Punjab Kesari harassed with multiple raids by AAP government after it reported allegations against Arvind Kejriwal, the newspaper writes to CM Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Kesari group wrote to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday (15th January), stating that it was being targeted with multiple raids by enforcement authorities, after it published a report about the opposition’s allegations against Arvind Kejriwal, national convenor of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Raids were reportedly carried out at Punjab Kesari’s printing presses in Bathinda and Suranusi (Jalandhar) on Thursday night.

According to Pubjab Kesari, some employees at the printing press were taken into custody by the police during the raids. Several employees sustained injuries after being assaulted by the police and were taken to the Civil Hospital in Bathinda for treatment. At the Suranusi Printing Press, Pollution Control Board officials, accompanied by police, forcibly entered the premises, mistreated and assaulted the newspaper’s employees. They broke open the lock at the inner gate of the printing press, forcefully collected samples and took a person into custody. The newspaper group alleged that the action was taken by the authorities without prior notice or warning and that officials cited “orders from above” for carrying out the raids.

The newspaper group sent a letter to Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, highlighting continuous raids being carried out against it by the police under the AAP government. In the letter, the print media group said that it was being targeted by the AAP government for its unbiased reporting on the allegations against the AAP national convenor, which was published on October 31, 2025. “We are writing to express our deep concern and anguish regarding certain recent developments which give rise to a serious apprehension that the Punjab government is specifically targeting the Punjab Kesari Group and its associate concerns with an extraneous motive to intimidate the press,” stated the letter signed by Vijay Kumar Chopra, Avinash Chopra and Amit Chopra.

“The events began with a news story published on October 31, 2025, which was a very balanced and fair report regarding allegations by the opposition pertaining to the national convenor of the ruling party in Punjab,” the letter mentioned, adding that from November 2, 2025, the AAP government in Punjab stopped all advertisements to the Punjab Kesari group. “Despite this economic coercion on the press, we stood steadfast and continue our independent and free reporting. However, in the past few days, a relentless campaign has been launched against Punjab Kesari and its promoters,” the group said.

The letter alleged that during the past few days, several actions have been taken against the Chopra family, promoters of the Punjab Kesari group, among others. It listed several instances from January 2026 when the businesses owned by the Chopra family were targeted.

January 11- a raid by FSSAI at the hotel Park Plaza, Jalandhar, run by Chopra Hotels Private Limited.

January 12- a raid by the GST Department at the hotel in Jalandhar run by Chopra Hotels Private Limited.

January 12- a raid by the Excise Department at the hotel in Jalandhar run by Chopra Hotels Private Limited

January 12- a raid was conducted by the Deputy Director of the Factories Department at Punjab Kesari Printing Press at the Focal Point, Ludhiana.

January 12- a raid was conducted by the Deputy Director of the Factories Department at Punjab Kesari Printing Press at Civil Lines, Jalandhar.

January 13- a raid conducted by the Pollution Control Board at a hotel in Jalandhar run by Chopra Hotels Private Limited.

January 13- a show cause notice issued by the Excise Department for cancellation of the licence by the Collector-cum-Excise, Jalandhar Zone, followed by cancellation of licenses on 14th January.

January 14- disconnection of the electricity at the hotel in Jalandhar.

January 15- Raids by the Pollution Control Board at printing presses at Ludhiana and Jalandhar.

The group urged the Chief Minister to take swift action and order a fair investigation into the matter.

Haryana CM Nayab Saini condemns raids against Punjab Kesari

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini condemned the raids on the Punjab Kesari group. Lashing out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the state, Saini wrote on X on Thursday, “After bringing Punjab to the brink of ruin, the AAP government is now completely rattled by the rising public outrage against it. The fear of losing power is so deep that the Punjab government has now resorted to intimidating and suppressing the media”

“This letter, written by the Punjab Kesari Group, is proof that the Punjab government is launching a calculated attack on press freedom to hide its failures, corruption, and misgovernance. As soon as fair and fact-based news is published, getting raids conducted on the institution one after another by different departments—this is not an action of any law and order, but rather a dangerous attempt to crush the role of media in democracy,’ Saini said.

“After Delhi, the public in Punjab has now also decided on AAP’s farewell. This is the reason that, in fear of losing power, the AAP government in Punjab is adopting a dictatorial attitude. But history is witness that any government which suppresses the freedom of expression is certain to fall,” he added.

BJP accuses AAP government of muzzling free media

The BJP accused the AAP government in the state of muzzling the media and targeting independent and unbiased journalism. Calling out the state government, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya posted on X on Thursday, “The AAP government is quietly strangling “inconvenient” media in Punjab. Targeted raids. Sudden power cuts. A police siege at the Punjab Kesari headquarters in Jullundur. This is not law enforcement — it is pure vendetta against independent and unbiased journalism.”

“When governments fear questions, they silence the messenger. After the dark days of the 1975 Emergency, Punjab, along with West Bengal, has emerged as a place where democracy is being eroded every single day, and press freedom is systematically crushed. A free press is the last line of defence of a democracy. When it is attacked, democracy itself is under siege,” he added.

Written by OpIndia Staff
Last modified at