Punjab Raj Bhavan Organises Chhabeel in Remembrance of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s Martyrdom

Governor Gulab Chand Kataria Performs Sewa, Serves Prasad and Sweetened Milk to Passers-by

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 17: In solemn remembrance of the martyrdom of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji—who laid down his life to uphold the ideals of humanity and secularism—the staff of Punjab Raj Bhavan organized a Chhabeel today outside the Raj Bhavan Complex. The event featured the distribution of sweetened milk and Chana Prasad to the public.

The Hon’ble Governor of Punjab and Administrator of the Union Territory, Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, actively participated in the event. In a meaningful gesture reflecting the values of inclusivity, mutual respect, and communal harmony, the Governor personally served sweetened milk and Chana Prasad to passers-by.

The event saw enthusiastic participation from Raj Bhavan officials and staff, who worked in coordination to ensure its smooth conduct. Their dedicated efforts exemplified the spirit of unity and selfless service that lies at the heart of the Raj Bhavan’s ethos.

Organizing a Chhabeel during the scorching summer holds deep cultural and spiritual significance. It symbolizes compassion, service to humanity, and the principle of equality—core values championed by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji and deeply embedded in Sikh tradition.

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ECI introduces Mobile Phone Deposit Facility to Enhance Voter Convenience in Ludhiana West Bye-Elections

Chandigarh, June 17:In a first-of-its-kind initiative in elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) under the leadership of CEC Gyanesh Kumar recently introduced the mobile phone deposit facility at all polling stations to be implemented from the upcoming Bye elections including that of Bye elections to be held for Assembly Constituency 64-Ludhiana West on 19th June.

This new facility, based on instructions issued by the Election Commission of India on 23rd May 2025, aims to enhance the voter experience while at the same time upholding the secrecy of voting as mandated under Rule 49M of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961. Voters arriving at polling stations with mobile phones will now be able to securely deposit their devices at designated counters just outside the polling station entrance. These counters will be managed by trained volunteers using jute/cloth bag mobile holders as per ECI guidelines.

The facility is designed to facilitate all the voters, particularly women, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, who often face difficulty without access to their mobile phones. However, Phones will not be allowed inside the polling stations and must be switched off within the 100-metre periphery to maintain the secrecy and decorum of the election process.

Sibin C., Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, while announcing the pilot of this initiative, stated, “Implementing the mobile phone deposit facility during the Ludhiana West bye-elections is part of our broader effort to improve the convenience of the voters, while maintaining the secrecy of voting.”

The facility will be uniformly implemented across all 194 polling stations in the Ludhiana West constituency during the upcoming Bye election. Proper arrangements are also being made to ensure that the deposited mobile phones are returned safely after voting.

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VIGILANCE BUREAU ARRESTS NAIB TEHSILDAR FOR POSSESSING DISPROPORTIONATE ASSETS

Chandigarh, June 17, 2025 –Continuing its crusade against corruption, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested Varinderpal Singh Dhoot, Naib Tehsildar (Dismissed), a resident of village Dhoot Kalan, in Hoshiarpur, for amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the arrest follows a vigilance enquiry conducted by Jalandhar range, which investigated allegations of Dhoot accumulating wealth beyond his legitimate earnings, both in his own name and through family members.

He further added that the enquiry covered the period from January 01, 2009, to December 31, 2018. Investigations revealed that Dhoot’s total income from known sources during this check period was Rs. 3,58,97,111.59. However, his total expenditure and assets acquired amounted to Rs. 11,18,34,544.22 – a staggering Rs. 7,59,37,432.63 (211.54%) more than his lawful income.

The spokesperson informed that this substantial disparity establishes that Dhoot, while serving as a public servant, acquired immovable and moveable assets and spent funds far exceeding his legitimate earnings, thereby violating anti-corruption laws.

In this regard a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered at VB Police Station, Jalandhar Range and the accused has been arrested. He would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigation into this case was under progress, he said.

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DAY 108 OF ‘YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH’: 128 DRUG SMUGGLERS HELD WITH 10.8KG HEROIN, ₹2.4L DRUG MONEY

— AS PART OF ‘DE-ADDICTION’, PUNJAB POLICE CONVINCE 69 PERSONS TO UNDERGO DE-ADDICTION TREATMENT

CHANDIGARH, June 17:With the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state completed 108 days, Punjab Police on Tuesday arrested 128 drug smugglers and recovered 10.8 kg heroin, 2 kg opium and Rs 2.40 lakh drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 17,897 in just 108 days.

The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state.

Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.

Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 220 Police teams, comprising over 1600 police personnel, under the supervision of 107 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 499 locations across the state leading to the registration of 81 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 557 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he added.

The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 69 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

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INTER-STATE GANG INVOLVED IN INVESTMENT FRAUD OF ₹8-CR BUSTED IN PUNJAB; TWO HELD

— GANG INVOLVED IN 34 CYBER FRAUD COMPLAINTS ACROSS 14 STATES; FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS ONGOING: DGP PUNJAB GAURAV YADAV

— FRAUDSTERS DUPED VICTIM OF ₹15L THROUGH FAKE STOCK MARKET SCHEME, SAYS ADGP V NEERAJA

CHANDIGARH, June 17:Amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police’s State Cyber Crime Division has busted an inter-state gang involved in Investment fraud with the arrest of two persons from Panchkula and Abohar, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday.

The modus operandi used by this gang was to lure innocent persons into their trap by offering high profits in stock market investment through Telegram and WhatsApp groups. The fraudsters used to convince victims to install a fake APK application, which projected a huge return on his invested money. After seeing huge profit on the fake application, the victim continued to invest money in different bank accounts as directed by the fraudsters.

Those arrested have been identified as Varun Kumar, arrested from Panchkula, and Sahil Sethi, arrested from Abohar. Investigations revealed that Varun Kumar had rented his bank account to Sahil Sethi on a commission basis, who further procured such Mule accounts for Cyber Financial frauds and delivered them to various locations in NCR region of New Delhi as per directions received from the kingpins through virtual mobile numbers.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the kingpins were giving commission to arrested accused persons based on the fraudulent amount transferred in these bank accounts (Mule accounts).

“Preliminary investigations have revealed that the arrested accused were involved in 34 other cyber fraud complaints spread across 14 states, with total scam amounts exceeding Rs 8 crore,” said the DGP, while adding that investigation is ongoing to uncover the virtual mobile numbers and the broader network behind these fraudulent activities.

Sharing operation details, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Cyber Crime V Neeraja said that following a complaint from a victim who was duped of Rs 15 lakh, a Cyber Crime team under the supervision of Inspector Jujhar Singh conducted a thorough investigation. The team, using multiple OSINT techniques and technical assistance from Samanvay portal of Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre(I4C), had managed to establish the identity of the accused persons and subsequently, arresting them, she added.

The ADGP said that further investigation regarding the Virtual Mobile numbers and the delivery of fake Bank accounts in Delhi/NCR region is in progress, she said, while adding that these arrests have exposed a deep-rooted cyber fraud network operating across 14 states.

A case FIR No. 04 dated 08-05-2025 has been registered under sections 318(4) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act at Police Station State Cyber Crime, Punjab.

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• FMD vaccination drive to boost livestock health & farmers welfare, says Gurmeet Singh Khudian

Chandigarh, June 17:In a significant effort to safeguard the state's livestock, the Punjab Animal Husbandry Department has successfully vaccinated over 57.84 lakh animals against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)— a highly contagious viral disease, under the 6th round of its FMD vaccination drive, which commenced on April 15, 2025.

Sharing the details about the vaccination drive, Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian informed that over 57.84 lakh animals have been vaccinated, achieving an impressive coverage of 99.56% of the state's cattle and buffalo population. Notably, the vaccination was provided free of cost at the livestock farmers' doorstep to ensure widespread accessibility. Around 900 veterinary teams were pressed into service for successful completion of this massive drive underscoring the Animal Husbandry department's commitment to animal welfare and farmer support.

With FMD, a significant threat to livestock, causing substantial economic losses due to reduced milk yield and abortions in animals, the Animal Husbandry Minister said that the department has vaccinated nearly the entire cattle and buffalo population, which is a monumental stride towards disease prevention and control.

Reaffirming the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s dedication to provide the best possible services to livestock farmers, he said that the state government has been relentlessly working towards safeguarding the health of their livestock, a crucial step towards ensuring the state's livestock prosperity.