Latest news with #VigilanceDepartment
News18
09-07-2025
- News18
TTD Suspends Official For Attending Church Prayers, Cites Violation Of Hindu Code Of Conduct
Last Updated: In a statement on Tuesday, the TTD said Rajasekhar Babu was found participating in church prayers every Sunday, an act deemed to be in violation of the organisation's norms. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), which oversees the administration of the revered Sri Venkateshwara Swamy temple in Andhra Pradesh, has suspended Assistant Executive Officer A. Rajasekhar Babu for allegedly attending Christian prayer services in his hometown of Puttur, located in Tirupati district. In an official statement on Tuesday, the TTD said Rajasekhar Babu was found participating in church prayers every Sunday, an act deemed to be in violation of the organisation's norms. 'It is nothing but a violation of TTD norms as he has not followed the code of conduct of the TTD as an employee of the organisation, and has acted irresponsibly as an employee representing a Hindu religious organisation," the temple trust stated. Based on a detailed report submitted by its Vigilance Department and other evidence, the TTD said it had taken immediate disciplinary action under its rules and placed the official under suspension. This is not the first instance of action against employees for practising non-Hindu religious customs. In February, the TTD initiated disciplinary proceedings against 18 staff members, including six teachers, who were found participating in non-Hindu rituals. Among them were senior personnel such as a deputy executive officer, an assistant executive officer, and two electricians. Following the instructions of TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu, all 18 employees were barred from involvement in temple-related religious duties and reassigned from postings at Tirumala or any other religious function. The disciplinary actions were based on violations of Rule 9 (vi) under Government Order No. 1060 issued by the Revenue Department (Endowments) on October 24, 1989, which mandates strict adherence to Hindu traditions by TTD staff. First Published: July 09, 2025, 08:22 IST
News18
01-07-2025
- News18
Mother-Son Duo Sold IAF Airstrip Used In 3 Wars In 1997. FIR Registered In 2025
Last Updated: A probe found that Usha Ansal and her son Naveen Chand faked ownership of the IAF land, sold it in 1997 using forged records—years after real owner Madan Mohan Lal had died in 1991 In a scam reminiscent of Natwarlal—India's most infamous conman who once claimed to have sold the Taj Mahal—a woman from Ferozepur, Punjab, stands accused of an audacious fraud involving an Indian Air Force (IAF) airstrip. Usha Ansal and her son Naveen Chand allegedly 'sold' the military airstrip, which played a crucial role in three major wars, back in 1997 with the help of local revenue officials. This airstrip, situated in Patti Fattuwala village near the Pakistan border, was acquired by the British administration on March 12, 1945 and played a significant role during the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1962, 1965, and 1971. According to a Times of India report, an investigation by the Vigilance Department, prompted by a reprimand from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, led to an FIR being registered against the duo on June 20, 2025, 28 years after the fraud. The charges include sections 419 (fraudulently impersonating), 420 (cheating), 465, 467 (forgery of valuable documents), 471 (use of forged documents), and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code. DSP Karan Sharma is spearheading the investigation to uncover those involved in the long-term suppression of this fraudulent land transaction. How Was The Fraud Committed? The Vigilance Department's investigation revealed that Usha and Naveen, residents of Dumni Wala village, falsely presented themselves as the landowners and sold the property by manipulating revenue records. The true owner, Madan Mohan Lal, had died in 1991, but the land was sold under his name in 1997. By the Jamabandi of 2009-10, individuals named Surjit Kaur, Manjit Kaur, Mukhtiar Singh, Jagir Singh, Dara Singh, Ramesh Kant, and Rakesh Kant were listed as owners, despite the Ministry of Defence never transferring the land. The scam came to light in 2021 when retired revenue officer Nishan Singh lodged a complaint but nothing happened in two years. Despite a letter from the Commandant of Halwara Air Force Station to the then DC demanding an inquiry, no action was taken until Singh approached the High Court. Justice Harjit Singh Brar criticised the Deputy Commissioner of Ferozepur's inaction, labelling it a serious threat to national security, and directed the chief of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau to personally investigate and report within four weeks. According to the Times of India report, the land was finally restored to the Ministry of Defence in May 2025, following intervention by the High Court. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
The Hindu
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
SAD workers hold protest over arrest of party leader Bikram Maijithia
Punjab police on Thursday (June 26, 2025) detained workers of the Shiromani Akali Dal party, who were protesting over the arrest of party leader Bikram Singh Majithia by the Vigilance Department. This comes after the Punjab Vigilance Bureau took into custody SAD leader and MLA Bikram Singh Maijthia after conducting searches at his house in Amritsar. The wife of Bikram Singh Majithia, Ganieve Kaur Majithia, said that 30 to 35 people entered their house on Wednesday without showing any warrant or document. Kaur stated that the matter is yet to be investigated. She further thanked all the SAD supporters who stood for Bikram Singh Mathithia during the raids. "Thirty to thirty-five people entered our house. They neither showed us any warrant nor any other just stormed into our house and started checking our personal belongings. They did not speak with us. I tried speaking to the is a matter that has not even been investigated. Let's see what happens. Let the government do whatever it is happening is all before you. We have fought this fight and we will continue to of Majithia stand with us and they will continue to do so," Kaur said. Meanwhile, Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Aam Aadmi government was fighting against the drug menace and action would be taken against those involved in the drug business." A big campaign, 'Yudh Nashe Ke Viruddh', is going on in Punjab. When the Akali Dal and the BJP were in power, when the Congress party was in power, these people sold drugs and pushed the youth of Punjab towards drugs. They worked to make the people of Punjab addicted to drugs. The Aam Aadmi Party government is fighting against this. No person is above the law. Any person who was involved in the drug business, whether small or big, will face action. We will wipe out drugs from Punjab," Cheema said.
India Gazette
25-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Punjab Vigilance raids SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia's Amritsar residence, take him for questioning; AAP leaders say
Amritsar (Punjab) [India], June 25 (ANI): The Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Wednesday took into custody Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Bikram Singh Majithia after conducting searches at his house in Amritsar. DCP (Investigation) Amritsar RPS Sandhu, said, 'This (raid) is by Vigilance Department.' Asked if anyone had been arrested in the raid at Majithia's house in the city's Green Avenue road, the police official said, 'Yes, they have been taken away.' Reacting to the development, Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said no person in the state is 'above the law' noting that action will be taken against those who will be involved in activities related to drugs and its business. Cheema said that previous state governments had pushed the youth of Punjab towards drugs. 'A big campaign, 'Yudh Nashe Ke Viruddh', is going on in Punjab. When the Akali Dal and the BJP were in power, when the Congress party was in power, these people sold drugs and pushed the youth of Punjab towards drugs. They worked to make the people of Punjab addicted to drugs. The Aam Aadmi Party government is fighting against this. No person is above the law. Any person who was involved in the drug business, whether small or big, action will be taken against him', Cheema told ANI. Meanwhile, SAD MLA and wife of Bikram Singh Majithia, Ganieve Kaur Majithia said that 30 to 35 people entered their house on Wednesday without showing any warrant or document. Kaur stated that the matter is yet to be investigated. She further thanked all the SAD supporters who stood for Bikram Singh Mathithia during the raids. 'Thirty to thirty-five people entered our house. They neither showed us any warrant nor any other just stormed into our house and started checking our personal belongings. They did not speak with us. I tried speaking to the is a matter which has not even been investigated. Let's see what happens. Let the government do whatever it is happening is all before you. We have fought this fight and we will continue to of Majithia stand with us and they will continue to do so. We thank them,' Kaur told reporters. In Chandigarh, Arshdeep Singh Kler who is SAD spokesperson and lawyer of Bikram Singh Majithia said, 'All of you know how the AAP government uses machinery against their political rivals. This morning, the residence of Bikram Singh Majithia in Amritsar was raided by a team of Vigilance Department. Majithia and his family were present there. Here in Sector 4 (Chandigarh), the residence of MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia is located. 'Chandigarh Police personnel, SSP Vigilance Mohali and 15 others are inside. They do not even have a search warrant for this Vigilance says that FIR has already been registered. So, they can go clears the intentions of the Government of Bhagwant will take the legal route. We will present this before Court. One thing is very clear, they had been levelling drug allegations against Bikram Singh Majithia for years. But to this day, they do not have any evidence. They lost the case in Supreme if they think they can suppress the truth through false cases like this, they won't be able to do it,' Kler said. Earlier, Punjab minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that raids were conducted by the vigilance departments at nine places in Amritsar and 25 places in Punjab which included the residence of SAD leader Majithia. Dhaliwal further slammed the previous Congress government led by Captain Amarinder Singh and stated that he should have put drug smugglers in jail but nothing such happened. 'Today, our police and vigilance raided nine places in Amritsar and 25 places in Punjab, including Bikram Singh Majithia. This drug issue started during the time of the Akali Dal and the BJP government. During their government, many drug smugglers were caught who gave statements against Bikram Singh Majithia, but they did not take any action. When Captain Amarinder Singh came, he said he would put the drug smugglers behind bars, but nothing happened. We had promised the people of Punjab that we would take action against drug smugglers. No matter who the person is, action will be taken. So we are taking action', he said. Punjab AAP President Aman Arora said, 'Inquiry would have happened based on a complaint received by the Vigilance department. I can confidently say that the Punjab government does not work with a sense of vendetta or witch-hunting.' Also, Punjab AAP leader Manish Sisodia said, 'Only the Punjab Government and Vigilance officials can provide details, but AAP has always followed a policy of zero tolerance against drugs or any other corruption. We are a party of 'kattar imandar' people.' 'Whosoever they might be, if someone has done anything wrong, they are not spared. The mission of AAP, Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann is one - those spreading drug menace, those doing something, they will not be spared.' He also said, 'The party achieved success in Gujarat and Punjab Assembly by-elections, so leadership from both states came to meet Arvind Kejriwal today. Both newly elected MLAs came here, seeking blessings and guidance from Arvind Kejriwal...' Sisodia said. (ANI)
News18
25-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
SAD Leader Bikram Majithia Arrested In Disproportionate Assets Case, Kejriwal Reacts
Last Updated: SAD leader Bikram Majithia was arrested by Punjab's Vigilance Department after a raid at his Amritsar house. He questioned the presence of numerous officers and expressed concerns. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Majithia was arrested on Wednesday after a team of Punjab's Vigilance Department raided his house in Amritsar. In a video before his arrest, Majithia questioned the presence of officials at his residence. 'Look at how many officers are here to take me away. I don't know if something was planted in my house…but look at the restlessness…A few people were locked up in a room, and then police brought me here," he said. In another video, the Akali leader said that the raid on his house 'reflects the frustration of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal". 'This morning, the vigilance team forcibly entered my residence. The press was not allowed inside, and lawyers were also pushed around. The Aam Aadmi Party government is shredding the law into pieces. Bhagwant Mann, your threats cannot silence me. I always keep raising my voice for Punjab and Punjabis," he said. Kejriwal Reacts To Majithia's Arrest After Majithia's arrest, Kejriwal said that those involved in the drug trade would not be spared, no matter how big a leader they are. 'The people who first brought drugs into Punjab were ministers in another party. They transported drugs in their own vehicles, supplied them house to house, and even sheltered international smugglers. A clear message is being sent in Punjab that no matter how big the leader is, no one will be spared. People are welcoming this message," he said. '30-35 people entered our house. They neither showed us any warrant nor any other document… They just stormed into our house and started checking our personal belongings. They did not speak with us. I tried speaking to the officers…This is a matter which has not even been investigated. Let's see what happens. Let the government do whatever it wants…Whatever is happening is all before you. We have fought this fight and we will continue to fight," Ganieve said. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema stated that the AAP government in Punjab lacks a response to the corruption allegations. He also said that the Bhagwant Mann regime is reminding people of the emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975. 'Today, they staged a drama to divert people's attention from corruption. Bikram Singh Majithia was earlier arrested in a fake drug case, but nothing came out of it. Today, they (the Punjab government) are reminding us of the emergency imposed 50 years ago. Arvind Kejriwal is following in the footsteps of Indira Gandhi. We will keep exposing this government," he said. Arshdeep Singh Kler, SAD spokesperson and lawyer of Bikram Singh Majithia, alleged that the AAP government is using machinery against their political rivals. " 'We will take the legal route. We will present this before the Court. One thing is very clear, they had been levelling drug allegations against Bikram Singh Majithia for years. But to this day, they do not have any evidence. They lost the case in the Supreme Court…So, if they think they can suppress the truth through false cases like this, they won't be able to do it," he added. War Against Drugs Underway In Punjab: Minister Cheema Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that a big campaign– 'Yudh Nashe Ke Viruddh (war against drugs)'– is underway in Punjab. 'When the Akali Dal and the BJP were in power, when the Congress party was in power, these people sold drugs and pushed the youth of Punjab towards drugs. They worked to make the people of Punjab addicted to drugs. The Aam Aadmi Party government is fighting against this. No person is above the law. Any person who was involved in the drug business, whether small or big, action will be taken against him," he said. (with inputs from agencies)
