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: 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

Disproportionate assets case: VB assess property value of ex-CM Capt Amarinder’s adviser Chahal

A Punjab vigilance bureau team probing corruption charges against former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh’s adviser Bharat Inder Singh Chahal reached his Alcazar Marriage Palace on Patiala-Sirhind Road on Monday to ascertain the value of the property.

After the marriage palace, the VB sleuths measured the five-story shopping complex on Nabha Road, which also has a banquet hall. (HT photo)
Published on Dec 20, 2022 12:16 AM IST

Probing corruption, Punjab VB at door of ex-CM Capt Amarinder’s adviser BIS Chahal

Punjab Vigilance Bureau team lands up at Chahal’s property on Patiala-Sirhind road to ascertain value; VB writes to immigration authorities to issue look out circular against Chahal, who has been incommunicado since 10 days

HT file photoBharat Inder Singh Chahal , an aide of former Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh, faces a Vigilance Bureau inquiry for corruption. A request has also been sent to the immigration authorities to issue a look out circular (LOC) against Chahal, who has been incommunicado for 10 days.
Published on Dec 19, 2022 12:50 PM IST

After 8 years, PSPCL to get coal from its mine in Pachwara

After a gap of eight years, Punjab will receive the first railway rake of coal from the Pachwara coal mine which was allotted by the Union government to the state.

This will not only help the state save close to <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1000 cr and reduce power generation costs; the first coal rake to reach on December 15 (Representational photo)
Updated on Dec 13, 2022 08:47 PM IST

Illegal mining in Punjab: ED asks mining dept why forgery case was not invoked against contractor

Hinting at the involvement of Mining Department officials in illegal mining, Enforcement Directorate (ED) has questioned the Punjab Mining Department for not invoking stern provision of Indian Penal Code against mining contractor Rakesh Chaudhry, who is booked by Rupnagar police.

The ED has started the investigation of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Chaudhry. (Representational photo)
Published on Dec 12, 2022 10:29 PM IST
By, Rupnagar

3 incumbents shortlisted for director posts in PSPCL, PSTCL

: Three incumbent directors of the power sector in Punjab are among those who were shortlisted for director posts in Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL)

The PSPCL has advertised the post of director, distribution, and director, commercial, whereas the PSTCL has advertised the post of director, technical. (Representational photo)
Published on Dec 08, 2022 09:20 PM IST
By, Patiala

Congress leader among three held for Ghanaur UCO Bank loot: police

Amandeep, who is also accused of being involved in bank loot at Fatehgarh Sahib, was nabbed with his accomplishes during the manhunt launched by the police after the ₹17.85 lakh were looted from UCO Bank in Ghanaur

The accused of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>17.85 lakh heist from UCO Bank in Ghanaur in police custody. (HT Photo)
Published on Nov 30, 2022 12:51 AM IST

Four members of Lawrence Bishnoi gang caught in Punjab’s Rupnagar

Three pistols, ammunition, including a magazine and 22 cartridges, besides a sword and 12 iron rods were recovered from the accused

Rupnagar district police chief Vivek Sheel Soni addressing a press conference on Monday after the arrest of the four accomplices (masked) of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi . (HT Photo)
Published on Nov 28, 2022 01:45 PM IST

Punjab’s U-turn: No action against farmers over fires

State authorities will rescind “red entries” marked in the land records of over 4,300 farmers in the state from September 15 to November 14.

A farmer burns stubble on the outskirts of Ludhiana, in Punjab. (HT Photo)
Updated on Nov 26, 2022 04:18 AM IST
By, Vishal Joshi

Stubble burning: Bowing to farmer’s pressure, Punjab govt withdraws orders of red entry

The Punjab government issued a notification, to withdraw all cases where red entries were made in the land records of farmers who were had burnt paddy residue this harvest season.

The move is seen as a U-turn by the government to check the environmentally hazardous farm practice in the state. Over 4,300 cases of red entries will be rolled back after the notification. (HT file photo)
Published on Nov 25, 2022 08:16 PM IST
ByVishal Rambani and Vishal Joshi

Punjab clamps down on gun culture: 274 arms licences suspended in Patiala

Patiala DC says action taken against those with more than two weapons per licence; show-cause notices also issued, asking holders why licences should not be cancelled

The Punjab government had on November 13 banned the public display of firearms, including on social media, and songs allegedly promoting gun culture and violence, as it tightened regulation after facing flak from the opposition over the law and order situation. (Representative photo)
Published on Nov 19, 2022 01:20 PM IST

Naib tehsildar recruitment scam: Second-rank holder among two in Punjab Police net

Patiala police on Friday arrested two persons, including the second rank holder, in the naib tehsildar recruitment scam

Patiala senior superintendent of police Varun Sharma said during the interrogation, Balraj Singh confessed that he had struck a deal to secure the job through a Haryana-based racket. (HT Photo)
Updated on Nov 19, 2022 12:04 AM IST
By, Patiala

Registration of BS-IV vehicle: VB takes over probe, at least 15 PCS under the lens

The transport department had recently blacklisted 5,706 BS-IV vehicles registered fraudulently after April 1, 2020

A maximum of 912 illegal BS-IV vehicles are registered in Bagha Purana, followed by 820 in Patti, 475 in Bhikhiwind, 336 in Tarn Taran, 258 in Pathankot, and 196 in Dera Bassi, the probe revealed.
Published on Nov 17, 2022 06:34 PM IST

At least 15 Punjab officers in dock as BS-IV vehicle registration scam unfolds

Transport department had recently blacklisted 5,706 BS-IV vehicles registered fraudulently after April 1, 2020

Calling it a major scam, Vikas Garg, secretary, transport, said it was an example of organised crime committed by forging documents and registering SUVs without paying taxes. (Image for representational purpose)
Published on Nov 15, 2022 12:58 AM IST
By, Patiala

Punjab logs 3,916 farm fires in a day, highest this season

As the window for wheat is very short after paddy harvest, farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off the crop residue. Punjab generates around 180 lakh tonnes of paddy straw annually

With paddy harvesting in its last phase and the deadline for sowing wheat approaching, Punjab on Friday clocked 3,916 cases of stubble burning, making it the highest number of farm fire incidents so far this season.
Published on Nov 12, 2022 01:00 AM IST

Punjab illegal mining mafia kingpin Rakesh Chaudhry held in Rupnagar

Punjab irrigation and mining minister Harjot Singh Bains terms it biggest-ever crackdown on illegal mining mafia; arrest triggers panic in Congress camp as former ministers enjoyed good equation with Chaudhry

In a major crackdown on the mining mafia, Punjab Police on Friday arrested contractor Rakesh Chaudhry of Jammu for illegal mining in Rupnagar and Mohali districts. (HT file photo)
Updated on Nov 11, 2022 05:02 PM IST

Punjab’s AQI improves even as farm fires see minor jump

As the window for rabi crop wheat is very short after paddy harvest, farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off the crop residue. Punjab generates around 180 lakh tonnes of paddy straw annually

Punjab’s air quality index (AQI) improved a bit on Thursday even as the state saw 1,893 stubble burning incidents on Thursday against 1,778 reported a day before.
Updated on Nov 11, 2022 12:32 AM IST
ByVishal Joshi and Vishal Rambani

Farm fires choke Punjab, air quality slips to severe, very poor category

State detects 1,778 stubble burning incidents on Wednesday, with Muktsar district topping the chart with 220 farm fires, followed Fereozpur 198, Faridkot and Bathinda 185 each

The Air Quality Index (AQI) of Khanna and Ludhiana turned ‘severe’ at 417 and 409, respectively, and ‘very poor’ in Amritsar at 333, Jalandhar at 334 and Patiala at 374.
Published on Nov 10, 2022 01:17 AM IST

Anand Marriage Act to be implemented in Punjab: CM Bhagwant Mann

Punjab chief minister makes announcement after paying obeisance at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib on Parkash Purb of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann with wife Dr Gurpreet Kaur at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib on the occasion of the Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev on Tuesday. (Facebook)
Published on Nov 08, 2022 04:17 PM IST
SHARE
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • ...
Story Saved
Live Score
×
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
My Offers
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Register Free and get Exciting Deals