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A Hotel Owner Faces Extortion and Gunfire in Mohali

Mohali, known for its planned streets and cleanliness, is facing troubling times with crime.

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A Hotel Owner Faces Extortion and Gunfire in Mohali
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In a shocking case, a hotel owner faces extortion and gunfire in Mohali, exposing the growing threat of organized crime in the region. Mohali, once known for its clean streets and planned neighborhoods, is now facing a worrying rise in violent incidents targeting business owners.

The victim, Manpreet Singh, aged 38, is the son of hotelier Tara Singh Saini, who owns Regenta Place Hotel in Sector 119, TDI City. Manpreet lives in Sector 38C, an area once considered among Mohali’s safest neighborhoods.

The ordeal began on October 23, around 8:56 PM, when Manpreet received a WhatsApp call from an international number. The caller introduced himself as gangster Lucky Patial, a name feared across Punjab for extortion and shootings. He threatened Manpreet, saying, “If you want to work peacefully, pay the money, or your family will die.” Fearing for his loved ones, Manpreet blocked the number and immediately informed senior police officers.

However, the threats didn’t stop. Soon after, another man, Arvind, called and demanded ₹2 crore in ransom. The following morning, around 9 AM, Manpreet stepped outside his home and found four empty bullet shells scattered on the road. The outer wall, main gate, and even his tenant’s Mahindra Thar were marked with bullet holes, showing the shooters had fired multiple rounds.

Nearby CCTV footage revealed two men on a motorcycle firing at his house before escaping. Neither wore helmets, making identification difficult. Manpreet said, “If anyone had been outside at that time, someone could have died.” Police believe the shooting was ordered by Lucky Patial to intimidate him into paying the ransom.

Acting swiftly, officers from Police Station 39 registered a case against Lucky Patial and his accomplices. They charged them under attempt to murder (Section 109), extortion (Section 308(4)), criminal intimidation (Sections 351(3) & 3(5)), and criminal conspiracy (Section 61B) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). They also applied Sections 25, 27, 54, and 59 of the Arms Act.

Manpreet, who is related to AAP politician Hardeep Singh, has asked for police protection. Authorities increased security around his home and hotel immediately. At the same time, Mohali Police launched anti-gang operations to dismantle Lucky Patial’s network, which operates from abroad but continues to run extortion rackets across Punjab.

In recent years, extortion and shooting incidents have surged in Mohali and nearby areas. According to Punjab Police data, the state registered over 120 extortion cases in 2023, a 25% increase from the previous year. Most victims were small business owners, traders, and hoteliers.

Experts believe this rise is driven by economic stress and the use of social media platforms by gangs. They now rely on WhatsApp, Telegram, and VPN-based calls to threaten victims, making them hard to trace. Moreover, foreign-based leaders like Lucky Patial continue managing their operations remotely through local handlers.

Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma said the cybercrime units are now working with central agencies to trace gang activities. “We are tracking calls made from abroad using advanced digital tools and international cooperation. No gangster will escape justice,” he stated.

To boost safety, police have increased night patrols, added CCTV cameras in high-risk areas, and started community policing programs. These efforts aim to reassure residents and encourage them to report suspicious behavior promptly.

Meanwhile, local business groups and resident welfare associations are helping police maintain vigilance. They hold awareness meetings, share security updates, and assist officers in monitoring crime-prone sectors. This coordination is improving response times and strengthening trust between citizens and police.

Social analysts argue that curbing organized crime requires a multi-layered strategy. They call for stricter cyber surveillance, tighter financial scrutiny, and better rehabilitation programs for at-risk youth. According to experts, fighting gangs is not just a police task, it is a shared social duty.

In conclusion, the case of a hotel owner faces extortion and gunfire shows how criminals now use fear and technology to spread terror. Yet, with strong police action, smart surveillance, and united community efforts, Mohali can fight back. Together, citizens and law enforcement can ensure a safer, peaceful city for all.

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Meesho IPO GMP Shows Strong 29.7% Premium Ahead of December Launch

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Meesho IPO GMP Shows Strong 29.7% Premium Ahead of December Launch
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Meesho IPO GMP currently shows strong investor interest with unlisted shares trading at Rs 144, reflecting a grey market premium of Rs 33 or 29.7% over the upper price band. The SoftBank-backed e-commerce platform will launch its initial public offering on December 3, 2025.

The company has set a price band between Rs 105 and Rs 111 per share. The three-day subscription period will conclude on December 5. Meanwhile, anchor investors can place their bids one day earlier, on December 2.

 Issue Size and Structure: The total issue aims to raise Rs 5,421.20 crore. This includes a fresh issue of Rs 4,250 crore and an offer for sale of 105.5 million shares worth Rs 1,171.20 crore. Several major investors will sell their stakes under the OFS.

Existing shareholders participating in the offer for sale include Elevation Capital V, Peak XV Partners Investments V, and Y Combinator Continuity Holdings. Additionally, promoters Vidit Aatrey, Sanjeev Kumar, and Man Hay Tam are also offloading their stakes. Notably, SoftBank will not sell any shares in this IPO.

Key Dates and Timeline

Event

Date

Anchor Bidding December 2, 2025
IPO Opening December 3, 2025
IPO Closing December 5, 2025
Basis of Allotment December 8, 2025
Refund Initiation December 9, 2025
Credit to Demat December 9, 2025
Listing Date December 10, 2025

Investment Requirements: A single lot consists of 135 shares. Consequently, retail investors need a minimum investment of Rs 14,985 at the upper price band. The company has reserved 10% for retail investors, 15% for non-institutional investors, and 75% for qualified institutional buyers.

The company plans strategic utilization of fresh issue proceeds:

  • Rs 1,390 crore for cloud infrastructure investment in subsidiary MTPL
  • Rs 480 crore for salaries of Machine Learning and AI technology teams
  • Rs 1,020 crore for marketing and brand initiatives
  • Remaining funds for acquisitions and general corporate purposes

Company Overview

Meesho operates as India’s largest e-commerce marketplace based on placed orders and annual transacting users. During the twelve months ending September 2025, the platform served 23.42 crore annual transacting users. Impressively, 20.58 crore users came from outside the top eight cities.

Furthermore, women comprise 53.27% of Meesho’s user base. The platform’s value-driven model emphasizes affordability and accessibility. This reflects in declining average order values alongside surging placed orders reaching 183 crore.

Financial Performance: The company’s financial journey shows interesting trends:

Fiscal Year Revenue (Rs Cr) Revenue (Rs Cr)

Margin (%)

FY 2023 5,734.52 (1,671.90) (29.16)
FY 2024 7,615.15 (327.64) (4.30)
FY 2025 9,389.90 (3,941.71) (41.98)

Platform Ecosystem: Meesho connects multiple stakeholders through its technology platform. Currently, 7,06,471 active sellers operate on the marketplace. Moreover, 18,098 logistics partners support delivery operations. Additionally, 50,319 content creators generate Rs 1,208 crore in net merchandise value through content commerce.

The company employs 2,082 people and operates across two segments-Marketplace and New Initiatives. It monetizes through fulfillment services, advertising, and data insights while maintaining a zero-commission policy for sellers.

Technology Infrastructure: The platform leverages AI and ML-powered systems for various functions. These include hyper-personalized recommendations, automated cataloguing, and logistics optimization. This modular, technology-first infrastructure enables low-cost, large-scale e-commerce penetration across India.

Market Position: India’s IPO market continues to break records in 2025. Total fundraising has crossed Rs 1.6 lakh crore, surpassing 2024’s Rs 1.59 lakh crore. Nearly half of this mobilization has occurred since September. Globally, India ranks fourth in IPO volumes this year.

Meesho seeks a valuation of up to Rs 5,01,000 crore ($5.6 billion) through this offering. Moreover, the company competes with Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart in India’s e-commerce space. However, Meesho particularly targets value-conscious customers in smaller cities.

Investment Considerations: The company raised Rs 268.5 crore from anchor investors before the public offering. Prominent participants included SBI Mutual Fund, ICICI Prudential MF, HDFC MF, and Nippon India MF. Insurance companies like SBI Life Insurance and Tata AIA Life Insurance also invested.

It’s important to note that the grey market premium is neither regulated by stock exchanges nor recommended by SEBI. Investors should conduct thorough research or consult financial experts before making investment decisions.

In conclusion, Meesho IPO GMP signals strong market sentiment ahead of listing. However, the combination of robust user metrics, an expanding ecosystem, and strategic growth plans positions the company for future development. So, investors can track allotment status through the KFin Technologies website starting December 8.

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Tere Ishq Mein Review: Dhanush and Kriti Sanon’s Intense Romance Wins Hearts

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Tere Ishq Mein Review Dhanush and Kriti Sanon's Intense Romance Wins Hearts
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Tere Ishq Mein review from early audience reactions suggests the film has struck a chord with viewers. Dhanush and Kriti Sanon’s intense romantic drama hit theatres on November 28. Fans rushed to catch the first day, first show, and social media quickly filled with positive responses.

The film marks Dhanush’s third collaboration with director Aanand L Rai. Previously, they worked together on Raanjhanaa in 2013 and Atrangi Re in 2021. This time, however, Dhanush plays a completely different character. He portrays a reckless and toxic lover, starkly opposite to his earlier roles.

Before release, advance bookings showed strong numbers. The film sold tickets worth Rs 2.95 crore across India. Additionally, it secured over 1.3 lakh tickets for the opening day. In Hindi alone, advance sales reached Rs 2.81 crore with 10,774 shows. Meanwhile, the Tamil version collected Rs 1.38 crore with 595 shows.

Trade expert Taran Adarsh expressed optimism about the film’s performance. He estimated opening day collections might reach Rs 12 crore or more. Furthermore, he praised the teaser and trailer, calling them quite promising.

Notably, the film follows a similar theme to Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, which earned Rs 112 crore in October. Both films explore toxic love stories. Consequently, trade experts believe this theme might work favorably again.

The trailer created significant buzz on social media platforms. It opens with a haldi ceremony where Kriti Sanon appears as a bride-to-be. Suddenly, a bruised Dhanush walks in, changing the festive atmosphere completely. He delivers a powerful dialogue about cleansing past sins before starting a new life.

Subsequently, the trailer showcases an intense and destructive love story. One character finds solace in alcohol, while the other turns to violence. This raw portrayal resonated strongly with audiences.

Dhanush’s performance emerges as the film’s biggest highlight. Viewers praise his raw and powerful acting throughout. Many describe him as being in “full heroic mode.” Moreover, fans note how his expressions alone convey deep emotional turmoil effectively.

Kriti Sanon also delivers a compelling performance alongside Dhanush. Their chemistry creates the emotional core of this romantic drama. Together, they bring authenticity to this complex love story.

The film features music by legendary composer A.R. Rahman. Himanshu Sharma and Neeraj Yadav wrote the screenplay. Additionally, Prakash Raj plays a pivotal supporting role.

Interestingly, Tere Ishq Mein outperformed several big releases in bookings. It sold more tickets than Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par and Akshay Kumar’s Jolly LLB 3. This achievement indicates strong audience interest in romantic dramas.

Bhushan Kumar backed the project, ensuring quality production values. The film was released in three languages – Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. This multi-language strategy helps reach wider audiences across India.

In conclusion, Tere Ishq Mein review from early viewers suggests a potential blockbuster. The intense performances, gripping storyline, and strong bookings point toward a successful box office run ahead.

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Gold Rates Today: Prices Jump Near Two-Week Highs on Fed Rate Cut Hopes

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Gold Rates Today
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Gold rates today showed strong gains in the domestic market on Friday morning. MCX gold February futures climbed to Rs 1,28,313 per 10 grams, marking a rise of Rs 646 or 0.51%. Meanwhile, silver prices also gained momentum, trading 1% higher at Rs 1,63,849 per kg.

Several factors are driving this upward trend. First, the wedding season has created a healthy spot demand across India. Additionally, expectations of a December rate cut by the US Federal Reserve are boosting investor confidence. Furthermore, the dollar’s weakness in global markets is making gold more attractive to buyers.

According to FXStreet data, gold prices in India reached Rs 12,028.43 per gram on Friday, up from Rs 11,954.88 the previous day. Similarly, the price per tola increased to Rs 1,40,297.20 from Rs 1,39,439.40.

 Market experts suggest that gold remains a stable investment option during uncertain times. The yellow metal continues to be viewed as a safe asset, particularly for long-term investors. However, traders should note that prices may be volatile due to ongoing global events and economic data releases.

For today’s trading session, gold has key support levels at Rs 1,25,050 and Rs 1,24,380. On the other hand, resistance levels are positioned at Rs 1,26,550 and Rs 1,27,100. Silver shows support at Rs 1,61,250 and resistance at Rs 1,63,410.

 Industry experts believe the current market conditions favor buyers. The stability in foreign exchange markets, combined with seasonal demand, creates a favorable environment for gold investment. Moreover, the ongoing wedding season across India typically brings increased purchases of gold jewelry and coins.

Despite the positive trend, experts advise caution. The market may see fluctuations based on European economic data and changes in the dollar index. Therefore, investors should monitor these indicators closely before making significant purchases.

Looking ahead, analysts remain optimistic about gold’s prospects. The precious metal should continue to attract investors as a hedge against inflation and a store of value. Consequently, many financial advisors recommend including gold in a diversified investment portfolio.

In conclusion, gold rates today reflect strong market fundamentals and positive investor sentiment. Whether you’re buying for investment purposes or for the festive season, the current levels offer opportunities for both short-term traders and long-term holders.

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