Regional journal: Krishanu’s shocking arrest

The arrest of Krishanu Sharda by the CBI in the DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar case has sent shockwaves in the corridors of power. Though AAP remains silent, speculation is rife since Krishanu was often seen with top bureaucrats and police officers. A frequent visitor to the Main and Punjab Civil Secretariat as well as Police Headquarters, his interrogation has created a curiosity about his links with senior officials.

New DGP gets going

Haryana’s newest DGP, 1992-batch IPS officer OP Singh, who took additional charge after Shatrujeet Kapur was sent on leave following the suicide of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar, has been actively sharing messages about the achievements of the Haryana Police. Soon after he took charge, Singh created a stir by arriving at a police station in Panchkula, then listed out the priorities of the police. The DGP’s media team said the officer was setting a new precedent in policing by tackling not just crime but critical social issues head-on. Responding to a late-night accidental call from a child, Singh ‘seized the moment’, according to the department press release, by going on X to warn parents about the dangers of excessive screen time in children. Sharing expert-backed video content and a Hindi summary, Singh said digital addiction harms kids’ brains and social skills. Haryana is clearly watching this space — and asking whether Kapur will return to the front before Singh retires on December 31, after or not at all.

Sweeping question

Local Government Minister Ravjot Singh, who flagged off the new cleanliness vehicle in Muktsar recently, was left speechless when asked about the town’s defunct sweeping machine. He told MC president Krishan Kumar Shammi Tehria to take up the issue with officers in Chandigarh. It seems the machine will start working only after its file completes a full bureaucratic round in the state capital!

‘Gift culture’ returns

Contractors and private company officials are again visiting officers of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited with gifts and Diwali greetings. In 2022, former CMD of the PSPCL Baldev Singh Sran had put a stop to the “gift culture”. Sran had even placed notices outside his office and residence, requesting visitors to refrain from offering gifts. With his retirement, it seems the old culture has returned.

Saini’s smile

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s smile was in the spotlight at a recent presser, so much so that a scribe asked him the reason for it. With a chuckle, Saini said laughter is the best the medicine and the Opposition leaders should also try to smile often to keep themselves in the pink of health.

Chouhan’s mantras

During the inauguration of the new building of the ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ladhowal, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan surprised everyone by chanting the mantras aloud with clarity. Momentarily taken aback, the pandit could only smile as the minister seemed more a seasoned priest than a politician.

Better late than never

Over three months after the new government office complex — Kartavya Bhavan — came up and several key ministries shifted there, Home Minister Amit Shah moved to the new address only last week. Till now he had been working either from the North Block or from the new Cooperation Ministry office. Though insiders did not attribute the delay to any superstition, it clearly looks like a case of better late than never!

Contributed by Ruchika M Khanna, Geetanjali Gayatri, Archit Watts, Aman Sood, Pradeep Sharma, Manav Mander & Animesh Singh