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
Seven former Punjabi varsity officials under VB scanner for various scams
As per information, the office of the assistant inspector general of vigilance bureau (AIG) flying squad, Mohali has asked the Punjabi University registrar to ensure presence of the officials for the inquiry
Published on Aug 19, 2022 01:49 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Patiala
Financial bunglings: ED seeks FIR details, to initiate probe
The ED will initiate a probe into the alleged financial dealings of chairmen of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) and Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) in which the Punjab vigilance bureau (VB) has registered first information reports
Published on Aug 17, 2022 01:18 AM IST
Inmate escapes Patiala Central jail by scaling wall
Patiala Central jail officials found out about the escape almost five hours later; the inmate has been identified as undertrial Maninder Singh alias Mani of Lubana Karmu village, falling under Bakshiwala police station, and was brought to the jail about a week ago in connection with a theft and dacoity case
Published on Aug 13, 2022 03:52 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Patiala
Punjab | Vigilance unearths ₹4.8 crore ‘scam’ in land purchase
An FIR has been registered on the basis of the vigilance inquiry. The inquiry hinted at the role of former minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot and his aides is also under scanner, vigilance officials revealed. The land purchased was used for compensatory plantation in lieu of deforestation in for various projects in the state.
Published on Aug 11, 2022 03:06 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Rupnagar
Those who conspired against me have no political standing now, says Bikram Majithia after release in drug case
Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia asks why former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi has fled to USA, also takes potshots at Navjot Sidhu, who is in jail and adds it’s destined for them as they unleashed political vendetta against an innocent person
Published on Aug 11, 2022 02:54 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Patiala
Not part of Punjabi diet, yet a bane: Agri minister Dhaliwal on rice cultivation
Punjab agriculture and rural development minister Kuldip Singh Dhaliwal has questioned the role of rice cultivation in the state, calling its introduction “a conspiracy to deplete ground water”
Published on Aug 09, 2022 02:13 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Patiala
GST scam: Two years on, Punjab VB awaits prosecution sanction against 17 officials
In August 2020, the Punjab VB busted a statewide tax evasion nexus of government officials and transporters and arrested six excise and taxation officials for causing a loss to the tune of ₹100 crore to state exchequer by letting go goods carriers without paying taxes
Published on Aug 08, 2022 12:33 AM IST
80% consumers benefitted from AAP’s free power scheme: Punjab minister
As per the mandate of the Punjab government, PSPCL provides 300 units of free power to state consumers per month starting July 1
Published on Aug 05, 2022 12:14 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Patiala
A tough taskmaster, Jouramajra is no stranger to controversies
A tough taskmaster, Punjab health minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra has been drawing criticism for grilling doctors and medical staff ever since he took office. An undergraduate and a farmer by profession, he had worked as a labourer in South Korea for seven years.
Published on Jul 31, 2022 01:24 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Patiala
Need to educate farmers to avoid stubble burning: NGT chairman
The NGT chairman said that the tribunal will ask the governments to implement the laws as paddy stubble burning is a major issue
Published on Jul 30, 2022 01:29 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Patiala
HC asks PSPCL to pay fixed charges to pvt power plants
Citing Covid-19 restrictions, the PSPCL in March 2020 had invoked the force majeure (a common clause in contracts which essentially frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the parties) of power purchase agreements with private thermal plants to not to purchase power from them till restrictions are on
Updated on Jul 29, 2022 01:17 AM IST
Malerkotla shocker: 12-year-old girl kidnapped, raped; uncle, his two aides booked
The uncle allegedly tried to extort ₹3 lakh from her mother but fled after she raised the alarm when he came to collect it; the medical examination of the girl confirmed rape following which sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act were also invoked. One of the men who raped her has been arrested.
Published on Jul 18, 2022 01:59 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Malerkotla
NIRF ranking 2022: IIT-Ropar, IISER among 7 Punjab institutes in top 100
IIT-Mandi enters top 50 in overall rankings, two varsities of J&K in top 100, but none from Haryana make the cut in NIRF ranking 2022
Updated on Jul 16, 2022 01:00 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Patiala
Daler Mehndi sent to jail as court upholds sentence in trafficking case
The singer, who appealed against the trial court’s verdict before the district court in March 2018, was out on bail. But, after the district judge dismissed his appeal, he was taken into custody by the Patiala police.
Published on Jul 14, 2022 11:46 PM IST
Human trafficking case: Daler Mehndi jailed for 2 years as court rejects appeal
Daler Mehndi Arrest: Patiala police booked Daler Mehndi and his brother Shamsher, who died in 2017, and two others after a complainant said they took ₹12 lakh to send him to Canada.
Updated on Jul 14, 2022 06:42 PM IST
Three fellow jail inmates moved after Navjot Sidhu complains
The fellow barrack inmates allegedly used Navjot Sidhu’s cash card to buy ration for themselves from Patiala jail canteen
Published on Jul 13, 2022 11:22 PM IST
Vishal Rambani, Patiala
Punjab govt’s free power sop comes into effect
The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited has not received any official notification or guidelines regarding the scheme, claim top officials.
Published on Jul 02, 2022 12:07 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Patiala
PSPCL meets record demand of 14,000 MW amid peak paddy season
With paddy sowing in full swing in Punjab, Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd
Published on Jun 28, 2022 02:20 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Patiala
Sangrur Lok Sabha bypoll: Simranjit Singh Mann’s remarkable comeback
Simranjit Singh Mann was the first to announce his candidature for the June 23 Sangrur Lok Sabha byoll and remained an X-factor in the electoral battle, which turned out to be a cliffhanger
Published on Jun 27, 2022 01:28 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Patiala
AAP nominee loses to SAD (Amritsar)’s Simranjit Singh Mann in key Sangrur by-poll
Since 2014, Sangrur was considered a stronghold of AAP, and in the March 2022 assembly polls, the party had swept all nine segments of this Lok Sabha seat
Updated on Jun 26, 2022 03:26 PM IST
Vishal Rambani and Harmandeep Singh
Punjab bypoll: Setback for AAP as SAD (A)’s Simranjit Mann leading in Sangrur
With almost 70% of the total votes counted, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president and former IPS officer Simranjit Singh Mann is leading with a margin of 5,592 votes in Punjab’s Sangrur bypoll
Updated on Jun 26, 2022 02:42 PM IST
Vishal Rambani and Harmandeep Singh
Sangrur LS bypoll: AAP’s prestige, others’ survival at stake
For the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, it’s a question of prestige to hold on to its bastion. For others, who were swept by the AAP wave in the recent assembly elections, it is a fight for survival
Published on Jun 22, 2022 10:14 PM IST
Vishal Rambani, Patiala
Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana: ‘Safe exit’ to health insurance company under AAP govt lens
Health secy shoots off note to CM, 45 lakh families left in the lurch for want of treatment; no action taken against firm for not adhering to provisions of the contract
Updated on Jun 20, 2022 01:28 AM IST
Sangrur Lok Sabha seat all set for a five-cornered fight on June 23
The Sangrur bypoll is a litmus test of Bhagwant Mann’s popularity as it is the first major election following the AAP’s massive victory in the Punjab assembly elections earlier this year
Published on Jun 18, 2022 12:05 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Sangrur
Sangrur LS bypoll: It’s advantage AAP, but repeating Punjab poll feat an uphill task
With the Opposition focusing on the rise in crime while campaigning for the Sangrur LS bypoll, the AAP wave that surged on the promise of “badlav” has somewhat ebbed
Published on Jun 13, 2022 01:16 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Patiala
Corruption case: How two former Punjab ministers pocketed crores, reveals VB probe
In six months as minister, Sangat Singh Gilzian pocketed around ₹40 crore in kickbacks for issuance of tree-cutting permits, purchases and NOCs, states FIR
Published on Jun 07, 2022 11:49 PM IST
Vishal Rambani, Patiala
Punjab VB arrests former minister Dharamsot, books his successor Gilzian
Scams amounting to ₹40-crore unearthed in the working of state forest department during Congress government’s tenure
Updated on Jun 07, 2022 04:51 PM IST
Punjab ex minister arrested in corruption case over a month after Mann's warning
Congress leader Sadhu Singh Dharamsot was a minister in Amarinder Singh's cabinet.
Published on Jun 07, 2022 07:42 AM IST
Deputy superintendent booked for running extortion racket in Punjab’s Nabha jail
Patiala SSP says role of jail superintendent Iqbal Singh Dhaliwal in racket also being probed; both officials are on the run
Published on Jun 03, 2022 02:03 PM IST
Nabha jail: Two prison officials found running extortion racket
Jail minister Harjot Singh Bains said the matter is in his notice and he has asked for stern action against the two prison officials
Published on Jun 03, 2022 01:41 AM IST
Vishal Rambani, Patiala
