As per official data, a total of 2,62,966 students from 10,422 schools appeared in the examination, out of which 2,53,789 students were promoted to the next class.

In the merit list, Tamanna, a student of Saraswati Senior Secondary School, Jaitu (Faridkot), secured the first position by scoring a perfect 600 out of 600 marks (100%). Japneet Kaur from Government Middle School, Arkvas (Sangrur), bagged the second position with 598 marks (99.67%). Jashandeep Kaur from Sant Mohan Das Memorial Senior Secondary School, Kot Sukhia (Faridkot), secured the third position with 598 marks (99.67%).

As per board rules, in cases where students secure equal marks, the younger candidate is awarded the higher rank in the merit list.

Speaking on the occasion, PSEB Chairman Dr Amar Pal Singh said this year the examinations were conducted with greater strictness and transparency compared to previous years. 

Students can check their detailed results on the official websites of the board and other result portals. The board also announced that supplementary examinations for students who could not pass will be conducted in June 2026. The schedule for the same will be released separately through school logins and newspapers.

A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that key witnesses in the matter are yet to be examined, and at this stage, the denial of bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court appeared justified.

However, the top court granted Bhullar the liberty to move the high court again if trial proceedings fail to begin within two months. It clarified that any such plea would be considered on its own merits.

Bhullar had approached the apex court challenging the high court’s February 16 order, which had rejected his bail application.

Appearing for the suspended officer, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued that the investigation had already concluded and both the primary and supplementary charge sheets had been filed. He contended that continued detention served no purpose, especially as the accused was under suspension and posed no risk of absconding.

Rohatgi also questioned the strength of the prosecution’s case, stating that the allegations were not based on a direct trap and relied on indirect claims, including a message allegedly sent while a co-accused was in custody. He further pointed out that the complainant had already been provided police protection.

Despite these submissions, the Bench was not persuaded and refused to interfere at this stage.

Before the high court, Bhullar had maintained that most of the witnesses were official in nature and argued that his suspension ruled out any possibility of influencing them or tampering with evidence. He had also highlighted that the alleged offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act carries a maximum punishment of seven years, while he has remained in custody since October 2025.

Out of the total, 1,763 pilgrims are part of a jatha organised by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. The group was flagged off amid chants of “Bole So Nihal… Sat Sri Akal”. The jatha is being led by SGPC member Surjit Singh Tughalwala.

According to SGPC officials, 1,795 visa applications were submitted for the pilgrimage, out of which 1,763 were approved, while 32 applications were rejected. The pilgrims are scheduled to return to India on April 19 after completing their religious visit.

Pilgrims from other Sikh bodies are also part of the journey. The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee has sent 409 devotees, while the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee has sent 255 pilgrims. Together, these groups make up the total of 2,840 pilgrims visiting Pakistan for the occasion.

The pilgrimage coincides with Baisakhi, also observed as Khalsa Sajna Diwas, which will be celebrated on April 14. The day commemorates the foundation of Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699 and holds immense religious significance for the Sikh community.

During interactions with officials, several pilgrims urged both governments to ease the visa process and allow more devotees to undertake such religious yatrasThey also demanded the reopening of the route to Kartarpur Sahib for broader access and called for the removal of the $20 fee imposed by Pakistan.

The rewards, ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, have been announced under the “Gangster-Free Punjab” campaign. The government also published full-page advertisements in newspapers, carrying photographs and details of the accused to seek public assistance.

According to officials, these gangsters are linked to hundreds of criminal cases registered across Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Delhi. Despite being abroad, they continue to run operations remotely from countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the UAE, Brazil and Pakistan.

Top Tier: ₹10 lakh reward

Among those carrying the highest reward is Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, a Tarn Taran native currently based in Canada. Designated as a terrorist under UAPA, he is linked to Babbar Khalsa International and is accused of masterminding the 2022 RPG attack on the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali. He is also believed to be involved in a narco-terror network operating with support from Pakistan-based handlers. Police records show over 30 cases against him, and several of his accomplices have already been arrested.

Another key figure is Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, also from Tarn Taran, who was allegedly operating from Pakistan. He has been associated with terror activities and is believed to have played a central role in coordinating links between gangsters, terrorists, and drug networks. Though reports of his death surfaced in 2022, authorities continue to list him as a wanted terrorist.

Gaurav Putyal alias Lucky Patial, a Chandigarh-linked gangster, is suspected to be hiding in the United States. He took over the Bambiha gang after its founder’s death and is linked to multiple high-profile murder cases and attacks, including the 2018 firing incident involving singer Parmish Verma.

Balwinder Singh alias Doni Bal, believed to be in the United Kingdom, is associated with the Gopi Ghanshampuria gang. With over 30 criminal cases against him, he has claimed involvement in multiple killings in Punjab.

Prabhdeep Singh alias Prabh Dasuwal, linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, is reportedly hiding in Brazil. He is wanted in cases related to murder, extortion, and illegal weapons.

Several other Category A gangsters, including Sutinderjit Singh and Satbir Singh, also feature in this top reward bracket.

Rs 5 lakh reward category

In the second category, Rohit Godara alias Rawataram Swami, a close aide of Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar, is wanted in connection with major crimes, including the 2022 killing of singer Sidhu Moosewala. He is believed to be operating from Europe and managing extortion networks across multiple states.

Hari Boxer, originally from Rajasthan, is another key accused linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. He allegedly entered the United States illegally in 2024 and is wanted in murder cases in Punjab. Reports suggest he was detained by US authorities earlier this year, though his extradition is still pending.

Aditya Kapoor alias Makhan, associated with the Doni Bal network, has also been named in multiple criminal cases. He was earlier arrested with illegal arms but is now wanted again in fresh cases.

The remaining names include operatives linked to different criminal networks, all accused of serious offences such as murder, extortion, and arms trafficking.

Many of these fugitives are based across continents, including North America, Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. They allegedly use encrypted communication, hawala channels and local recruits to carry out crimes in India.

Under Operation Prahar, the Punjab Police have set up a dedicated Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell led by a senior officer. The department is working closely with international agencies to bring these criminals back to India.

So far, Interpol Red Corner Notices have been issued against 23 of the accused, and efforts are underway to secure notices for the rest.

The government has also launched a helpline (93946-93946) and assured that the identity of informers will remain confidential. Authorities have urged the public to share any credible information that could help track down these gangsters.

As per available information, a team of the Bathinda police took custody of Meharon from the UAE authorities and escorted him to India. He had been detained by the Sharjah police in January this year during questioning related to visa issues. The deportation process took several weeks before he was finally sent back. Upon arrival on April 10, Amritpal Sinfh Mehron was arrested at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Investigations have revealed that the murder was meticulously planned. The crime took place on June 11, 2025, when Mehron, along with three accomplices, allegedly abducted and killed the influencer. Her body was later found inside a car parked outside Adesh Hospital in Bathinda. The other accused in the case have already been arrested.

Senior Superintendent of Police Amneet Kondal said during interrogation, co-accused Nimratjeet Singh and Jaspreet Singh identified Mehron as the mastermind. He had allegedly been planning the murder for nearly three months and involved them in executing the plan.

The accused conducted multiple reconnaissance visits to Ludhiana, closely monitoring Kamal Bhabhi's daily movements, social circle  and routine. They even stayed in hotels near her residence for several days.

On June 7 and 8, Mehron visited her house but failed to meet her initially. When he finally met Kanchan and her mother, Girja Devi, he allegedly proposed a promotional collaboration for a car showroom in Bathinda. Though she initially declined due to her mother’s ill health, Mehron later convinced her over a phone call by offering additional incentives, including renovation work for her car.

On June 9, the accused picked up Kamal Bhabhi from near Apollo Hospital in Ludhiana after contacting her via WhatsApp. She was taken to Bathinda, where her car was kept at a garage under the pretext of repairs.

Late at night, the group drove around different locations before taking her to an isolated area. According to the police, the accused assaulted her to obtain passwords for her mobile phones. Subsequently, all three allegedly strangled her using a cloth and manual force. She reportedly struggled for around 15 minutes before succumbing.

After the murderthe accused parked her car at Adesh Hospital around 2 am. However, they later realised that a key piece of evidence, the cloth used in the crime, had been left inside the vehicle. Acting on Mehron’s instructions, they returned, retrieved the item  and re-parked the car early in the morning.

Police investigations revealed that Amritpal Singh Mehron fled India on the same day of the murder. He boarded a flight from Amritsar to the UAE around 9:15 am. on June 11. A lookout notice was later issued and with the help of central agencies, his location was traced to the Middle East, leading to his eventual detention and deportation.

Who is Amritpal Mehron

Amritpal Singh Meharon is a resident of Moga. Born into a Muslim family, he later embraced Sikhism and adopted the Nihang lifestyle. He studied up to Class 12 and completed a diploma in diesel mechanics from an ITI in Moga in 2014.

In 2022, he contested the Punjab Assembly elections on a ticket from Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) but secured only 6,363 votes and lost his deposit.

In addition, 409 devotees from the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and 255 from the Haryana Committee have also received visas. In total, 2,840 devotees from different parts of the country will travel to Pakistan to visit historic gurdwaras on this sacred occasion.

The group will begin its journey on April 10 at 8 am via the Attari-Wagah border.

During the visit, the devotees will first reach Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, where the  Khalsa Sajna Diwas will be celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm. This historic site holds special importance in Sikh history, and visiting it is considered a blessing for every devotee. The group will also visit other gurdwaras that hold historical significance in Sikh history.

The group of devotees will return to India on April 19 after completing the spiritual journey. 

Announcing the rollout, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the system became operational from today and will cover nearly 3 million students enrolled in government schools. Under the new mechanism, parents will receive instant alerts if their child is absent from school.

The system has been designed with multiple layers of intervention. If a student remains absent for more than three consecutive days, the school authorities will directly contact the parents. Continued absenteeism beyond 15 days will trigger escalation to district officials and eventually to the state headquarters for further action.

The minister said the initiative would not only help curb absenteeism but also enhance student safety by ensuring timely communication between schools and families. The government has also launched the next phase of its ‘Samarth’ project, aimed at strengthening foundational learning.

Bains further said timely supply of textbooks has been streamlined. Recalling past delays, he said that until 2022, students often received books as late as September or October, forcing reliance on photocopied material. This year, however, textbooks were delivered to schools in February and distributed to students in bundled sets on April 1.

The government maintains that these measures collectively signal a broader transformation in Punjab’s public education system, with a focus on accessibility, quality, and student retention.

The email threatened to carry out a suicide bomb blast at Patiala schools and trains in Ferozepur. 

Soon after receiving the information, several teams of police officials along with bomb disposal squad reached the spot and launched investigation. 

The premises were immediately evacuated and security agencies cordoned off the area. 

The email was sent in the name of Khalistan National Army.

The DM Randhawa case was already considered highly sensitive. However, recent findings during the investigation suggest that attempts were made to tamper with or destroy crucial evidence. Based on these revelations, the police have invoked sections pertaining to destruction of evidence against Laljit Singh Bhullar. Under the law, such offences carry stringent penalties upon conviction.

Punjab Police officials have stated that the case is being investigated meticulously, with every aspect under close scrutiny to ensure that the truth emerges. Meanwhile, Bhullar’s legal counsel has dismissed the allegations as baseless, asserting that their client will strongly contest the charges through due legal process.

The development has triggered a political storm in the state. Opposition parties have targeted the government over the issue, while the ruling dispensation has maintained that the law is taking its course and no accused will be spared.

The matter is currently sub judice.

The court ordered that all government employees, including pensioners, be paid DA equivalent to that received by top officers such as IAS, IPS, IFS officers and members of the judiciary. It also directed the Punjab Government to clear all pending dues by June 30 and submit a compliance report.

According to official data, Punjab has over 3.5 lakh regular government employees and more than 4 lakh pensioners, all of whom stand to benefit from the order. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for July 2.

Background of the case

Until now, senior officers were receiving DA at the rate of 58%, while other government employees were being paid only 42%. This disparity had triggered widespread dissatisfaction among employees, who had been demanding parity for a long time.

Counsel for the employees, Rashpinder Singh, informed the court that around 200 serving and retired staff from various corporations had approached the High Court through multiple petitions. He argued that Punjab traditionally followed the Centre’s formula for DA revisions, under which increments were released twice a year until 2019. However, the state government cleared only one installment in 2022 (retrospectively), another in 2023  and the last on October 24, 2024.

The petitioners contended that while DA for central government employees has crossed 58%, Punjab employees continue to receive only 42%.

The court passed an interim order directing the state to clear all arrears, estimated at around Rs 1,400 crore, by June 30, warning that failure to comply would invite contempt of court.

The Punjab government cited financial constraints, but the court rejected the argument, stating that employees’ rightful dues must be paid.

Several student activists including SOI president were detained as they were heading towards CM residence after a scuffle broke out between students and police. 

The student wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal have been protesting against CM Mann's derogatory remarks against SOI calling it the “Smack Organisation of India” while addressing a rally. 

In view of the widespread agitation, Chandigarh Police was put on high alert with intensified security and deployment of barricades. 

The organisation has termed the CM's remarks as false, unfounded, unwarranted, deeply hurtful and defamatory, alleging that it has caused serious harm to the reputation of the student body and its members. 

Earlier the student body had also served a legal notice to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and sought an apology and withdrawal of remarks and a refrain from making such reamrks in future.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said the arrested accused have been identified as Balwinder Singh, a resident of Pandori Mohalla in Sultanpur Lodhi; Sumanpreet Kaur from Gohalwar village in Amritsar; and Harpal Singh and Jaskaranbir Singh, both residents of Dauke village in Amritsar district. The police also seized a grey Maruti Baleno car used by the accused.

According to the DGP, preliminary investigations indicate that the smuggling operation was being controlled by handlers based in Pakistan and Dubai. The seized heroin consignment had reportedly been sourced from the Amritsar border region and was meant for delivery in Chandigarh.

Police officials said efforts are underway to identify both backward and forward linkages of the network. Further arrests and additional recoveries are expected.

Sharing operational details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kapurthala Gaurav Toora said that acting on specific intelligence, police teams laid a trap to intercept the suspects.

“When signalled to stop, the accused attempted to flee and even tried to run over the police team. After a high-speed chase, police personnel opened fire at the car’s tyres to stop the vehicle,” the SSP said. A subsequent search led to the recovery of 16.8 kg heroin from the vehicle.

A case has been registered.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and yellow alerts, warning of continued wet spells, thunderstorms and lightning activity across the region for Wednesday.

The effects of western disturbance are being strongly seen in the plain cities which are experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds. 

Meanwhile, over 1.25 lakh acres of crops have been damaged due to rain, hailstorms and strong winds. Wheat crops, which were ready for harvesting, have suffered extensive losses in districts like Muktsar, Fazilka and Bathinda.

Amid existing global concerns like inflation, climate change, and geopolitical tensions, this unexpected return of winter-like weather has deepened uncertainty for many.

Farmers, especially, are worried as they evaluate the damage to their crops and wait for compensation and support.

For now, April feels more like January—leaving residents surprised and raising concerns among climate experts about the growing frequency of such extreme weather patterns.

The changes come amid rising security concerns, including the grenade blast outside the Punjab BJP office in Sector 37 on April 1 and three consecutive shootouts reported within a week. Police, however, have cracked all these cases and arrested those involved. Senior officials noted that several SHOs had been shifted recently as well, highlighting an ongoing push to revamp frontline policing.

Chandigarh DGP Sagar Preet Hooda said the reshuffle was driven by the need to uphold professionalism and build public trust. “Clean image and professionalism have been the criteria. I have tried my best to assign field roles to the most capable officers available,” he said.

He added that the move is intended to improve accountability and responsiveness at the station level. “Our focus is on sharper ground-level policing, faster response, and stronger engagement with citizens. These changes are part of a continuous effort to reinforce law and order,” the DGP said.

Officials further indicated that the sweeping transfers are aimed at improving efficiency and ensuring experienced officers are deployed where they are needed most, especially in light of recent incidents that have tested the city’s policing system.

The infant was saved by police in Bahadurgarh a week ago leading to the uncovering of the network spanned across 10 states including Punjab and Maharashtra. 

“The couple, residents of Faridkot (Punjab), already had two children, aged 15 and 9. They live hand-to-mouth and struggle to provide even basic necessities to their children. The third child was unwanted. Interestingly, they had considered abortion, but doctors refused as the permissible time limit had passed,” said Mayank Mishra, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Bahadurgarh.

The police said that the couple sold their baby due to financial constraints in raising their son and adoptive parents would provide a better life with better upbringing. 

The DCP further said that the couple was in touch with he gang members even before birth of their child. "The delivery took place at a hospital in Faridkot, and gang members took the child when he was only three days old for Rs 2.25 lakh. The child was to be sold for Rs 9.25 lakh and was to be handed over to a Delhi family, scheduled to arrive in Bahadurgarh on March 31, but the police intercepted three individuals, including a woman from Punjab, before the transfer could take place,” he said.

According to police officials, the accused, Simranjit Singh alias Amrik Singh, son of Harbhajan Singh, has been taken into custody. During the arrest, the police recovered Rs 3 lakh from his possession. The robbery involved a total amount of Rs 6 lakh, which was allegedly split equally between the two accused.

The plice said efforts were underway to trace and arrest the second accused, who is currently absconding.

The incident occurred last evening around 2:31 PM at a branch of Punjab National Bank located in Bank Enclave Phase-2, near Kukkie Dhaba Road in the Khurla Kingra area of Jalandhar.

As per CCTV footage, two masked robbers entered the bank premises and directly approached the cashier. Brandishing a pistol, they threatened the staff and forced the cashier to hand over the cash. After committing the robbery, both accused fled the scene.

The swift action by the police, aided by CCTV evidence, led to the identification and arrest of one suspect. Further investigation is ongoing.

At present, IPS officer Gaurav Yadav is the acting DGP (head of the state police force).

The list comprised names of 1992-batch IPS officer Gaurav Yadav, Special DGP Sharad Satya Chauhan (Punjab Vigilance Chief), Special DGP (Anti-Narcotics Task Force) Kuldeep Singh and senior IPS officer Harpreet Singh Sidhu (awaiting posting), said sources.

Meanwhile, Dr. Sharad Satya Chauhan, IPS, has been appointed Special DGP-cum-Chief Director, Vigilance Bureau. 

Earlier VK Bhawra held the post of Punjab DGP, who was sent on leave in June 2022, days after killing of Sidhu Moosewala.

The development follows Supreme Court directives in 2006 Prakash Singh case which requires states to send a panel of eligible IPS officers to the UPSC, which then shortlists three officers for the post out of which the state selects one. 

In February, the Supreme Court had pulled up some states, including Punjab, for having acting DGPs. Earlier Punjab government was reluctant in sending a panel for regular DGP appointment. 

The Bishnoi gang shared a social media post claiming responsibility for the murder. 

The post, written in a mix of Hindi and Punjabi, asserts that the killing was carried out by “Sarpanch Europe,” Sahil Duhan from Hisar, and members of the Lawrence Bishnoi group.

Bhanu Rana was considered Bishnoi's long-time associate but reportedly parted ways last year.

Claiming Rana a traitor, the author of the post claimed that they had predicted his dead in a similar post exactly a year ago.

Rana is an accused in several cases of murder, extortion, the Arms Act, and other serious crimes in Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi. He was apprehended in the United States in November 2025. Indian agencies were in the process of seeking his extradition to India.

He was also named as an accused in one of the grenade attacks in Punjab. 

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 parties have not issues any formal statement yet however according to the sources, the move was aimed at further fragmenting anti-incumbency votes. 

In a detailed social media post, Dr Sidhu called the announcement “long-awaited” and said it was inspired by divine guidance. She explained that a group of people with similar ideas came together after assessing current political leaders, with the goal of creating a national alternative focused on justice, peace, and awareness.

However, the party is currently focused on Punjab. Dr Sidhu said she wants to bring back the state’s past glory as a “Golden State,” highlighting values like love, sharing, service, freedom, and spiritual growth.

She added that the aim is to form a government that truly represents the people of Punjab. According to her, the movement will help heal people through truth and love, which she described as the message of Waheguru Ji.

Dr Sidhu’s political career has seen several changes. She was elected as a BJP MLA from Amritsar East in 2012 and later joined the Congress party along with her husband, who went on to become the Punjab Congress chief.

According to initial reports, the suspects arrived on a scooter around 2.30 pm. While one of them remained stationed outside to keep watch, the other entered the bank and approached the cashier, demanding cash. The assailant reportedly pulled out a pistol and threatened to shoot. Under pressure, cash from the counter was handed over. The robber then grabbed a bag containing the money and fled the premises.

At the time of the incident, around three to five customers were present inside the bank. CCTV footage of the robbery has surfaced, showing the accused exiting the bank with their faces covered before fleeing together on the scooter.

Police officials reached the scene soon after being alerted. Manpreet Singh Dhillon, Deputy Commissioner of Police, stated that one of the robbers directly confronted the cashier and demanded all the cash. When the demand was resisted, the accused brandished a weapon and issued threats.

Multiple police teams have been deployed to track down the suspects. Further investigation is underway.