Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

08 Apr

Centre Defends Sabarimala Tradition in Supreme Court, Calls 2018 Verdict ‘Wrong Law’

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaconstitutional morality debate, Sabarimala case, Supreme Court, Tushar Mehta arguments, women entry Sabarimala

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Centre on Tuesday defended the traditional restriction on the entry of women aged 10–50 years into the Sabarimala Temple, asserting before the Supreme Court that matters of religious faith fall outside the scope of judicial review.Presenting arguments before a nine-judge Constitution Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said courts should refrain from interpreting religious practices due to the inherent risks involved.He argued that even if a practice appears unscientific, it is the legislature not the judiciary that should decide on reforms. Questioning the doctrine of “constitutional morality,” Mehta…

07 Apr

Badshah Apologises to NCW Over Controversial Song ‘Tattiri’, Pledges Women Empowerment Efforts

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsEntertainment, Indiaapology NCW, Badshah, National Commission for Women action, Nora Fatehi, Tattiri controversy, Vijaya Rahatkar

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Rapper-musician Badshah on Tuesday apologised to the National Commission for Women (NCW) over his controversial Haryanvi song Tattiri, following allegations of promoting obscenity and disrespect towards women.The artist was summoned by the commission after multiple complaints claimed that the song featured sexually explicit lyrics and objectionable visuals that could negatively impact viewers, particularly children.During the hearing, which was presided over by NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, the commission stated that the song’s lyrics and presentation hurt the dignity and decency of women. It also directed all concerned parties to refrain from producing similar content in the future.Along…

07 Apr

Air India Hikes Fuel Surcharge After IndiGo Move as Jet Fuel Prices Surge

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaAir India, airline ticket prices India, ATF price surge, fuel surcharge hike, IndiGo airfare increase

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Air India group on Tuesday announced a fresh increase in fuel surcharge for both domestic and international flights, days after IndiGo raised similar charges, indicating a broader rise in airfares amid a sharp spike in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices.The move comes as global jet fuel prices continue to surge, significantly increasing operational costs for airlines. According to the International Air Transport Association, jet fuel rates have nearly doubled within a month, marking one of the steepest hikes in recent years.For domestic travel, Air India will implement a distance-based fuel surcharge starting April 8, replacing…

07 Apr

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Announces Rs 516 Crore Development Push in Hoshiarpur, Focus on Healthcare and Connectivity

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann, Hoshiarpur projects, medical college Hoshiarpur, Punjab development ₹516 crore, Punjab healthcare infrastructure

Hoshiarpur (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday rolled out a ₹516 crore development push in Hoshiarpur, combining a major expansion of healthcare infrastructure with new projects on the ground in the Sham Chaurasi assembly segment. Addressing a state-level gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Shaheed Udham Singh State Institute of Medical Sciences will be completed within two years and will train 100 MBBS doctors annually, alongside a 300-bed hospital equipped with advanced facilities including OPD, MRI, CT scan and specialised departments.Strengthening grassroots healthcare, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann laid the foundation stone of a 30-bed…

07 Apr

Punjab Excise Revenue Crosses Rs 11,782 Crore, Beats Target by Rs 582 Crore: Harpal Singh Cheema

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann government, excise revenue, Harpal Singh Cheema, liquor policy Punjab, Punjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday announced that the Excise and Taxation Department has achieved a significant milestone in revenue collection for the financial year 2025-26, reflecting the success of robust excise policy measures and efficient administrative practices. He said that against the revised excise revenue target of Rs 11,200 crore, the department has successfully collected Rs 11,782 crore up to March 31, 2026, surpassing the target by Rs 582 crore. Sharing the comprehensive financial achievements, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema attributed this success directly to the state government's proactive…

07 Apr

Manipur on boil: BSF personnel’s two children killed in rocket attack as tensions escalate in Bishnupur

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabManipur

Gurpreet Singh :- Fresh violence erupted in Manipur after a suspected rocket attack struck a civilian home in Bishnupur district, killing two children and leaving their mother critically injured. The incident took place in the early hours of April 7 at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai in Moirang, a village located along the sensitive hill-valley boundary. The preliminary investigation suggests, a projectile believed to have been fired from nearby hill areas hit the residence of Oinam Malemnganba, a Border Security Force personnel posted outside the state. Tronglaobi is located near the foothills of Churachandpur district and is seen as a sensitive area…

07 Apr

Navjot Kaur Sidhu launches national-level ‘Bhartiya Rashtrawadi Party’ ahead of 2027 Assembly elections

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsEntertainment, Politics, Punjab, TrendingNavjot Kaur Sidhu

Gurpreet Singh :- In a significant move, former cricketer and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu’s wife, Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu has announced the launch of a new political outfit — the Bhartiya Rashtrawadi Party. The announcement comes two months after her exit from Congress. First suspended, she was later expelled following criticism party leader Rahul Gandhi and Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. Taking a jibe at Congress leaders, she referred Rahul Gandhi as 'pappu' and alleging that a “Rs 500 crore suitcase” influenced leadership choices in Congress — had created controversy and deepened the rift within the party. Major…

07 Apr

Punjab Govt Sanctions Prosecution of DIG Inderbir Singh; DSP Lakhbir Sandhu Turns Approver

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabPunjab News

Gurpreet Singh :- In a major development in a high-profile corruption and narcotics-related case, the Punjab Government has granted sanction to prosecute DIG Inderbir Singh under charges linked to corruption and violations of the NDPS Act. The cases, registered in 2022 in Tarn Taran, have already reached the stage of trial, with charge sheets submitted before the court of the Additional Sessions Judge. The move clears the way for formal court proceedings to begin shortly, given the seriousness of the allegations and the completion of initial investigations. A key turning point in the case is the role of DSP Lakhbir…

07 Apr

Race for Punjab DGP Intensifies as Government Sends Panel of 14 IPS Officers to UPSC

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsEntertainment, Punjab, TrendingPunjab News

Gurpreet Singh :- In a significant step towards the appointment of a regular Director General of Police (DGP), the Punjab Government has forwarded a panel of 14 senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), setting the stage for the final selection process. Sources indicate that officers from the 1992 batch are emerging as frontrunners for the top post. The current officiating DGP, Gaurav Yadav, also belongs to the same batch and remains a key contender. Seniority and service record are expected to play a crucial role in the selection. Among the most prominent names…

07 Apr

Tamil Nadu Court Awards Death Penalty to 9 Policemen in Sathankulam Custodial Death Case

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiacustodial death case, Jayaraj Bennix case, Madurai court verdict, Sathankulam, Tamil Nadu police death penalty

Chennai (Gurpreet Singh): A district court in Madurai has sentenced nine police personnel to death in the high-profile custodial death case of a father and son that had sparked nationwide outrage in 2020.The case relates to the deaths of P. Jayaraj and his son J. Bennix, who were allegedly tortured in custody at the Sathankulam Police Station in Thoothukudi district. The incident occurred on June 19, 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown when the two were arrested for reportedly keeping their mobile shop open beyond permitted hours.According to the prosecution, the victims were subjected to brutal custodial torture before being sent…