, mostly from Dera Baba Nanak and the surrounding border areas, had gathered. Upon reaching the Zero Line, they were to recite Rehras Sahib (the traditional Sikh evening prayer), perform Gurbani kirtan and offer special prayers, seeking the early reopening of the corridor in accordance with the aspirations of Sikhs on both sides of the border. and that forged documents were used for the earlier entry. Sonia has rejected the allegations, describing the case as “wholly misconceived, frivolous, politically motivated” and an abuse of the process of law. In her reply, she argued that serious allegations had been made on the basis of speculation, media reports and “imaginary applications”, without producing the documents on which a charge of forgery could be based. She submitted that neither the alleged voter registration applications nor citizenshiprelated or purported forged documents had been placed before the court. Tripathi had first approached Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Vaibhav Chaurasiya, who dismissed his complaint on September 11, 2025. The magistrate held that bald assertions based on a photocopy of an uncertified electoral roll extract could not sustain allegations of cheating or forgery. Tripathi then moved the sessions court in revision. A notice was issued to Sonia in December last year. Judge Gogne found fault with how the complaint had been dealt with, observing that the magistrate had not adequately continued on page 6 NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Monday listed for hearing on September 30 bail pleas by activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in a case under the UAPA over the “larger conspiracy” behind the 2020 Delhi riots. A Bench of Justice Prathiba Singh and Justice Dinesh Bhatt deferred the hearing after the police sought an adjournment. — TNS SC to take up Didi’s pleaoverTMCname DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to urgently list for hearing former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s petition challenging the EC’s decision to freeze the Trinamool Congress’ name and symbol following a dispute between two rival factions of the party. — TNS NEW MilitantsshootNaga teenager in Manipur IMPHAL: A teen was shot dead by suspected militants in Manipur’s Tamenglong district on Monday, police said. The Naga youth, identified as NK Wiphenbou (17), was walking alone from Upper Nkou village to Tamei town when he was attacked around 10.30 am. His body was later found along a narrow path. — PTI IIT-Bombay tenders apology, removes Prof Doolla as Dean Aman Sood Tribune News Service Shekhar Singh Foreigncoachbookedas Patialacyclistallegesrape Shekhar Singh Zone IGP Kiran S, Ayodhya Range DIG Somen Barma, Ayodhya SSP Gaurav Grover and Barabanki Additional SP Ritesh Kumar Singh. Earlier, the first SIT set up by the Uttar Pradesh Government on June 13 had recorded over 70 instances of donation theft in its interim report. The top court had earlier asked the SIT to complete its investigation expeditiously, take it to a logical conclusion and asked it to submit a status report on the progress of the probe in a sealed cover. It had also asked the Uttar Pradesh Government to include a forensic auditor in the probe team. Emphasising the need for “remedial actions”, the Bench had said steps would be taken to “ensure transparency”. The top court is seized of petitions, including those filed by RJD MP Sudhakar Singh, advocate NK Goswami, Ajay Kumar Rai and Hindu Dharma Parishad, seeking a CBI probe and a forensic audit of the finances of the temple trust following allegations of irregularities in the management of donations of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya. Sonia’s ‘pre-citizenship voter entry’ back under scanner HC to hear Khalid’s bail plea on Sep 30 Sources said the BSF restricted the gathering from approaching the Zero Line, citing border security and protocols. This led to an argument between the two sides. Golden Temple manager Rajinder Singh Ruby and Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak continued on page 6 c m y b Hisar, September 21 Provoked by three cases of couples from the same village marrying each other, a “social panchayat” in Arya Nagar village of Hisar district has given a call for social boycott of such couples and those who support them. The social panchayat adopted a resolution against love marriages, announcing that any couple marrying in violation of prevailing social norms would not be allowed to reside in the village. The social panchayat was attended by many villagers and took the decision on Sunday. Members of the panchayat described such marriages as a growing social evil. Panchayat representatives, the sarpanch and several prominent villagers attended Calls for social boycott of such couples the meeting, sources said. Hanuman Verma, a local resident and BJP leader who attended the meeting, said the entire village unanimously decided to prohibit such marriages and not allow any couple violating prevailing social norms to live in the village. “A wrong precedent is being set in our village. As we consider all daughters (unmarried women) of the village as our own daughters, we regard them as sisters,” he said. Verma said the meeting was called at the behest of the family of a woman who tied the knot with a youth of the same village. The woman’s family had objected to the marriage, following continued on page 6 New Delhi, September 21 The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, on Monday withdrew and apologised for statements made in its earlier communication about the circumstances surrounding the death of student Sahil Wakode, saying that the details leading up to the incident remain under investigation. The institute also categorically denied reports that its Director, Prof Shireesh B Kedare, had resigned. In a fresh clarification, the IIT, Bombay, said it was inappropriate to describe or characterise the events preceding Sahil’s death before they were established through the appropriate investigative process. “We apologise for the statements contained in our earlier communication concerning the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate demise of Sahil,” the institute said. It added that, given the ongoing investigation, the earlier communication should not have set out details about the events preceding Sahil’s death as established facts. The clarification came amid continued protests on the Powai campus following Sahil’s death on September 18. The institute has also relieved Prof Suryanarayana Doolla of his duties as Dean (Administrative Affairs) to facilitate an independent investigation. Professor Doolla, however, continues as a faculty member. The Faculty Forum of the IIT, Bombay, subsequently issued a statement backing Professor Doolla and sought to distinguish between his removal from the administrative post and suspension from the institute. “The Faculty Forum of the IIT, Bombay, stands strongly with our FACULTY BACKS PROF The Faculty Forum backed Professor Doolla and sought to distinguish between his removal from the administrative post and suspension from the institute. “He continues to be a member of the faculty in good standing,” it said. colleague, Professor Doolla,” the statement said. “Contrary to several reports in the media, Professor Doolla has not been suspended and continues to be a member of the faculty of the institute in good standing,” it said. “He is a distinguished faculty member who has won several accolades and awards, including two awards for excellence in teaching, which are decided purely on student feedback. During his long tenure as the Dean (Student Affairs), he was instrumental in setting up several initiatives for the welfare of the student community on our campus,” the forum said. It also objected to reports, it said, had damaged Professor Doolla’s reputation while expressing grief over Sahil’s death. “We are distressed by the vilification of our colleague’s reputation by false and misleading reports that have appeared in the media. We also reiterate that we are pained by the demise of our student in the incident on September 18,” the fourm said. Faculty members also held a march on the campus in Professor Doolla’s support, maintaining that he had followed the institute’s approved procedure while invigilating the examination in which Sahil was allegedly found with a mobile phone. Sahil’s father, meanwhile, has alleged that his son was subjected to repeated caste-based mocking, harassment and continued on page 6