Chandigarh: Influencer murder video resurfaces as fraud and Dalit protest cases grip city
Chandigarh is gripped by three major stories this week: the shocking surfacing of murdered social media influencer Manjeet Kaur's final video in which she named her killers, a significant corruption case involving a forest service officer and his family chargesheeted for defrauding the public of over Rs 75 crore, and a planned protest march over the alleged suicide of a Dalit man. In the courts, meanwhile, a Chandigarh lawyer's persistent fight against a tax notice has produced a far-reaching High Court ruling striking down a contested income tax provision.
Murdered influencer Manjeet Kaur's final video surfaces with accusation: 'They set me on fire'
A deeply disturbing final video recorded by Manjeet Kaur, a social media influencer from Punjab who was subsequently murdered, has surfaced and is circulating widely, NDTV reported. In the video, Kaur directly named the individuals she held responsible for her killing, stating that they had set her on fire. The footage has reignited public outrage over the case and intensified pressure on law enforcement authorities to bring those responsible to justice without further delay. Kaur had built a substantial following on social media, and her murder shocked both her fans and the broader public in Punjab and Chandigarh. Women's advocacy groups have pointed to the case as emblematic of a pattern of violence in which perpetrators believe they can act with impunity. The circulation of the video is expected to keep the case in the public eye and reinforce demands for accountability. Police have been investigating the matter, and the video's emergence is likely to become a key piece of evidence as the case progresses through the judicial system. [3]
Forest officer, wife and firm chargesheeted in Rs 75.4 crore CREST funds fraud case
A senior Indian Forest Service officer, Navneet Srivastava, along with his wife and their firm, has been chargesheeted in connection with a massive Rs 75.4 crore public funds fraud involving CREST, a government-linked institution in Chandigarh, India Today reported. The chargesheet marks a pivotal moment in a long-running investigation into how substantial public money was allegedly diverted through the officer's family business network. CREST, headquartered in Chandigarh, is an institution tasked with environmental research and training, and the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for its operations has raised serious concerns about financial oversight within government bodies in the Union Territory. The case is particularly notable because it involves an officer from the prestigious Indian Forest Service, and has drawn attention to questions of accountability among senior government officials in the Punjab-Haryana-Chandigarh region. Investigators reportedly traced a complex financial trail before filing the chargesheet. The case is now expected to proceed through the courts, where the accused will face charges relating to the alleged large-scale misuse of public money. [9]
Dalit man's death triggers protest march to Punjab minister Cheema's Chandigarh residence
Political tensions have escalated in Chandigarh after a Dalit man's death prompted opposition leaders to announce a protest march to the city residence of Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, the Hindustan Times reported. Aam Aadmi Party's Chandigarh unit leader, identified as Pilot, is set to lead the march on September 15, demanding accountability from the state government over the circumstances surrounding the man's death, which has been described as a suicide though critics have questioned whether state inaction or neglect may have contributed. Chandigarh, as the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, is a frequent venue for political demonstrations targeting senior state government officials who maintain residences there. The protest reflects ongoing concerns within Dalit communities and opposition parties about how the Punjab government handles cases involving vulnerable citizens. Organisers have called on supporters and civil society groups to join the march. The case adds to a growing series of incidents that opposition leaders say reflect a gap between the ruling party's commitments to marginalised communities and the reality on the ground. [4]
Chandigarh lawyer's individual fight against tax notice ends with HC striking down Section 147A
In a landmark judicial development, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has struck down Section 147A of the Income Tax Act following a sustained legal challenge mounted by a Chandigarh lawyer who refused to accept a tax reassessment notice issued under the provision, ThePrint reported. The case began when the lawyer received what he considered an overreaching notice from tax authorities, prompting him to approach the High Court to challenge the constitutional validity of the provision itself. After hearing the matter, the High Court agreed that Section 147A was legally untenable and struck it down. The ruling carries significance well beyond Chandigarh because the provision had been widely used by the Income Tax Department across the country to issue reassessment notices to taxpayers. Legal experts expect the judgment to prompt a review of numerous pending notices issued under the same provision. The case is a reminder of how individual litigants in Chandigarh's High Court can trigger changes in tax law with national implications. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has a well-established reputation for significant rulings on fiscal matters. [2]
Chandigarh declares restricted holiday on September 15 for Jain Samvatsari festival
Chandigarh's administration has notified a restricted holiday on September 15 to observe Samvatsari, one of the most significant festivals in the Jain religious calendar, The Tribune reported. Samvatsari marks the final and most important day of Paryushana, the holiest period for Jains, during which followers engage in fasting, prayer, meditation and the spiritual practice of seeking and granting forgiveness from all living beings. The restricted holiday designation means that government employees who follow the Jain faith may choose to take the day off, with office operations otherwise continuing as normal. Chandigarh's Jain community, while a small proportion of the city's overall population, has been a settled and respected part of the Union Territory's social fabric for generations. The announcement reflects the administration's recognition of the city's religious diversity and its commitment to accommodating the observances of different faith communities. Local Jain organisations have traditionally held public gatherings, processions and community prayers on Samvatsari in Chandigarh, and this year's observance is expected to draw significant participation from the city's faithful. [7]
Sources: [3] NDTV · [9] India Today · [4] hindustantimes.com · [2] theprint.in · [7] The Tribune