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Time of India
29-05-2025
- Time of India
32 years on, Akal Takht former jathedar's son seeks justice for his ‘custodial killing'
Chandigarh: Over three decades after the alleged custodial killing of former acting jathedar of Akal Takht, Gurdev Singh Kaunke, his son has approached the Punjab and Haryana high court seeking the registration of a criminal case against those responsible. Taking cognisance of the petition, Justice Sanjay Vashisth has issued a notice to the Punjab Police, directing them to file a response by July 28. The plea, filed by 49-year-old Hari Singh Sekhon—son of the late Jathedar—alleged that Kaunke was kept in illegal detention, tortured, and ultimately killed in police custody by then Jagraon station house officer inspector Gurmeet Singh. According to the petition, Kaunke was taken into custody on Dec 25, 1992, and remained confined until his alleged death on Jan 2, 1993. At the time of his disappearance, Kaunke, then 43, was known for preaching Gurbani and held in high regard within the Sikh community. The petition recounts that he was first picked up by inspector Gurmeet Singh on Dec 20, 1992, but was released following intervention by community elders. He was detained again five days later, this time in the presence of nearly 200 villagers. Despite his detention, no formal arrest was made, nor was he presented before a magistrate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo He was allegedly held at the Jagraon police station and the CIA staff building, where he was severely tortured. Kaunke's wife, Gurmail Kaur, was reportedly allowed to visit him with food and clothes until Dec 28, after which she was denied entry. Sekhon, a minor at the time, claimed he accompanied his mother during these visits and saw his father with visible signs of torture. Another witness, Jagjit Singh, corroborated the account, stating he too saw Kaunke with injuries while in custody. In 1993, Gurmail Kaur filed a habeas corpus petition in the high court. Hari Chand was appointed as a warrant officer to investigate, but during his visit to the Jagraon police station, there was no trace of Kaunke. According to the petition, on Jan 2, 1993, inspector Gurmeet Singh sent a message to Sidwan Bet police station reporting Kaunke's "escape" from custody. An FIR was subsequently registered at Sidwan Bet. "During the pendency of the habeas corpus petition, inspector Gurmeet Singh submitted an affidavit on Jan 14, 1993, denying Kaunke had ever been taken into custody or arrested," the petitioner submitted to the court. "There was no mention of any arrest related to FIR No. 181, dated Dec 8, 1992, nor of any alleged escape following an encounter," the petition added. The petition also alleged that in a bid to intimidate the family, police later implicated Sekhon in a 1995 attempt-to-murder case, under FIR No. 133. He was later discharged by the court. It has also been informed that a govt-ordered inquiry was conducted by then ADGP (security), B P Tiwari. His report, based on numerous witness statements, concluded that Kaunke had been abducted by the SHO, kept in illegal custody, tortured, and never seen alive after Dec 28, 1992. Tiwari rejected the escape narrative and recommended registering a criminal case against the officers involved. However, the report was not approved by then director general of police Sarabdeep Singh.
India Gazette
22-05-2025
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand: CM Dhami and Governor Gurmeet Singh flag off first batch of pilgrims for Hemkund Sahib Yatra
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], May 22 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Governor, Lieutenant General (Retd) Gurmeet Singh, on Thursday, flagged off the first batch of pilgrims going to Hemkund Sahib Yatra led by the Panj Pyaras from Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. During the event, the chief minister and the governor congratulated the first batch of Sangats and wished them a smooth, safe journey. The governor said that the journey to Hemkund Sahib is a symbol of faith, devotion and belief. The difficult journey of about 18 kilometres to this pilgrimage located at an altitude of 15,000 ft is a test of every devotee's patience, courage and faith. Recalling the contribution of Sikh Gurus, Governor Singh remarked that 'self-respect, courage, sacrifice, hard work and service' are the fundamental pillars of the Sikh tradition. The Governor also said that the government is constantly striving to make the Hemkund Sahib Yatra simpler, easier and safer. He appreciated the preparations made by the administration and the Gurudwara Management Committee on the Yatra routes and appealed to all the devotees to adopt plastic-free travel and promote the 'Vocal for Local' campaign by prioritising local products. Additionally Governor thanked the Gurudwara Management Committee, sevadars, administrative officers, and security forces associated with the Yatra organisation for their continuous efforts and wished the Yatra success. While speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the Yatra of Hemkund Sahib is a unique confluence of religious and spiritual culture of the state of Uttarakhand. Hemkund Sahib is the centre of faith of the Sikh community. This land is still the centre of divine energy. Every devotee experiences spiritual peace and new consciousness by visiting Hemkund Sahib. CM Dhami said that despite the difficult terrain and weather, thousands of devotees participate in this Yatra every year. So far, more than 60 thousand devotees have registered for Hemkund Sahib. Also, more than 30 lakh devotees have registered for the Char Dham Yatra. The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is making the Hemkund Sahib Yatra simple and easy. In the coming days, this journey will be completed in a very short time. He said that the state government has constructed a valley bridge at Govindghat for a smooth journey, and a permanent bridge will soon be constructed. For the convenience of travellers, railings, signboards, medical camps, drinking water, and hot water have also been arranged on the travel route. He wished all the devotees going on the Yatra. During the program, an upgraded version of the AI-powered chatbot 'Eternal Guru' was also demonstrated. This chatbot is based on Gurbani, which can convey the spiritual guidance and teachings of Guru Granth Sahib to the people through technology. Uttarakhand Technical University has developed this chatbot in collaboration with Hemkund Sahib Management Trust. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Peddler's under-construction house razed in Kapurthala: Police
The district police, in coordination with the civil administration, razed an 'illegal' construction being carried out by a drug peddler on government land in Toti village in Sultanpur Lodhi sub-division of Kapurthala district on Wednesday, officials said. Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Gaurav Toora said the drug trafficker, identified as Surjit Singh, had illegally acquired 10 marlas of panchayat land and constructed a house using the drug money. He said the demolition was carried out on the orders of block development and panchayat officer (BDPO) Gurmeet Singh, with civil and police authorities using bulldozers to raze the illegal construction. 'Surjit Singh has faced seven cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act since 2013 across various police stations. His wife Kulwant Kaur is facing four and son Rahul seven NDPS cases. He is absconding. Surjit is in jail,' Toora said. He added that the district administration has escalated its crackdown by seizing properties worth ₹3.5 crore linked to drug trafficking with an additional ₹1.5 crore in properties under process for seizure. 'The court proceedings are actively underway to auction these assets, ensuring stringent action against illicit gains from the drug trade,' he said. BDPO Gurmeet Singh confirmed that Surjit Singh had encroached on panchayat land, and despite issuing notices for vacation, no valid response was received, leading to the demolition following due legal process.
RNZ News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Fijian Deputy PM rejects University of the South Pacific collusion claims, says 'no leadership crisis'
Pal Ahluwalia, left, and Biman Prasad at the opening of the 99th USP Council Meeting at Auckland University. 20 May 2025 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis The Fijian Deputy Prime Minister and Minster for Finance Biman Prasad says suggestions that he is colluding with the University of the South Pacific (USP) vice-chancellor and president are "nonsense". Prasad and Education Minister Aseri Radrodro are in Auckland for the 99th USP Council meeting this week. He has been accused of colluding with USP's chief executive Professor Pal Ahluwalia in a "clear case of conflict of interest". "The USP Council is aware that USP is experiencing a leadership crisis," according to a letter to editor published by the Samoa Observer . "Professor Pal Ahluwalia has unfortunately turned out to be a divisive and demoralising head of the regional institution lacking in vision, statecraft and worst of all the undermining of staff of regional member countries. "He has a close personal relationship with the DPM Prasad. "We have confirmed reports that over the past week, [Prasad] and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Gurmeet Singh have been meeting with Professor Ahluwalia at the VCP's residence, a clear case of collusion." However, Prasad has called the allegations "nonsense," telling RNZ Pacific, "I met him many times at his house." "I meet a lot of people at the university. I was a professor at the university, and many of these people right around the table are my friends [with] whom I have had lunch, dinner, coffee. I have visited their places. "The Prime Minister of Samoa is a good friend of mine. You know, when she comes, she comes to my home. So I can't understand this nonsense that comes from people. Some people have nothing else to do." The regional university is jointly owned by 12 Pacific Island governments . The institution has been facing ongoing problems involving leadership and staff dissatisfaction, with Fiji-based unions picketing last October after the sacking of a staff union leader. Pal Ahluwalia, Biman Prasad and Aseri Radrodro at the opening of the 99th USP Council Meeting at Auckland University. 20 May 2025 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis According to Prasad, there is no leadership crisis. "I think that is an exaggeration. Of course, vice-chancellors [and] political leaders always have issues. In any organisation, nobody can be perfect and you cannot satisfy everyone. "But this [USP] Council is a very professional, good thinking people, who have the university in their hearts and minds. "This is a very important institution for the region, and our government - compared to what the previous government did to the university - has actually restored that. "We have restored academic freedom. We have restored grant funding to the university. The university was struggling. There is no leadership crisis and the current vice chancellor's position finishes in August next year. He said the USP will be looking for a new vice-chancellor "very soon". Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff in Suva want the Vice-Chancellor out. 18 October 2024 Photo: Facebook / Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff Prasad said he has been a union president himself and sat on the USP Council as a union leader for many years. He said the unions always have a legitimate right to raise issues and questions about leadership. "I used to have issues with the vice-chancellor. I served under three vice-chancellors, so these are normal things. "You have that in New Zealand - a very strong tertiary union who put the university administration [and] the government on their sport as part of what you get in a democracy." "The media must not just quickly jump with some rumors. These are noise [which] means you are in a democracy, whether it is coming from the unions, whether it is coming from the workers, whether it is coming from NGOs. He said USP has always been a big success story of regionalism, regional cooperation, and regional integration. He said many of those who are part of the USP Council meeting have studied at the university. "It is the conscience of the Pacific. It obviously has had challenges over the last 50 years of its existence. "But it remains one of the most revered, most celebrated institution and the resolve of every leader, every minister in every country is to see USP progress, and that is what it will do."
The Star
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
India says highly revered Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan's Punjab safe
NEW DELHI: The highly revered Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of the founder of the Sikh religion, Guru Nanak Dev, in Pakistan's Punjab province is safe, the Indian government said. A video shared on social media is claiming that India has carried out a drone attack on Nankana Sahib Gurdwara. However, the Press Information Bureau's (PIB's) Fact Check on Saturday said the claim is completely fake. 'Such content is created to spread communal hatred. Please be cautious. Do not forward such videos,' it added. Earlier on Friday (My 9), India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, during a special briefing on Operation Sindoor in the national capital, said India did not target Nankana Sahib Gurdwara through drone attack, dismissing false claims made by Pakistan. From the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar to Nankana Sahib, the distance is 104km. There are many gurdwaras, including Kartarpur Sahib, Panja Sahib and Nankana Sahib, in Pakistan. Gurdwara Nankana Sahib is the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev and holds great importance for Sikhs and Hindus around the world. It is there that Guru Nanak used to play with his childhood friends in an open field. Meanwhile, on the direction of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami, SGPC officials on Friday visited Sikhs who were injured in a Pakistani attack in Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir and met them in the hospital. They assured all possible assistance on behalf of the Sikh body. SGPC Secretary Partap Singh and Sri Darbar Sahib Manager Rajinder Singh Ruby expressed their sympathy after meeting Gurmeet Singh and his son Rajvansh Singh, who are undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Amritsar. SGPC Secretary Partap Singh said amid the tense situation in the country, the victims were travelling from Poonch to Jammu when their vehicle convoy was attacked. As a result, one Sikh lost his life while Gurmeet Singh, his son Rajvansh Singh, and other family members sustained serious injuries. Gurmeet Singh and Rajvansh Singh were admitted to a private hospital in Amritsar, where they are currently receiving medical care. Secretary Partap Singh said the SGPC considers it a duty to stand with humanity in times of distress and is completely fulfilling its responsibility even under the current circumstances. He added that under the instructions of SGPC President Dhami, special arrangements for shelter and meals have been made at nearby gurdwaras for people displaced from border areas. Additionally, sacred saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib are also being safely relocated from evacuated village gurdwaras. He appealed to residents of border areas to contact their nearest historic gurdwaras under the SGPC management, if they require assistance. - The Statesman/ANN
