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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...
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More From Varinder Bhatia - Page 27
Sharma garners support, Cong appoints two observersSubscriber Only
June 07, 2022 04:27 IST
“According to the norms, the MLAs voting for party nominee Ajay Maken would be required to show their vote to the observers. If any MLA does not show his/her vote to the observer, the vote can be disqualified,” a senior Congress leader told The Indian Express.
Tue, Jun 07, 2022
55 years a pair, Haryana takes first steps towards separate Assembly buildingSubscriber Only
June 05, 2022 18:11 IST
Own High Court, Civil Secretariat also under consideration; CM inspects 3 sites in Chandigarh
Mon, Jun 06, 2022
Twist in Haryana tale: BJP’s JJP U-turn aimed at thwarting Cong’s Maken RS bidSubscriber Only
June 04, 2022 21:28 IST
In less than a week after dumping its ruling coalition ally, the Dushyant Chautala-led Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), the BJP on June 2 announced that it will contest the state civic polls in alliance with the JJP on a seat-sharing basis.
Sun, Jun 05, 2022
Resort for RS: 4 still missing from Haryana Cong kitty, Bishnoi says waiting to meet RahulSubscriber Only
June 03, 2022 19:12 IST
Sulking since he was not made the Haryana Congress chief, Bishnoi has not taken kindly to the denial of a Rajya Sabha ticket to him as well.
Fri, Jun 03, 2022
Congress summons Haryana MLAs to Delhi, may send them to resortSubscriber Only
June 02, 2022 02:30 IST
This comes after the son of expelled leader and former Union minister Venod Sharma — media baron Kartikeya Sharma — filed his nomination papers as an Independent candidate for Rajya Sabha.
Thu, Jun 02, 2022
Media baron enters Haryana RS race, leaves Congress’s Ajay Maken shakySubscriber Only
May 31, 2022 20:03 IST
With Kuldeep Bishnoi sulking, Cong can't be sure of numbers; JJP backs Kartikeya Sharma, who is set to get BJP's spare votes
Wed, Jun 01, 2022
Behind Congress’ Rajya Sabha picks, bid to balance caste equationsSubscriber Only
May 31, 2022 09:04 IST
From Haryana, Congress has fielded Ajay Maken, while Randeep Surjewala, who is a former Haryana minister and a former MLA from Kaithal, has been fielded from Rajasthan.
Tue, May 31, 2022
Again sent to jail, 5-time CM Chautala was once most Googled personSubscriber Only
May 28, 2022 07:55 IST
In October 2014 (a day before Haryana went to assembly polls), Google had released a statement: “Leader of the Indian National Lokdal (INLD) Om Prakash Chautala, emerged as the most searched leaders in Haryana”.
Sat, May 28, 2022At 87, 5-time CM Chautala gets 4 years in jail, his four properties to be seizedSubscriber Only
May 27, 2022 14:28 IST
As per the chargesheet filed by the CBI on March 26, 2010, the seven-time MLA amassed assets worth over Rs 6.09 crore, far exceeding his known sources of income, between 1993 and 2006.
Sat, May 28, 2022
Explained: The rise and fall of Om Prakash Chautala, and the cases that haunt himSubscriber Only
May 26, 2022 18:35 IST
O P Chautala has been the CM of Haryana five times serving in office for as low as five days to a full-term of five years, including a five-month debut between these two extremes. He has also been a seven-time MLA.
Thu, May 26, 2022
90% disabled, can’t even change clothes on his own, Om Prakash Chautala’s lawyer contends seeking lenient sentenceSubscriber Only
May 26, 2022 08:45 IST
The court, after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence, reserved its verdict and is now set to pronounce the sentence in the case on Friday afternoon.
Thu, May 26, 2022
HSWC recruitment row: Complainant, police did not appear before LokayuktaSubscriber Only
May 26, 2022 06:01 IST
On Ashok Khemka's plea seeking quashing of the FIR against him, Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) had stayed his arrest and also issued notice to the Haryana government.
Thu, May 26, 2022
Haryana Congress hopes for ‘return boost’ but discontent persistsSubscriber Only
May 25, 2022 20:23 IST
Seven former MLAs joined the party on Monday, but it still has to figure out a way to pacify Hooda dissidents.
Thu, May 26, 2022
AAP in Haryana civic polls fray, first big test for Hooda & new-look state Congress
May 23, 2022 20:27 IST
Congress still undecided about contesting municipal committee elections on party symbol.
Tue, May 24, 2022
Decisions in party being made under pressure: Bishnoi targets CongressSubscriber Only
May 22, 2022 06:36 IST
In a tweet posted Saturday morning, Bishnoi wrote, “Like late Indira ji, late Rajiv ji too had an eye for talent and took decisions on merits, that is why Congress was an undefeated force.
Sun, May 22, 2022
Explained: The assets case that led to Om Prakash Chautala’s convictionSubscriber Only
May 22, 2022 06:19 IST
The Rouse Avenue court at New Delhi, pronounced the verdict holding Om Prakash Chautala guilty of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Tue, May 24, 2022A sinking INLD receives another jolt with its supremo Om Prakash Chautala’s convictionSubscriber Only
May 22, 2022 05:58 IST
Having won the polls two times from Moga and once from Dharamkot, he was a close confidant of SAD patron Parkash Singh Badal. He had also participated in several “morchas” led by Akali Dal for rights of Punjab and had also spent jail term.
Sun, May 22, 2022
1 MLA in kitty, 2 yr to polls, can INLD survive another jail stint for Chautala Sr?Subscriber Only
May 21, 2022 21:01 IST
Last in power 17 years ago, the INLD has been sliding since Om Prakash Chautala lost power in 2005. Now 87, Chautala had won MLA election seven times and served as CM four times – between 1989 and 2005, for varying durations.
Sat, May 21, 2022
Haryana Cong MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi appears to warm up to BJP, Khattar calls him ‘friend’Subscriber Only
May 20, 2022 17:46 IST
Bishnoi’s meeting with BJP leader and CM Khattar assumes significance after Punjab Congress leader Sunil Jakhar joined the saffron party.
Fri, May 20, 2022
Haryana Congress MLA Bishnoi meets CM Khattar, sparks speculations about his next moveSubscriber Only
May 19, 2022 21:17 IST
Haryana Congress MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi, who is learnt to be miffed with the Congress party after he failed to get a position in the revamped Haryana unit, met met Khattar on Wednesday evening at Gurgaon, triggering speculation about his next move.
Thu, May 19, 2022
US special coordinator for Tibet meets Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, conveys greetings from President BidenSubscriber Only
May 19, 2022 14:10 IST
The Dalai Lama and the US delegation discussed the traditions of freedom and democracy in the United States of America and India.
Thu, May 19, 2022
US special coordinator for Tibet in Dharamshala, to meet Dalai Lama tomorrowSubscriber Only
May 18, 2022 13:44 IST
The visit of the American delegation led by Uzra Zeya comes almost a week after Central Tibetan Administration president Penpa Tsering concluded his three-nation visit to the US, Canada and Germany.
Wed, May 18, 2022
Hooda panel on farm issues: Among proposals Congress accepted are `6K/month aid, MSP as legal guaranteeSubscriber Only
May 18, 2022 08:21 IST
The former Haryana chief minister said that the party high command also accepted the suggestion that if Congress forms the government, it will ensure legal guarantee of MSP.
Wed, May 18, 2022
‘Good luck & goodbye’: After Jakhar, Congress wary of parting shots from Haryana rebelsSubscriber Only
May 17, 2022 10:20 IST
An aspirant for a leadership role, ex-MP Bishnoi publicly declared that he was “angry”, as he could not find a place among the HPCC brass. He has since continued to be at loggerheads with the state party leadership.
Tue, May 17, 2022
Chintels Paradiso roof collapse: Groundwork done, Haryana to hand over case to CBISubscriber Only
May 16, 2022 03:54 IST
Sources told The Indian Express that all the legal modalities have been worked out by the state government and procedures completed to hand over the case to the independent investigating agency.
Mon, May 16, 2022Journalism of Courage
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