Saturday, July 11

State

Cold Wave Intensifies in Uttarakhand; Plains See Sunshine Relief, Frost Creates Trouble in Hills
State, Uttarakhand

Cold Wave Intensifies in Uttarakhand; Plains See Sunshine Relief, Frost Creates Trouble in Hills

Uttarakhand is experiencing a sharp increase in cold as a cold wave grips the region. While sunny spells in the plains are providing some relief, frost in the hilly areas is causing difficulties for commuters and affecting crops. The dry chill is also raising health concerns, particularly for children, the elderly, and pregnant women. Full Story: Dehradun: The weather in Uttarakhand remains dry, with temperatures expected to drop by 2–3°C in some areas. The cold wave has intensified the chill, making the mornings particularly biting across the plains. Meanwhile, frost in the mountainous regions has created slippery road conditions, posing challenges for drivers. The absence of pre-monsoon rains has resulted in a dry cold, increasing the risk of infectious diseases. While daytime s...
Ludhiana Woman Wins ₹3 Crore Lottery, Pledges Daughter’s Jewelry for Birthday Tickets
PUNJAB AND HARYANA, State

Ludhiana Woman Wins ₹3 Crore Lottery, Pledges Daughter’s Jewelry for Birthday Tickets

Chandigarh: Luck smiled on a Ludhiana woman in Punjab after she won ₹3 crore in the Punjab State Lottery Diwali Bumper 2025. In a heartwarming twist, the woman had purchased the tickets for her daughter’s birthday, even pledging her jewelry to afford them. A Life-Changing Win The woman, a resident of Bansi village in Ludhiana, bought four lottery tickets for ₹2,000 each on 10 November. Twelve days later, she received the life-changing news: one of her tickets had hit the bumper prize of ₹3 crore. Overcome with joy and emotion, tears welled up in her eyes as she celebrated her good fortune. From Struggle to Hope Maheshwari Sahni, the lottery winner, works as a domestic helper and has faced personal hardships, including a divorce and the loss of her son. She lives with her daught...
Al Falah University Under Scrutiny: NCMEI Issues Show-Cause Notice Over Minority Status
PUNJAB AND HARYANA, State

Al Falah University Under Scrutiny: NCMEI Issues Show-Cause Notice Over Minority Status

Faridabad: Al Falah University is facing intense scrutiny as authorities investigate its links following the Delhi blast on 10 November, which claimed 15 lives. The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) has issued a show-cause notice to the university, questioning why its minority status should not be revoked given the ongoing probe involving two of its doctors. Regulatory and Legal Pressure The move by NCMEI comes amid regulatory concerns, as the university is not accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and has faced prior questions regarding its funding and administration. Adding to its troubles, the university’s founder, Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate. Impact on Students The po...
Haryana DGP Orders Strict Action Against Singers Promoting Gun Culture
PUNJAB AND HARYANA, State

Haryana DGP Orders Strict Action Against Singers Promoting Gun Culture

Chandigarh: In a decisive move to curb the rising influence of gun culture among youth, Haryana Police Chief DGP O.P. Singh has directed authorities to treat singers promoting gangster lifestyles and firearms as criminal offenders rather than artists. Crackdown on Controversial Haryanvi Songs DGP Singh’s order comes in the wake of increasing popularity of songs glorifying gangsters, violence, and firearms, which are believed to negatively influence young listeners. The Haryana government has already banned around 30 songs by nine singers who have been identified as promoting such content. Notable names include Masoom Sharma, Gajendra Phogat, Amit Saini, Sumit Parta, Harsh Sandhu, Ankit Balayan, and Kulbir Danoda. Government Measures To discourage the promotion of gangster lifes...
Political Storm in Punjab Over Chandigarh Bill: What’s the Controversy About
PUNJAB AND HARYANA, State

Political Storm in Punjab Over Chandigarh Bill: What’s the Controversy About

Chandigarh: Tensions are rising in Punjab politics as preparations are underway to introduce a Constitutional Amendment Bill regarding Chandigarh in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament. Punjab’s political parties are portraying the proposed bill as an attack on the state’s rights, while BJP leaders have dismissed the opposition’s claims as baseless. Why the Bill Matters Chandigarh’s status is deeply tied to Punjab’s regional identity, making it a sensitive political issue ahead of the 2027 state assembly elections. The BJP, which won only two seats in Punjab in 2022 with a vote share of around 6%, could face political backlash if opposition parties frame the bill as undermining Punjab’s rights. The Controversy The bill seeks to include Chandigarh under Article 240 of the ...
Haryana Extends Working Hours to 10 Hours for Shops and Companies; Overtime Limit Increased
Politics, PUNJAB AND HARYANA, State

Haryana Extends Working Hours to 10 Hours for Shops and Companies; Overtime Limit Increased

Chandigarh, Haryana: The Haryana government has amended the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1958, increasing working hours in companies and shops from 9 hours to 10 hours per day. Alongside this, the maximum overtime limit has been raised from 115 hours to 144 hours per quarter, with all overtime being voluntary and compensated at double the normal wage rate. Key Amendments Mandatory Appointment Letters & ID Cards: Large establishments and companies must now issue appointment letters and identity cards to all employees. Two-Tier Registration Framework: Businesses employing up to 20 employees and those employing more than 20 employees must register online under the new framework. Compliance & Penalties: First-time violations related to registration or documenta...
Gangster Shubham Killed in Haryana Encounter; Mastermind Behind Father-Son Murder Neutralized
PUNJAB AND HARYANA, State

Gangster Shubham Killed in Haryana Encounter; Mastermind Behind Father-Son Murder Neutralized

Sonipat, Haryana: In a significant breakthrough, Haryana police killed notorious gangster Shubham in an encounter in Gopalpur village, Sonipat. The gangster was involved in multiple heinous crimes, including the recent murder of a father-son duo. Police are currently examining the weapons recovered from the site. Background of the Crime On 24 October 2025, Dharmveer and his son Mohit from Gopalpur village were shot dead over a local feud. The case triggered intense investigation by multiple Crime Branch units of Sonipat Police. Shubham, a sharp shooter from Chapra village in Karnal, along with his accomplices, was identified as the main perpetrator. Encounter Details Acting on a tip-off, a joint operation was conducted by Sonipat Anti-Gangster Unit Sector 7 and CIA-1 teams. Shu...
Punjab’s Corrupt DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar Approaches High Court, Challenges Arrest with Four Key Arguments
PUNJAB AND HARYANA, State

Punjab’s Corrupt DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar Approaches High Court, Challenges Arrest with Four Key Arguments

Chandigarh: Former Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, arrested by the CBI on charges of bribery and disproportionate assets, has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging his arrest. Bhullar claims that the CBI acted beyond its jurisdiction and without prior permission from the Punjab government, making the arrest illegal. Four Key Arguments Presented by Bhullar Jurisdictional Challenge: Bhullar argued that he was posted in Punjab, and the alleged offense also occurred within Punjab. According to Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946, the CBI must obtain prior consent from the Punjab government to register a case or arrest an official within the state. The DIG contended that CBI failed to do so. Invalid FIR: Bhullar claimed th...
80-Year-Old Grandfather Skydives from 15,000 Feet, Tells Grandson: “We’re from Haryana, We Fear Nothing
PUNJAB AND HARYANA, State

80-Year-Old Grandfather Skydives from 15,000 Feet, Tells Grandson: “We’re from Haryana, We Fear Nothing

Chandigarh: Defying age and gravity, an 80-year-old man from Haryana recently stunned everyone by skydiving from a height of 15,000 feet. A video of the fearless grandfather enjoying the jump with a beaming smile has gone viral, garnering over 6.4 million views and 600,000 likes on social media. Fearless Spirit The video captures the elderly man fully relaxed, arms wide open, smiling throughout the jump, and savoring every moment of the experience. His daring feat and positive energy have won widespread admiration, inspiring viewers across the country. Special Bond with Grandson The thrilling video was shared by his 18-year-old grandson, Ankit Rana, a popular social media influencer from Kaithal, Haryana, known online as BigMouth. Ankit often showcases his rural lifestyle, ever...
13-Year-Old Girl Runs Away After Scolding, Found Safe in Rajasthan After 18 Hours
PUNJAB AND HARYANA, State

13-Year-Old Girl Runs Away After Scolding, Found Safe in Rajasthan After 18 Hours

Fatehabad, Haryana: A 13-year-old girl from MP Rohi village in Fatehabad district ran away from home after being scolded by her parents, sparking panic among her family. The girl accidentally reached Ganganagar, Rajasthan, and was found safe by the police after 18 hours of coordinated search operations. Incident Details According to reports, the young girl was upset after her parents reprimanded her. She left home under the pretext of going out to play and inadvertently traveled to Ganganagar. When she did not return home, her family became extremely worried and immediately informed the Badopal Police Station. Police Action The police launched a prompt investigation, conducting interviews in the surrounding areas and coordinating with authorities in other states to trace the gi...