PUNJAB AND HARYANA

Pathankot, Punjab: In an extraordinary act of selflessness, a beggar in Punjab has captured hearts across the region. Raju, a homeless man who survives by seeking alms, has used his meager earnings to help the less fortunate during the bitter winter chill. Despite having no permanent shelter or personal comforts, Raju considers serving those in need his life’s mission. The money he collects from begging is not for himself but goes entirely toward aiding the poor and destitute. Recently, he distributed warm blankets to 500 people in Pathankot, purchasing them with the very money he had collected from alms. A Heart That Serves Alongside distributing blankets, Raju also set up a tea service for the needy, offering a small relief from the freezing nights. His dedication has made many ...

Sonipat, Haryana: A major rail accident was narrowly averted on Saturday when the Vande Bharat Express, traveling from Amritsar to Old Delhi, was forced to stop due to a technical issue. The train was safely halted at Sonipat railway station for about an hour as a precautionary measure. The incident occurred near Sandal Kalan railway station. A metal nut-bolt attached to the railway track became lodged under one of the train’s wheels, causing unusual noises. Recognizing the potential risk, the driver immediately slowed the train and ensured it reached Sonipat station safely. Railway Track Impacted, Investigation Underway Upon halting the train, both the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the local GRP police were notified. Teams promptly arrived at the scene and, alongside railway...

Chandigarh, January 9, 2026: In a bold move aimed at supporting small traders and shopkeepers, the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, announced that officials will now reach out directly to businesses across the state, eliminating the need for traders to navigate bureaucratic offices. The announcement was made jointly by CM Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal. Speaking at the first meeting of the Punjab State Traders Commission in SAS Nagar, Kejriwal emphasized that no country can progress unless the interests of small shopkeepers and traders are safeguarded and business processes simplified. He described the initiative as the beginning of a “new era of trade reforms” in Punjab. Direct Outreach to MarketsUnder this initiative, adminis...

Faridabad: In a shocking cyber fraud case, a doctor from Sector-16, Faridabad, was duped of ₹1.12 crore by fraudsters who lured him with promises of high returns from stock market investments. The victim had even broken his fixed deposits (FDs) and mutual funds, and borrowed money from relatives and banks to fund the scheme. Police have registered a case and are investigating the matter. How the Scam Unfolded According to the police complaint, the doctor was contacted via WhatsApp by a woman named Deepa Rasimane, who posed as a stock market expert. She persuaded him to invest in IPOs, over-the-counter trading, and institutional stock trading through a mobile app named LKP NHWN, claiming affiliation with SEBI-registered broker LKP Securities Ltd. in Delhi’s Jhandewalan area. She assur...

Gurgaon: A contractor was found shot dead on a roadside in Basai, Gurgaon, on Tuesday morning, sparking panic in the area. His Brezza car was parked nearby. Initially, the police treated the case as an accident, but subsequent investigations revealed it to be a murder. Incident DetailsThe deceased, 55-year-old Sanjay Sharma, originally from Palwal and residing in Rama Garden, Gurgaon, ran a school canteen. On Tuesday morning, he left home for work. A short while later, his body was discovered near Rama Garden, Basai. The Sector-10 police registered a case of murder against unknown assailants. Preliminary findings indicate that the contractor was shot in the head at close range. Police are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas as part of their investigation. Initial Confusion Over ...

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated the process to extradite Inderjeet Singh Yadav from Dubai to Haryana. Last week, the ED’s Gurugram regional office raided the properties of Yadav and his associates in Delhi and Gurugram. This is the first time that Yadav has issued a statement following the raids. Chandigarh:The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches in Delhi related to a money laundering investigation involving Inderjeet Singh Yadav, his associates, Apollo Green Energy Limited, and other related entities and individuals. The raid was part of an ongoing investigation into alleged forced loan settlements and extortion associated with Yadav and his network. During the searches, the agency seized approximately ₹6.51 crore in cash, ₹17.4 crore worth of jewelry, five l...

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for raping two of his female disciples, was released on 40-day parole from Sunaria Jail in Rohtak on Monday. This marks his 15th parole since his conviction in 2017. According to official sources, Ram Rahim will stay at the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa, Haryana, during the parole period. He is also a convict in a journalist murder case, further adding to the controversy surrounding his repeated temporary releases from prison. History of Parole and Furlough Since his conviction, Ram Rahim Singh has been granted parole or furlough multiple times. Notably, many of these releases have coincided with election periods, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties and social groups. ...

A dramatic new turn has emerged in the murder case of Congress worker Umarseer Singh in Punjab’s Moga district, after a local gangster claimed responsibility for the killing on social media. Manpreet Singh alias Mani Bhinder, a known criminal, has allegedly confessed to orchestrating the murder, stating that Umarseer was “trying to become a king (badshah),” prompting the attack. Umarseer Singh was brutally shot dead with more than 15 bullets on Saturday morning in his native village Bhinder Kalan while he was on his way to work at a Nestlé plant. The incident sent shockwaves across the region and intensified political tensions in the area. Gangster’s Social Media Confession According to senior police officials, Mani Bhinder—who already faces 13 criminal cases, including attempted ...

Gurgaon, along with the entire Delhi-NCR region, ushered in the New Year with remarkable enthusiasm and festive spirit. The city’s most popular hotspot, Cyber Hub, witnessed an overwhelming crowd, leaving barely any space to move, giving the impression that the entire city had converged at one place to celebrate the occasion. Families, friends, and revelers were seen celebrating together, capturing joyful moments as the New Year countdown began. As the clock struck midnight, thousands of mobile phone flashlights illuminated the area, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Many social media users went on to compare the vibrant scenes at Cyber Hub to New York’s iconic New Year celebrations. People also celebrated across various locations in the city, with restaurants, markets, and entertain...

Faridabad: A video showing young men and women performing dangerous stunts from moving cars has gone viral on social media, causing public alarm in Greater Faridabad. The incident took place in Sector-88, where the youths were seen hanging out of car windows and creating chaos on the roads. Following the video’s circulation, BPTP police registered cases against three unidentified car drivers. The video shows multiple vehicles involved in reckless stunts, endangering both their own lives and other road users. Dangerous Stunts Across Multiple VehiclesThe stunts reportedly took place on the stretch from Modern Delhi Public School, Sector-88 to Amrita Hospital Road, involving 6 to 8 cars. The participants were seen exiting moving cars and performing hazardous maneuvers on the road. Accor...