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Varinder Bhatia
Varinder Bhatia is the Deputy Resident Editor at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. He is a veteran journalist with over 22 years of experience specializing in crime, political investigations, and legal reporting. Professional Profile Education: Law graduate from Panjab University. Career Path: He began his career as an intern at The Times of India and worked as a legal reporter for Hindustan Times (2001) before joining The Indian Express in October 2004. Awards: He is a two-time winner of the Express Excellence Awards. Expertise: His reporting is deeply rooted in the political and judicial affairs of Haryana, with a focus on high-profile criminal cases and administrative reforms. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) His recent work highlights critical investigative reporting on crime and governance: 1. Crime & Investigations "Red Fort car explosion: Shops where raw materials bought identified" (Nov 14, 2025): Detailed reporting on the investigation into the sourcing of ammonium nitrate and potash for a car blast near Delhi's Red Fort. "Well-educated, a loner: Woman who killed 4 kids was jealous of their looks" (Dec 5, 2025): A chilling investigative piece on a Panipat woman arrested for murdering her own son and nieces. "Haryana officer suicide: What has happened so far in the Y Puran Kumar case" (Oct 15, 2025): Covering the high-stakes suicide of an IGP who left a note naming several top IPS and IAS officers in a corruption scandal. "Relu Ram murder: Why the murder of a former MLA's family is back in focus" (Dec 12, 2025): Reporting on the flare-up of property disputes after the release of convicts in a 24-year-old mass murder case. 2. Haryana Politics & Economy "Over 25 lakh farmers have Rs 60,816 crore outstanding loans, says CM Nayab Singh Saini" (Dec 18, 2025): Reporting from the Haryana Vidhan Sabha winter session on the state's agriculture debt crisis. "Haryana comes out with Ordinance to simplify land ownership in rural areas" (Nov 27, 2025): Analyzing new laws to clarify ownership within abadi deh (village habitation) lands. "Lado Laksmi Yojana: Saini...
More From Varinder Bhatia
AICC in-charge looking, why Surjewala, Hooda exchange betrays Congress crisis
July 11, 2026 18:07 IST
Responding to Hooda's remarks at a Haryana Congress meet to welcome new AICC in-charge Sanjay Dutt, Surjewala said: “I have backed you for the last 20 years. Now, it is your turn to support me”
Sat, Jul 11, 2026
Bhagwant Mann video row: Gurugram police yet to question Punjab officers despite proof
July 07, 2026 09:08 IST
Sources say investigators have CCTV footage, hotel records and an alleged money trail linking two senior officers to the case
Tue, Jul 07, 2026
Haryana boy’s borewell accident spotlights 2006 rescue. Where is Prince now
June 30, 2026 15:08 IST
Twenty years after Prince’s nightmare, four-year-old Nirbhay has fallen into a 220-ft borewell at a village in Ambala. Rescue work is on.
Tue, Jun 30, 2026
IDFC First Bank scam: Haryana suspends IAS officer Pankaj Agarwal after CBI arrest
June 27, 2026 10:57 IST
IAS officer Pankaj Agarwal is the third IAS officer suspended by the Haryana government as the investigation into the alleged Rs 657 crore IDFC First Bank fraud gathers steam.
Sat, Jun 27, 2026
Punjab row over ‘Mann video’: Police get custody of two in forensic report case, no ‘labs’ at Delhi and Haryana addresses
June 25, 2026 04:17 IST
Chief Minister Mann has claimed that he is not the individual seen in the video. However, the Akal Takht has declared the clip “authentic” and declared Mann to be against the Gurus and the Panth.
Thu, Jun 25, 2026
In Bhagwant Mann video probe, 2 arrested worked with NIA, Haryana Government
June 24, 2026 11:42 IST
AAP’s Punjab president Aman Arora asked the Haryana Police to thoroughly investigate the origin of the controversial videos allegedly featuring Bhagwant Mann.
Wed, Jun 24, 2026
Gurgaon police claim Punjab officers paid Rs 10 lakh to tailor forensic report on video clip Mann called fake
June 23, 2026 19:32 IST
The Gurgaon police FIR, which mentions two Punjab government officials, names two individuals who have been arrested – Ankit and Arun – and will be produced in court.
Tue, Jun 23, 2026
Dubai trail, missing records: Why IAS officer was arrested in Panchkula MC scam
June 19, 2026 17:24 IST
IAS officer Ram Kumar Singh, who was arrested in the Rs 79 crore Panchkula MC fraud connected with IDFC Bank scam, was remanded to three days CBI custody.
Fri, Jun 19, 2026
Supreme Court denies anticipatory bail to Haryana’s absconding revenue officerSubscriber Only
June 15, 2026 19:11 IST
The investigators have alleged that the land was first transferred to Sharma's cousin Naveen and that substantial transaction-related funds moved through a real-estate firm owned by Sharma's brother.
Mon, Jun 15, 2026
‘Illiterate’ petitioner with English signature raises high court suspicion; CBI probe orderedSubscriber Only
June 11, 2026 16:48 IST
The Punjab and Haryana High Court t made it clear that while “the petition itself appeared suspicious”, the allegations of illegal mining remained serious.
Thu, Jun 11, 2026
Tinder trail, judicial officer and a maid’s complaint: Court denies bail in Rs 52.81 lakh fraud caseSubscriber Only
June 10, 2026 20:06 IST
Delhi court says Haryana judicial officer, not domestic worker named in FIR, appears to be the “actual and real victim”; flags gaps in investigation.
Thu, Jun 11, 2026
Silent in Question Hour: 14 Haryana MLAs ask fewer than five questionsSubscriber Only
May 31, 2026 20:37 IST
Express analysis of four Assembly sessions finds six MLAs did not ask a single question, while legislators cite Zero Hour interventions and constituency work as alternative modes of raising public issues
Sun, May 31, 2026
IPL’s anti-graft unit warns against use of smart glasses in restricted zonesSubscriber Only
May 29, 2026 07:00 IST
Under the IPL's Player and Match Officials Area (PMOA) Minimum Standards, such devices have been classified as “Audio/Video Recording Devices” and “Communication Devices”.
Fri, May 29, 2026
How Haryana’s sweeping new regulations for app-based platforms will affect users and workersSubscriber Only
May 25, 2026 14:06 IST
Haryana's new framework mandates licencing for app platforms, verification of drivers and caps on commissions. Crucially, it also pushes for EVs and cleaner fuels — a move that could hit bike-taxi and delivery workers.
Tue, May 26, 2026
Dalai Lama’s longtime chief security officer Tenzin Taklha honoured with prestigious public service medalSubscriber Only
May 20, 2026 10:52 IST
From Calcutta to Switzerland to US and back to Dharamshala, Taklha has been with the Dalai Lama for over three decades.
Wed, May 20, 2026
Rs 590-crore fraud fallout: Haryana tightens deposit rules, drops more banks from approved listSubscriber Only
May 18, 2026 21:25 IST
Govt caps deposits at Rs 50 crore per bank, bars savings accounts, mandates competitive bidding for fund placement
Tue, May 19, 2026
Haryana clears new rules: No petrol, diesel vehicles for cab aggregators, delivery partners in NCRSubscriber Only
May 18, 2026 19:38 IST
Only CNG or electric 3-wheelers will be allowed to be additionally inducted into existing fleets in the NCR
Mon, May 18, 2026
Punjab Governor’s ADC leaves office, set to join real estate firmSubscriber Only
May 17, 2026 05:11 IST
Multiple sources in the Punjab Lok Bhavan told The Sunday Express that Malik had submitted his resignation a few ago back but his release came suddenly, Saturday.
Sun, May 17, 2026
Haryana bars Parsvnath Developers, it’s directors from future licencesSubscriber Only
May 15, 2026 18:47 IST
Town and Country Planning Department cites multiple FIRs, Rs. 333.31 crore dues, mounting public complaints.
Fri, May 15, 2026
Diljit Dosanjh no to politics may have another reason: he’s now US citizenSubscriber Only
May 14, 2026 05:00 IST
Dosanjh, whose signature, pride-filled declaration Main Hoon Punjab (I am Punjab) serves as a powerful affirmation of his cultural identity and roots, acquired US citizenship in 2022.
Thu, May 14, 2026
Conduct of IPL owners under scanner: ‘Flouting rules, photos near dugout’Subscriber Only
May 11, 2026 05:30 IST
These inputs have been reflected in the May 7 advisory issued by BCCI Secretary Devjit Sakia that reminds the owners to adhere to the IPL's Player and Match Official Access (PMOA) Protocol.
Mon, May 11, 2026
ED action against close aides of AAP top guns: 2 Mohali FIRs, multiple police inquiries form basis of raidsSubscriber Only
May 08, 2026 17:27 IST
Enforcement Directorate launches raids in alleged Change of Land Use fraud, forgery, and homebuyer cheating cases.
Fri, May 08, 2026
Why Rahul Gandhi’s Gurgaon visit could bring faction-ridden Haryana Congress to Brijendra Singh’s Sadbhav YatraSubscriber Only
May 07, 2026 13:00 IST
Rahul Gandhi’s visit, while the Sadbhav Yatra is in its last leg, is being seen as a show of support for former Haryana MP Brijendra Singh’s outreach effort amid factional politics within the party’s state unit.
Thu, May 07, 2026
e-Bhoomi portal launched | Haryana’s 1.7-L acre infra blueprint: Land push reshapes urban landscapeSubscriber Only
May 07, 2026 09:49 IST
At the centre of this transformation is an estimated total land requirement of around 1.7 lakh acres earmarked for planned urban expansion, industrial estates, logistics infrastructure, and institutional development across Haryana.
Thu, May 07, 2026
‘Structural violence’: Gurgaon court slams system after inmate with cancer misses AIIMS visits due to ‘missing guards’Subscriber Only
May 06, 2026 10:11 IST
Hearing a plea by an inmate lodged in Bhondsi District Jail, a Gurgaon court underscored that incarceration does not extinguish a prisoner’s fundamental rights.
Wed, May 06, 2026
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