“Better we don’t open our mouths,” bench tells petitioner while declining relief in DA cases New Delhi, December 20, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) – The Supreme Court on Friday firmly refused to grant any relief to suspended Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, declining to stay the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) probe into corruption case and disproportionate assets (DA) case registered against him and delivering a pointed warning to his counsel against pressing the court for interim indulgence. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi made it clear that it was not inclined to interfere in the ongoing investigation, noting that the Punjab and Haryana High Court has already seized of the matter.

MoU inked to integrate Gatka into mainstream sporting framework Strategic alliance aims to cultivate next generation of Gatka champions : Grewal Chandigarh, December 18, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) – In a landmark stride towards institutionalizing India’s rich martial heritage of Gatka, NIILM University Kaithal and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI) have formally entered into a strategic partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaborative endeavour is dedicated to the systematic promotion, development and popularization of Gatka as a premier competitive sport in India. The momentous agreement was executed by Sandeep Chahal, Chairman of NIILM University and Sukhchain Singh Kalsani, Vice President of the NGAI, who represented NGAI president Advocate Harjeet Singh Grewal.

Gatka officiating gets a reset as three days national refresher course wraps up Updated edition of WGF rulebook to be published soon : Grewal Chandigarh, December 15, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) - The National Gatka Refresher Course concluded on a high note with the successful conduct of a written examination by the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI), marking a decisive step towards professionalising officiating standards in the traditional martial sport. The test formed the basis for grading and certification of Gatka officials, a process that will now determine their eligibility to officiate national level competitions.

Chandigarh, December 11, 2025 : In a significant intervention, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed Panjab University Chandigarh to grant admission to a Canadian-passport holder of Indian origin who was denied a seat in the five-year B.Com LL.B programme despite securing a much higher merit score than the last selected NRI quota candidate. The court noted that the university’s policy had placed the student at an unfair disadvantage and needed judicial correction. The petitioner, Eknoor Kaur Bains, was born in Canada to Punjabi parents who returned to India within a year.

National Gatka Refresher Course for certification, grading of technical officials Gatka Association to elevate Gatka game standards in competitions Chandigarh, December 10, 2025 : In a strategic move to fortify the technical framework of Gatka game, the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI), an apex body for Gatka sport in India and affiliated with World Gatka Federation (WGF), is going to organize its 3rd National Gatka Refresher Course. The intensive three days program is scheduled from December 12 to December 14, 2025, in Sector 53, Chandigarh. This flagship initiative is conceptualised to elevate officiating and coaching standards nationwide, ensure uniform implementation of game rules and cultivate a robust pipeline of certified referees, judges and technical officials.

Outspoken former MLA faces action after fresh charges of corruption within the party Chandigarh, December 8, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) - The Punjab Congress has plunged into fresh turmoil today after state party chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring suspended Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu from the primary membership of the party, triggering a new round of internal firestorms at a time when the organisation is already grappling with factional strains. Dr Sidhu, a former Amritsar MLA and parliamentary secretary in the previous Congress government led by Captain Amarinder Singh, has in recent days targeted her own party with a string of barbed remarks on alleged corruption.

Sikh clergy hands down wide-ranging religious ‘Tankah’ for erroneous acts Amritsar, December 8, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) - A turning point for Sikh institutions unfolded on Monday at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Amritsar as five well-known figures from religious, academic and political spheres appeared before the supreme Sikh seat of authority and submitted written apologies for their controversial actions the clergy deemed objectionable. The special sitting, opened with an address by officiating Jathedar, Singh Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj from the façade of the Takht, marked most consequential days of collective accountability.

Amritsar, December 3, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) : The Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet), a breakaway faction of the Sukhbir Singh Badal–led Shiromani Akali Dal, on Tuesday demanded that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) be brought under the administrative control of the Punjab government. Party president Giani Harpreet Singh, former acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht, said the pre-1947 arrangement of state oversight of gurdwara management should be restored. He was speaking after inaugurating the party’s head office in Amritsar. Addressing reporters, Giani Harpreet Singh said the time had come to “liberate the SGPC” from what he described as the tight hold of the Badal-led SAD.

Chandigarh, November 30, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) – The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Saturday questioned the inordinate delay in adjudicating a representation seeking the disqualification of Banga MLA, Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi, who orchestrated his defection from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in August 2024. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry issued a sharp reprimand, directing the Punjab government's counsel to procure explicit instructions from the state Vidhan Sabha. The court demanded a definitive timeline for deciding the disqualification petition, originally filed by petitioner-lawyer H.C.

Chandigarh, November 29, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) : Punjab’s annual state inter-university youth festival will be organised at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, from November 30 to December 3 bringing together more than 2,500 students from 32 universities for four days of cultural, artistic, theatrical and musical contests. For the first time, the festival will also showcase the traditional Sikh martial art of Gatka, adding a vibrant new chapter to the state-level celebration. Sharing details today Parminder Singh Goldy, Chairman of Punjab Youth Development Board, said the festival will feature 51 events across cultural, literary, music and fine arts categories.

Sustained protest supported by cross-party leaders and farm unions, student community secures a major democratic victory Chandigarh, November 27, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) - In a decisive move that marks the end of a prolonged stalemate, the office of the Vice-President of India has officially approved the schedule for the much-delayed Senate elections at Panjab University (PU) Chandigarh. The development comes as a direct victory for the student body, which had launched a relentless ‘morcha’ (protest) on campus, demanding the restoration of their democratic rights. The official communication, a copy of which has been accessed by Bharat Khabarnama, was dispatched from the office of the Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, who also serves as the Chancellor of the University.

Four-day cultural showcase to unfold in Amritsar on November 30 Chandigarh, November 26, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) : The Punjab State Inter University Youth Festival will be organised at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar from November 30 bringing four days of cultural colour, spirited competition and student talent from across the state. For the first time, the festival will witness Sikh martial art competitions, introduced through the efforts of the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). Gatka squads from various universities will showcase their martial art skills and discipline, adding a striking new dimension to the annual celebration.

Regulatory frameworks under judicial scrutiny ; No profit-no loss mandate to be probed Directs UGC to file affidavit on mechanism to monitor New Delhi, November 26, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau): The Supreme Court has opened a wide-ranging inquiry into the creation and functioning of private and deemed universities across India. The bench has asked the Centre and all state governments to reveal how these institutions were established, what benefits they received and whether they follow the “no profit-no loss” principle many claim to uphold. SC Judges Ahsanuddin Amanullah and NV Anjaria said the issue touches public interest and requires a clear look at how such universities came into being under laws framed by state and central governments.

Agency agrees to release access to five family accounts; custody extended till December 4 Chandigarh, November 21, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) - The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday opposed a petition filed by suspended Ropar Range DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar seeking the defreezing of all 15 bank accounts linked to him and his family. The investigation agency told the special CBI court that the financial trail in the corruption probe remains incomplete and that unrestricted access could compromise the investigation. In a detailed reply submitted before the court, the CBI objected to the defreezing of 15 bank accounts operated in the names of Bhullar, his father and firms associated with the family.

Chandigarh, November 21, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) - The Punjab government has suspended a Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officer Gurvinder Singh Johal, posted as Regional Transport Officer (RTO), at Rupnagar under the section 4(1)(a) of the Punjab Civil Service rules with immediate effect. The order issued in this regard says that his headquarters for duty will be at Chandigarh.  The state government is observing 350th martyrdom anniversary of Shri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib at Sri Anandpur Sahib at full scale and massive arrangements have been made but the state government has not mentioned the reason for his suspension in the orders.

Chandigarh, November 20, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau): A much-anticipated animated film on Sikh history and Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji has been put on hold after a sharp intervention from the SGPC and Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The makers of “Hind Di Chadar – Guru Ladho Re” announced on social media that they were postponing the release, which was earlier slated for November 21. The decision follows a formal directive from the highest temporal authority of the Sikhs, citing concerns over accuracy and adherence to religious guidelines. The SGPC’s Chief Secretary, Kulwant Singh Mannan, said Sri Akal Takht Sahib acting Jathedar, Singh Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj,  has issued a clear order stopping the film’s release after an internal review committee pointed out serious historical and conceptual inconsistencies.

Experts warn : Govt must reduce production and consumption of ultra-processed food New Delhi, November 20, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau): India's love affair with packaged snacks and drinks is turning into a health catastrophe, with a landmark study in The Lancet revealing that the country's ultra-processed food (UPF) boom has doubled obesity rates and spawned a diabetes crisis. According to the three-paper Series, retail sales of these foods, packed with harmful additives, sugar, and fat, exploded by forty times, from $0.9 billion in 2006 to $38 billion in 2019. This has flooded the market with biscuits, namkeens, noodles, and sugary drinks, aggressively advertised to the younger generation.

Creation of new district may be announced in session Chandigarh, November 20, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) - The Punjab is preparing for a landmark moment next week as the state steps beyond its traditional precincts to honour the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji with an unprecedented Assembly sitting at Anandpur Sahib. The Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria has cleared the way for a special session of the 16th Vidhan Sabha on November 24, turning the Bhai Jaita Ji Memorial into a temporary seat of legislative power.

Amritsar, November 20, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) - The Punjab is bracing for a crucial round of zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections expected in the second half of December, marking the rural ballot politics in seven years. The State Election Commission is likely to issue the formal notification any time after Gurpurab of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib ji, setting the stage for a contest that will offer an early reading of voter sentiment ahead of the 2027 general Assembly elections. Officials indicated that polling for these Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) could take place on Sunday, December 14.

Amritsar, November 19, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) - The Sri Akal Takht Sahib at Sri Amritsar has raised serious concerns over the newly presented memorial of Bhai Jeevan Singh (Bhai Jaita ji) at Sri Anandpur Sahib, in Rupnagar district pointing to what it describes as clear departures from established Sikh principles, traditions and Maryada (Sikh code of conduct). The apex Sikh authority has sought personal explanation from Punjab tourism and cultural affairs minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond by summoning him at Takhat Sahib and a written explanation from the department’s director, after receiving a stream of complaints from devotees and scholars.

Chandigarh, November 19, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau)-Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 263rd day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 298 locations on Wednesday leading to the arrest of 110 drug smugglers after registration of 92 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 37,392 in 263 days.

Chandigarh, November 19, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) - The leader of the opposition (LoP) in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Wednesday, issued a scathing condemnation of the alarming surge in targeted killings and relentless threat calls against political leaders in Punjab.  Bajwa directly accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the Home Portfolio, of abjectly failing to stem the explosive rise of organised crime, calling the government's inaction a grave betrayal of public trust.  “Punjab’s communal harmony is now on the brink, shattered by brutal targeted killings and a wave of terror unleashed on political leaders.

Chandigarh, November 18, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) - The Punjab state’s education landscape is set for a major reset as the Education Department moves ahead with a sweeping promotion drive triggered by recent amendments to the 2018 service rules. The overhaul has cleared long-standing bottlenecks and set the stage for more than 2,300 teachers to step into higher roles across various cadres, promising a stronger administrative structure in schools. Officials said the department has almost finished allotting stations for 1,200 newly promoted lecturers, while the exercise to elevate 650 lecturers to the post of principal is underway.

New Delhi November 17, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) - The Supreme Court raised a sharp warning on Monday over the growing use of small tetra packs for whisky, calling the format unsafe and easily mistaken for children’s juice boxes. The bench said the practice poses a clear public risk and questioned why states continue to allow such packaging when it can slip into young hands without suspicion. During the hearing of a trademark dispute between two major liquor producers, Chief Justice-designate Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the appearance of these packs was alarming.