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

Nabha jailbreak impossible without assistance of prison officials: Court

The additional district and sessions judge, HS Grewal, made scathing remarks against the prisons department in his judgment and also listed some measures to improve its functioning

Indicting the Punjab prisons department in the Nabha jailbreak case, a Patiala court said it was not possible to escape without the involvement of officials. (HT file photo)
Published on Mar 27, 2023 09:38 AM IST
By, Patiala

18 Nabha jailbreak convicts get 10-year imprisonment

Seven years after the sensational Nabha maximum security prison break, a Patiala district court on Thursday sentenced 22 accused to jail terms ranging from three to 20 years.

Of the 22 convicts, 18 will undergo 10-year jail term, two 20-year rigorous imprisonment (RI) and another two will spend five years and three years behind the bars (Representational Photo)
Published on Mar 24, 2023 12:51 AM IST

Nabha prison break: Court convicts 22, acquits six

Seven years after the sensational Nabha Maximum Security prison break, a daring act of gangsters which rocked the nation, the district court has convicted 22 accused while acquitting six.

Eight, including two escapees, four executors and Hong Kong-based Romi are still at large. (Representational Photo (Shutterstock) )
Published on Mar 21, 2023 10:51 PM IST

PM security breach: Punjab CM okays penalty for ex-DGP, two senior cops

Chief secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua had moved a file to chargesheet all erring officers, but the CMO only approved the chargesheet of three police officers. Former chief secretary Anirudh Tewari will be issued a show-cause notice

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy stranded on a flyover during his Punjab visit on January 5, 2022. On March 7, 2023, HT was the first to report the findings of the committee, led by retired Supreme Court justice Indu Malhotra, into the security lapses. (HT file photo)
Published on Mar 21, 2023 12:10 PM IST

Himachal Pradesh water cess may raise power tariffs in neighbouring states

The Himachal Pradesh government’s move to impose a water cess on hydropower projects will raise power tariffs by at least ₹1 per unit, which may be contested by states such as Punjab that buy the power

The Himachal Pradesh government on March 14 initiated the formal legislative process to replace with a law the Himachal Pradesh Water Cess on Hydropower Generation Ordinance that was promulgated to impose a levy on hyd-el power generated in the state. (Representative image)
Updated on Mar 17, 2023 04:03 AM IST
ByRajeev Jayaswal, Vishal Rambani & Gaurav Bisht

PM Modi’s Punjab visit: Officers to be charged over security breach

After drawing flak from the Centre over the delay in action on the breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security during his Punjab visit in January last year, the state’s chief secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua said on Monday that all the indicted officers will be charged.

The security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab happened during the tenure of the previous Congress government in the state. (ANI)
Published on Mar 14, 2023 01:14 AM IST
By, Patiala

PM Modi security breach: Govt to chargesheet erring officers, says chief secy

Following flak from the Centre over the delay in action over the breach of security of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Punjab visit in January last year, chief secretary Vijay Kumar Januja said that all indicted officers will be chargesheeted.

Irked by the delay, as per the persons in the know of things in the state government, said that the Centre was mulling options to act against the officers under the Special Protection Group (SPG) Act. (ANI file photo)
Updated on Mar 13, 2023 10:35 PM IST
By, Patiala

PM security breach: Centre seeks action-taken report from Punjab

A report of the Supreme Court-appointed inquiry committee looking into the breach in security during Modi’s Punjab visit on January 5, 2022, which was submitted six months ago, indicted then state chief secretary Anirudh Tewari, police chief S Chattopadhyaya, and other top officers for lapses.

Security breach in PM Modi's convoy in Ferozepur district on January 5, 2022. (ANI)
Updated on Mar 12, 2023 04:19 AM IST

Punjab vigilance bureau issues lookout notice against ex-CM Channi in DA probe

On March 7, chief minister Bhagwant Mann had said in the assembly that Channi was under scanner in the DA case.

Vigilance bureau has issued a lookout circular against former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who is being probed for allegedly amassing wealth more than his known sources of income (HT photo)
Updated on Mar 11, 2023 04:20 AM IST
By, Patiala

PM security breach: 6 months on, no action against former Punjab chief secretary, ex-DGP

Supreme Court-appointed inquiry committee cites ‘colossal failure in planning and coordination’; report sent by Centre to AAP govt in September, but CM Bhagwant Mann is yet to act

The convoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stuck for nearly 30 minutes on a flyover when he was travelling by road from Bathinda airport to Ferozepur on January 5, 2022. (PTI file photo)
Published on Mar 07, 2023 12:46 PM IST

NHM grants only for health and wellness centres: Union minister

In an apparent reference to Punjab government’s flagship Aam Aadmi Clinics, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday said the state government will get grant for health and wellness centres under the National Health Mission and not for any other scheme.

Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh along with MLA Ajitpal Kohli, batted for Aam Aadmi Clinics and also raised other health-related demands. (HT Photo)
Published on Mar 05, 2023 10:54 PM IST

Punjab’s power subsidy set to touch whopping 20k-cr next fiscal

The power subsidy payable by Punjab Government to power corporation may cross a whopping ₹20,000 crore as per the revised estimates of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and the government’s commitment to clear previous arrears of subsidy in five equal instalments of ₹1,804 crore.

The PSPCL has submitted its projections to the Punjab Finance Department, which is preparing the budget. (HT File Photo)
Published on Mar 01, 2023 01:17 AM IST
By, Patiala

Punjab’s power demand shoots up by 25% with rising temperatures

Even as farmers fear crop loss due to above-normal temperature this season, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited officials are also worried as the power demand has shot up by 25% this February as compared to corresponding period last year.

While the maximum temperatures in Punjab and Haryana have been hovering above normal limits for several days, minimum temperatures too had registered an increase. (AFP File Photo)
Published on Feb 26, 2023 10:45 PM IST

Gangster Teja Mehandpuria, 2 aides killed in an encounter in Punjab’s Fatehgarh Sahib

Two cops, sub-inspector Gurpreet Singh and constable Sukhraj received injuries during the encounter and are presently undergoing treatment

The encounter site in Bassi Pathana town of Fatehgarh Sahib district on Wednesday. (Twitter)
Published on Feb 23, 2023 12:59 AM IST
By, Fatehgarh Sahib

Punjab VB summons former Congress minister Brahm Mohindra in DA case

Brahm Mohindra is sixth former minister being probed for disproportionate assets; the VB arrested Sadhu Singh Dharamsot in a similar case, while former ministers Sham Sunder Arora, Balbir Singh Sidhu, Gurpreet Kangar, Bharat Bhushan Ashu and at least five other Congress leaders are under VB scrutiny for corruption

Brahm Mohindra was minister for health, local bodies, medical education and parliamentary affairs during the Congress rule from 2017-22. He remained a five-time MLA, but did not contest the 2022 assembly elections. (HT file photo)
Updated on Feb 21, 2023 11:43 AM IST

Assets case: Congress leader Dharamsot amassed huge properties in Mohali, Amloh, reveals Punjab vigilance probe

Former forest minister and Congress leader Sadhu Singh Dharamsot amassed undisclosed properties in Mohali and Amloh worth crores, reveals the Punjab vigilance bureau (VB) probe.

Dharamsot, who was arrested on February 6 by the VB for amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, was on February 7 sent to three-day vigilance custody. (Representational Photo)
Updated on Feb 09, 2023 09:38 PM IST

Punjab vigilance arrests former minister Dharamsot in assets case

Punjab vigilance bureau on Monday arrested former minister and Congress leader Sadhu Singh Dharamsot for amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income

Punjab vigilance bureau on Monday arrested former minister and Congress leader Sadhu Singh Dharamsot for amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. (HT photo)
Published on Feb 07, 2023 01:14 AM IST
By, Patiala

Preneet Kaur takes on Tariq Anwar over show-cause notice

A defiant Patiala Congress MP and former minister of state for external affairs Preneet Kaur on Monday hit back at the party’s disciplinary action committee member secretary Tariq Anwar for issuing her a show-cause notice for anti-party activities and dared the party “to take whatever action it wants to”.

The Congress disciplinary committee on February 3 suspended Preneet . (HT file photo)
Published on Feb 07, 2023 12:01 AM IST

Punjab: Take whatever action you want, Patiala MP Preneet Kaur dares Congress

In hard-hitting reply to show-cause notice to party, former Union minister expresses surprise that Tariq Anwar, who had quit the party on Sonia’s elevation despite being a foreign national, is now questioning her for “anti-party activities”; vows to stand by Punjab

Patiala Congress MP and former minister of state for external affairs Preneet Kaur on Monday hit back at the party’s disciplinary action committee for issuing her a show-cause notice and dared it “to take whatever action it wants to”. (HT file photo)
Published on Feb 06, 2023 12:49 PM IST

Congress suspends MP Preneet Kaur

The Congress disciplinary committee on Friday suspended Preneet Kaur, Patiala Lok Sabha MP and wife of former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh, and asked her to explain within three days why she should not be expelled for indulging in anti-party activities.

Congress MP Preneet Kaur. (PTI)
Published on Feb 04, 2023 12:09 AM IST
By, Patiala

Congress suspends Patiala MP Preneet Kaur for anti-party activities

Congress’ disciplinary panel member secretary Tariq Anwar says Preneet has been asked to explain in three days why she shouldn’t be expelled; action comes after complaints by Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring

The Congress disciplinary committee on Friday suspended its Patiala Lok Sabha MP Preneet Kaur, who is the wife of former Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh, and asked her to explain within three days why she should not be expelled for anti-party activities. (HT file photo)
Published on Feb 03, 2023 04:46 PM IST

Suspense prevails over Navjot Sidhu’s release

Even though the premature release of Navjot Singh Sidhu from Patiala central jail is uncertain, his supporters have geared up for grand welcome of the cricketer turned politician.

As of now there is no official confirmation about the release of former state Congress chief Sidhu. (HT file photo)
Published on Jan 25, 2023 10:31 PM IST
By, Patiala

Rape in moving car: Accused sent to 2-day police remand

Two days after a 12-year-old girl was raped in a moving car in the Balbeda area of Patiala, a local court on Monday sent the accused to two-day police remand.

The police will soon file a chargesheet against the accused, said a senior official. (Representational Photo)
Published on Jan 24, 2023 12:34 AM IST

Punjab excise minister intercepts 15 trucks ferrying goods without paying GST

After complaints of tax evasion, Harpal Cheema and GST commissioner KK Yadav conduct surprise check at Rajpura

Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who also holds the charge of excise and taxation, with a truck driver during the surprise check at Rajpura in Patiala district on Saturday. Punjab GST commissioner KK Yadav is seen in the background. (HT Photo)
Updated on Jan 21, 2023 02:43 PM IST

Rahul in Punjab: Bharat Jodo Yatra successful because India about unity

Congress leader says BJP, RSS resorting to divisive politics to spread fear, hatred, but he is showing path of unity, which is why his yatra is successful

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi began the Punjab leg of his Bharat Jodo Yatra from Sirhind in Fatehgarh Sahib district on Wednesday morning. Former Aam Aadmi Party leader Dr Dharamvira Gandhi also joined him. (HT Photo)
Updated on Jan 11, 2023 01:42 PM IST

Punjab VB arrests trio from Nabha for extorting 1.5 lakh from registry clerk

Property agent, his two accomplices were blackmailing govt official; Vigilance Bureau team laid trap and caught accused accepting second instalment of extortion amount

Property agent, his two accomplices were blackmailing a government official. Vigilance Bureau team laid trap and caught accused accepting second instalment of extortion amount (Representational image)
Published on Jan 09, 2023 06:07 PM IST

After Sarari’s resignation, Dr Balbir Singh likely to sworn in as Punjab minister

Dr Balbir Singh, a 66-year-old MLA from Patiala (rural) constituency, is likely to be inducted as cabinet minister in the chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Cabinet

Dr Balbir Singh, a 66-year-old MLA from Patiala (rural) constituency, is likely to be inducted as cabinet minister in chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Cabinet. He is likely to be sworn in the evening (Representative Image/HT File)
Updated on Jan 07, 2023 02:34 PM IST
By, Patiala

Punjab: Six members of Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang arrested with 12 weapons

Accused were operating weapon and drugs smuggling racket in border state, DGP assures of stern action

Rupnagar district police chief Vivek Sheel Soni addressing a press conference on Monday. Six members of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang involved in smuggling weapons and drugs were arrested with 12 weapons and 50 cartridges in the district. (HT Photo)
Published on Jan 02, 2023 04:06 PM IST

Badal, Dhindsa families stalled work at Sangrur medical college: Bhagwant Mann

Chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday slammed the Badal and Dhindsa families for ‘joining hands’ to stall work on Sangrur medical college for their ‘vested political interests’.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann along with his wife Gurpreet Kaur at Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan to offer prayers on the first day of the New Year 2023, at Sohana, in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar on Sunday. (ANI Photo) (CMO Punjab Twitter)
Published on Jan 01, 2023 11:19 PM IST
By, Sangrur

Lookout circular issued against former Punjab CM Capt Amarinder’s adviser Chahal

The circular against Chahal, who is incommunicado and untraceable since the vigilance bureau initiated its probe about 12 days ago, has been opened to prevent him from fleeing India

A look out circular has been issued against former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh’s aide Bharat Inder Singh Chahal, who is under vigilance bureau’s investigation in a corruption case, officials said on Wednesday. (HT file photo)
Published on Dec 22, 2022 12:34 AM IST
By, Patiala
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