Haryana minister Vij in tense exchange with Kaithal SP Upasna over suspension of cop
Chandigarh (PTI): A tense exchange was witnessed on Friday between Haryana minister Anil Vij and Kaithal SP Upasna after the BJP leader directed that a police officer be suspended in connection with a land related case, but the SP cited that she lacked the jurisdiction to carry out the order.
Vij, who holds the energy, transport and labour portfolios, was chairing a district grievance redressal committee meeting in Kaithal.
During the meeting, Vij told the SP that he has directed to suspend an assistant sub-inspector in connection with a land-related matter pending investigation.
A Kaithal resident had levelled allegations against the ASI in the case.
Upasna, an IPS officer, responded by saying that since the ASI concerned belonged to a neighbouring district, she lacked the jurisdiction to suspend him.
Vij told her that he was directing her to write to the DGP.
"I am giving orders to suspend him (the ASI)," Vij told the SP.
However, the IPS officer said that she did not possess the authority to suspend the ASI, which can be done by the Kurukshetra SP or the Haryana DGP.
Vij then told Upasna to leave if she did not have the authority to execute his instruction, telling her again that he asked her to write to the DGP to execute the suspension.
"’Mera order sare Haryana mein chalta hai’ (my order is applicable in entire Haryana)," Vij said, with those present clapping, according to a video of the meeting.
This was not the first incident when a tense exchange broke out between Vij and a senior police officer.
Three months back, a similar grievance redressal meeting in Kaithal saw Vij get into an altercation with a police officer who allegedly ignored the directive of the minister.
Vij had alleged that the police officer ignored his instruction to register a Zero FIR in a fraud case.
On Friday, Vij was heard telling the SP, “I am ordering that till action is taken in the matter, he (the ASI) should be suspended because he can use his influence (in the case).”
SP Upasna responded by saying, “I don't have the power to suspend him. The suspension order in this case can be issued by the Kurukshetra SP.”
Vij retorted, “In every work, you do like this. I am ordering you that he should be suspended. You write to the DGP… I am telling you, you only have to execute my order.
"You only have to write to the DGP stating that I have given the order in the grievances redressal meeting to suspend him (the ASI).”
The SP replied, “I can write this… But I cannot suspend (the ASI).”
The complainant in the matter, who was present at the meeting, was seen pointing towards the SP and saying, "Madam, every time you do like this.”
Sensing the situation turning tense, Kaithal Deputy Commissioner Aparajita told Vij that the SP is saying that she will write to the DGP.
"You write to the DGP that he (the ASI) should be suspended.. I will see who doesn’t listen (to the order)," Vij said, pointing at the Kaithal SP.
Upasna, who was present at the meeting on November 14 when Vij had a tense exchange with a police officer, had tried to intervene in the matter by providing the police version.
However, a video of that meeting showed the minister telling the SP that police were not doing their job properly.
More than 10 years ago, Vij, who held the health portfolio then, stormed out of a district grievances redressal committee meeting after a woman IPS officer refused to follow his order to leave the venue following a heated exchange with the politician.
Vij was reportedly peeved at her for allegedly shouting at a complainant who complained to the minister about some issue.
VIDEO | Kaithal: Haryana Minister Anil Vij publicly directed the district SP to suspend a police officer over an alleged land fraud case. The SP responded that she lacked the jurisdiction to carry out the order, prompting Vij to tell her to leave if she did not have the authority… pic.twitter.com/G43Klo5rFd
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 13, 2026
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
India says no payment issues with Iran, crude supplies fully secured
New Delhi (PTI): India said on Saturday that there are no payment issues with Iran for crude imports and that refiners continue to source oil from the country, as well as from a wide range of global suppliers.
In a post on X, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas dismissed reports that an oil tanker carrying Iranian crude had rerouted mid-voyage from its previously indicated destination of India, which would have marked the first such shipment in nearly seven years, to China, saying the claims overlooked standard industry practice where cargoes can change destination during transit based on trade optimisation and operational flexibility.
Terming as "factually incorrect" assertions that the cargo was diverted from its previously indicated destination of Vadinar in Gujarat to China due to payment hurdles, the ministry said, "there are no payment hurdles for Iranian crude imports".
"India imports crude oil from 40+ countries, with companies having full flexibility to source oil from different sources and geographies based on commercial considerations," it said.
"Amid Middle East supply disruptions, Indian refiners have secured their crude oil requirements, including from Iran, and there is no payment hurdle for Iranian crude imports, contrary to the rumours being circulated."
Ship-tracking firm Kpler on Friday stated that Aframax tanker Ping Shun, built in 2002 and sanctioned by the US in 2025, is now signalling Dongying in China as its destination instead of Vadinar in Gujarat, which it had indicated earlier this week.
Oil on Ping Shun would have been the first Iranian crude that India would have purchased since 2019. Indian refiners have been looking at opportunities to purchase a few cargoes of Iranian oil on water following the recent sanctions waiver by Washington.
The ministry clarified that changes in vessel destinations during transit are common in global oil trade, as bills of lading often indicate tentative discharge ports and cargoes may be rerouted mid-voyage for operational and commercial reasons.
"Claims on vessel diversion ignore how the oil trade works. Bills of Lading often carry indicative discharge ports, destinations and on-sea cargoes can change destinations mid-voyage based on trade optimisation and operational flexibility," the ministry said.
"It is reiterated that India's crude oil requirements remain fully secured for the coming months."
The ministry also said that an LPG vessel, Sea Bird, carrying about 44,000 tonnes of Iranian LPG, berthed at Mangalore on April 2 and is currently discharging cargo.
Historically, India was a major buyer of Iranian crude, importing significant volumes of Iranian light and heavy grades due to strong refinery compatibility and favourable commercial terms.
Following sanctions tightening in 2018, imports ceased in May 2019, with volumes replaced by Middle Eastern, US and other grades. At peak, Iranian crude accounted for 11.5 per cent of India's total imports.
India used to buy 5,18,000 barrels per day of Iranian oil in 2018, which slowed to 2,68,000 bpd between January and May 2019 when the US granted waivers to a few buyers. There have been no imports since.
The key grades that Indian refiners used to purchase are Iran light and Iran heavy crudes.
The US last month waived sanctions on the purchase of Iranian oil at sea for 30 days in its latest attempt to ease oil prices that have been driven up by the US-Israeli war on Iran.
That window expires April 19. An estimated 95 million barrels of Iranian oil are on vessels at sea, of which around 51 million barrels could be sold to India, and the remaining are better suited for buyers in China and Southeast Asia.
Ping Shun is estimated to be carrying about 6,00,000 barrels of oil that was loaded from Kharg Island around March 4. Its declared ETA to Vadinar was April 4, according to Kpler.
