Kejriwal's bail: A victory for democracy, says Jouramajra

Chandigarh, September 13:Punjab Information and Public Relations Minister S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra today hailed the Supreme Court's decision to grant bail to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Sh. Arvind Kejriwal as a significant victory for democratic values.

"The Supreme Court's decision to grant bail to Arvind Kejriwal has forced the authoritarian forces to yield to the power of truth and integrity," S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra said while celebrating the release with party members.

S. Jouramajra asserted that the AAP had consistently maintained that the case against Kejriwal was fabricated. "We've said from the outset that this entire case is built on falsehoods, orchestrated by the Modi government at the center," he stated emphatically.

The Cabinet Minister said that the central government has constructed "foundation of lies" to tarnish the reputation of Kejriwal and the AAP. "Today's bail decision has exposed the deception perpetrated by Modi and the investigating agencies," Jouramajra added.

In a scathing attack, S. Jouramajra condemned the BJP-led NDA for misusing law enforcement agencies to suppress political opposition. "This court decision is a rebuke to the BJP," he declared. "It sends a clear message that in our nation, it is the Constitution that reigns supreme, not any autocrat."

The Cabinet Minister said, "the BJP will face repercussions for its regressive and oppressive policies against political adversaries, adding that when faced with authoritarian tactics, our Constitution stands as a bulwark, safeguarding the rights of ordinary citizens."

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PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA SPEAKER KULTAR SINGH SANDHWAN CONDOLES DEMISE OF SITARAM YECHURY

Chandigarh, September 13:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, expressed deep grief over the demise of seasoned politician Mr. Sitaram Yechury.

In a press release issued here today, the Speaker said that Mr. Yechury was a former President of the Students Federation of India (SFI) and had joined the CPI (M) party in 1975. Mr. Yechury, a renowned author and affable person, had been a Member of the Politburo of CPI (M) since 1992 and served as General Secretary from 2015 to 2022. He was also remained two-time member of the Rajya Sabha.

The Speaker emphasized that Mr. Yechury's impressive work in the Indian political realm will be perpetually remembered.

Mr. Sitaram Yechury (72) was admitted to AIIMS on August 19, with symptoms of pneumonia and breathed his last on September 12. His family has donated his body to AIIMS, New Delhi for teaching and research purposes.

The Speaker prayed to the almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and to provide strength to the family.

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PUNJAB POLICE’S ANTF ARRESTS DRUG INSPECTOR SHISHAN MITTAL IN DRUG SMUGGLING CASE

— PUNJAB POLICE COMMITTED TO MAKING PUNJAB A DRUG FREE STATE AS PER DIRECTIONS OF CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN

— ARRESTED DRUG INSPECTOR HELPED IMPRISONED DRUG SMUGGLERS IN FACILITATING THEIR DRUG NETWORK OUTSIDE, SAYS DGP GAURAV YADAV

— 24 BANK ACCOUNTS WITH AMOUNT REACHING ₹7.09Cr, TWO LOCKERS BELONGING TO ACCUSED ALREADY FROZEN

— POLICE TEAMS ALSO SEIZED ₹1.49 CRORES IN CASH, 260 GM OF GOLD AND 515 DIRHAMS

CHANDIGARH, September 13:Amidst the ongoing war against drugs waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police’s Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has arrested Drug Inspector Shishan Mittal for his involvement in facilitating drug smuggling operations connected to illegal pharmaceuticals, medical stores and laundering the drug money in the benami accounts in names of his relatives, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.

The development came about a month after Punjab Police freezing 24 bank accounts— with total amount reaching to Rs 7.09 crores— linked to the accused Drug Inspector, besides, seizing a huge cash and foreign currency during series of coordinated raids conducted at different locations in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. In addition to this, two bank lockers were also seized.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that following through a combination of advanced technical surveillance and human intelligence, police teams from ANTF, headed by Special DGP Kuldeep Singh, have apprehended Drug Inspector Shishan Mittal from Aerocity in SAS Nagar.

He said that that preliminary investigation suggested that the accused drug inspector had been regularly in touch with drug smugglers lodged inside the jail and facilitated their drug network outside. Probe also found that the accused drug inspector was travelling to foreign countries frequently without taking permission from the government or availing ex-India leave, he added.

This successful operation by the ANTF reflects its strategic approach tackling complex criminal networks, said the DGP, while adding that further investigations are ongoing in this case.

Pertinently, in a notable judicial development, Mittal’s anticipatory bail application was recently rejected by the session court, further underscoring the severity of the charges against him.

Sharing more details, Special DGP Kuldeep Singh said that the ANTF has recovered ₹1.49 crores in cash, 260 gm of gold and 515 Dirhams. Furthermore, substantial assets acquired through the proceeds of illegal activities were identified, including flats valued at Rs. 2 crores in Zirakpur, Rs. 40 lakhs plot in Dabwali among many others, he added.

A case FIR no 121/2024 had already been registered under section 29 (conspire or abet the commission of offences related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances) and 59 (a public servant who wilfully supports or abets drug smugglers, or neglects their duties concerning the enforcement of drug laws, can be subjected to severe penalties, including imprisonment) of the NDPS Act and section 111 (organised crime) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in this regard.

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AGRICULTURE DEPT REOPENS PORTAL FOR SUBSIDISED CRM MACHINERY; DEADLINE SEPT 19

Chandigarh, September 13:With an aim to provide state farmers with the latest technology for efficient paddy straw management, the Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has reopened the portal for farmers to avail subsidies on the procurement of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines until September 19, 2024.

In a press communiqué today, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that now, the state farmers can submit their online applications for CRM machinery at agrimachinerypb.com until 5 PM on September 19, 2024. He also appealed to Punjab farmers to take advantage of the initiative of Punjab Government to get subsidy on CRM machinery.

The Agriculture Minister said that 21,830 applications were received from farmers, cooperative societies and panchayats seeking subsidies for various crop residue management (CRM) machines during the Kharif season 2024-25. The Agriculture department has already issued 7,832 sanction letters for 13,107 CRM machines till date, with 5,833 CRM machines already acquired by the farmers.

The Punjab Government is offering a 50% subsidy to individual farmers and an 80% subsidy to Farmer Groups, cooperative societies and Gram Panchayats for the purchase of CRM machines, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian said while adding that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has formulated a Rs 500 crore action plan to provide farmers with CRM machinery on subsidy and implement other strategies to combat stubble burning in the state.

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KEJRIWAL'S BAIL DEALT BLOW TO POLITICS OF RETRIBUTION, ASSERTS LALJIT SINGH BHULLAR

Chandigarh, September 13:Punjab Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar has lauded the Supreme Court's decision to grant bail to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi Chief Minister Sh. Arvind Kejriwal, saying it is a major setback to the Modi Government's politics of retribution.

The Cabinet Minister asserted, the court's ruling has unmasked the BJP-led government's misuse of law enforcement agencies for political vendettas, adding that Kejriwal's bail proved triumph for truth, justice and democratic principles.

Castigating the central government for ostensibly attempting to silence political adversaries through spurious cases, the Transport Minister said the decision a resounding rebuke to those who sought to stifle AAP's resolve with baseless allegations.

S. Bhullar congratulated Kejriwal and the AAP on this momentous victory, affirming, "we shall persist in our struggle for the people and against corruption, undeterred by fear or intimidation."

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CHANDIGARH GRENADE BLAST CASE: PUNJAB POLICE IN JOINT OPERATION WITH CENTRAL AGENCIES ARREST MAIN PERPETRATOR; GLOCK PISTOL RECOVERED

— PUNJAB POLICE COMMITTED TO MAINTAIN PEACE AND HARMONY IN REGION AS PER DIRECTIONS OF CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN

— GRENADE BLAST WAS MASTERMINDED BY ISI-BACKED PAKISTAN-BASED TERRORIST HARWINDER RINDA & USA-BASED GANGSTER HAPPY PASSIA, SAYS DGP GAURAV YADAV

— LAST YEAR TOO, PUNJAB POLICE HAD FOILED THIS TERROR GROUP’S ATTEMPT TO TARGET A SPECIFIC PERSON AT SAME LOCATION: AIG SSOC SUKHMINDER MANN

CHANDIGARH, September 13:In a significant breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to maintain peace and harmony in the region as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police in joint operation with Central Agencies on Friday cracked the Chandigarh Grenade Blast case masterminded by ISI-backed Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh alias Rinda of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and USA-based Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia with the arrest of a main perpetrator.

Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav has identified the arrested accused person as Rohan Masih, a resident of village Passia in Amritsar. Police teams have also recovered one sophisticated 9MM Glock pistol along with ammunition from his possession, he added.

On Wednesday evening, two unknown persons lobbed a hand grenade in Sector-10, Chandigarh. Chandigarh Police immediately reached the scene and conducted a spot investigation, revealing that two individuals arrived on an auto-rickshaw and one of them hurled the hand grenade in a house.

“The Hand Grenade used in this incident is a military grade equipment smuggled from across the border through drone with the help of ISI. Police have identified the other accused person as well, and raids are being conducted to nab him,” said the DGP, while reiterating fulsome cooperation to the Chandigarh Police in this case.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that accused Rohan, who has been working in Jammu and Kashmir from last few years, knew Happy Passia from their shared village. Happy Passia instructed Rohan to carry out the attack, promising financial rewards.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that during questioning, accused Rohan confessed to involvement in the grenade blast, revealing he acted at the behest of Happy Passia, who provided the hand grenade and weapons through his associates. Happy Passia had also arranged finances and logistics for them, he added.

He said that further investigation to unravel the entire conspiracy is being done jointly in coordination with the Chandigarh Police and Central Agencies.

Sharing more details, AIG State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) Amritsar Sukhminder Singh Mann said that after committing the crime, accused Rohan and his associate had travelled first to Amritsar and thereafter, took their separate ways. Rohan initially went to his acquaintance in Khanna but had returned to Amritsar as he planned to further travel to J&K, he said, while adding that in the meantime he was arrested.

The AIG said that prima facie it appears that they were trying to target a specific person as the same terror group had attempted a similar attack at the same location last year. That attempt was successfully foiled by the Punjab Police with the arrest of two operatives identified as Bikramjit Singh alias Raja of Batala and Bawa Singh of Majitha, he added.

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ARVIND KEJRIWAL'S BAIL EXPOSES BJP'S LIES: HARJOT SINGH BAINS

Chandigarh, September 13-Expressing satisfaction over the release of Aam Aadmi Party Supremo Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains said that the lies spread by the BJP have been exposed after the Supreme Court’s verdict.

The Cabinet Minister stated that it has become clear from the comments made by the Court during the hearing on Arvind Kejriwal's petition that the CBI's arrest of Arvind Kejriwal has been unjustified.

To celebrate the Arvind Kejriwal's bail, Mr. Harjot Singh Bains distributed sweets to party workers at Nangal.

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CBI HAD FABRICATED FAKE CASE TO BLOCK ARVIND KEJRIWAL'S RELEASE IN ED CASE: ANMOL GAGAN MANN

Chandigarh, September 13-Expressing deep satisfaction over the bail of Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Cabinet Minister Mrs. Anmol Gagan Mann said that the CBI had fabricated a fake case to block Arvind Kejriwal's release in ED case.

Mrs. Anmol Gagan Mann stated that Supreme Court’s decision granting bail to Arvind Kejriwal has made it clear that no one is above the Constitution in India.

The Cabinet Minister emphasized that the Hon'ble Supreme Court has reaffirmed that there is no place for autocracy in India.

She added that the Supreme Court's decision has created an atmosphere of immense happiness among party workers across the country.

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PUNJAB POLICE IN COORDINATION WITH CENTRAL AGENCIES BRINGS BACK FUGITIVE AMRITPAL SINGH FROM AUSTRIA

— PUNJAB POLICE COMMITTED TO ENSURING JUSTICE IS SERVED AS PER DIRECTIONS OF CM BHAGWANT SINGH MANN

— DGP GAURAV YADAV COMMENDS BATALA POLICE AND INTERNAL SECURITY WING FOR SUCCESSFULLY DEPORTING FUGITIVE TO INDIA

— DEPORTED ACCUSED HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN VARIOUS HEINOUS CRIMES, SAYS DGP GAURAV YADAV

— ACCUSED AMRITPAL SINGH EVADING ARREST SINCE 2022, HAD ALSO APPLIED FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM IN AUSTRIA: SSP SUHAIL QASIM MIR

CHANDIGARH/BATALA, September 13:Reaffirming its commitment to ensuring justice is served as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police in coordination with Central Agencies has successfully deported fugitive Amritpal Singh, a resident of Village Bhoma in Batala, from Austria to face charges in numerous heinous crimes. The latter has been landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi at 7am on Friday, and has been taken into custody by the Batala Police.

“After tireless efforts by @PunjabPoliceInd in coordination with central agencies, Amritpal Singh resident of Village Bhoma, PS Ghuman, has been successfully deported from #Austria to #India to face charges in numerous serious criminal cases,” informed Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav in a post on his X handle (formerly Twitter).

Pertinently, accused Amritpal Singh is a proclaimed offender (PO) staying illegally in Austria.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the deported accused has been involved in various heinous crimes, including murder, attempted murder, drug offences, and violations under the Arms Act. His deportation is a significant step toward ensuring justice for the victims, he added.

The DGP commended the strenuous efforts of the entire team of Batala Police led by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Batala Suhail Qasim Mir and Internal Security Wing of Punjab Police for bringing fugitive Amritpal Singh back to India to face justice.

Sharing more details, SSP Batala Suhail Qasim Mir said the accused Amritpal Singh, who was declared PO in several cases, had fled to Austria via Dubai and Serbia in 2022, and had been evading arrest since then. The latter had also applied for political asylum there, he added.

“After sustained efforts and cooperation with the international authorities, Punjab Police has ensured his repatriation to India to face justice,” said the SSP.

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Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema Welcomes Supreme Court's Decision Granting Bail to Kejriwal

Slams BJP's Dictatorial Tactics

Says, Apex court's directive to CBI to not act as a parrot is clear indictment of partisan behavior

Chandigarh, September 13-Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema today welcomed the Supreme Court's decision granting bail to Delhi Chief Minister and AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal, while also directing the CBI to refrain from acting as a mere "parrot" of the Union government.

In a press release issued here, Harpal Singh Cheema hailed the apex court's verdict as a significant blow to the BJP's dictatorial tendencies, saying, "The Supreme Court's decision is a victory for democracy and a slap in the face of the BJP's authoritarian regime."

He further added, "The people of this country have already taught the BJP a lesson in the past, and they will do so again in the upcoming state elections. The BJP's misuse of central agencies to target opposition leaders will not go unchecked."

Cheema praised the Supreme Court for its timely intervention, saying, "The court's directive to the CBI to not act as a parrot is a clear indictment of the agency's partisan behavior. We hope this verdict will serve as a deterrent against the BJP's attempts to silence opposition voices."

The Punjab Finance Minister reiterated his party's commitment to upholding democratic values and fighting against the BJP's "dictatorial" rule. "We will continue to stand with the people and fight for their rights, no matter how hard the BJP tries to suppress us," he said.

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Punjab Power and PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO Hails Honourable Supreme Court's Decision Granting Bail to Kejriwal

Calls it a Victory of Constitution of India

Chandigarh, September 13-Punjab's Power and Public Works Minister, Harbhajan Singh ETO, today welcomed the Honourable Supreme Court's decision granting bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, hailing it as a triumph of the Constitution of India.

In a press statement issued here, Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said, "The Honourable Supreme Court's decision is a victory for the Constitution, democracy, and the people of India. It reaffirms our faith in the judiciary and the rule of law."

He added, "Truth always prevails, and today's verdict is a testament to that. The apex court's decision granting bail to Kejriwal is a clear indication that the truth cannot be suppressed, and justice will always be served."

Minister ETO praised the Honourable Supreme Court for upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that the constitutional rights of citizens are protected. "This verdict is a slap in the face of those who try to misuse power and suppress opposition voices," he said.

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KEJRIWAL'S BAIL IS A VINDICATION OF TRUTH AND JUSTICE: KULTAR SINGH SANDHWAN

Chandigarh, September 13:Hailing the Supreme Court's decision to grant bail to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Mr. Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that this decision is a vindication of truth and justice.

"The Supreme Court's decision to grant bail to Arvind Kejriwal has vindicated our stand that the case against him was politically motivated and built on falsehoods," said Sandhwan.

The Speaker congratulated Kejriwal and the AAP on this victory, saying, "Truth has prevailed and justice has been served. This decision is a testament to the resilience of democratic institutions in our country.”

Mr. Sandhwan also criticized the Union Government for misusing law enforcement agencies to target political opponents. “This decision exposed the BJP-led government's attempts to suppress political opposition through false cases and harassment," he added.

The Speaker expressed confidence that this decision would boost the morale of AAP workers and leaders, who have been fighting against corruption and authoritarianism adding that we will continue to stand for truth, justice and democracy.