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From student politics to city leadership: Who is Saurabh Joshi, Chandigarh’s new Mayor

Saurabh Joshi’s political journey began at Panjab University, where he helped establish the ABVP as a decisive and influential force on campus.

2 min readJan 29, 2026 04:45 PM IST

Saurabh Joshi remained actively engaged in the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh

The moment was deeply emotional for Saurabh Joshi as he assumed office as the Mayor of Chandigarh Thursday. As Joshi took the mayoral seat, he wiped away tears as he remembered his father, whom he credited with his success.

An Advocate, Joshi has been involved in student leadership and has contested three Municipal Corporation elections since 2011, under varied and challenging circumstances.

Joshi’s political journey began at Panjab University, where he contested the Punjab University Students Council presidential elections in 2002 and 2003, helping establish the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) as a decisive and influential force on campus.

He has contested five elections between 2002 and 2021, two in student politics and three Municipal Corporation elections, reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to democratic participation and organisational faith.

Since 2011, Saurabh Joshi has remained actively engaged in the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh, contributing to civic governance, policy discussions, and public-interest issues.

Carrying forward his father’s legacy

Saurabh Joshi is the youngest son of the Joshi family, which has long been associated with public life and service.

Saurabh Joshi’s father, Jai Ram Joshi, was a former president of the BJP Chandigarh and the founder president of Seva Bharti Chandigarh. He passed away in 2014.

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His eldest brother, Vineet Joshi, is an active leader in the Punjab BJP and also served as the chief minister’s media adviser during the BJP–Akali Dal alliance government.

Another elder brother, Navnit Joshi, was a renowned figure in the Punjabi film industry, credited with giving national and international recognition to Punjabi cinema through his exceptional event-management skills. He died in a road accident in 2012, in which noted satirist Jaspal Bhatti also lost his life.

Joshi said that, carrying forward his father’s legacy, he has remained closely connected to EWS colonies, rehabilitation settlements, and marginalised communities, frequently providing legal and civic assistance.

He added that he has extensive municipal experience, a background as a practising advocate, and strong ideological grooming through the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and ABVP, which will bring administrative maturity and policy clarity.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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