Latest news with #Gurpreet
India Today
4 days ago
- India Today
Indian Army soldier arrested from Jammu and Kashmir in Pak-linked espionage case
The Punjab Police's State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) arrested a serving Indian Army soldier for allegedly leaking classified military information to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).According to the statement issued by the Punjab Police, the accused has been identified as Devinder Singh, a resident of Nihalgarh village in Sangrur district. He was arrested on July 14 from Uri in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla arrest follows the earlier detention of ex-Army man Gurpreet Singh, alias Guri or Fauji, who was taken into custody on charges of espionage. Interrogation of Gurpreet Singh revealed Devinder's involvement in obtaining sensitive Army documents while Gurpreet was lodged in Ferozepur Jail. These documents allegedly contained classified information that was later passed on to Pakistan's Devinder Singh's arrest, officials presented him before a Mohali court on July 15. The court granted a six-day police remand for further statement also added that the initial investigations suggest that Devinder and Gurpreet first met in 2017 during training at an Army camp in Pune. They reportedly maintained contact and later served together in postings in Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir. During their service, both had access to confidential military material, some of which was allegedly leaked by Gurpreet. Authorities said that Devinder's precise role in the espionage network is still under investigation. - EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Punjab
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
ISI-linked espionage case: Army sapper arrested from Uri in J&K's Baramulla district
Mohali: In a significant development in the ongoing espionage case linked to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence ( ISI ), the Punjab Police have arrested a serving India Army soldier for his alleged involvement in leaking classified defence information. The arrest marked another breakthrough following the earlier arrest of a former Army man in the case. Ravjot Kaur Grewal, AIG, State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Punjab Police, Mohali, confirmed the arrest of Indian Army Sapper Devinder Singh, resident of Nihalgarh village in the Shadihari area of Sangrur district. He was arrested from Uri in Jammu and Kashmir 's Baramulla district by a team of the SSOC, Mohali. The arrest followed disclosures made during the interrogation of Gurpreet Singh alias Guri alias Fauji, a former Army man who was earlier arrested for passing classified military documents to Pakistan's ISI. Investigations revealed that Devinder Singh assisted Gurpreet while he was lodged in Ferozepur jail, particularly in acquiring confidential army-related documents. Devinder Singh was produced before a Mohali court, which granted a six-day police remand for further investigation. Preliminary questioning revealed that Gurpreet and Devinder became acquainted in 2017 during their training at an Army camp in Pune and later served together in Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search Ads Get Info Undo Both reportedly accessed classified documents, some of which were subsequently leaked to ISI operatives by Gurpreet. Investigators are now working to determine the full extent of Devinder Singh's involvement in the espionage network. The arrest is part of an expanding probe by the SSOC into a broader ISI-backed espionage ring. Authorities are actively working to uncover additional collaborators and evaluate the scope of sensitive information that may have been compromised. "The arrest of a serving soldier highlights the grave nature of the threat posed by espionage networks. Punjab Police remain fully committed to protecting national security and will continue to act decisively against any individual involved in anti-national activities," said the AIG. The investigation is ongoing. Further revelations are expected as the police deepen their inquiry into the network's operations and connections.
Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Bill on resuming bullock cart races passed unanimously; ‘historic': Punjab CM Mann
The draft of the ant-sacrilege Bill was not tabled in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Friday, despite an assurance from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann a day earlier, even as the House passed the Punjab Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill 2025, paving way for the resumption of bullock cart racing in the state. The government, however, extended the duration of the two-day special session by two more days amid speculations that it may table the Bill then. This, however, evoked a strong reaction from Sarb Dharam Beadbi Rokko Kanoon Morcha, an organisation whose activist Gurjeet Singh Khalsa has been protesting atop a 400-ft telecom tower for the last over 270 days demanding a law on sacrilege. It was following a meeting with the Morcha on June 28 that Mann had announced that his government would bring a law for stricter punishment for sacrilege acts. Morcha convenor Gurpreet Singh questioned the urgency behind passing the Bill providing for resumption of bullock cart races in the state. 'The bullock cart races are more important for the government than the life of a Sikh, who has been protesting atop a 400-feet tower for over 270 days,' he said. Gurpreet said after listening to Mann on Thursday, the Morcha had planned to get Khalsa down from the tower. 'But the Bill was not tabled. Khalsa's condition has worsened. He is lying unconscious since morning. A youth, who had climbed up to meet him in the morning, reported that he is in a bad shape. We are now sending a lab technician up to get his tests done. It is unfortunate that he will be able to suffer for four more days…' 'The special session was called for the anti-sacrilege Bill. They should have tabled it,' said Gurpreet. On Thursday, Mann had said that the draft of the Bill will be tabled in the Assembly on Friday following which it would be handed over to the consultative committee of the Vidhan Sabha. Meanwhile, on Friday, Mann termed as 'historic' the passage of the Bill that allows the resumption of bullock cart races in Punjab while implementing safety measures for the animals involved in the sport. Bullock cart races have not taken place at the Kila Raipur Sports Festival in Ludhiana district— often referred to as the 'mini or rural Olympics'— since a Supreme Court ruling in 2014 banned the races for violating the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960. 'Considering the important role played by bullock cart racing towards promoting the spirit of games and sports, and enriching the cultural heritage and tradition in the state of Punjab, which is also a great source to keep Punjab's youth away from drug addiction and also to improve indigenous cattle breeds of Punjab, the government of Punjab has decided to exempt the conduct of bullock cart racing in Punjab from the provision of the said Central Act 59 of 1960,' an official order read. Therefore, the government has decided to amend the said Central Act 59 of 1960 in its application to the State of Punjab. Accordingly, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2025, is being passed, it further added. Sharing positive aspects about the race, Mann said cattle have been integral parts of the agrarian economy of the state, and the Punjabi farmers have raised them as their offspring for ages. Those who keep bullocks consider them as their 'own sons', he said. 'We have included a clause in the bill stating that bullock cart operators will not be allowed to carry sticks during races,' he added. The chief minister also announced that races would not only take place in Kila Raipur but also across the state, emphasising that these rural games are an essential part of Punjab's cultural fabric. He stressed that the bill aims to promote rural sports like bullock cart racing while ensuring the welfare of the animals involved.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Panchkula job mela highlights rural skill gap and employment trends
1 2 Panchkula: A closer look at employment data in Panchkula has revealed interesting trends and growing concerns. According to official figures, 4,775 applicants — 2,999 male and 1,776 female — are registered with the Panchkula district's employment exchange. Of these, 1,166 are receiving unemployment allowance, ranging between Rs 1,200 and Rs 3,500 per month, depending on their educational qualifications. Officials shared that families with an income of less than 3 lakh, whose wards remain unemployed three years after registering with the exchange, receive the allowance until the age of 35. Besides, from 2016 to 2025, 991 registered candidates successfully got deployment in various govt departments through the employment exchange. "The term deployment means the said candidates get 100 hours work per month in different govt departments. From a minimum of three to a maximum of six months in a year, they are deployed," Manoj Grover, district employment officer, told TOI. However, during the monthly job mela (employment fair) held on Thursday, officials observed a major hurdle: a significant number of job seekers hail from rural backgrounds and lack basic communication and employability skills. "Many are hesitant to introduce themselves, indicating a need for soft skills and job-readiness training. There are other govt centres where they are supported with soft skill training. As far as our department is concerned, our teams visit different schools to guide students on what they can pursue after 10th or 12th," added the DEO. Out of 132 candidates who appeared for interviews at the mela, 57 were selected for employment. They got marketing and desk jobs at companies. SBI, Axis Bank, Housing Development Board, Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), and Pukhraj were the five companies that came for placement here. The remaining candidates will be called the next time; they were told the areas they need to improve, shared employment exchange officials Gurpreet and Kavita. Officials noted that while opportunities are available, bridging the gap between qualification and industry expectations remains a challenge. "This shows an urgent need for targeted skill development programs, especially focused on rural youth. Without confidence and basic soft skills, even educated candidates struggle to find work," said an official at the event. The employment department has stated that it will work to expand training initiatives in collaboration with govt skill missions and industry partners.
The Print
08-07-2025
- The Print
Dalit teen in Punjab ‘paraded half-naked, head shaved' for ‘facilitating' friend's inter-caste marriage
According to his family members, his alleged 'crime' was that he helped his friend Gurpreet Singh, a man from the Rajput caste, elope with Simran, a woman from the Sikh Ravidas community, a Dalit caste group within Sikhism that traces its lineage to the Chamar community. The incident happened 5 July in Seeda village. Purported videos of the incident show Harjot Singh pleading with the villagers to let him go. In one video, he can be seen begging for mercy. His pleas were not heeded. In another video, his head is being shaved while he is being moved around the village like a criminal. New Delhi: A 17-year-old Dalit boy in Punjab's Ludhiana district was allegedly humiliated by a group of men who shaved his head and beard, blackened his face, and paraded him half-naked while filming the ordeal. The reason: they believed he helped his friend in his inter-caste marriage. Harjot's cousin Satvinder Singh said the assault began after a group of men—identified as Gurpreet alias Gopa, Simranjeet Singh alias Simma, Sandeep alias Sam, Rajveer, and Ramandeep alias Kaka—stormed into a salon where the minor boy happened to be. They dragged him out and began beating him on the street, accusing him of facilitating Gurpreet and Simran's intercaste marriage, Satvinder claimed. 'They had already gotten married in court and were living together in the village. Harjot had nothing to do with their elopement or marriage,' he told ThePrint over the phone. 'Still, they tore his clothes, assaulted him in broad daylight, and paraded him semi-naked through the streets.' The accused suspected Harjot helped Gurpreet keep his whereabouts secret. Satvinder added that the group not only attacked Harjot physically but also humiliated him in public by filming the entire ordeal. 'They forced him to sit on the road while they recorded the video. He has suffered severe trauma and injuries, including internal wounds and head injuries,' he said. 'He was discharged from the hospital just yesterday. The whole episode has left him mentally scarred and socially disgraced.' Also Read: Army jawan held by Punjab police on spying charges, was 'introduced to ISI by Dubai-based smuggler' What police say The Meharban police has registered an FIR under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) including Section 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), Section 127(2) (wrongful confinement) and Section 351 (criminal intimidation). Additionally, charges under Sections 66A and 67B of the Information Technology Act—which deal with transmission of offensive content and abuse involving minors online—have been added. Relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, which addresses crimes against Scheduled Castes and Tribes, have also been invoked. Meharban Station House Officer (SHO) Paramdeep Singh told ThePrint Gurpreet and Simran were adults and they married each other out of their own free will. 'A total of 13 people were involved in this incident. One person has been arrested. He has been booked under the SC/ST Act. The investigation is ongoing,' the officer said. Satvinder added, 'The incident and then the viral video will leave a long term impact on Harjot who has not even turned 18 yet. Nobody would even want to be friends with him now.' (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Gangster Bhagwanpuria's mother, cousin shot dead in Punjab. Rival Bambiha gang claims responsibility
