News / Author / Nikhil Sharma

Nikhil Sharma

Nikhil Sharma is a staff reporter who covers Faridkot district in the Mansa region of Punjab.

Articles by Nikhil Sharma

Lawrence Bishnoi interview: Court urged to dismiss cops’ plea against polygraph test

The public prosecutor, opposing the revision petition of the cops in the court of additional district judge (ADJ) TPS Randhawa, averred that being a sensitive case, polygraph test would help clear many important facts in the case. The court will decide the pleas on Tuesday.

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 29, 2025 09:22 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Daughter of AAP leader, who was missing for 4 days, found dead near Canada beach

Vanshika's friend had alerted her family after finding that she hadn't returned home since April 22, following which her body was found near a beach.

Vanshika Saini is the daughter of Dera Bassi-based AAP leader Davinder Saini of Saini Mohalla. (Facebook/OICA)

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 29, 2025 10:39 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

{Lawrence Bishnoi interview} Court stays polygraph test of cops

The counsel for the five cops submitted revision pleas in the court of an additional district judge saying that his clients have withdrawn their consent to undergo the polygraph test.

The six personnel—ASI Mukhtiar Singh, Constable Simranjit Singh, constable Harpreet Singh, constable Balwinder Singh, constable Satnam Singh, and constable Amritpal Singh, who were all posted with the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA), Mohali, at the time of the interview had earlier agreed to undergo the polygraph test, and their statements were recorded. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 27, 2025 05:40 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Caught with heroin, 2 Nigerians among 3 sentenced to jail by Mohali court

The special NDPS court of Ajit Atri awarded rigorous 10-year jail to Okeke Solivan Tobechukwu, 47, a Nigerian, and imposed a fine of ₹1.05 lakh; his compatriot Uche Oyeagbuha, 39, was handed three-year jail along with ₹35,000 fine

The trio was booked under the NDPS Act at the STF police station in Phase 4, Mohali. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 25, 2025 10:16 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Mohali: Only 2 of 6 GMADA group housing sites draw buyers

The e-auction had started on April 13 that continued till 12 noon on Tuesday; two group housing sites in Mohali’s Wave Estate fetch development authority ₹403.75 crore

The land put under auction was earlier meant for the economically weaker section but converted into residential group housing sites after the Punjab government approved a policy in February to e-auction such land across the state. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 23, 2025 10:40 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Mohali cop gets 5-yr jail in graft case

The complaint was filed with the Mohali unit of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau by a road and building contractor, Jarnail Singh, a resident of Sector 71, Mohali, on December 9, 2017

The complainant recorded the conversation and approached vigilance sleuths who laid a trap for Mohali head constable. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 23, 2025 10:34 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Widow, children of kabaddi player awarded ₹34-lakh relief

In the order, tribunal’s presiding officer Atul Kasana directed Gurpreet Singh of Sangrur, who was booked for the car crash on May 29 last year, and the National Insurance Company Limited to pay ₹34,07,100 to the player’s family

Kabaddi player Paramjit Singh, alias Pamma Sohana, was killed in a car accident in Mohali in May 2024. (HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 22, 2025 10:20 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Mohali: Mastermind in Chandigarh University kidnapping case hatched the plot after learning of victim’s wealthy family

As per officials, accused Abhay, who hatched the conspiracy, did not himself join the kidnappers and witnessed the crime from a distance; when he got to know that victim’s friends have approached the police, he alerted the kidnappers who abandoned the victim near a canal in Ropar and fled in different directions

As per police, together with his four friends, including Raghav, a B-Pharmacy student, and Poorav, a second-year BBA student, Abhay hatched a conspiracy to kidnap Atharv to extort <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1.5 lakh from his family. (CCTV)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 21, 2025 05:32 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

2 private varsity students arrested for kidnapping fellow student in Mohali

The victim, Atharv Dhiman, 19, a first-year B.Tech student of the varsity, who hails from Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, was allegedly kidnapped from the campus on Thursday; he was allegedly beaten up and bundled into a car before being driven away

The kidnapper’s car spotted on CCTV outside the varsity in Gharuan, Mohali, on Thursday. (CCTV footage)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 20, 2025 09:22 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Inspector who booked Partap Bajwa is new Dera Bassi SHO

Inspector Sumit Mor has a prior history of serving as SHO in various police stations, including Phase-1, Sohana, and Balongi, before his transfer to the cyber crime police station last year

The FIR against Bajwa was lodged at the Mohali cyber crime police station following a complaint by constable Taranpreet Kaur, a social media cell operator in Mohali, who identified an allegedly objectionable post on Facebook (HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 17, 2025 10:18 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Zirakpur man, wife held for trafficking, raping minor domestic help

After hiring her in March, the man started drugging her and taking her to different men at other locations, the 16-year-old alleged in her complaint to police

The minor girl alleged that the couple threatened to post her objectionable videos online if she complained or ran away. (HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 17, 2025 10:00 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Husband murdered Panchkula hospital employee in drunken stupor, finds probe

The accused, Kailash Singh Bisht, 53, who was arrested from the spot on Monday itself, reportedly confessed the crime to his son Akash Singh Bisht, 29

The victim, Durga Bisht, a general duty assistant (GDA) at Panchkula’s Alchemist Hospital, had been recognised for her dedication at work with an appreciation letter this February. (File)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 16, 2025 10:18 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

‘50 bombs’ claim: LoP Partap Singh Bajwa grilled for 6 hours; Congress rallies behind him

The beleaguered Congress leader reached the police station around 2.30 pm and was questioned by the Punjab police officers, including Mohali superintendent of police (city) Harbir Atwal.

LoP Partap Singh Bajwa arrives at the cyber cell office for questioning in Mohali on Tuesday. (HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 16, 2025 09:40 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Vishal Rambani, Mohali

LoP Partap Singh Bajwa reaches Mohali cyber crime cell to record statements on his ‘50 bombs’ claim

LoP Partap Singh Bajwa has been booked on charges of providing misleading information with the intention to disturb peace by claiming that 50 bombs have reached the border state.

Punjab leader of opposition (LoP) and Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa walks into the Mohali cyber crime cell, where he reached around 2.30 pm on Tuesday following summons. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 15, 2025 03:19 PM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Mohali: GMADA’s 48-acre reclassified EWS land goes under hammer

The e-auction for six group housing sites, which started on April 13, will continue till 12 noon on April 22; GMADA will sell these sites with a total reserve price of ₹1,214.52 crores and is expecting to fetch up to ₹2,000 crores in case of a successful auction

Punjab Government in February had approved the policy to sell the scattered chunks of GMADA’s EWS land in different housing societies through e-auctions across the state. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 15, 2025 09:46 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Bajwa intended to disturb peace in Punjab, says FIR

Leader of Opposition (LOP) and Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa was booked on the complaint of Punjab Police woman constable Taranpreet Kaur on Sunday for providing misleading information with the intention to disturb peace by claiming that 50 bombs have reached the border state

Other Cities

Published on Apr 15, 2025 07:48 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Vishal Rambani

Congress leader Bajwa intended to disturb peace in Punjab with ‘50 bombs’ remark: FIR

Punjab Police booked leader of opposition on complaint of constable Taranpreet Kaur, a social media cell operator in Mohali, who flagged objectionable post on Facebook.

Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa was booked under Sections 197(1)(d) (false and misleading information that endangers the country’s sovereignty and unity) and 353(2) (false statements intend to create enmity and hatred or ill will), a non-bailable offence, of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the cyber crime police station in Phase-7, Mohali, on Sunday night. (HT file photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 14, 2025 05:45 PM IST

ByNikhil Sharma

After Mohali court order, Punjab Police provide copy of FIR to Bajwa’s counsel

Congress leader’s counsel had earlier told the court that he was not home at the time of the delivery of notice on Sunday and being out of station didn’t know the contents of the first information report against him over his statement that 50 bombs had reached Punjab.

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 14, 2025 04:20 PM IST

ByNikhil Sharma

Mohali man booked for making fake passports to settle abroad

The accused, identified as Kuldeep Singh of Adarsh Nagar, Dhakoli, Zirakpur, has been booked on the complaint of his cousin Sucha Singh of Dau Majra village, Kharar, said Mohali police

The incident came to light when the accused’s cousin, who is also the complainant, was blacklisted in America and Canada due to fake passport on his name. (File)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 11, 2025 09:42 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Centre greenlights six-lane Zirakpur bypass

19-km bypass aimed at decongesting Zirakpur-Chandigarh corridor by diverting Himachal-bound traffic from Delhi, Haryana, Patiala and Mohali

The Zirakpur bypass will be built at a cost of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1,878.31 crore under the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan. (HT)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 10, 2025 10:00 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Punjab: Govt schools outperform others as PSEB class 5 results out

99.54% students promoted; girls’ pass percentage higher than boys; 99.56% students of the government schools promoted, 99.50% students in non-government schools clear the exams

The results, according to SCERT officials, were shared with the students during the parent-teacher meetings in their respective schools on March 30. The consolidated results were declared on Wednesday.

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 10, 2025 09:54 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Punjab: Pastor’s follower booked for revealing rape victims’ identity

Victim says such social media posts drew 15 million views, provoked pastor’s followers, endangering her life; victim’s husband says supporters of the pastor are trying to trigger riots in the name of religion

According to sources, the police have initiated proceedings to get these channels banned.

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 10, 2025 09:38 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Stocks trading fraud: Mohali man loses ₹1.92 cr to cyber fraudsters

The victim, Pardeep Kumar Sharma, told police that he was added to a WhatsApp group named “S-6 Money Makers” on February 4, where a woman named Shivangi convinced him to invest in a stocks’ trading plan for high returns

The state cyber crime police have booked an unidentified accused under Sections 318(4) (cheating), 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, besides relevant sections of the IT Act. (iStock)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 09, 2025 08:58 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

2007 Moga sex scandal: Former SSP, ex-SP sentenced to five years in jail

CBI special judge, Mohali, Rakesh Kumar Gupta pronounced the verdict after convicting Garcha, Sandhu, then Moga city SHO Raman Kumar and then inspector Amarjit Singh,72, under Sections 13(1)(d) and 13(2) of the PC Act on March 29, 2007.

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 08, 2025 09:04 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

2007 Moga sex scandal: Former SSP, ex-SP sentenced to five years in jail

Special CBI judge, Mohali, sentences then Moga city SHO Raman Kumar and former inspector Amarjit Singh to 8-year and six-and-a-half-year jail terms, respectively, for implicating prominent businessmen in false gangrape case to extort money from them.

The accused Punjab Police personnel being produced in a special CBI court in Mohali on March 29. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Apr 07, 2025 02:48 PM IST

ByNikhil Sharma

Punjab forest ‘scam’: Mohali court asks chief secy to check ‘delay’ in prosecution sanction against IFS officer

“...the grant of sanction is an administrative act; its purpose is to protect the public servant from harassment by frivolous or vexatious prosecution, and not to shield the corrupt,” the Mohali court said

The VB arrested Mohali divisional forest officer (DFO) Guramanpreet Singh and contractor Harmahinder Singh, alias Hummy, for taking a bribe from WWICS director Devinder Singh Sandhu. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 07, 2025 08:38 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Mohali court allows Zirakpur MCto install sewage treatment plant

The court of additional district and sessions judge Baljinder Singh Sra directed the Zirakpur MC to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), and comply with all its regulations and directives to ensure that the STP operated in an environmentally responsible manner

The Mohali court said it was undisputed that developers/builders were required to install small STPs in every housing society as a precondition for obtaining NOC from the MC. (HT Photo for representation)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 04, 2025 09:42 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Majithia drug case: New SIT moves Mohali court to issue search warrants

Counsel of the former Punjab revenue minister also filed a plea seeking a copy of the SIT’s application; Hearing on April 5

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 04, 2025 09:18 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

Majithia drug case: New SIT moves Mohali court to issue search warrants

Counsel of former Punjab revenue minister also files plea seeking a copy of the SIT’s application and details pertaining to the locations where it wants to initiate the search. Matter to come up for hearing on April 5.

The new special investigation team (SIT) inquiring into a drug trafficking case against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia moved a Mohali court on Thursday, seeking search warrants. (HT file photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 03, 2025 12:50 PM IST

ByNikhil Sharma

Riding sans helmets: 32k fined in a month in Mohali

Of the total 56,000 challans issued through the third eye by the Mohali Police till date post inauguration by Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on March 6, maximum 32,159 two-wheelers have been challaned for driving without helmets.

Almost a month after the launch of e-challans using CCTV cameras installed under the City Surveillance and Traffic Management System in Mohali, of the total 56,000 challans, nearly 60% are issued to bikers for riding without helmets. (File Photo)

Chandigarh

Published on Apr 03, 2025 09:26 AM IST

ByNikhil Sharma, Mohali

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Nikhil Sharma

Nikhil Sharma is a staff reporter who covers Faridkot district in the Mansa region of Punjab.

The public prosecutor, opposing the revision petition of the cops in the court of additional district judge (ADJ) TPS Randhawa, averred that being a sensitive case, polygraph test would help clear many important facts in the case. The court will decide the pleas on Tuesday.

Vanshika's friend had alerted her family after finding that she hadn't returned home since April 22, following which her body was found near a beach.

The counsel for the five cops submitted revision pleas in the court of an additional district judge saying that his clients have withdrawn their consent to undergo the polygraph test.

The special NDPS court of Ajit Atri awarded rigorous 10-year jail to Okeke Solivan Tobechukwu, 47, a Nigerian, and imposed a fine of ₹1.05 lakh; his compatriot Uche Oyeagbuha, 39, was handed three-year jail along with ₹35,000 fine

The e-auction had started on April 13 that continued till 12 noon on Tuesday; two group housing sites in Mohali’s Wave Estate fetch development authority ₹403.75 crore

The complaint was filed with the Mohali unit of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau by a road and building contractor, Jarnail Singh, a resident of Sector 71, Mohali, on December 9, 2017

In the order, tribunal’s presiding officer Atul Kasana directed Gurpreet Singh of Sangrur, who was booked for the car crash on May 29 last year, and the National Insurance Company Limited to pay ₹34,07,100 to the player’s family

The victim, Atharv Dhiman, 19, a first-year B.Tech student of the varsity, who hails from Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, was allegedly kidnapped from the campus on Thursday; he was allegedly beaten up and bundled into a car before being driven away

Inspector Sumit Mor has a prior history of serving as SHO in various police stations, including Phase-1, Sohana, and Balongi, before his transfer to the cyber crime police station last year

After hiring her in March, the man started drugging her and taking her to different men at other locations, the 16-year-old alleged in her complaint to police

The accused, Kailash Singh Bisht, 53, who was arrested from the spot on Monday itself, reportedly confessed the crime to his son Akash Singh Bisht, 29

The beleaguered Congress leader reached the police station around 2.30 pm and was questioned by the Punjab police officers, including Mohali superintendent of police (city) Harbir Atwal.

LoP Partap Singh Bajwa has been booked on charges of providing misleading information with the intention to disturb peace by claiming that 50 bombs have reached the border state.

The e-auction for six group housing sites, which started on April 13, will continue till 12 noon on April 22; GMADA will sell these sites with a total reserve price of ₹1,214.52 crores and is expecting to fetch up to ₹2,000 crores in case of a successful auction

Leader of Opposition (LOP) and Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa was booked on the complaint of Punjab Police woman constable Taranpreet Kaur on Sunday for providing misleading information with the intention to disturb peace by claiming that 50 bombs have reached the border state

Punjab Police booked leader of opposition on complaint of constable Taranpreet Kaur, a social media cell operator in Mohali, who flagged objectionable post on Facebook.

Congress leader’s counsel had earlier told the court that he was not home at the time of the delivery of notice on Sunday and being out of station didn’t know the contents of the first information report against him over his statement that 50 bombs had reached Punjab.

The accused, identified as Kuldeep Singh of Adarsh Nagar, Dhakoli, Zirakpur, has been booked on the complaint of his cousin Sucha Singh of Dau Majra village, Kharar, said Mohali police

19-km bypass aimed at decongesting Zirakpur-Chandigarh corridor by diverting Himachal-bound traffic from Delhi, Haryana, Patiala and Mohali

99.54% students promoted; girls’ pass percentage higher than boys; 99.56% students of the government schools promoted, 99.50% students in non-government schools clear the exams

Victim says such social media posts drew 15 million views, provoked pastor’s followers, endangering her life; victim’s husband says supporters of the pastor are trying to trigger riots in the name of religion

The victim, Pardeep Kumar Sharma, told police that he was added to a WhatsApp group named “S-6 Money Makers” on February 4, where a woman named Shivangi convinced him to invest in a stocks’ trading plan for high returns

CBI special judge, Mohali, Rakesh Kumar Gupta pronounced the verdict after convicting Garcha, Sandhu, then Moga city SHO Raman Kumar and then inspector Amarjit Singh,72, under Sections 13(1)(d) and 13(2) of the PC Act on March 29, 2007.

Special CBI judge, Mohali, sentences then Moga city SHO Raman Kumar and former inspector Amarjit Singh to 8-year and six-and-a-half-year jail terms, respectively, for implicating prominent businessmen in false gangrape case to extort money from them.

“...the grant of sanction is an administrative act; its purpose is to protect the public servant from harassment by frivolous or vexatious prosecution, and not to shield the corrupt,” the Mohali court said

Counsel of the former Punjab revenue minister also filed a plea seeking a copy of the SIT’s application; Hearing on April 5

Counsel of former Punjab revenue minister also files plea seeking a copy of the SIT’s application and details pertaining to the locations where it wants to initiate the search. Matter to come up for hearing on April 5.

Of the total 56,000 challans issued through the third eye by the Mohali Police till date post inauguration by Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on March 6, maximum 32,159 two-wheelers have been challaned for driving without helmets.

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