Vishal Rambani

A special correspondent, Vishal Rambani is the bureau chief at Patiala. He covers politics, crime, power sector, environment and socio-economic issues, with several investigative stories to his credit.

Articles by Vishal Rambani

Punjab vigilance books Manpreet Badal, 5 others in land allotment case

2 arrested, raids being conducted to nab others, says VB; a case under IPC sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B and 13(1) of Prevention of Corruption Act and Information Technology Act has been registered against Manpreet Badal and others

Former finance minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manpreet Singh Badal (File)
Updated on Sep 25, 2023 01:11 AM IST
By, Patiala

Punjab sees growing trend of digital bribes

Vigilance officials say that while at times the bribe seekers end up incriminating themselves, at others, it proves to be a dead-end.

Punjab Vigilance Bureau’s chief director Varinder Kumar said that at least a dozen such cases have come to the fore off late (Shutterstock)
Published on Sep 16, 2023 01:23 AM IST
By, Patiala

Accused sepoy supplied sensitive info to ISI through terrorist Rinda: officials

The accused sepoy was arrested from Bhopal and was allegedly supplying sensitive information to ISI, through a drug peddler Amrik Singh, for the past three years, officials added

The army has deputed a Colonel rank official, besides Army Intelligence officials, to join the police in grilling accused sepoy Sharma, who worked as a computer operator at Western Command, Chandimandir, and Army Cantonment at Pathankot.
Published on Sep 14, 2023 12:45 AM IST
By, Patiala

Punjab Police nab armyman for leaking info to Pakistan’s ISI

The accused's activities had come to the fore after the arrest of a drug peddler, identified as Amrik Singh, from Patiala in May 2022.

The accused has been identified as Manpreet Sharma, who hails from Bhopal. (Sanjeev Kumar/HT Representative)
Published on Sep 11, 2023 12:43 AM IST
By, Patiala

Delhi excise policy scam: CBI summons 10 Punjab officials

This even as Punjab has withdrawn the general consent given to CBI for probing any case in the state

Though Punjab has withdrawn the general consent given to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for probing any case in the state, the Central agency has summoned 10 officials of Punjab excise and taxation department on Monday to record their statements in the case in which Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia is the main accused. (ANI)
Published on Sep 09, 2023 01:06 AM IST
By, Patiala

DA case: Punjab VB recovers 33 land deals from arrested patwari’s home

The vigilance bureau (VB) said the arrested patwari, Balkar Singh, had acquired nearly 55 acres of land under the names of his family members

The VB’s investigation has revealed that patwari Balkar Singh was involved in approximately 33 land transactions carried out in the names of his family members.
Updated on Sep 04, 2023 12:39 AM IST
By, Patiala

Fraudulent swap: Charitable trust gets usurped land back after Patiala DC’s order

The Patiala deputy commissioner has ordered the restoration of land in Sular village back to a charitable trust after a fraudulent land exchange in 2011. A case of forgery has been registered and the value of the trust's land is estimated to be ₹100 crore.

Fraudulent swap: Charitable trust gets usurped land back after Patiala DC’s order
Updated on Aug 28, 2023 01:00 AM IST
By, Patiala

Assets case: Court rejects Capt aide Chahal’s bail plea

A case under Section of 13 (1B) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against Bharat Inder Singh Chahal, adviser of former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh

After hearing the case, additional district and sessions judge Jaspinder Singh rejected the bail plea, saying: “It is clear that the applicant though joined the inquiry, but has not given complete details of assets and liabilities.”
Updated on Aug 24, 2023 01:02 AM IST

BBMB opens all floodgates on trial as water level in Bhakra dam rises

20,000 cusecs of water released on Sunday as water level in reservoir touched 1,672 feet, only eight feet short of its capacity of 1,680 feet, say officials

Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) officials said the floodgates were opened to inspect their operational efficacy.
Updated on Aug 13, 2023 11:58 PM IST
By, Patiala

Power panel allows PSPCL to purchase nuclear power

The power purchase agreement (PPA) signed in 2005 had expired after a span of 15 years, and PSPCL had approached the Punjab State Electricity Regulator Commission for renewal of the PPA

PSPCL procures 197 MW of nuclear power from Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS) and Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (146 MW). (File photo)
Updated on Aug 12, 2023 12:58 AM IST
By, Patiala

Capt’s ex-adviser Chahal ‘spent’ 305 per cent more than his income, booked

During probe, the VB found that the income of Chahal and his family members from March 2017 to September 2021 was ₹7.85 cr against the expenditure of ₹31.79 cr

Bharat Inder Singh Chahal
Updated on Aug 04, 2023 12:21 AM IST
By, Patiala

Vigilance books Capt Amarinder’s aide BIS Chahal for disproportionate assets

A vigilance official said that during the probe, it emerged that Bharat Inder Singh Chahal has amassed 300% more assets than his known sources of income

Bharat Inder Singh Chahal, who held a cabinet rank in the Captain Amarinder Singh government as advisor. (HT File)
Updated on Aug 03, 2023 04:05 PM IST
By, Patiala

Nabha MLA ‘gets stick’ over Dalit deputy CM post demand

Dev Mann’s close aides have alleged that he was being sidelined in the district, with Jasvir Singh Jassi Sohiwala, chairman of the district planning board, calling the shots

Dev Mann’s close aides have alleged that he was being sidelined in the district, with Jasvir Singh Jassi Sohiwala, chairman of the district planning board, calling the shots.
Updated on Aug 02, 2023 01:02 AM IST
By, Patiala

‘Dramebaz Vs shahzada’: Mann, Manpreet barb battle intensifies

The war of words between chief minister Bhagwant Mann and BJP leader Manpreet Badal intensified on Monday with the CM terming him (Manpreet) the “biggest dramebaaz” and the latter labelling him (Mann) “Muglia shehzada”

The war of words between chief minister Bhagwant Mann and BJP leader Manpreet Badal intensified on Monday with the CM terming him (Manpreet) the “biggest dramebaaz” and the latter labelling him (Mann) “Muglia shehzada”.
Updated on Aug 01, 2023 12:31 AM IST
By, Vishal Joshi

Woman dies 20 days after acid attack, addict husband arrested in Punjab’s Patiala

The police have taken her husband, into custody after registering a case against him on July 25. The incident, which occurred on July 6, left the victim fighting for her life for twenty days before succumbing to her injuries on July 26.

 A 45-year-old man was arrested after his wife succumbed to burn injuries 20 days after an acid attack, police said on Wednesday.
Updated on Jul 27, 2023 01:37 AM IST
By, Patiala

Will write to Centre for flood relief: Punjab Governor

Stating that floods have caused a massive damage in state, Punjab Governor and Chandigarh administrator Banwarilal Purohit said that he will soon send a report to Centre to seek help

The Punjab governor on Wednesday visited the flood-affected areas in Sangrur and also neighbouring district Patiala. (HT Photo)
Updated on Jul 26, 2023 10:31 PM IST
By, Patiala

Punjabi University fails to deposit fees to UGC for distance education courses, 15k students left in lurch

Following the withdrawal of approval by the Distance Education Bureau (DEB) of the UGC, the University V-C suspends HOD and a clerk

A view of Punjabi University in Patiala. (HT FILE)
Updated on Jul 25, 2023 12:48 AM IST
By, Patiala

As Punjab battles deluge, BBMB member irrigation repatriated to Haryana

SD Sharma, chief engineer, Beas Satluj Link project (BSL project)-Sundernagar, who was holding the charge of Member Irrigation in BBMB, was repatriated back to parent organisation Haryana Irrigation on Monday

Bhakra dam power project at Bilaspur district in Himachal Pradesh. (HT File)
Updated on Jul 14, 2023 01:03 AM IST
By, Patiala

Hansi-Butana canal: Punjab govt blames Haryana for waterlogging in Patiala, Sangrur

The Punjab government on Wednesday blamed Haryana for waterlogging in villages of Patiala and Sangrur districts with state information and public relations minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra saying had the neighbouring state didn’t clean the siphon built on the Ghaggar under Hansi-Butana canal on time

The Punjab government on Wednesday blamed Haryana for waterlogging in villages of Patiala and Sangrur districts with state information and public relations minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra saying had the neighbouring state didn’t clean the siphon built on the Ghaggar under Hansi-Butana canal on time
Updated on Jul 13, 2023 12:42 AM IST

MP Preneet performs ‘nath-chura’ ritual in Patiala to ward off floods

The ritual is usually conducted by the Patiala royal family scion, but as former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh was not in the city, Preneet took on the responsibility

MP Preneet Kaur, along with others, offering traditional 'Nath Chura' to Badi Nadi as a custom to save people from flood situation, in Patiala on Tuesday. (ANI)
Updated on Jul 12, 2023 12:52 AM IST
By, Patiala

Bhakra, Pong dams get heavy water inflow

The water level in the Gobind Sagar reservoir of the Bhakra Dam reached 1,615 feet, which is almost 48 feet higher than last year when it was 1567 feet on the corresponding day.

The water level in the Gobind Sagar reservoir of the Bhakra Dam reached 1,615 feet, which is almost 48 feet higher than last year when it was 1567 feet on the corresponding day.
Updated on Jul 11, 2023 01:41 AM IST
By, Patiala

Patiala murder: Within hours of killing mother, accused hacked brother to death, say cops

On Sunday, Gurwinder, 23, was arrested for killing his mother Paramjit Kaur, 45, with a sharp-edged weapon and cutting her body into two before setting it on fire at his home in Kangthala village of Patran in Patiala district late on Saturday evening, police said

Representational image.
Updated on Jul 04, 2023 12:51 AM IST
By, Patiala

Patiala shocker: Drug addict kills mother, chops body into 2; sets it on fire

Neighbours say the accused, Gurwinder Singh, who is his early 20s, committed the crime as his mother refused to give money for drugs. Patran station house officer Manpreet Singh said the accused and his two accomplices, who helped him in the murder, have been arrested.

Paramjit Kaur, the woman, who was killed by her son, a drug addict. (HT Photo)
Updated on Jul 02, 2023 11:54 PM IST
By, Patiala

300-unit of free power: Year on , 83% households in Punjab getting zero bill

With nearly ₹6,000 crore as additional power subsidy for ‘zero bills’, the total power subsidy bill of the state is nearing ₹20,000 crore, which includes arrears of past years

A year after the launch, the tentative data shows that consumers got benefits to the tune of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>6,000 crore for zero bills, a promise made by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during the 2022 elections, and implemented within three months of the formation of government. (File Photo)
Updated on Jul 02, 2023 12:30 AM IST
By, Patiala

Modi in US: PM’s visit will bolster economies, says Punjab-origin businessman Darshan Dhaliwal

Indian diaspora will be hosting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, where he will deliver a speech underscoring Indo-US ties and the Indian government’s ground-breaking decisions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Punjab-origin businessman Darshan Singh Dhaliwal and his wife Derba at the State Dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday. (HT Photo)
Updated on Jun 23, 2023 01:04 PM IST

Paddy sowing: Power demand shoots up to 14,000 MW in Punjab

Likely to surpass 15,500 MW by June-end as final phase of 8-hour supply to farmers begins on June 21

Highest demand and supply are typically observed in the last days of June.
Updated on Jun 19, 2023 11:37 PM IST
By, Patiala

Police remove farmers protesting outside PSPCL office in Patiala

Arrest farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who was on an indefinite fast; work resumes at power corporation office after five days

Members of the Punjab Cordination Committee of Powercom and Transco Contractual Workers block Fountain Chowk during a protest against the state government in support of their demands, in Patiala on Tuesday. (ANI)
Updated on Jun 13, 2023 11:39 PM IST
By, Patiala

Punjab: Police use mild lathicharge to clear PSPCL HQ of protesting farmers

Arrest farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who was on an indefinite fast; work resumes at power corporation office after five days

Protesters being taken away from the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) headquarters in Patiala on Tuesday morning. (HT Photo)
Updated on Jun 13, 2023 12:42 PM IST

Punjab irrigation dept declines JE’s prosecution in corruption case

Water resources principal secretary Krishan Kumar claims official VB caught red-handed not at fault as she was trapped in fabricated case that’s fallout of rivalry

Punjab irrigation department has declined the JE’s prosecution in a corruption case. (HT File)
Updated on Jun 07, 2023 06:59 PM IST
By, Patiala

The power battle between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh

The two northern states are fighting over control of operations of a 90-year-old hydroelectric power plant

Shanan hydro project at Jogindernagar in Mandi district. (HT file photo)
Published on Jun 07, 2023 03:47 PM IST
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