Latest news with #SukhdevSinghDhindsa
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa ordered CBI probe that exposed cricket's darkest scandal
Chandigarh: Although his longest tenure as Union minister was in the portfolio of chemicals and fertilisers, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who passed away on Thursday due to prolonged illness at the age of 89, had hogged national limelight as sports minister for ordering a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the 2000 match fixing scandal which laid bare the dark underbelly of cricket. As Union sports minister Dhindsa ordered the CBI probe in May 2000 in which the central agency, in its report on "Cricket match fixing and related malpractices" indicted top Indian and international cricketers of that time. Following the CBI report and after a report of one-man commission headed by former CBI director K Madhavan formed by it, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had slapped a life ban on former Indian cricket team captain Mohammad Azharuddin and another player Ajay Sharma; and five-year ban on cricketers Ajay Jadeja and Manoj Prabhakar. The life bans on Azharuddin and Sharma were, however, overturned by the courts in 2012 and 2014, respectively. Responding to a question in an interview by an online magazine that he was not much known before the match fixing scandal, Dhindsa had said, "Of course, this is true. If the match-fixing scandal had not taken place, nobody would have known my name outside Punjab. I am thankful to God for this opportunity. Chance came my way and I decided to handle it to the best of my ability." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Beyond Text Generation: An AI Tool That Helps You Write Better Grammarly Install Now Undo As Union minister between 1999 and 2004, Dhindsa held different portfolios with additional charges as well at different points of time before he took over as Union minister of chemicals and fertilisers on Nov 7, 2000 and continued till May 22, 2004, at the time of dissolution of council of ministers led by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the NDA govt. Dhindsa's stint as Union minister of youth affairs and sports was only nine months — from Feb 2, 2000, to Nov 7, 2000. It was during this period that cricket match fixing scandal broke out, CBI probe ordered and report submitted. In a press conference, Dhindsa had released the CBI report on match fixing and related malpractices on Nov 1, 2000, two days after the CBI submitted it on October 30, 2000. Earlier, at the time of ordering the CBI probe, Dhindsa had fielded questions and described in details the circumstances and exercise leading to ordering the probe as he responded to a short notice question on the issue. MP Shyama Singh had then questioned that " why did the govt take 20 days to respond as the "match-fixing scandal came to the notice of the govt on April 7, 2000, but the minister convened a meeting of the BCCI officials and others only on April 27, 2000". Dhindsa, in his reply, said, "…they should appreciate our action because had we taken any action in haste, allegation would have been levelled against the govt that it was against BCCI and that was why so quick action was taken and CBI inquiry was instituted in this matter. " BOX Deep ties with sports Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa remained associated with sports in various capacities. The four-time MLA's association with sports dates back to 1977, when he was elected as MLA for the second time, inducted as minister and given sports portfolio. He was the life president of Punjab Olympic Association (POA), a position he was appointed on in June 2019 in the executive and annual general house meeting of the POA as it recognised his services as POA president for 41 long years till that time. He also served as president of the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) for 15 years before stepping down in 2011. MSID:: 121493205 413 |
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Dhindsa, last of first-generation Akali politicians, dies at 89
Chandigarh: Senior Akali leader and former Union minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa — the last of the party's first-generation politicians — passed away Wednesday evening at Fortis hospital due to prolonged illness. He was 89. Former Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Sangrur, Dhindsa is survived by his wife, two daughters and son Parminder Singh Dhindsa, former finance minister of Punjab. A close family friend of Dhindsas said the veteran Akali leader was facing multiple health issues owing to his old age. "For the last two and a half months, his health had been deteriorating further. He was admitted to Fortis hospital Tuesday and passed away at around 5 pm today," said the close family friend. In a media bulletin, Fortis hospital Mohali said, "Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, former Union minister, was admitted to Fortis Hospital, Mohali, on May 27, 2025, in a critical condition. He was suffering from severe pneumonia and cardiac complications, compounded by age related health issues. Despite the best efforts of the multidisciplinary medical team, he passed away at approximately 5.05 pm today due to cardiac arrhythmia and cardiac arrest. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo " A recipient of Padma Bhushan in 2019, Dhindsa was born on April 9, 1936, at Ubhawal village in Sangrur district. He studied at Government Ranbir College in Sangrur, completing his Bachelor of Arts. It was here that he began his political journey as a student leader. Dhindsa was a four-time MLA, winning his first election from Dhanaula in 1972 as an independent. He later joined Akali Dal. He was subsequently elected as MLA from Sunam in 1977, from Sangrur in 1980 and again from Sunam in 1985. Dhindsa was Rajya Sabha MP from 1998 to 2004 and from April 2010 to April 2022. He was also elected to Lok Sabha from Sangrur in 2004. Dhindsa and his son Parminder were expelled by SAD in 2020 after they questioned the functioning of Sukhbir Singh Badal as party president, blaming the latter for party's debacle in 2017 Punjab elections . He floated a breakaway faction Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt) which contested 2022 Punjab elections in a seat-sharing arrangement with SAD's former ally BJP and then Punjab Lok Congress floated by former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh. The SAD (Sanyukt) could not make any mark in the election. Dhindsa was back in SAD fold in March last year, only to be expelled in August last year for "anti-party" activities. Expressing grief over the demise of Dhindsa, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, while sharing his photo with Dhindsa when he returned to SAD fold in March last year in a post on X, wrote, "I am deeply saddened by the passing of Sardar Sukhdev Singh Ji Dhindsa. Dhindsa Sahib served Punjab and the community for a long time as part of the Shiromani Akali Dal, and his contributions will always be remembered." Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences in a post on X: "The passing of Shri Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa Ji is a major loss to our nation. He was a towering statesman with great wisdom and an unwavering commitment to public service. He always had a grassroots level connect with Punjab, its people and culture." A family friend said Dhindsa will be cremated in Sangrur district on Friday.
News18
3 days ago
- Health
- News18
Akali Dal Leader And Former Union Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa Dies At 89
Last Updated: Dhindsa breathed his last at the Fortis Hospital in Mohali, where he had reportedly been undergoing treatment for a lung condition Veteran Akali leader and former union minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa died on Wednesday evening following prolonged health issues at a private hospital in Punjab's Mohali district. He was 89. Dhindsa breathed his last at the Fortis Hospital in Mohali, where he had reportedly been undergoing treatment for a lung condition and was in and out of medical care in recent months. Dhindsa was born on April 9, 1936. He was the president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt), a party formed through the merger of Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali), led by Dhindsa and Ranjit Singh Brahmpura. My profound and heartfelt condolences over the sad demise of Sardar Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa Sahab. We have lost a great son of the soil who served Punjab for over six served as the Union Minister besides contributing immensely and positively to the state and national… — Amarinder Singh Raja Warring (@RajaBrar_INC) May 28, 2025 Sukhdev Dhindsa was the Lok Sabha MP from Sangrur from the Shiromani Akali Dal. He was the union minister of sports, chemicals, and fertilisers in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2004. In March last year, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa merged his faction, SAD (Sanyukt), with the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal. (With agency inputs) First Published: May 28, 2025, 19:22 IST
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Senior SAD leader and former Union minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa dies at 89
Senior SAD leader and former Sangrur MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa passed away on Wednesday evening after a prolonged illness, marking the end of an era in Punjab's political landscape. He died at Fortis Hospital in Mohali at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife, son and former finance minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, and two daughters. Born on April 9, 1936, in Ubhawal village of Sangrur district, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa was educated at Government Ranbir College, Sangrur, where he was a student leader. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in politics and public service. Dhindsa became the president of the student council of his college and later the youngest sarpanch of Ubhawal. He became a block samiti member thereafter and in 1972 won as an independent candidate from the Dhanaula constituency, which was then in Sangrur district but is now in Barnala. After winning the Assembly election, he joined the SAD. Later in 1977, he won from the Sunam constituency as an MLA. Dhindsa held important portfolios like transport, sports, and tourism during his tenure as a state minister. Dhindsa was a Rajya Sabha member from 1998 to 2004 and from 2010 to 2022. He was the Sangrur MP from 2004 to 2009. He was Union minister of sports and chemicals from 2000 to 2004. As a four-time MLA, he served as a Punjab cabinet minister as well. Dhindsa was awarded the Padma Shri in 2004. Dhindsa had parted ways with Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal long back and was with the SAD's rebel faction later.
