Great Khali Escapes Panipat Toll Crash Unhurt as CBI Arrests DGFT Official in Bribery Case
Panipat made national headlines when wrestling legend The Great Khali's SUV was involved in an accident at the city's toll plaza, with the 54-year-old WWE icon escaping without injury. The week also saw a Central Bureau of Investigation arrest at Panipat's DGFT office over an alleged Rs 30,000 bribery demand, while Congress party workers staged a public street demonstration over the filing of an FIR against national party leader Rahul Gandhi.
Great Khali walks away unhurt from Panipat toll accident
WWE legend The Great Khali, born Dalip Singh Rana and one of the most recognizable Indian names in professional wrestling, was involved in an SUV accident at a Panipat toll plaza in Haryana. Khali, who is 54 years old, came away from the incident without injury. Videos of the accident circulated rapidly on social media, causing widespread concern among his fans. Responding to the outpouring of worry from followers, Khali took to Instagram to personally address the situation and reassure the public. In his message, he confirmed that he was absolutely okay and noted that while the vehicle had sustained some damage, he himself was completely unharmed. The incident drew significant media attention given Khali's status as a celebrated figure in both wrestling and broader Indian popular culture. Panipat, located in Haryana, is Khali's home region, making the accident at the city's toll plaza a matter of particular local interest. Khali rose to global prominence as the first South Asian WWE World Heavyweight Champion, and at 54 continues to be a prominent figure in Indian entertainment and sporting circles, regularly engaging with fans through social media platforms such as Instagram. NDTV reported the incident on August 30, 2026. [1]
CBI arrests DGFT official at Panipat office in Rs 30,000 bribery case
The Central Bureau of Investigation arrested Hemlata Hedau, an Assistant Director General of Foreign Trade posted at the Office of the Joint Directorate General of Foreign Trade in Panipat, Haryana, in connection with a bribery case. According to ANI's report dated August 19, 2026, Hedau allegedly demanded and accepted a bribe of Rs 30,000 in exchange for performing official duties at the government trade office. The CBI carried out the operation and apprehended Hedau at her Panipat posting. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade is a government body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that handles trade licensing, approvals, and compliance for businesses engaged in international trade. Panipat, well known as a major hub for textiles, yarn, and recycled fabric manufacturing, is home to a large number of businesses that regularly interact with DGFT offices for export licences and trade documentation. The arrest highlighted ongoing concerns about corruption in government trade offices across Haryana. The CBI's action was aimed at curbing corrupt practices in agencies that play a critical role in facilitating commerce, particularly in industrial cities where businesses depend on timely government approvals for their international trade operations. [4]
🗳️ Panipat Congress workers burn PM Modi effigy in protest over Rahul Gandhi FIR
Congress party workers in Panipat staged a public protest and demonstration following the filing of a first information report against Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. During the protest, demonstrators burned an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing the party's anger at what Congress members described as politically motivated legal action against their national leader. The Tribune reported the demonstration in Panipat as part of a wider wave of Congress protests held across Haryana and other Indian states in response to the FIR. The burning of effigies of political opponents is a recognized form of street protest in Indian political life, signaling strong grassroots opposition. The Panipat demonstration drew local Congress workers and district-level activists who mobilized to show solidarity with Rahul Gandhi. Haryana, where Congress has been working to consolidate its organizational presence, saw heightened political activity as national political rivalries played out at the district level. The protest in Panipat reflects the intensity of the current political climate in India, where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress party remain engaged in sustained contest over legal accountability and governance. [5]
🏢 TDI Infratech commits Rs 75 crore to Ramada hotel in Panipat
TDI Infratech has committed Rs 75 crore to the Ramada hotel property in Panipat, marking a significant capital investment in the city's hospitality sector. Safari India, which covers India's travel and hospitality industry, reported the investment as a reflection of Panipat's growing commercial importance. The city is situated within the National Capital Region growth corridor, positioning it to attract business travel and commercial activity from the broader Delhi-NCR economic zone. The sustained flow of traders, buyers, and industry professionals into Panipat, driven by the city's internationally recognized textiles and cloth recycling sector, has created strong demand for quality accommodation infrastructure. TDI Infratech's investment in the Ramada brand property signals institutional confidence in Panipat as a commercial destination. The Rs 75 crore commitment is expected to strengthen hospitality facilities to meet the needs of business travelers. Safari India noted that Panipat's location along the National Capital Region growth corridor underpins the commercial rationale for hospitality investment in the city. The investment is part of a broader trend of institutional capital flowing into hospitality infrastructure in Indian industrial cities that have established themselves as important commercial and manufacturing destinations. [8]
Sources: [1] NDTV · [4] ANI News · [5] The Tribune · [8] safariindia.com