Overview
- The Punjab Kesari Group wrote to the chief minister and the governor alleging a coordinated "witch-hunt" after critical coverage published on October 31, 2025.
- The group says government advertisements to its publications were halted from November 2, 2025, describing the stoppage as economic pressure.
- Between January 11 and 15, inspections hit a Jalandhar hotel run by Chopra Hotels and presses in Jalandhar and Ludhiana, with the group reporting licence suspensions and a power cut at the hotel.
- A state press release rejected any vendetta, citing findings that included over 800 liquor bottles stored at unapproved locations, missing holograms or QR codes, sale of expired draught beer, untreated effluent discharge, and lapsed environmental consents.
- Punjab Kesari warned that heavy police deployment outside presses in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Bathinda could disrupt printing, as opposition parties announced plans to take the issue to the governor on January 17.