PUNJAB AND HARYANA

Jalandhar: A chilling CCTV footage has emerged showing the deadly shooting of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Lucky Oberoi outside a Gurudwara in the upscale Model Town area of Jalandhar on Friday morning. The attack took place around 7:35 a.m. on a road frequented by vehicles and devotees heading to the Gurudwara. What the CCTV Footage ShowsThe video reveals that as Oberoi exited the Gurudwara and moved toward his Mahindra Thar, a man wearing a black hoodie calmly approached the SUV. The assailant opened fire at close range while Oberoi was still inside the vehicle. The footage suggests that the shooter waited for Oberoi to get into the car to prevent any chance of escape. Attack Over in Just 10 SecondsAfter firing several bullets, the attacker ran toward a scooter arriving from a near...

Nuh, Haryana: A Muslim woman in Nuh district has married a Dalit man, Mohit, in a consensual inter-caste marriage, and has now sought police protection, claiming threats from local politicians. The marriage, conducted legally through a court, has sparked controversy in the village of Patla Shahpuri in Firozpur Jhirka. Woman Alleges Family and Political PressureThe woman, Nazrana, stated in a video posted on social media that she married Mohit of her own free will and is happy with her husband. She clarified that she is of legal age and her statement has been recorded in court. Nazrana alleged that her own family submitted a falsified birth certificate in court in an attempt to challenge the marriage. Nazrana further claimed that Mohit’s family faced social ostracism from some village...

Delhi/Chandigarh: Tensions escalated in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday over the suspension of eight MPs, as protests by Congress leaders spilled outside Parliament. During the demonstration, a heated exchange took place between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu. Rahul Gandhi referred to Bittu as a “traitor friend,” prompting a sharp rebuttal from Bittu, who called Gandhi a “country’s enemy” and stated that he has no connection with those who harm the nation. Reports also note that Bittu refused to shake hands with Gandhi during the confrontation. Who is Ravneet Singh Bittu?Ravneet Singh Bittu, the Union Minister of State, had joined the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections after leaving Congress. Although he contested the election on a BJP ticket and los...

Chandigarh: The Haryana government, led by Chief Minister Nayab Saini, is set to unveil a new industrial policy this month aimed at providing significant relief to businesses and entrepreneurs. The draft policy, currently being finalized by the Department of Industries and Commerce, promises a range of incentives to encourage industrial growth across the state. Affordable Plots and Vertical ExpansionOne of the key highlights of the upcoming policy is the availability of cheaper industrial plots, addressing a long-standing concern of high land costs for businesses. Previously, industrial units were restricted to constructions up to 15 meters in height. The new policy removes this limit entirely, allowing entrepreneurs to build multi-story factories, warehouses, and production units. This...

Faridabad: Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has arrested Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, Chairman of Al Falah University, in connection with alleged fraud and forgery involving crores of rupees. Following his arrest, Siddiqui was produced before a court, which granted the police four days of custody for further investigation. Serious Allegations of Financial and Administrative IrregularitiesAccording to Delhi Police officials, Siddiqui faces serious charges relating to financial and administrative irregularities at the university. Investigators expect to uncover crucial information during questioning. This action comes at a time when Al Falah University is already under the scrutiny of multiple central agencies. University Previously in HeadlinesAl Falah University has previously attracted attentio...

Chandigarh: The Nayab Singh Saini-led Haryana government on Tuesday carried out a significant administrative reshuffle, ordering the transfer of six IAS officers with immediate effect. The official notification assigns additional responsibilities to several officers while retaining their existing charges. According to the government order, 2007-batch IAS officer Ravi Prakash Gupta has been appointed Principal Secretary, Urban Estates Department, along with the additional charge of Divisional Commissioner, Hisar. Rohtak Deputy Commissioner Sachin Gupta has been given the additional responsibility of Additional Secretary, Irrigation Department, while continuing in his current role. IAS officer Aparajita, who is currently serving as Deputy Commissioner of Kaithal, has been assigned a...

Faridabad, February 3:A shocking case has emerged from Faridabad, Haryana, where a woman allegedly murdered her husband to be with her lover. The body of the victim, identified as Suman (auto driver), was found on railway tracks on November 30, 2025, dismembered due to passing trains. Police investigations by the DLF Crime Branch revealed that Suman’s wife, Anjani (29, resident of Godda, Jharkhand), and her lover, Riaul (30, from Malda, West Bengal), conspired to kill him after Suman discovered their illicit relationship. The couple allegedly lured Suman with alcohol, struck him multiple times on the head with stones, and disposed of the body on the tracks to make it appear as a train accident. The case came to light when Suman’s brother, Sunny, filed a missing person complaint in Ja...

Ludhiana, February 3:A 28-year-old youth from Ludhiana, Punjab, returned to India on January 31 after enduring a month-long ordeal in Pakistan. Harvinderpal Singh and his friend unintentionally crossed into Pakistani territory during the July 2023 floods while trying to rescue livestock and belongings. Upon reaching the other side, they were detained by local villagers and handed over to Pakistani Rangers. During 28 days in custody, the two were subjected to severe torture, including forced marches without shoes, beatings, and deprivation of food and basic necessities. They were repeatedly accused of being Indian spies, despite explaining that they had crossed the border accidentally due to the flood. After initial detention, they were transferred to police custody and later sentenced b...

The Punjab-Haryana High Court has resumed hearings in the high-profile Ram Chandra Chhatrapati murder case, in which Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court. Hearing Resumes After Safekeeping of VerdictThe case had previously undergone full hearings in the High Court, which had reserved its verdict for four months. On 30 January, a bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Vikram Agrawal issued an order reopening the hearings, citing new facts that required careful examination and clarification. The final hearing on the appeals had originally concluded on 25 September 2025. Background of the CaseThe murder of journalist Ram Chandra Chhatrapati, editor of the newspaper Poora Sach, occurred in 2002 in Sir...

A rare wildlife sighting has once again brought attention to the ecological significance of the Aravalli hills. In the Mangar Bani area, researchers have recorded the presence of an Asian Wild Cat (Desert Cat) for the first time. A Protected Haven for WildlifeMangar Bani, situated in the heart of the Aravallis, is proving to be a safe haven for wildlife conservation. The discovery of this elusive and mysterious species was made as part of the Small Cat Action Fund 2025, a research initiative conducted in collaboration with Project The Habitats Trust. The project aims to identify, track, and study the conservation prospects of small wild cat species in the Aravalli region. The research is being carried out by a team led by Sunil Harsana, Nitesh Kaushik, and Saurabh Harsana. Nocturnal ...