Latest news with #MrSingh
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Blackmail complaint made to police: Taxi driver left stressed by supposed' prank'
Gurpreet Singh. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON A Dunedin Taxis driver says he was left shivering and in tears after believing he was being "blackmailed" for $10,000 by two fellow drivers. The driver said former Dunedin Taxis director Gurpreet Singh and driver Vishal Vala demanded the payment be made to an Indian bank account in March to alter log books. He claims he was told if he did not make the payment he would be fired. When he complained to Dunedin Taxis chairman Paul Oliver and the police, he was told the incident was just a prank — an explanation which he doubted. The driver, who provided texts and emails to the Otago Daily Times, said he felt forced to withdraw the complaints, but said the ordeal left him scared of Mr Singh, who is still a driver for the company. "I still can't make any sense of this whole incident, that's why was I intimidated," he said in communication supplied to the ODT. "[I felt] threatened, emotionally blackmailed and financially blackmailed. "Tears are rolling down my eyes — I am stressed, I feel betrayed, I am shivering, and I couldn't sleep for the whole night." When approached by the ODT, Mr Singh and Mr Vala stood by their explanation the incident was a prank they regretted. Mr Vala said the prank took place while the pair were drunk. The driver said the incident happened after Mr Singh and Mr Vala befriended him when he first joined Dunedin Taxis, and claims the pair introduced him to their system of getting preference for big-ticket rides. They told him they had an arrangement with a staff member at the Dunedin Taxis call centre to allocate them the more expensive trips that came through the system — which was against the constitution of the company. The driver said he took a few of those rides after believing Mr Singh had set them up for him. On March 14, the driver claims Mr Singh told him that Dunedin Taxis had a record of those rides and they needed to be deleted from the company's system or else he would lose his job. The driver alleges Mr Singh had told him to make a $10,000 deposit into an Auckland-based staff member's Indian account to wipe logbook records. At this point, the driver was scared and refused to take part in the arrangement. The driver complained to Dunedin Taxis chairman Mr Oliver and to the police on the evening of March 14. The following day the driver received an apology from both Mr Singh and Mr Vala. Mr Singh wrote: "I'm really sorry for the prank — I misjudged it and I regret that it didn't come across as harmless fun. Mr Vala wrote: "I never imagined it would affect you that way, especially since we used to be good friends". The driver responded to a separate apology Mr Singh made on WhatsApp by saying he had "lost all respect" for the pair. He highlighted he was "shocked and shivering" after their threats. Mr Singh responded to him by saying "GOOD THOUGHTS FROM CHAT GPT" and "U can f... off". The driver said he ended up in the emergency department at the hospital with high blood pressure The driver said the incident left him feeling unsafe working for Dunedin Taxis, and he was not happy with the response from the company to his complaint. When questioned by the ODT, Mr Singh reiterated the incident was a prank and denied allegations of blackmail and any involvement in a scheme to give drivers preferential treatment for big ticket rides. He said the matter was amicably resolved with the help of two fellow drivers, and the police complaint was withdrawn. Mr Vala also denied the allegations. He said he had been drinking with Mr Singh when they decided to prank call the driver. "We did not know he would take it so seriously." Mr Vala thought the matter had been resolved within the company and said he was told no further action would be taken. Mr Oliver said he told the driver he could not do anything about the complaints against Mr Singh and Mr Vala because the driver had already taken the issue to police. "That was the end of it for me. "Whether there was $10,000 or whatever it was, it's just no longer my problem or concern ... it had nothing to do with taxi operations." He said after the complaint was withdrawn from police he thought the driver and Mr Singh and Mr Vala were friends again, and he did not have to take any further action. He said it was impossible to wipe any logbook records. "Unless they go up to Auckland and break into the place and do a Watergate, that's impossible." He said there were constant complaints some drivers were getting better rides than others, but the system could not be worked improperly.
7NEWS
20-06-2025
- 7NEWS
Man killed in truck rollover in Wooroloo identified as Arshpreet Singh Khahra, 23, who came to WA to study
The man killed in a horror crash after his truck rolled off the road and burst into flames has been identified as an international student. Arshpreet Singh Khahra died when his white Volvo truck crashed through a barrier on Great Eastern Highway near the intersection of Old Northam Road at 8.15am on Thursday. Footage from the scene showed the truck split in half and charred from a fire believed to have started inside the fuel tank. Mr Singh, 23, was found trapped inside the truck when emergency services arrived and declared dead at the scene. Multiple Punjabi news outlets reported Mr Singh was part of the Ram Khara Village in Tarn Taran. 'He had come to Australia as an international student,' Sea7 Australia wrote. 'After hearing the news of his death, the family members in the village are in a state of grief and have demanded that the Government bring the body to India as soon as possible. 'The Punjabi community in Australia has also expressed grief.' Three St John WA ambulance crews attended to crash scene, including its special operations team. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services sent career and volunteer firefighters to the crash. Just hours after Mr Singh's death, a 67-year-old male motorcycle rider died 22 days after colliding with a Hyundai SUV on Joondalup Drive. The rider was left seriously injured after colliding with a Hyundai SUV travelling in the same direction as him on Joondalup Drive near Wanneroo Road on May 28. The deaths bring WA's road toll to 94 — the highest number for this time of year in more than a decade. Major crash investigators are urging anyone who saw the Wooroloo crash, or who has any information relating to this crash, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online here.
Perth Now
20-06-2025
- Perth Now
Victim of horror truck rollover an international student
The man killed in a horror crash after his truck rolled off the road and burst into flames has been identified as an international student. Arshpreet Singh Khahra died when his white Volvo truck crashed through a barrier on Great Eastern Highway near the intersection of Old Northam Road at 8.15am on Thursday. Footage from the scene showed the truck split in half and charred from a fire believed to have started inside the fuel tank. Mr Singh, 23, was found trapped inside the truck when emergency services arrived and declared dead at the scene. Multiple Punjabi news outlets reported Mr Singh was part of the Ram Khara Village in Tarn Taran. 'He had come to Australia as an international student,' Sea7 Australia wrote. 'After hearing the news of his death, the family members in the village are in a state of grief and have demanded that the Government bring the body to India as soon as possible. 'The Punjabi community in Australia has also expressed grief.' Three St John WA ambulance crews attended to crash scene, including its special operations team. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services sent career and volunteer firefighters to the crash. Just hours after Mr Singh's death, a 67-year-old male motorcycle rider died 22 days after colliding with a Hyundai SUV on Joondalup Drive. Arshpreet Singh. Credit: Facebook The rider was left seriously injured after colliding with a Hyundai SUV travelling in the same direction as him on Joondalup Drive near Wanneroo Road on May 28. The deaths bring WA's road toll to 94 — the highest number for this time of year in more than a decade. Major crash investigators are urging anyone who saw the Wooroloo crash, or who has any information relating to this crash, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online here. Dash-cam, mobile phone and CCTV footage can be sent directly to investigators via this link.
Scottish Sun
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Rangers legend spotted at popular Glasgow restaurant as ‘unforgettable evening' hailed
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RANGERS legend has been spotted at a popular Glasgow restaurant. The venue is run by Rangers fans, with framed Gers shirts and photos of Scotland players hung up on the wall. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 3 A Rangers legend has been snapped after enjoying a meal at a popular Glasgow restaurant 3 John Greig was pictured with Mr Singh in a post on the restaurant's Facebook page 3 Greig spent his entire 17-year senior playing career with Gers Credit: Alamy John Greig, voted the Greatest Ever Ranger in 1999, posed for a picture after enjoying a meal at Mr Singh's India. He posed with Mr Singh in a picture posted on the restaurant's Facebook. The caption said: "Such a pleasure having John Greig dine with us! "We captured a pitch-perfect moment with Papa Signh and John - absolute legends in our eyes. "A truly unforgettable evening!" Greig played 498 games for the club in a career spanning 17 years from 1961-1978. He won five Scottish titles, six Scottish Cups, four League Cups and the Uefa Cup Winner's Cup in 1972. He later had a five-year spell as manager at Ibrox when he added another four cups to his haul, and is a Hall of Famer too. Meanwhile, a new contender has emerged in the race to become new Gers manager. A report from the BBC says that Ibrox chiefs have spoken to a European manager who is currently out of work. Roger Hannah and Robert Grieve debate if Davide Ancelotti or Russell Martin should be the next Rangers manager in the Coffee Club Ex-Feyenoord manager Brian Priske is believed to have held talks with the club's hierarchy. It's understood that no decision has yet been made, but that Priske is amongst the candidates being considered for the position. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Neighbour who built a detached house on his driveway without permission finally makes it into a garage after six year planning row
Perplexed neighbours living next to a man who built a house on his driveway without permission have breathed a sigh of relief after he finally converted it into a garage. Homeowner Mr Singh ignited a six-year planning row after constructing the lodging outside his home in Highgate, Birmingham. Originally, he had been given planning permission to build a single-storey garage at the property in Vaughton Street in 2019. But Mr Singh left planning bosses stunned when they discovered the building had been converted into a tiny, two-storey house in October 2022. Council chiefs ordered Mr Singh to rip down the home, despite his argument that the structure only had 'minor differences' to what was agreed. The family had previously vowed to leave the 28.5ft by 15.4ft building in place, claiming they were using it as a gym. However, the lodging was converted back to a one-story property with its former front door and dormer window replaced by a garage door. Now photos this week have revealed the building has been ripped down and fully converted into the previously approved, smaller, 17.4ft by 15ft garage. Neighbours have spoke of their relief that the 'bizarre saga' was finally over following years of building work along their street. One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: 'We're glad it's finally all over now, it has been going on for years. 'I dread to think what it has cost the poor bloke. To build a house, knock it down and then build a garage instead, must have cost tens of thousands of pounds at least. 'But he's only got himself to blame, I don't know how he thought he was ever going to get away with it. 'The building work has been a bit of a pain but I'm just happy we don't have to look at that eyesore anymore. It's been a very bizarre, long-running saga.' However, another local was more sympathetic and added: 'I feel a bit sorry for him to be honest. 'Yes it wasn't what was entirely agreed, but it looked smart. And some of the houses around here are much more run down. 'You would have thought they could have come to a bit of compromise with him to save a lot of time and money.' Planners had originally given approval for a garage to be built at the location, which the new building exceeded by several metres. Planning Inspector Thomas Shields wrote in his report: 'The appellant's case is that the building already benefits from planning permission granted by the council in 2019. 'He argues that although there are differences between the approved plans for the garage and the appeal building they are minor differences. 'The approved plans for the garage show a single storey detached garage with a footprint of 5.3m x 4.6m and a height of 3.6m. 'It was also shown having a standard garage door to the front and no windows on any elevation. 'In comparison with the approved garage the appeal building has a footprint of approximately 8.7m x 4.7m and a height of 5.3m 'Consequently, it is substantially larger than the approved building. It is not a minor difference.' The row has left locals in the deprived area of Birmingham scratching their heads. Many felt sympathy with the homeowners who had taken a petition round for locals to sign in the hope of keeping their little house on the driveway. Habib, 19, a student, told MailOnline earlier this month: 'I remember walking past this on my way to school when they were building it. 'They put a lot of elbow grease into it. They were working from eight until five every day. 'It wasn't affecting anyone or blocking anyone's view of anything. It was neat. I'd be fuming if I was them.' Nessa Baharun, who can see the property from her back garden, said: 'Sometimes the Council are just a bit over the top. 'No-one has had their view ruined. If anyone was affected it would be this house and next door but it doesn't bother us. 'It just sits in the corner. I feel sorry for them. They must have lost a lot of money. 'I have seen them taking furniture out of there, so I guess they just use it for storage.' Locals said that the change from house to garage happened over two years ago. One mechanic working on Vaughton Street, a collection of modern semi-detached homes facing a small patch of grass and factory units, said: 'I don't know what it is now. You couldn't drive a car into it, you'd wreck your tyres. 'And it is definitely not a house. It's a nothing.' Other locals questioned the Council's priorities. Neighbour Kemal, a businessman in his sixties, said: 'It does look a bit weird now. It made more sense before and it was not affecting anyone because it was tucked into the corner of the drive.' Shabana Mubarik, a teacher at the nearby Chandos Primary School, said: 'This is a very deprived area. Staff regularly have to pick up canisters which are everywhere to protect the children. 'So I don't care about this little building. I guess it was some jealous neighbour who complained. You don't know. 'It makes sense to me to make use of the space you've got and their driveway allows them that space. I don't know why anyone would have an issue with it.' The Singh family initially put in their plans for a garage on their spacious driveway in 2019. But it wasn't until the aftermath of Covid that they started their build. Birmingham planners said the end result differed substantially from what was agreed and the family went on to lose an appeal against the order to tear it down. A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: 'Planning consent was granted for a single-story detached garage to the side of the property on Vaughton Street, Highgate on 7 March 2019. 'The building erected following that permission bore little resemblance to the original scale and design, as a result enforcement action followed and remedial works carried out to reduce its size, returning it to its planned use as storage/garage. 'Planning permission was already in place for a very similar building, so no further action was considered necessary. 'Planning enforcement is essential for maintaining public confidence in the planning system. 'Without it, there is a risk that unauthorised developments could undermine the legitimacy of approved plans and policies.'
