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Ravinder Vasudeva

Ravinder Vasudeva is a principal correspondent who writes for the Punjab bureau of Hindustan Times.

Articles by Ravinder Vasudeva

Bishnoi jail interviews: Punjab home dept recommends DSP’s dismissal

The SIT uncovered that the controversial interview, aired in March 2023, was conducted via video conference when Bishnoi was in CIA Kharar custody on September 3-4, 2022. Gursher was DSP (investigations) at that time and Bishnoi was being probed for his alleged role in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala.

Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was in CIA Kharar custody on September 3-4, 2022. (Ayush Sharma)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 15, 2024 08:12 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Civic body polls: Jakhar ‘missing’, Rupani takes charge, to chair key Punjab BJP meet today

On Monday, the party finalised tickets for the municipal councils and majority of candidates for the municipal corporations will be finalised on Tuesday

Senior leader Vijay Rupani chairs a BJP meet on Monday. (HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 10, 2024 07:44 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

After bid on Sukhbir’s life, Punjab Police tighten security of Akali leaders

According to top functionaries of the Punjab Police, Akali leaders, including SAD working president Balwinder Bhunder, Daljeet Singh Cheema, Sucha Singh Langah, Maheshinder Grewal, Adesh Partap Kairon, Charanjit Singh Atwal, Bikram Majithia, rebel leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Gulzar Singh Ranike, Hira Singh Gabria and former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur have been provided heavy security cover.

In wake of the assassination bid on former deputy chief minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab Police has tightened the security of all leaders who have been awarded tankhah (religious punishment) by the Akal Takht. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 07, 2024 05:40 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Sukhbir attacker a ‘lone wolf’, says early police probe

Initial probe suggests Chaura planned the assassination only after Akal Takht pronounced its verdict on Badal regarding the Bargari sacrilege case.

Narain Singh Chaura, who attempted to assassinate former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal at the Golden Temple, acted alone and was “self-motivated,” preliminary police investigation revealed, even as Badal returned on Thursday to take up sewadar duty as part of his atonement.

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 06, 2024 04:55 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva

Attack on Sukhbir Badal lays bare chinks in security

Sukhbir’s Z+ cover includes 10+ CISF commandos but none of his central security detail was visibly present near him at the time of the attack; the bullet missed Sukhbir after an alert police officer in plainclothes grabbed Chaura’s hand, causing the shot to hit a wall about 7 feet above Sukhbir’s head.

A former militant’s assassination attempt on Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple was foiled on Wednesday, exposing serious security lapses despite his Z-plus protection status. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 05, 2024 07:18 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Chaura, a pro-Khalistan leader who is on radar of central intel agencies

Narain Singh Chaura has been on the radar of central intelligence agencies over multiple terror-related cases.

Narain Singh Chaura, the man who attempted to shoot former Punjab deputy chief minister and senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar on Wednesday, has been on the radar of central intelligence agencies over multiple terror-related cases and was declared the mastermind of the sensational Burail jailbreak in Chandigarh in 2004.

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 05, 2024 06:46 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva

Attack on Sukhbir: Also probing if attack a ploy to gain sympathy, says Amritsar top cop Bhullar; Majithia hits back

“We are investigating all angles, including what was the attacker’s motivation behind the attack. We are also investigating if any organisation or political angle is behind this attack. As many people are questioning us, the probe is also being done if the attack was orchestrated to garner sympathy,” Bhullar told reporters in Amritsar.

Amritsar police commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar on Wednesday kicked up a row by saying that the police are also investigating if the assassination bid on SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal was a ploy to garner sympathy, prompting a sharp reaction from Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia who alleged that police have failed to do their job properly. (ANI File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 05, 2024 07:04 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Alarm after brazen bid on Badal’s life

The bullet missed Badal after an alert police officer in plainclothes grabbed Chaura’s hand, causing the shot to hit a wall about seven feet above Badal’s head

A Punjab Police officer fends off the shooter, Narain Singh Chaura, who opened fire at Sukhbir Singh Badal (seated) at the Golden Temple complex on Wednesday morning. (HT )

India News

Updated on Dec 05, 2024 07:44 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva

Re-branding of Aam Aadmi Clinics: State gets ₹164 cr as 2nd instalment under NHM

With this second instalment, the Punjab Government has received around ₹190 crore from around ₹1,200 crore of NHM funds stuck since 2023.

The Centre had strongly objected to this and had stopped the funding under NHM in January 2023. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 04, 2024 07:56 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Wooing rural Sikhs still a work in progress for BJP

Drubbing in the recently concluded four bypolls and Lok Sabha elections clearly depict that the party is still struggling to bridge the gap with rural Sikhs in Punjab

Sikhs have been at the centre stage of the political discourse of the BJP in Punjab ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to withdraw the three controversial farm laws in 2021.

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 30, 2024 09:22 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Made in Madhya Pradesh, fired in Punjab

In the past two years, 1,300 illegal weapons manufactured in Madhya Pradesh and to be supplied to gangsters have been recovered by Punjab Police

Kumar’s interrogation revealed that he was working on the directions of foreign-based Khalistani terrorist Harwinder Kumar, alias Sonu, belonging to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 27, 2024 10:43 PM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Punjab bypoll: BJP’s expansion plans take a hit

Its attempts to woo influential figures from other parties have failed to yield results in the Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year and again in Saturday’s bypoll results

The party not only failed to garner good votes in any of the four contested seats but lost its security deposits on three of them, raising serious questions about its strategy and grassroots presence.

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 24, 2024 08:18 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

{Post bypolls results} Punjab BJP gets ready for overhaul

With incumbent state chief Sunil Jakhar expressing unwillingness to continue, the revamp will take place along with its internal polls

Party insiders suggest that the revamp will take place alongside BJP’s internal organisational elections which are expected to commence in December this year. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Nov 21, 2024 10:06 PM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Anmol, a key operator of Lawrence Bishnoi’s global criminal syndicate

As per the Punjab police dossier, accessed by HT, Anmol looks after the cartel of extortion and also oversees the investment of the gang’s money in businesses outside India.

Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s brother Anmol Bishnoi alias Bhanu

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 20, 2024 08:12 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Punjab: Fazilka man held in Baba Siddique case

Akash Gill is 24th man to be arrested by the Mumbai police in connection with the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique recently. “The accused gave ‘logistic’ help to killers,” mentioned Punjab DGP in a post on his X handle.

This is the second arrest made from Punjab in connection with the murder of Baba Siddique.

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 17, 2024 06:14 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

NHM funds: Centre-state deadlock over, but no clarity on pending ₹621 crore

The Punjab government resolved a funding dispute with the Centre, receiving ₹123 crore but risks losing ₹621 crore for 2023-24 due to clinic naming issues.

The centre had stopped the NHM funds for Punjab in February 2023, claiming that the Mann government was branding the centrally sponsored health and wellness clinics as Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 15, 2024 10:06 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Punjab BJP chief opposes Centre’s move to allot land for Haryana assembly in UT

Partap Singh Bajwa, senior Congress leader and leader of Opposition in Punjab, writes to Prime Minister, calling on him to acknowledge Punjab’s “rightful” claim over Chandigarh and fulfill longstanding promises made to the state.

BJP’s Punjab president Sunil Jakhar . (HT file)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 15, 2024 09:18 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Punjab BJP chief opposes Centre’s move to allot land for Haryana assembly in UT

Sunil Jakhar urges PM Modi to intervene and cancel move to allot 10 acres to Haryana to build separate assembly complex in Chandigarh, saying it will “emotionally hurt Punjabis”.

Chandigarh

Published on Nov 14, 2024 02:28 PM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva

Who is Arsh Dalla, the lynchpin of Punjab’s terror-gangster network

A native of Dala village in Moga district, Canada-based Arshdeep Singh Gill faces 58 narco-terror cases, including 12 under the stringent UAPA, in Punjab.

Arshdeep Singh Gill, alias Arsh Dalla, 28, a designated terrorist in India and an aide of slain Khalistan separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, was arrested in a shooting case in Ontario. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 14, 2024 05:46 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Parteek Singh Mahal, Chandigarh/faridkot

National Health Mission: Centre releases funds as Punjab agrees to drop CM pics

The first instalment of ₹123 crore (out of a total ₹765 crore due for 2024-25 for the state under NHM) was released on Tuesday.

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann inaugurated 500 Aam Aadmi Clinics across Punjab in January 2023. (PTI)

India News

Updated on Nov 13, 2024 03:50 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

DGP appointment: UP cabinet nod to new rules brings focus back on Punjab bill

UP’s new set of rules for appointing DGP, wherein a panel chaired by a retired high court judge will pick the new police chief, has brought the focus back on a similar bill passed by the Punjab assembly in 2023

The Punjab Police Amendment Bill is awaiting President’s nod for the past over one and a half years.

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 07, 2024 09:40 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

BKI’s modus operandi: Rope in small-time criminals for ‘big jobs’

The Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) module busted by Ludhiana police and counter-intelligence wing over recent attacks on right-wing Hindu leaders has again revealed a pattern adopted by ISI-backed, pro-Khalistan modules to involve gullible petty criminals to perform the task.

Those arrested on Tuesday in Ludhiana are petty criminals and a case of NDPS was registered against two of them. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 06, 2024 05:20 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Carrot-&-stick policy of Punjab Police pays off

The state recorded 3,916 farm fires between September 15 and November 2, a drastic decrease from 11,262 last year and 21,480 in 2022.

Following Supreme Court’s directions to take strict action against farmers burning stubble, Punjab Police registered 1,608 FIRs this year (till November) which is almost double of last year’s figure of 850. (ANI Photo) (ANI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 03, 2024 06:22 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Flight carrying 100 Indians deported from United States deplaned in Punjab

The US official maintained though the idea was to land the flight closer to people’s place of origin, the individuals on this flight may or may not be from Punjab and surrounding states

The US official also disclosed that the United States has deported around 1,100 Indian nationals, who were staying in the United States illegally, through chartered and commercial flights in the 2023-24 American financial year, ending September 30 (Shutterstock)

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 30, 2024 07:32 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Lawrence Bishnoi jail interview: Two DSPs among six Punjab cops suspended

An order issued by state home secretary Gurkirat Kirpal Singh said that the action was being taken after an SIT found that Lawrence Bishnoi’s interview, aired on a private channel, was conducted through a video-conference when he was in the custody of Kharar CIA on September 3-4, 2022

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 26, 2024 09:26 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva

In a first, Punjab cops detain ‘smuggler’ under PIT-NDPS Act

The proposals regarding Avtar Singh, alias Tari and many others were pending before the state home department for the past over six months

‘Peddler’ Avtar Singh, alias Tari, of Gurdaspur village detained for two years. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 26, 2024 08:34 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Jakhar’s ‘absence’ leaves BJP Punjab unit baffled

Jakhar, who had not attended party meetings for almost 2 months, was present on October 17 during the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP government in Haryana.

Sunil Jakhar’s absence from the state has left the leaders perplexed. (Ht File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 24, 2024 06:14 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Manpreet, Kewal Dhillon, Ravi Kahlon BJP’s picks for bypolls

BJP leader and former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal has been fielded from the Gidderbaha assembly seat, according to the party’s list of candidates.

Manpreet had been elected from Gidderbaha on SAD ticket four times. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 23, 2024 09:42 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Manpreet, Kahlon among BJP’s bypoll probables from Gidderbaha and Barnala respectively

Former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Ravi Karan Kahlon has also been conveyed reportedly to be get ready to contest polls from Dera Baba Nanak.

The BJP is said to have almost finalised the names for the November 13 bypolls to the four assembly seats of Gidderbaha, Chabbewal, Dera Baba Nanak and Barnala. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 22, 2024 05:16 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Sikh activist was shot dead at Amritpal’s behest: Punjab DGP

Canada-based Karamveer Gora, gangster-terrorist Arshdeep Dala were handlers of shooters who killed Gurpreet

Punjab Police on Friday said that Gurpreet Singh Hari Nau, alias Bhodi, a Kotkapura-based Sikh activist, was murdered at the behest of jailed Khadoor Sahib member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, who is lodged in Dibrugarh Jail of Assam under the stringent National Security Act (NSA).

Chandigarh

Updated on Oct 19, 2024 08:06 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva

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Ravinder Vasudeva

Ravinder Vasudeva is a principal correspondent who writes for the Punjab bureau of Hindustan Times.

On Monday, the party finalised tickets for the municipal councils and majority of candidates for the municipal corporations will be finalised on Tuesday

Initial probe suggests Chaura planned the assassination only after Akal Takht pronounced its verdict on Badal regarding the Bargari sacrilege case.

Narain Singh Chaura has been on the radar of central intelligence agencies over multiple terror-related cases.

The bullet missed Badal after an alert police officer in plainclothes grabbed Chaura’s hand, causing the shot to hit a wall about seven feet above Badal’s head

With this second instalment, the Punjab Government has received around ₹190 crore from around ₹1,200 crore of NHM funds stuck since 2023.

Drubbing in the recently concluded four bypolls and Lok Sabha elections clearly depict that the party is still struggling to bridge the gap with rural Sikhs in Punjab

In the past two years, 1,300 illegal weapons manufactured in Madhya Pradesh and to be supplied to gangsters have been recovered by Punjab Police

Its attempts to woo influential figures from other parties have failed to yield results in the Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year and again in Saturday’s bypoll results

With incumbent state chief Sunil Jakhar expressing unwillingness to continue, the revamp will take place along with its internal polls

As per the Punjab police dossier, accessed by HT, Anmol looks after the cartel of extortion and also oversees the investment of the gang’s money in businesses outside India.

Akash Gill is 24th man to be arrested by the Mumbai police in connection with the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique recently. “The accused gave ‘logistic’ help to killers,” mentioned Punjab DGP in a post on his X handle.

The Punjab government resolved a funding dispute with the Centre, receiving ₹123 crore but risks losing ₹621 crore for 2023-24 due to clinic naming issues.

Partap Singh Bajwa, senior Congress leader and leader of Opposition in Punjab, writes to Prime Minister, calling on him to acknowledge Punjab’s “rightful” claim over Chandigarh and fulfill longstanding promises made to the state.

Sunil Jakhar urges PM Modi to intervene and cancel move to allot 10 acres to Haryana to build separate assembly complex in Chandigarh, saying it will “emotionally hurt Punjabis”.

A native of Dala village in Moga district, Canada-based Arshdeep Singh Gill faces 58 narco-terror cases, including 12 under the stringent UAPA, in Punjab.

The first instalment of ₹123 crore (out of a total ₹765 crore due for 2024-25 for the state under NHM) was released on Tuesday.

UP’s new set of rules for appointing DGP, wherein a panel chaired by a retired high court judge will pick the new police chief, has brought the focus back on a similar bill passed by the Punjab assembly in 2023

The Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) module busted by Ludhiana police and counter-intelligence wing over recent attacks on right-wing Hindu leaders has again revealed a pattern adopted by ISI-backed, pro-Khalistan modules to involve gullible petty criminals to perform the task.

The state recorded 3,916 farm fires between September 15 and November 2, a drastic decrease from 11,262 last year and 21,480 in 2022.

The US official maintained though the idea was to land the flight closer to people’s place of origin, the individuals on this flight may or may not be from Punjab and surrounding states

An order issued by state home secretary Gurkirat Kirpal Singh said that the action was being taken after an SIT found that Lawrence Bishnoi’s interview, aired on a private channel, was conducted through a video-conference when he was in the custody of Kharar CIA on September 3-4, 2022

The proposals regarding Avtar Singh, alias Tari and many others were pending before the state home department for the past over six months

Jakhar, who had not attended party meetings for almost 2 months, was present on October 17 during the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP government in Haryana.

BJP leader and former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal has been fielded from the Gidderbaha assembly seat, according to the party’s list of candidates.

Former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Ravi Karan Kahlon has also been conveyed reportedly to be get ready to contest polls from Dera Baba Nanak.

Canada-based Karamveer Gora, gangster-terrorist Arshdeep Dala were handlers of shooters who killed Gurpreet

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