Connect with us
Tuesday,25-November-2025
Breaking News

Crime

Punjab Vigilance raids residence of Akali leader Majithia in drug case

Published

on

Chandigarh, June 25: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Wednesday conducted a raid on the private residence of Shiromani Akali Dal’s former minister Bikram Singh Majithia in Amritsar in a drug case.

He has been facing charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act since December 2021, ahead of the Assembly elections.

A spokesperson for the government said the raid has been underway as part of the Bhagwant Mann government’s biggest ongoing action against drugs. A team of 30 Vigilance personnel, comprising senior officials, reached the residence when Majithia and his family were present there.

Former legislator Majithia, who is the brother-in-law of Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal, had moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2022 after a Mohali trial court dismissed his anticipatory bail petition in a case under the NDPS Act registered on December 20, 2021.

In a 49-page FIR filed by the state police Crime Branch at the Mohali police station, the SAD leader has been booked under sections 25, 27A and 29 of the NDPS Act.

In his plea, Majithia had termed the case a result of “political vendetta” and argued that there was no credible and legally admissible material against him.

The court, however, had granted an interim bail but allowed the Special Investigation Team to interrogate Majithia.

The High Court had observed that there was no material placed on record showing possession, transportation, storage by or recovery of any contraband from Majithia.

“All recoveries in the concluded trials have been effected from specific individuals and the petitioner was not shown therein to have any role in that regard,” it had observed, referring to convictions of drug seizure cases of Jagdish Bola and others.

However, the High Court clarified in the 26-page judgment that the court’s opinion was tentative and was made only for deciding his bail application and should not be construed as an expression of a “final opinion”.

In March 2025, the Supreme Court had directed Majithia to appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Patiala after the state government reported that he was refusing to cooperate with the probe. However, in April, the apex court dismissed the petition filed by Punjab, challenging the bail granted to Majithia.

“The respondent (Majithia) was participating in the process of further investigation. In view of the said facts and also taking note that the liberty was granted on August 10, 2022, more than two-and-a-half years ago, at present, we are not inclined to interfere with the impugned order. Accordingly, the SLP stands dismissed,” observed a Bench comprising Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Aravind Kumar, rejecting the state’s petition.

Crime

Two Karnataka cops among four arrested in gold robbery case

Published

on

Davanagere (Karnataka), Nov 25: In a development raising serious concerns, two Karnataka Police Sub-Inspectors are among the four persons arrested in connection with a gold robbery case in the state’s Davanagere district on Tuesday.

The incident was reported from the KTJ Nagar police station limits in Davanagere city.

The arrested police officers have been identified as Malappa Chippalakatti and Praveen Kumar, both of whom were serving at the IGP’s office. The other two accused, Sathish Revanakar and Nagaraj Revanakar, worked as assistants at a gold shop in Davanagere city.

The arrests were made based on a complaint filed by Vishwanath Arkasali, a gold businessman from Karwar.

According to police, Vishwanath, who buys gold from merchants in Davanagere and makes jewellery for them, had arrived at the Davanagere bus stop carrying 80 grams of gold. He had purchased gold and rings on Monday and was travelling from the Davangere bus stand to Hubballi around midnight, and was later scheduled to proceed to Karwar as part of his business routine.

However, after receiving information from the other accused, the sub-inspectors, allegedly posing as members of the IG Squad, reportedly showed their police identity cards, grabbed him by the collar, pulled him down, threatened him with a fake gun, and took him away in a car. They drove near the KTJ Nagar police station but did not go inside. Instead, they snatched the gold from the victim, dropped him near the Davanagere bus stop and fled.

Following the complaint, KTJ Nagar police took the matter seriously as policemen were involved in the crime. They investigated the case, identified the accused and arrested them. All four have been sent to judicial custody, and police have seized the car used in the offence. Further investigation is underway.

Earlier, the role of a serving police constable, believed to be the key planner of the Rs 7.11 crore daring daylight robbery, had come out in the open from Bengaluru. The accused, Annappa Naik of the Govindapura police station, was arrested along with Xavier, a former employee of Cash Management Services (CMS). According to investigators, the pair had meticulously prepared for the robbery for over six months after Xavier left the company.

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara had warned that any police personnel involved in criminal activities would be dismissed from service without mercy. He also stated that he had instructed senior officers to maintain strict vigilance in this regard.

Continue Reading

Crime

Mumbai Shocker: Drunk Audi Driver Arrested For Kidnapping Biker, Seeking Sexual Favours From Abducted Man In Bandra

Published

on

Mumbai: Mumbai Police have arrested a 31-year-old man for allegedly kidnapping a biker in Bandra and demanding sexual favours, in a late-night incident that has raised serious concerns over public safety. The accused, identified as Chirag Hargunani, was reportedly driving an Audi car under the influence of alcohol when the incident took place.

According to Bandra police, the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday when Hargunani approached two men travelling on a motorcycle near Bandra on the pretext of seeking directions to a nearby park. The accused, who appeared heavily intoxicated, asked one of them, Mohammad Taabish Shoeb Kutty, to sit inside his Audi and guide him, claiming he was unable to navigate in his drunken state.

Kutty agreed initially, believing he was simply helping a lost motorist. However, once inside the car, the situation took a disturbing turn. Police officials said Hargunani suddenly locked the doors and began driving off, effectively abducting the 26-year-old. During the drive, he allegedly made repeated demands for sexual favours from Kutty.

When Kutty refused and insisted on being let out, Hargunani became aggressive. He allegedly assaulted Kutty inside the moving vehicle, refusing to stop or release him. The victim then acted swiftly to protect himself, managing to reach for and remove the car keys during the struggle, forcing the Audi to halt. Kutty immediately stepped out and sought help, after which locals alerted the police.

A team from Bandra police station reached the spot and took Hargunani into custody. Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to kidnapping, wrongful confinement, assault and other offences. Hargunani remains in police custody as the probe continues.

Continue Reading

Crime

Thane Shocker: Young Woman’s Body Found Stuffed Inside Suitcase Under Desai Khadi Bridge On Kalyan–Shil Road; Police Launch Murder Probe

Published

on

Kalyan, Nov 24: A shocking incident has come to light after the body of a young woman was discovered inside a suitcase under the Desai Khadi bridge on the Kalyan–Shil Road on Monday. The gruesome finding has triggered panic and concern throughout the area, as it clearly indicates a cold-blooded murder.

According to police sources, the age of the deceased woman is estimated to be between 25 and 30 years. The body was packed inside a medium-sized suitcase and dumped beneath the bridge, suggesting that the killers deliberately chose a secluded spot to dispose of the evidence.

Prima facie, officers believe the woman was murdered before being stuffed into the suitcase and abandoned. However, the exact cause of death will be known only after the post-mortem examination.

The identity of the victim remains unknown at this stage. The police have begun checking missing women complaints from Kalyan, Dombivli, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Mumbai and surrounding regions.

Forensic experts have been called to examine the suitcase and surrounding area for fingerprints, blood traces, or any other clues that may help identify the perpetrators.

CCTV footage from nearby locations, toll plazas, and road junctions along the Kalyan–Shil corridor is also being collected and analyzed to trace the vehicle or individuals who might have transported the suitcase.

The Dyghar Police have officially launched a murder investigation and formed a special team to trace the identity of the woman and hunt down those responsible. Police have appealed to the public to contact them immediately if they have information about a missing woman matching the victim’s description.

The brutal killing has sent a wave of shock across the city, raising serious concerns about safety. Police say they are treating the case with utmost urgency and are confident of making a breakthrough soon.

Continue Reading

Trending