Archive · 1 Jan 2026
Punjab Govt Files FIR Against Activists, Journalists Over Helicopter Use Queries
The Punjab government has filed a police report against several people, including activists and journalists, for asking questions about who was using the Chief Minister's helicopter while he was away on an official trip.
The government says these people shared false information and made incorrect claims about the helicopter's use.
The accused individuals say they were just asking legitimate questions and that the government has not been transparent about the helicopter's usage.
The government claims the helicopter was used by someone with proper authorization, but the accused believe the government is trying to silence them for asking questions.
The Punjab government filed an FIR against RTI activist Manik Goyal, journalists Mintu Gurusaria and Manindejit Sidhu, and other social media influencers for questioning the use of government helicopters during CM Bhagwant Singh Mann's absence.
The FIR alleges that the accused shared distorted, unverified, and incorrect assertions about the helicopter's use, creating a false and misleading narrative.
The government claims the helicopter was used by someone with proper authorization for official purposes, contradicting the accusations made by the accused.
The accused individuals argue that they were simply asking legitimate questions and that the government has not been transparent about the helicopter's usage, refusing to share RTI data for four years.
The FIR was filed under sections 353(1), 353(2), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), with the investigation ongoing.
- Who
- RTI activist Manik Goyal, journalists Mintu Gurusaria and Manindejit Sidhu, and other social media influencers
- What
- Filed an FIR against them for questioning the use of government helicopters during CM Bhagwant Singh Mann's absence
- When
- 12th December, 2026
- Where
- Ludhiana, Punjab, India
- Why
- Allegations of spreading false information and misinformation about the use of government helicopters
- Date of FIR
- 12th December, 2026
- Complainant
- Inspector Satbir Singh
- Accused Individuals
- Manik Goyal, Mintu Gurusaria, Manindejit Sidhu, Gagan Ramgarhia, Harman Farmer, Mandeep Makkar, Gurlal S Maan, Arjan, Snammu Dhaliwal, Deep Mangli
- Chief Minister
- Bhagwant Singh Mann
- Charges Invoked
- Sections 353(1), 353(2), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Allegations
- Distorted, unverified, and patently incorrect assertions about helicopter use
- CM's Official Visit
- Japan and South Korea from December 1 to 10, 2026
