Archive · 17 Jan 2026
Punjab Kesari Group Alleges Targeted Raids
The Punjab Kesari Group, a newspaper company, says the government in Punjab is being mean to them.
They think this is because they wrote a news story that the government didn't like.
The government says they are doing these checks because the newspaper group broke some rules.
Many leaders in Punjab are upset and think the government should not be mean to newspapers.
They want the governor to help stop this.
The Punjab Kesari Group alleged a 'targeted witch-hunt' by the AAP government after publishing a news report on October 31, 2025, regarding opposition allegations against the ruling party's national convenor.
The group claimed multiple raids by enforcement authorities, including FSSAI, GST Department, Excise Department, and the Factories Department, between January 11 and 15, 2024.
The Punjab government rejected the allegations, stating that actions were taken due to serious violations noticed by concerned authorities.
Opposition parties, including Congress, BJP, and SAD, condemned the government's actions, accusing it of muzzling the press and intimidating the media.
A BJP delegation announced they will meet the governor on January 17, 2024, to discuss the issue.
- Who
- Punjab Kesari Group, AAP government, Opposition parties in Punjab
- What
- Allegations of targeted raids and economic coercion by the AAP government
- When
- January 15, 2024
- Where
- Punjab, India
- Why
- Alleged retaliation for a news report on opposition allegations against the ruling AAP’s national convenor
- Newspaper Group
- Punjab Kesari Group
- Chief Minister
- Bhagwant Mann
- Governor
- Gulab Chand Kataria
- Allegations
- Targeted witch-hunt and economic coercion
- Government Response
- Actions taken due to serious violations
- Opposition Leaders
- Partap Singh Bajwa, Sunil Jakhar, Sukhbir Singh Badal, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Nayab Singh Saini, Ravneet Singh Bittu, Harsimrat Kaur Badal
- Date of Incident
- January 15, 2024
- BJP Delegation Meeting
- January 17, 2024
Sources
AAP govt using state power to muzzle media, alleges Oppn after Punjab Kesari group claims being targeted
AAP govt muzzling media, alleges opposition after Punjab Kesari group claims being targeted
Punjab Kesari Group Alleges 'Targeted Witch-Hunt'; Bhagwant Mann Government Highlights Law Violation
Punjab Kesari harassed with multiple raids by AAP government for reports on Arvind Kejriwal
Cong attacks AAP for ‘raids’ on Punjab Kesari newspaper group
AAP govt in Punjab muzzling media; its countdown has begun: BJP MP Swaraj