22012026-TTC-01.qxd 1/22/2026 1:02 AM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 146 NO. 22 | 12 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 ISRAEL, PAK TO JOIN US GAZA PEACE BOARD; CHINA WARY WORLD /thetribunechd BRIEF EXCHANGE OF FIRE AT LoC IN NORTH KASHMIR J&K DEEPINDER GOYAL RESIGNS AS ETERNAL GROUP CEO BUSINESS ICC REJECTS BCB DEMAND TO SHIFT T20 WC MATCHES OUTSIDE INDIA SPORT thursday | 22 january 2026 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com ‘Aur kitna sukhaoge Sukhna ko’: India,EUtoinknewsecurity, defence pact at Jan 27 meet SC slams builder-official nexus Ujwal Jalali Tribune News Service Says illegal constructions backed by Pb politicians destroying water body Satya Prakash HC HAD ORDERED DEMOLITIONS IN 2020 Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 21 Expressing serious concern over the drying up of Chandigarh’s iconic Sukhna Lake, the Supreme Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the builder mafia and bureaucrats over their alleged collusion resulting in ecological damage to the water body. “Aur kitna sukhaoge Sukhna Lake ko (How much more will you allow Sukhna Lake to dry up)… There are illegal constructions in collusion and connivance with bureaucrats, backed by political entities in Punjab resulting in complete destruction of the lake. All builder mafias are operating there,” a threejudge Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said. The Bench, which also included Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi, continued on page 8 ■ The matter relates to protect- ing the catchment area of Sukhna Lake, created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe at the foothills of the Shivalik Hills ■ In 2020, the Punjab and Local issues can be effectively dealt with by HCs, says top court. FILE Haryana High Court had ordered demolition of illegal structures around the lake to prevent encroachments SC flags irreversible damage to Aravallis Tribune News Service New Delhi January 21 Noting that illegal mining can lead to “irreversible damage”, the Supreme Court on Wednesday extended its order, which kept in abeyance its November 20 directions that accepted a uniform definition of Aravalli hills and Moots expert panel to review mining issues ranges for mining regulation. A Bench led by CJI Surya Kant said it would constitute an expert committee of domain experts to undertake an exhaustive and holistic examination of mining and related issues in the Aravallis. The Bench — which also included Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi — asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, amicus curiae K Parameshwar and others to suggest in four weeks names of continued on page 8 New Delhi, January 21 The European Union and India have agreed to move forward with the proposed signing of a new EU-India security and defence partnership. This would mark a significant expansion of cooperation in areas such as maritime security, cybersecurity and counter-terrorism, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday. Addressing the European Parliament plenary session ahead of the 60th EU-India Summit, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on January 27, Kallas said the proposed part- nership reflected a shared recognition that closer security cooperation was essential in an increasingly unstable global environment. “In a more dangerous world, we will both gain from working more closely together,” she said, adding that negotiations would also be launched on a “security of information” agreement aimed at facilitating deeper cooperation in sensitive strategic domains. Besides, the EU and India aim to conclude negotiations on a long-pending free trade agreement which, Kallas said, would open markets, remove barriers and strengthen critical supply chains in sectors such as clean technologies, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. She also announced plans to conclude a memorandum of understanding on a comprehensive framework for cooperation on mobility, which would facilitate movement for seasonal workers, students, researchers and highly skilled professionals, while promoting research and innovation. Kallas described the upcoming summit as a “pivotal moment” in the EU–India relations, underpinned by renewed political momentum and a clear sense of purpose, even as preparations have not been without challenges. She said negotiations on the joint statement and a new strategic agenda were progressing well, driven continued on page 8 Indira Peace Prize for Mozambican rightsactivistGraca New Delhi, January 21 The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace Disarmament and Development for 2025 is awarded to Mozambican rights activist Graca Machel, the jury for the award announced on Wednesday. She has been chosen by the international jury of the prize, chaired by former National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon, for her pathbreaking work in the field of education, health and nutrition, economic empowerment and humanitarian work under difficult circumstances, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust said in a statement. The prize consists of an award of Rs 1 crore and a trophy with a citation. — PTI IN TROUBLED WATERS Assembly poll on mind, Punjab revives SAD-era caste welfare boards Ruchika M Khanna Tribune News Service Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu flags off the helicopter service from the Sanjauli heliport in Shimla on Wednesday. PHOTO: LALIT KUMAR Shimla-Chandigarh heli taxi service takes flight Navneet Rathore Tribune News Service Shimla, January 21 Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated helicopter services from Sanjauli heliport in Shimla, marking a significant milestone in strengthening air connectivity and promoting tourism in Himachal Pradesh.Daily helicopter flights have commenced from Sanjauli heli- One-way fare ~3,169 | Flights on more routes soon port to Bhuntar airport in Kullu and to the ITBP helipad at Reckong Peo in Kinnaur. Besides, helicopter services between Chandigarh and Sanjauli heliport will operate three days a continued on page 8 Chandigarh, January 21 Aiming to woo various sections ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party has revived boards for the welfare of different castes, besides constituting new ones for goldsmiths, Arora Khatris and Sufi Sant Samaj. Most of these boards were constituted by the Shiromani Akali Dal- BJP government in the last leg of their 2012-17 tenure. However, the boards remained dormant after the alliance lost the state elections. A notification for the revival of the boards was issued by the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities last week. The communities that have got a board include Kamboj, Bazi- gar and Tapriwas, Brahmin, Dalit, Rai Sikh, Rajput, Vimuktjati, Prajapat Samaj, Saini, Ramgarhia, Aggarwal, Gujjar, Bairagi, Muslim, Pravasi, Kanojia and Masih. The AAP government had already started the process to appoint members and chairpersons for these boards, said sources. Each boards will comprise a full-time chairperson and part-time senior vicechairperson, vice-chairperson and 10 non-official members. All will have a two-year tenure. The boards will have to identify issues of the community they represent and suggest remedial measures to the government. They will also act as a link between the community and the government for planning and implementing socioeconomic and educational continued on page 8 IAF personnel remove a microlight plane after it force-landed in a pond following a technical snag during a training exercise in Prayagraj on Wednesday. Both pilots on board the aircraft escaped unhurt. The IAF has ordered a Court of Inquiry into the incident. PTI ~ hits all-time low of 91.65; markets tumble Aditya Rangroo Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 21 The rupee fell 66 paise to close at an all-time low of 91.65 against the US dollar on Wednesday, and the markets continued to bleed for the third consecutive day on account of persistent foreign fund outflow and heightened geopolitical uncertainties. The rupee has dropped by 1.50 per cent so far this month after hitting its previous all-time low of 91.14 on December 16, 2025. Sensex plunged 270.84 points to settle at 81,909.63, and the Nifty plummeted 75 points to close at 25,157.50.The BSE Sensex was down more than 1,000 points at one point during the day, indicating how rapidly continued on page 8 Punjab & Haryana HC’s expansion now set for Unesco ‘hearing’ in July Nitin Jain Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 21 The Punjab and Haryana High Court, an integral part of the Le Corbusier-designed Capitol Complex and a UNESCO world heritage site, is set for a major expansion with a proposed new complex spread over 20.49 lakh square feet, even as its iconic skyline and eye-level view from the public plaza will remain unchanged. The revised holistic development plan for the long- pending expansion has finally been submitted to the Foundation Le Corbusier in Paris through the Union Ministry of Culture and will be taken up by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC) at its 48th session to be held in Busan, Korea, from July 19 to 29. The project can move forward only after receiving clearance from the WHC. According to the project note exclusively accessed by The Tribune, the proposal envisages construction of three new blocks along with three basements on vacant land currently being used largely for surface parking in the High Court complex. Officials said the new buildings have been carefully designed so that these do not interfere with the heritage façade, skyline or the visual axis of the High Court as seen from the Capitol Complex plaza. The WHC had, at its 45th session in Riyadh in September 2023, put the High Court expansion on hold, cit- The design of the south-east elevation of the new High Court block. COURT COMPLEX EXPANSION AT A GLANCE Existing area: 7,20,665 sq ft Parking capacity: 2,450 vehicles Built-up area after redevelop3 new blocks, 3 basements planned ment: 15,24,001 sq ft 32 courtrooms in new block Total basement:11,25,365 sq ft Estimated cost: ~800-900 cr ing concerns over possible adverse impact on the site’s outstanding universal value. The fresh submission follows extensive redesign and international consultations. c m y b Given the transnational nature of the Le Corbusier World Heritage inscription, the Chandigarh Administration held discussions in Geneva in September 2025 with six partner countries to secure unanimous consent for any modification to the Capitol Complex. Confirming the development, UT Chief Secretary H Rajesh Prasad told The Tribune that the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee has decided to comply with the High Court’s direc- tions and formally refer the concept design to UNESCO. A detailed 28-slide presentation prepared by Delhi-based Design Associates Inc, accessed exclusively by The Tribune, lays out a comprehensive plan that retains the original façade and foreground of the High Court. The consultant, appointed through competitive bidding, will charge around 1.8 per cent of the project cost, which is currently estimated at between Rs 800 crore and continued on page 8 SC asks Centre, Delhi Govt to submit action plan on air pollution NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre, the Delhi Government and other stakeholders to submit their action plans in four weeks, outlining the recommendations of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for long-term measures to improve air quality index in Delhi-NCR. — TNS Sunjay Kapur’s mom moves Delhi HC to scrap family trust NEW DELHI: Rani Kapur, mother of late industrialist Sunjay Kapur, has moved the Delhi High Court seeking cancellation of the Rani Kapur Family Trust, which holds a substantial stake in listed auto component manufacturer Sona Comstar. In her plea, 80-year-old Rani Kapur has alleged that the trust was fraudulently created to strip her of her entire estate. — TNS