Thursday, August 14, 2025 | Vol. 68 No. 268 | 32 Pages Reg.No MCS/048/2021-23; RNI No. 1541/1957 M.p.c.

.No MCS/048/2021-23; RNI No. 1541/1957 M.p.c.s office Mumbai. PIN 400001

THE FREE PRESS JOURNAL INDIA EDITION | www.freepressjournal.in ● Leader in E-paper circulation

NATION GAMES Cinema Rukhsar on two broken

‘Ask Pakistan’: US Indian Olympic Assn marriages, infidelity and more
refuses to answer has approved India’s
if Islamabad lost F-16s 2030 Commonwealth Edit Strained India-US relations
during Op Sindoor Games bid and the problem of Munir

MORE IS BETTER | Apex court points out that voters have as many as eleven
documents to choose from to present to the EC, compared to seven previously
SC IN VOTE
RECOUNT
SC says SIR ‘voter-friendly’
FPJ News Service summary revisions, demon- cent among Bihar residents,
REVERSAL
FPJ News Service
MUMBAI
MUMBAI strated an "inclusionary" rather while permanent resident cer-
than exclusionary approach. tificates aren't even issued in In an unusual intervention,
The Supreme Court on Wed- The court emphasised that the state. the Supreme Court conducted
nesday defended the Election electors need submit only one The constitutional battle in- the first-ever Electronic Vot-
Commission's Special Intensive document from the expanded tensified as petitioners ques- ing Machine recount within
Revision (SIR) of Bihar's elec- list, suggesting greater accessi- tioned the Election its own premises, overturning
toral rolls, calling the exercise bility for potential voters. Commission's fundamental a village election result in Ha-
"voter friendly" despite mount- "The number of documents authority to conduct such an ryana and establishing a land-
ing criticism from opposition in summary revision con- intensive revision. Senior advo- mark precedent for electoral
parties and civil rights groups ducted earlier in the state was cate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, disputes.
challenging the controversial seven and in SIR it is 11, which representing the Association The extraordinary case
process just months before as- shows it is voter friendly," Jus- for Democratic Reforms, ar- centered on the November
sembly elections. tice Kant remarked during gued that the Commission 2022 sarpanch election in
A bench comprising Justices proceedings on petitions chal- lacked power to perform a Buana Lakhu village, Panipat
Surya Kant and Joymalya Bag- lenging the Election Commis- the petitioners including the ceptable documents, their ac- "Special Intensive Revision," district, where Kuldeep Singh
chi observed that the 11 docu- sion's June 24 decision to People's Union for Civil Lib- tual coverage among Bihar's calling it unprecedented in In- had initially been declared the
ments now required for voter conduct the special revision. erties and Lok Sabha MP population remained dismally dian electoral history. winner.
STRAY DOGS ISSUE
registration under SIR, com- However, senior advocate Mahua Moitra, argued that de- low. He cited passport availabil-
pared to seven in previous Abhishek Singhvi, representing spite the higher number of ac- ity as merely one to two per- 4Contd on | nation 4Contd on | nation
3-judge SC bench to
BJP PUSH BACK Fresh airing High Court advises BMC to hear matter today
to old Sonia
ON VOTE CHORI vote story first invite public objections FPJ News Service
MUMBAI
plea relating to stray dogs after
it was mentioned for urgent
hearing in the Supreme Court.
Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar The Supreme Court's suo motu “I will look into it,” CJI Gavai
NEW DELHI Alleges rolls helped Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar PIGEON FEEDING case addressing the stray dog assured.
top Congress, SP, NEW DELHI crisis has been transferred to a The matter was mentioned
Under attack from the Opposi- TMC and DMK Urvi Mahajani three-judge bench after a two- by advocate Nanita Sharma,
tion over alleged “voter fraud”, The Bharatiya Janata Party on MUMBAI judge panel issued controversial representing the organisation
the Bharatiya Janata Party on leaders win polls Wednesday sought to pin the directions on August 11 order- Conference for Human Rights
Wednesday came out with its allegations of “voter fraud” Even as the BMC said on Wed- ing the relocation of stray dogs (India), before a bench of the CJI
own “analysis” of electoral rolls part of the INDIA bloc, on at- back on the Congress by shar- nesday that it intends to allow in Delhi-NCR to shelters. and Justice K Vinod Chandran.
in constituencies represented tacking the Election Commis- ing an extract of the electoral controlled feeding of pigeons The expanded bench, con- Sharma objected to the apex
by their senior leaders – includ- sion since they wanted to rolls of 1980 to claim that its at Dadar Kabutarkhana (dedi- sisting of Justice Vikram Nath, court’s August 11 order directing
ing Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka protect their own vote banks, Parliamentary Party leader cated pigeon feeding spots) for Justice Sandeep Mehta, and the removal of all stray dogs
Gandhi of the Congress; Akhi- which he charged comprised of Sonia Gandhi had become a two hours in the morning, the Justice NV Anjaria, is scheduled from Delhi streets, Live Law
lesh Yadav and Dimple Yadav of “illegal Bangladesh infiltrators” voter in New Delhi when she Bombay High Court remarked to hear the matter on Thursday and Bar and Bench reported.
the Samajwadi Party; Abhishek and other “intruders”. had not yet even acquired the that it must first issue a public holding the BMC’s decision to permission to feed pigeons. The original relocation order CJI Gavai pointed out that
Banerjee of Trinamool Con- Thakur said it was to divert citizenship of India. notice inviting objections be- ban pigeon feeding at kabu- The BMC had received two was issued by the bench of Jus- another bench has already
gress, and M.K. Stalin of attention from their own mis- The copy of the electoral fore taking such a decision. tarkhanas but restrained the applications seeking per- tice JB Pardiwala and Justice R passed an order about stray
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam – deeds that these Opposition roll extract was shared by A bench of Justices Girish civic body from demolishing mission for feeding at Dadar Mahadevan on August 11, direc- dogs. On August 11, a bench of
and demanded their resigna- parties have launched a vicious BJP’s national information Kulkarni and Arif Doctor the feeding spots. kabutarkhana. During the ting that stray dogs in the Delhi- Justices J B Pardiwala and R
tions for alleged “vote chori” campaign against the poll and technology department stated that since the BMC had Last week, the BMC covered hearing on Wednesday, BMC National Capital Region be Mahadevan had called the
(vote theft) and rigging of polls. panel for organising the in-charge Amit Malviya in a taken the decision to close all the Dadar kabutarkhana with counsel Ram Apte told the moved to designated shelters. situation arising from dog
The BJP’s counter-offensive Special Intensive Revision (SIR) post on “X”. The document kabutarkhanas and prohibit plastic sheets to prevent people court that the civic body in- The referral to a larger bench bites “extremely grim” and or-
came through MP and former of the electoral rolls in Bihar, showed that Sonia Gandhi fig- feeding pigeons in the “larger from feeding pigeons. This tends to permit controlled typically indicates the complex- dered permanent relocation
union minister Anurag Thakur which would later be extended ured on the electoral rolls in interest of public health,” the move sparked demonstrations feeding from 6 to 8 am, subject ity or significance of the legal is- of all strays in Delhi-NCR “at
who while addressing a press to other states. the New Delhi Parliamentary “sanctity” of that decision must from various quarters. to certain conditions. sues involved in the case. the earliest.”
conference at the party head- constituency. be maintained. Following the BMC’s deci- Earlier on Wednesday, Chief
quarters criticised these four 4Contd on | nation On July 15, the HC had sion, petitions were filed chal- 4Contd on | nation Justice of India B R Gavai as- 4Contd on | nation
major parties, which are also 4See also | nation 4Contd on | nation passed an interim order up- lenging the ban and seeking 4See also | city sured that he will “look into” a 4See also | city

US claims credit again on Temple in US

vandalised
preventing a ‘catastrophe’ Agencies
GREENWOOD, INDIANA
Agencies
WASHINGTON Two separate incidents have
Our relationship shaken the Indian commu-
The US has said its relationship nities in the United States this
with both India
with both India and Pakistan month. In Greenwood, In-
and Pakistan
remains “good,” with diplomats diana, the signboard of the
remains good
committed to engaging with BAPS Swaminarayan Temple
Tammy Bruce
both nations. State Depart- State Department was defaced in what the
ment spokesperson Tammy spokesperson temple administration de-
Bruce also said top US leaders scribed as a “hateful act.”
were involved in “stopping that This marks the fourth time
potential catastrophe.” in less than a year a BAPS
Referring to the May con- temple has been targeted in
flict, Bruce said on Tuesday, the US. The Indian Consulate in
“Obviously, we had an experi- phone calls, the work that we case. So it’s clear that the diplo- Chicago condemned the inci-
ence with Pakistan and India did to stop the attacks and to mats here are committed to dent as “reprehensible” and
when there was a conflict, one then bring the parties together both nations.” urged law enforcement to take
that could have developed into so we could have something She called US engagement prompt action, while calling
something quite horrible.” She that was enduring.” with both countries positive for unity, solidarity, and vigi-
added, “There was immediate Bruce said, “I would say that news for the region and the lance. In Los Angeles, 70-year-
concern and immediate move- our relationship with both na- world. She was responding to a old Harpal Singh was brutally
ment with Vice President JD tions is as it has been, which is question on the possibility of assaulted near the Sikh Gurd-
Vance, President Trump and good. And that is the benefit of increased US aid to Islamabad, wara of Los Angeles on August
Secretary of State Marco Rubio having a President who knows including arms sales, following 4, suffering a skull fracture and
in addressing the nature of everyone, talks to everyone, Pakistan Army Chief Field possible brain trauma.
what was happening... we de- and that is how we can bring Marshal Asim Munir’s meeting
scribed the nature of the differences together in this with Trump. 4Contd on | nation

Textiles sector braces for tariffs

an employment figure second
FPJ ANALYSIS only to agriculture—making up
33% of India’s total exports.
‘INDIA RECALCITRANT’
Ashwin Ahmad People in the trade warn that S Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday
NEW DELHI

As the US tariffs come into play,

mass layoffs should be expected
should the US tariffs take hold.
“We request immediate gov-
U described India as “a bit recalcitrant” in ongoing
trade negotiations. Speaking to Fox Business
Network’s “Kudlow,” Bessent said there were still some
the biggest concern in India is ernment intervention to offset “big trade deals” to be concluded, including with Swit-
for the textile sector. Govern- this huge setback. Exporters zerland and India, and expressed hope of fi-
ment statistics show that the In- have their back against the wall nalising tariff negotiations by October.
dian textile and apparel market and will have to sell below cost “There are big trade deals that aren’t done
was valued at around $222 bil- to keep their factories running and aren’t agreed. Switzerland is still
lion in 2024, and projections and avoid mass layoffs,” Sudhir around; India has been a bit recalcitrant. I
suggest it could reach $350 bil- Sekhri, Chairman, Apparel Ex- think we have agreed on substantial
lion by 2030. The US is the lar- port Promotion Council (AEPC), terms with all the substantial countries,”
gest market for the textile said in a statement. he said, adding, “That’s aspirational. I
industry—which employs ap- think we’re in a good position.”
proximately 45 million people, 4Contd on | nation
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ED arrests four in Vasai-Virar land scam Mumbai is all set for

Ashish Singh
MUMBAI
historic Coastal Road
(PMLA) Court in Mumbai
today (August 14).
bribe) was allegedly fixed at
Rs20 to Rs25 per sq ft for him
studded jewellery and bullion
worth Rs23.2 crore from

The Enforcement Directorate

(ED) on Wednesday arrested
former Vasai-Virar City
promenade opening
Sources said the arrests
came after all four were sum-
moned to the ED’s office at CJ
House Complex, Worli, for a
and Rs10 per sq ft for Reddy.
During searches, the ED
claimed it seized a large
number of incriminating
Reddy’s premises
Hyderabad’s Hafeezpet.
Former Bahujan Vikas
Aghadi (BVA) corporator
in

Municipal Corporation joint interrogation. Over the documents showing that Sitaram Gupta and his
(VVCMC) commissioner Anil past few months, the agency Pawar created multiple nephew Arun Gupta, who
Pawar, suspended deputy has recorded their state- entities in the names of his were arrested by the ED,
Anil Pawar, YS Reddy
director of town planning YS ments, conducted searches, family members, relatives, allegedly prepared bogus
Reddy, builder Sitaram Gupta and compiled a detailed part of a powerful syndicate and benamidars to launder completion certificates for
and his nephew Arun Gupta timeline of their alleged roles. operating within the munici- the bribe amounts. These the buildings, issued in the
in connection with an alleged Officials said the questioning pal body. The agency has shell companies, the agency names of CIDCO and the
money laundering case on Wednesday helped estab- termed it a “deep-rooted alleges, were formed during VVCMC. Their accomplices
linked to the illegal construc- lish their involvement, follow- nexus” that turned public his tenure and were engaged are said to have acquired 30
tion of 41 buildings on 60 ing which they were taken land into a “private gold- in the construction and rede- acres of private land and an
acres of government and pri- into custody late in the even- mine”. velopment of residential additional 30 acres reserved
vate land reserved for public ing. The findings under the towers and the building of for water purification plants
utilities. The accused are The case stems from alle- PMLA indicate that after warehouses. and dumping grounds, and
scheduled to be produced gations that civic and town Pawar took charge of the In May this year, the ED sold it to various builders
before the Prevention of planning officials colluded VVCMC, a commission seized Rs8.6 crore in unac- after acquiring fake owner-
Money Laundering Act with private developers as (described by officials as a counted cash and diamond- ship documents.

BAN EXPLAINED | KDMC chief Abhinav Goyal says the ban ENTRY POINTS
applies only to slaughterhouses and licensed meat shops, and Akruti Parking Building
In our state, some people on Bhulabhai Desai Road
does not affect the consumption of chicken or mutton are vegetarian, and some

KDMC faces backlash over

are non-vegetarian. Such Vatsalabai Desai Chowk
bans are not appropriate. (Haji Ali Junction)
Important cities have
Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan

I-Day curbs on meat sales

people from various
communities and while Road near Worli Milk
sentiments matter, School
imposing bans on days
like Maharashtra Day, Bindumadhav
NK Gupta strong political backlash. Thackeray Chowk in
Republic Day or
MUMBAI Workers and office bearers Worli
Independence Day could
of NCP (SP) from Kalyan sub-
The state government has become problematic
The Kalyan-Dombivli mitted a memorandum to the Shefali Parab-Pandit between Lovegrove Nullah will also include fitness facil-
made no such decision. — Ajit Pawar
Municipal Corporation KDMC deputy commissioner. MUMBAI (Worli Gutter) and BM ities such as a dedicated cycle
(KDMC) has come under fire This rule has been in place They threatened to consume Thackeray Chowk was com- track, ample seating, and lush
from political parties and com- since 1988, and several non-vegetarian food at the If you don’t want to eat Mumbai is set to unveil one of pleted last month. However, greenery with flowering plants
municipal corporations meat on Independence
munity groups after issuing a KDMC headquarters in protest its most iconic public spaces, after a month-long wait, the and coastal trees, creating a
have been following it Day, don’t eat it, but why
directive to shut down all if the order is not withdrawn. the long-awaited seafront promenade will finally open to vibrant and accessible public
annually. I only learnt impose it on others? This
shops selling chicken, mutton Congress leader Sachin Pote, promenade along the Coastal the public along with four space,” said a senior civic offi-
about the recent bans is the land of Chhatrapati
and fish as well as slaughter- along with party workers, sub- Road, which will officially pedestrian underpasses (PuPs) cial. He further added that the
through media reports. Shivaji Maharaj, not a
houses on Independence Day. mitted a similar memoran- open to the public on August that will provide direct access remaining 2.5 km stretch
This controversy is being vegetarian state. Are we
Several political parties, manufactured as if our dum. “If the order is not 15 at 4:30 pm. Stretching to the seafront. The inaugural between Haji Ali and Worli is
members of the Khatik com- revoked, we will sell chicken in doing this under 7.47km in length and 20m in event for the promenade and expected to be completed
government took the someone’s pressure?
munity and meat shop owners front of KDMC headquarters width, the grand promenade is four PuPs will be streamed live within the next 18 months.
IN BRIEF submitted a memorandum
decision. Such absurdity,
and even release a chicken van Even during battles, poised to become a new recre- from the new administrative The Mumbai Coastal Road
like calling vegetarians

1
demanding the revocation of there,” he warned. Shivaji Maharaj’s ational landmark for the city. headquarters of the Mumbai project features a 10.58-km, 8-
All legal and illegal ‘impotent’, must stop warriors ate meat.
meat-selling shops the order. According to the KDMC’s In the first phase, two key Metropolitan Region lane expressway connecting
KDMC commissioner — Devendra Fadnavis official notification, all legal
Fadnavis is making sections – a 5.25 km stretch Development Authority Worli to Marine Drive, devel-
and slaughter Maharashtra weak and
houses are to remain Abhinav Goyal addressed a and illegal meat-selling shops from Priyadarshini Park to (MMRDA) in Bandra (East). oped at a total cost of Rs13,984
spineless
closed from midnight press conference on dums and letters requesting and slaughterhouses are to Haji Ali, and another from The promenade will feature crore. The road has been grad-
— Sanjay Raut
of August 14 to Wednesday, stating that the withdrawal of the order, and remain closed from midnight Baroda Palace to Worli – will 19 access points, with pedes- ually opened in phases over
midnight of directive was not new and has assured that the administration of August 14 to midnight of be opened. The promenade trian entry currently available the past year and is currently
August 15 been in effect since 1988. He would consider the appeal. August 15, as per provisions Independence Day is a will be virtually inaugurated at key locations such as the operational from 7:00am to
clarified that the civic body has “If any changes are to be under the Maharashtra national festival, not a BJP on August 14 by Chief Minister Akruti Parking Building on midnight. Beginning midnight

2
If the order is not been following an old resol- made, they will be done in Municipal Corporation Act. event. When the entire Devendra Fadnavis. Bhulabhai Desai Road, on Friday, August 15, it will be
revoked, we will ution, reissued annually, man- accordance with legal provi- Violations will attract strict nation fought for The new promenade, Vatsalabai Desai Chowk (Haji open to traffic 24 hours a day.
sell chicken in dating closure of meat-related sions and after proper deliber- action under Sections 334, 336, freedom, BJP’s stretching from Priyadarshini Ali Junction), Khan Abdul The BMC is also developing
front of KDMC HQ and establishments on day. “We ation,” he added. and 374(A) of the Act, the ideological ancestors Park to the Worli end of the Gaffar Khan Road near Worli underground parking facil-
even release a chicken have not issued any new order. Goyal also noted that other KDMC stated. The BJP on sided with the British. To Bandra-Worli Sea Link Milk School, and ities at key locations Bhulabhai
van there, says This has been a continuing municipal corporations, Wednesday said the policy to cover up these dark (BWSL), is more than twice the Bindumadhav Thackeray Desai Marg, Haji Ali (1,200
Congress leader Sachin practice under the including those in Nagpur, keep abattoirs shut on stains, they are now length of the iconic 3.5-km Chowk in Worli. “All under- vehicles), Worli Dairy (200
Pote Corporation Act,” said Goyal. Malegaon, Chhatrapati Independence Day was first issuing food diktats. This Marine Drive promenade. passes feature stairs and vehicles), and Worli Seaface
is about tightening

3
He emphasised that the Sambhaji Nagar, Jalgaon and implemented in 1988 when Two major sections, a 2.75km ramps to ensure easy access (200 vehicles). Of these, the
Policy to shut government control over
restriction applies only to Ichalkaranji, have enforced NCP (SP) president Sharad stretch from Tata Garden to for cyclists and people with two facilities at Worli have
abattoirs on I-Day people’s lives
slaughterhouses and licensed similar directives over the Pawar was chief minister of Haji Ali and a 2.5km stretch disabilities. The promenade already been completed.
was first — Harshvardhan
meat shops, and does not affect years. KDMC reportedly has Maharashtra, and sought to
implemented when Sapkal
the consumption of chicken or copies of similar orders issued know if the opposition would
Pawar was CM in 1988,
says BJP mutton. Goyal confirmed that
KDMC has received memoran-
in 2010, 2011 and 2013. The
directive, however, sparked
question the veteran politician
about it. Text: Kalpesh Mhamunkar Metro stn, Vidhan BDD Chawl:
556 to get
Bhavan, Mantralaya new flats
CM bars PS, Bhujbal says
OSDs from no to Gondia subway link by Dec Sweety Bhagwat
MUMBAI
Sweety Bhagwat after receiving the required
Cabinet meets flag hoisting MUMBAI clearances. Chief Minister Devendra
FPJ Political Bureau Ravikiran Deshmukh The concept plan, formal- Fadnavis will hand over flats
MUMBAI MUMBAI Construction of a subway con- ised in a memorandum of to 556 eligible residents in
necting the upcoming Vidhan understanding (MoU) between two rehabilitation buildings
In order to maintain the con- Food and civil supplies min- Bhavan Metro station on Metro the Public Works Department under the Bombay
fidentiality of discussions ister Chhagan Bhujbal on Line 3 to Mantralaya, the new (PWD) and Mumbai Metro Development Directorate
during cabinet meetings, Wednesday expressed his administrative building and Rail Corporation Limited (BDD) Chawl Redevelopment
Chief Minister Devendra inability to attend Vidhan Bhavan is making (MMRCL) in October 2019, Project, the largest urban
Fadnavis on Wednesday Independence Day flag hoist- steady progress and is targeted calls for two separate passages renewal initiative in Asia. The
issued oral orders barring ing at Gondia. Instead, skills, for completion by December – one restricted for govern- ceremony will be held on
ministers’ private secretaries employment and innovation 2025. ment employees and another Thursday at 11 am at
and special officers (OSDs) minister Mangal Prabhat According to Mumbai for members of the pub- Yashwantrao Chavan
from attending the meet- Lodha will be doing the hon- Metro Rail NMIA lic visiting these Natyagruha, Matunga (West).
ings.
The decision came in the
Freedom lights our. It is said that Bhujbal is
unhappy over being denied
Corporation
(MMRCL), the 306-
Ltd scheduled offices.
The Rs99.8-
In the first phase, 556 flats
from D and E wings of
for opening on
wake of several past CSMT building, BMC headquarters lit up in Tricolour ahead of the opportunity to unfurl the metre-long subway September crore project was Building No. 01 will be
instances where private con- Independence Day celebration — Salman Ansari national flag at Nashik, the dis- is designed to pro- 30th; announcement originally envis- handed over. The event will
versations among ministers trict he has represented for vide seamless con- waiting for aged for comple- also be attended by Deputy
during cabinet meetings more than two decades. BJP nectivity between PM Modi’s tion within nine Chief Ministers Eknath
were leaked, raising con-
cerns within the govern-
ment.
Damania’s 48-hour Malik to lead
NCP’s BMC
minister Girish Mahajan is
attending the Independence
Day event at Nashik.
the underground
Metro 3 station near
Nariman Point and important
confirmation months. As part of
MMRCL’s broader
strategy, subways will con-
Shinde and Ajit Pawar.
The Worli project will
rehabilitate 9,689 residents
At a meeting chaired by
Fadnavis at the Sahyadri
ultimatum to Munde election panel Bhujbal said that since he
was unable to go to Gondia
state government offices. As of nect directly to the unpaid con-
now, piling work has been course area of Metro stations,
from 121 old chawls. MHADA
has allocated 65% of the total
Guest House on Tuesday, Kalpesh Mhamunkar which is currently unused. FPJ Political Bureau and the government has completed, while excavation allowing commuters to pur- land for rehabilitation pur-
only ministers and the secre- MUMBAI Calling his continued stay MUMBAI decided to depute Lodha for stands at 59%, NATM (new chase tickets after entering. poses. Eligible residents, cur-
taries of the respective “completely wrong,” Damania the flag hoisting. On the other Austrian tunnelling method) Once completed, the Vidhan rently living in 160 sq ft
departments were per- Social activist Anjali Damania warned, “If he fails to vacate Nawab Malik has been hand, district guardian min- work at 74%, and the finished Bhavan–Mantralaya subway is rooms, will receive owner-
mitted inside, while others has issued a legal notice and a the bungalow and pay the entrusted to lead the NCP’s ister for Gondia Babasaheb structure at 24%. expected to significantly cut ship of modern 2BHK flats
were instructed to leave 48-hour ultimatum to the dues within 48 hours, we will election management com- Patil cited a knee surgery for The project had initially walking time between the measuring 500 sq ft carpet
immediately. Maharashtra government, question the government. The mittee for the upcoming elec- his inability to grace the event. faced delays after being stalled Metro station and key adminis- area, free of cost.
However, an OSD of a Shiv demanding that NCP leader fine must be recovered, and tions to the BMC. Left with no option, the gov- over security-related concerns trative hubs, improving con- By December, a total of
Sena minister remained and former minister Munde must be sent to his The BJP had some serious ernment asked Lodha to go all raised by the state home venience for thousands of gov- 3,989 another set of flats
seated in the meeting room Dhananjay Munde vacate the own residence immediately.” reservations about Malik, the way to Gondia for the flag department. Work eventually ernment employees and visi- across all three BDD Chawl
despite these instructions. official ‘Satpuda’ bungalow in The activist argued that as who was quite aggressive as hoisting. resumed in December 2022 tors daily. projects will be completed.
Officials from the CMO Mumbai and pay a pending per law, Munde must vacate the spokesman of the unified
noticed this and alerted fine of Rs46 lakh. the government bungalow NCP.
security personnel, who Munde resigned as min- immediately as he is no longer Though his association
approached the OSD
and asked him to step out.
When the minister allegedly
ister for food, civil supplies
and consumer protection
more than five months ago
a cabinet minister.
In response, Munde clari-
fied that his private flat in
with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP
was opposed by the BJP in
general and Chief Minister
Centre appoints 3 addl judges to HC
told the OSD to stay, security but has yet to vacate the gov- Mumbai is currently under Devendra Fadnavis in par- FPJ News Service lier this month. The other against a sanctioned strength Sathe has over 20 years of
officials reiterated the ernment residence. He pre- repair. He added that his ticular, Malik made a sort of MUMBAI appointments are of Ajit of 94. Their appointment will advocacy experience in SAD,
directive. After being viously claimed he had no younger daughter’s school is comeback when his daughter Bhagwanrao Kadethankar take the working strength at direct tax, customs, SEBI
reminded of the order, the house in Mumbai, citing in the same area, and his successfully contested the The Centre on Wednesday and Sushil Manohar 69. On August 5, the matters and matrimonial dis-
minister instructed the OSD health concerns and his medical treatments also state assembly elections on appointed three advocates as Ghodeswar. Their tenure is Maharashtra Congress putes. She resigned from the
to leave, and he was subse- daughter’s education as rea- require him to remain in the NCP ticket. additional judges of the two years. objected to Sathe’s appoint- BJP post in January 2024, cit-
quently escorted out by sons for staying in the bunga- Mumbai. “Finding a rental Due to his experience in Bombay High Court, includ- The Supreme Court colle- ment, pointing out that she ing personal and professional
security. low. However, Damania high- home in this locality is diffi- Mumbai politics, the NCP has ing former Maharashtra BJP gium, headed by Chief Justice was a BJP spokesperson as reasons.
Sources said all ministers lighted that Munde’s 2024 cult, but I am actively search- now given him the responsi- spokesperson Aarti Arun of India BR Gavai, had recently as February 2023. A BJP spokesperson, how-
and secretaries present election affidavit mentions a ing. Once repairs are com- bility to head the party com- Sathe, whose proposed elev- approved their appointments The party termed it “highly ever, maintained that Sathe
looked on in surprise as the 2,151 sq ft flat in ‘Veer Bhavan’ plete, I will vacate the govern- mittee for the BMC elections, ation had drawn criticism at its meeting on July 28. The improper” to elevate her to had cut all ties with the party
OSD was escorted out. near Girgaum Chowpatty, ment residence,” he said. it is said. from the state Congress ear- HC currently has 66 judges the bench. well over a year ago.
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www.freepressjournal.in Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025 THE FREE PRESS JOURNAL
 mumbai
Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025
www.freepressjournal.in

Old tree falls on taxi in Shivaji Park, driver injured Misusing court’s time:
Devashri Bhujbal
MUMBAI Tree was infected
dition externally.
“The trimming of all the
trees on LJ Road was done
increased road concretisation
cannot be ruled out.
The incident took place at
`50k cost on litigant;
internally, which
A huge roadside tree col-
lapsed from its roots onto a
weakened its roots,
says civic official
very recently, as it is the road
from where Ganpati proces-
10.08am near Shobha Hotel,
Shivaji Park, Dadar West. The
petition dismissed
moving taxi in Shivaji Park on sions are carried. When it col- Mumbai Fire Brigade
Wednesday morning. The taxi lapsed, it was observed that immediately rushed to the Accused’s actions showed ‘disregard’
driver, Salman Khan, 35, sus-
tained serious injuries and
Wednesday evening.
According to the BMC’s
the tree was infected inter-
nally, which weakened its
spot and cleared one lane. By
afternoon, the entire tree was
for proceedings; ‘played with court’
was immediately rushed to garden department, it was a roots,” said an official. The offi- removed from the road, and Online Report
Bhabha Hospital in Bandra. fully grown tree and cials added that the weaken- both lanes were opened for MUMBAI OBSERVATIONS
His condition was stable as of appeared to be in sound con- ing of the roots due to traffic. ON PLEA…
The Bombay High Court has
dismissed with costs a petition Accused was given
filed by an accused under the multiple chances
BITES, BLAME, BUREAUCRACY | After SC’s order for Delhi, calls to remove strays Review apex Prevention of Corruption Act over five years to
seeking to set aside a ‘no cross’ cross-examine the
arise in Mumbai; MLA Ameet Satam urges BMC to fast-track sterilisation, shelters
court’s order: order passed by the trial court,
after he failed to cross-exam-
prosecution’s prime
witness

BJP urges BMC to act on dog crisis Letter to Prez

Dhairya Gajara
MUMBAI
ine the prosecution’s prime
witness despite being given
repeated opportunities for five
years, legal portal LiveLaw
Two previous ‘no
cross’ orders were
set aside by the trial
court
Shefali Parab-Pandit reported.
Mumbai-based animal wel- A single judge bench of
70,000
MUMBAI
Despite relief, the
fare officer Sooraraj Saha has Justice Kishore C Sant was accused repeatedly
Following the Supreme urged the President and hearing the criminal writ, filed failed to conduct the
Court’s directive instructing Average dog bite cases It's high time the Prime Minister of India to challenging the trial court’s cross-examination
the government and civic annually in Mumbai administration finds intervene and review the refusal to recall PW-2, the de
authorities to remove all stray
90,757 a more effective Supreme Court’s order man- facto complainant, after the
dogs from the streets of Delhi dating the removal of stray accused failed to cross-exam- accused and his counsel failed
and relocate them to dog Estimated dog population
solution before the dogs from Delhi. He said that ine him on three separate to conduct the cross-examin-
shelters, similar demands situation spirals out while the order’s objective occasions, despite the court ation. On the third occasion,
have now emerged in 26% of control appears to be public safety, setting aside two prior no- the witness was made to wait
Mumbai. BJP MLA Ameet Ravi Raj the measure raises grave cross orders and granting the the entire day and managing
Mumbai’s share of
Satam has written to munici- legal, humanitarian and prac- same relief. the board itself became diffi-
state’s total dog bites BJP leader
pal commissioner Bhushan tical concerns, while also dis- The petitioner contended cult due to repeated postpone-
Gagrani, urging him to torting public confidence in that the petitioner, being an ment requests.
expedite the sterilisation pro- 150 January and August 2025 the judicial process. accused, needs a fair oppor- The court observed: “Merely
gramme and establish dedi- Weekly complaints to BMC alone, over 10,000 complaints Soorraj Saha, appointed by tunity. He argued that when saying that if opportunity is
cated dog shelters. He has (2024 average) have already been registered. the state government, has the learned advocate was not not given, the accused would
requested that all stray dogs A survey conducted in 2024, urged urgent constitutional present, the court could have suffer irreparable loss cannot
be moved to these shelters, 10,000+ by the BMC in collaboration intervention to halt and offered an opportunity to the be considered in such cases. If
where they can be properly with Humane Society review the order. He high- accused, asking whether the this court shows sympathy, it
Complaints Jan–Aug 2025
cared for. International/India (HSI) lighted that the constitutional accused is willing to conduct would be misplaced sympathy.
Satam highlighted a grow- revealed that over the past 29 scheme under Article 21, read cross-examination personally; In this case, the accused has lit-
ing public safety concern, nated action to address this space is allocated by the BMC animal rights advisor for the years, 4.3 lakh stray dogs have with Article 51A(g), mandates no such opportunity was erally played with the court.
revealing that Mumbai rec- escalating issue in Mumbai,” or the state government. Ravi PAL Foundation, defended the been sterilised in Mumbai, a harmonious coexistence given. The court noted that the The act of the accused in the
ords an average of 70,000 dog Satam said. He urged the Raja, former Opposition strays and directed criticism reducing the population from between humans and ani- accused was granted multiple present case shows utter disre-
bite cases annually – account- administration to fast-track Leader of the BMC and now a toward the civic body. “It’s not 95,172 to 90,757 in the last dec- mals. opportunities to cross-exam- gard for the court proceed-
ing for 26% of all such inci- the BMC’s sterilisation pro- BJP leader, criticised the civic the animals, but the municipal ade. Between 1994 and Saha alleged that the order ine the witness, and no cross ings. The precious time of the
dents across Maharashtra. He gramme and immediately body’s inaction over the years. authorities who should be held December 2023, the BMC ster- gravely disregards the exist- orders were set aside on two court is wasted because of the
also flagged a shortage of anti- establish dog shelters where “The BMC should have accel- accountable,” Pathak said. He ilised 4,03,374 dogs – 1,48,084 ing infrastructural and occasions. Despite this, the conduct of the litigant.”
rabies vaccines in the city, strays can be safely housed, erated the sterilisation of stray added that the NGO has organ- of them between 2014 and administrative realities and
further compounding the cri- fed, treated, and cared for. dogs over the past two dec- ised a candlelight march on 2023, with the highest annual appears inconsistent with the
sis. “Disturbing reports have “This will not only protect ades,” he said. “It's high time August 17 at 7pm in Andheri count in 2017 (24,290) and the constitutional and statutory Adani Digital Labs unveil
surfaced of stray dog attacks public health and safety but the civic administration finds West to raise awareness and lowest in 2015 (6,414). The obligations of the state
on children and senior also ensure humane treat- a more effective and sustain- advocate for the protection of average annual sterilisation towards animals. He said that
tech-driven trip experience
citizens, along with road acci- ment of the animals,” he able solution before the situ- stray dogs. As per civic sources rate stands at 14,808. The the Delhi presently lacks the India’s 1st airport
dents caused by strays chasing added. Satam further empha- ation spirals out of control,” he until the end of 2024, the BMC report also noted that 76% of logistical capacity, infrastruc- New office in
Ahmedabad loyalty programme
two-wheeler riders. There is a sised that many NGOs are will- warned. received around 150 dog bite sterilised dogs survived, while ture and trained manpower
150-seater tech hub Exclusive to airport
dire need for urgent, coordi- ing to manage such shelters, if Meanwhile, Roshan Pathak, complaints per week. Between 24% died over the 29 years. required to shelter strays.
inaugurated travellers

Focus on developing Covers F&B, retail,

customer-centric parking, duty-free and

Student & PETA fight against attack on dog; FIR registered airport solutions
Target issues like time
meet-and-greet services
Designed to offer
constraints, long queues exceptional value and
Dhairya Gajara the incident which has since approached the Sakinaka police nosed with injuries to the spinal that cruelty to animals will not announced by Pure Animal
and lack of amenity info unforgettable experiences
MUMBAI gone viral, the accused can be and got an offence registered cord. Shreedhara Purohit, be tolerated.” Notably, section Lovers (PAL) Welfare
seen striking the dog directly against the accused, Abdul cruelty response coordinator 325 of the BNS categorises the Foundation on Sunday from
Even as the nation is divided on the head with a thick bam- Gaffar under the Bharatiya at PETA India, said, “Those maiming or killing of any ani- 5pm to 7pm in Andheri (W). Adani OneApp Enhanced airport
on the Supreme Court order boo stick. The injured dog was Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the who abuse animals often move mal as a cognisable offence and Roshan Pathak, animal rights Unified digital services via app
to relocate the stray dogs of admitted to the Bai Sakarbai Prevention of Cruelty to on to harming humans. prescribes a punishment of advisor with PAL Foundation, platform Pre-book lounges at
Delhi NCR to shelter houses, Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals Act. Patnayak, who is a For everyone’s safety, it’s imprisonment for a term said, “We demand that every Transforms travel from Adani-operated airports
the Mumbai police have taken Animals, Parel, for treatment. CA student and an animal lover, imperative that members of which may extend to five years, official of the municipal cor- transactional to
a firm stand against a dog Following veterinary care and received the video of the grue- the public report cruelty to or with a fine, or with both. poration who fails to provide experiential Browse/shop F&B,
retail, duty-free
assaulter. recovery, the dog was released some act on a WhatsApp group animals such as this one to the Meanwhile, Mumbai’s animal care to community animals Helps passengers plan, catalogues
The incident took place near back to Tar Galli on August 6. of animal lovers. She searched police. We commend senior welfare community is coming should face strict legal actions. navigate & enjoy airport
Tar Galli, close to Madina A 24-year-old student, Aarti for the dog along with her ani- police inspector Pramod together today (Thursday) to Animals are suffering because journeys Order delivery at the
Masjid in Jari Mari on Kurla- Patnayak, along with People for mal lover friend and found it in Tawde of Sakinaka police sta- raise awareness and demand of such government officials gate, multi-cart & group
Andheri Road, on July 31, at the Ethical Treatment of an injured condition. According tion for registering the FIR justice for street dogs at Carter who failed to sterilise and vac- Centralised access to all orders
about 9.15pm. In the video of Animals (PETA India) to the FIR, the dog was diag- and sending a clear message Road. A candle march has been cinate them.” airport services
Text: Dhairya Gajara

Rust in power: Abandoned cars BMC begins State warns blood centres against MICU reopens
clog govt zone in Marine Lines removing cars excess collection during festivals at Shatabdi
left on roads Amit Srivastava demand recorded over the meeting of SBTC, chaired by
Hospital
FPJ News Service MUMBAI past three years. Officials have the Minister of Public Health Amit Srivastava
MUMBAI been instructed to ensure that and Family Welfare. MUMBAI
The State Blood Transfusion no surplus stock is collected, “To address this, the SBTC
The BMC has initiated action Council (SBTC) has directed all preventing the risk of expiry has issued a circular enforcing The Medical Intensive Care
to remove abandoned and blood centres across and wastage. the 500-unit cap per camp and Unit (MICU) at Pandit Madan
scrap vehicles left illegally on Maharashtra to exercise cau- The council also urged has made it mandatory to seek Mohan Malaviya Centenary
public roads. A notices have tion and avoid excess blood centres to counsel organisers prior online approval from the Municipal General (Shatabdi)
been issued to 3,153 vehicle collection during the to schedule camps during respective district blood trans- Hospital in
owners under Section 314 of upcoming festival season. periods of shortage instead of fusion officer. If no response is Govandi is
the Mumbai Municipal In a circular issued by assis- peak supply months. “Blood is received within three days, the once again
Corporation Act, 1888.
Additionally, 1,927 abandoned
and scrap vehicles have been
tant director Dr Purushottam
Puri, the council noted that
large-scale blood donation
precious and must not be
wasted,” the circular stressed,
calling for strict adherence to
permission will be considered
as deemed approved,” stated
Dr Puri in the circular.
FPJ Impact
open to the
public. The
BMC has
towed and relocated to the camps are usually organised the guidelines. An official who is attached appointed
Pics: Vidhi Santosh Mehta contractor’s yard for further by various social organisations Last month, SBTC had to one of the blood bank units additional resi-
Vidhi Santosh Mehta processing. during Independence Day, issued a similar circular to pre- in BMC hospital informed that dent medical officers on a six-
MUMBAI To decongest city roads, Ganeshotsav, Navratri, and vent over-collection and one of the reasons of blood month contract, restoring the
the BMC has appointed three other occasions. potential misuse or wastage of wastage in government and facility’s operations.
In the administrative heart of contractors to remove aban- The directive advises blood blood. The council had capped BMC-run blood banks is The 10-bed MICU had been
New Marine Lines, near the doned vehicles. Once a com- centres to plan collections in blood donation camps at 500 non-availability of component shut since February 2025 due
Textiles Commissioner’s plaint is received, a 72-hour August, September, and units per event. The directive separation facilities in many to a shortage of doctors. The
Nishtha Bhavan, a cluster of notice is issued to the vehicle October based on the average was issued during a review hospitals. Free Press Journal high-
unused, rusting cars has lain owner. If the vehicle is not lighted the closure in its Ailing
abandoned both inside and removed within this period, it Hospital series on August 10.
outside the compound for the will be towed to a contractor’s According to the BMC,
past several years. Among
them, sensibly stationary for
yard. After 30 days, the
vehicle will be disposed of, Video of cutter on train goes viral with adequate staffing now in
place across the MICU, inpa-
nearly a decade, is a lone and no claims will be enter- Kamal Mishra informed and has initiated an tient wards, and outpatient
Ambassador, its paint flaking tained thereafter. To tackle MUMBAI investigation into the matter. departments, medical ser-
and metal corroding, standing moved. The Ambassador the growing menace of aban- When contacted, a GRP vices at the hospital have
as a testament to neglect in an Rusting vehicles, inside the Nishtha Bhavan doned vehicles, the BMC has A video allegedly showing a official said, “We are checking resumed smoothly. This
otherwise busy central gov- including a decade compound, untouched for identified over 4,325 such man holding a cutter inside a the authenticity of the video. revival offers much-needed
ernment enclave. around ten years, and the vehicles across the city in the local train has gone viral on Further details will be shared relief to residents of Govandi,
These silent relics are more
old Ambassador, lie other dilapidated cars remain last few months. social media, raising serious once verified.” Mankhurd, and Chembur,
than just eyesores: they raise forgotten inside a frozen in place as anomalies A total of 833 abandoned concerns over commuter Despite the uncertainty sur- who rely heavily on the hospi-
pressing legal and civic ques- central government amid administrative order. vehicles were found in the safety on Mumbai’s lifeline – rounding the incident's con- tal for care.
tions. Under Section 314 of the compound Despite clear legal tools, island city, out of which 502 the suburban rail network. text, the video has triggered “Appointments for the post
Mumbai Municipal neither municipal enforce- owners were served notices The 14-second clip, widespread concern among of resident medical officer are
Corporation (MMC) Act, 1884, ment nor internal govern- and 147 vehicles were towed. reportedly shot by a fellow daily commuters. Many have made on a time-bound basis.
the BMC has the authority to Afterwards, suppose a ment directives seem to have In the Eastern suburbs, 1,440 passenger, shows the man questioned the adequacy of For the period between
seize abandoned and vehicle remains unclaimed for been deployed here. abandoned vehicles were initially displaying a cutter security arrangements on August 2025 to January 2026,
unclaimed vehicles. The up to three months. In that For citizens and policy identified, with 1,130 notices before attempting to conceal suburban trains. Commuter sufficient doctors have been
procedure involves pasting a case, it may be auctioned watchers, this raises a poign- issued and 740 vehicles it in his hand. The footage groups have urged authorities appointed for various hospital
notice on the vehicle and under Section 490(3) of the ant question: what account- towed. In the Western sub- appears to have been taken have yet to confirm whether to step up patrolling, services. Intensive care ser-
allowing 48 hours for the MMC Act, 1884, with recovery ability, and what action, urbs, 2,052 abandoned inside a moving local train, the video is recent or an older especially during non-peak vices have been launched
owner to remove it; failure to of fines from any claiming ensues when government-run vehicles were found; 1,521 although the exact date, time, recording that has resurfaced. hours, and install more CCTV after thorough preparation
do so leads to towing and relo- owner. Yet, in this high-profile areas themselves become part owners received notices, and and location of the incident The Government Railway cameras in coaches to prevent and complete arrangements,”
cation to a scrapyard. government zone, nothing has of the problem? 1,040 vehicles, were towed. remain unverified. Authorities Police (GRP) has been such security breaches. said a civic official.
 www.freepressjournal.in mumbai
Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025

CLIPPING WINGS | Marathi Ekikaran Samiti

members gathered at Dadar kabutarkhana; say
‘Flyover razing plan short-sighted and reckless’
action biased as Aug 6 protesters were spared Politicians, locals call it waste of public money; warn of protest if decision is not taken back

Pigeon feeding ban VEER SAVARKAR

FLYOVER
DEMOLITION PLAN
This bridge was
constructed because it

supporters detained Shefali Parab-Pandit

MUMBAI
was genuinely needed,
so what has changed
now? Why isn’t there a

Pics: Vijay Gohil

coordinated approach to
planning projects in
The opposition against the Mumbai
BMC’s controversial proposal BJP leader Ravi Raja
to demolish the Veer Savarkar
flyover has intensified, with Demolishing a fully
local residents and political functional flyover is
parties joining hands to save launched to save the crucial nothing short of
the vital link between the east flyover from being razed. destroying taxpayers’
and west sides of Goregaon. Following the report, hard-earned money. The
The decision to raze a func- Virendra Jadhav, MNS divi- BMC must stop this
tional and crucial infrastruc- sional president from reckless waste of public
ture is nothing but a waste of Goregaon West, along with funds and immediately
taxpayers’ money, they said. party workers recently staged withdraw its decision.”
Meanwhile, a senior civic offi- a protest at the flyover. MNS Virendra Jadhav
FOR BAN cial clarified that the proposal has also put up banners along MNS divisional president
is still under review. S V Road, strongly condemn-
AGAINST BAN The public outrage ing the BMC’s proposal. The If this flyover is
Devashri Bhujbal & stemmed from the fear of a banners question the civic demolished, the only
Avadhut Kharade major traffic crisis if the fly- body's planning and account- remaining exit for
MUMBAI over is dismantled. ability. southbound traffic will
Maharashtra Navnirman Warning of launching be severely
The members of Marathi Sena (MNS) has issued a “large-scale agita- inely needed, so what has remaining exit for south- overburdened. It could
take commuters over an

FPJ
Ekikaran Samiti (MES), who a stern warning, tion,” Jadhav said, changed now? What about the bound traffic will be severely
gathered at Dadar kabutark- threatening an agi- “Demolishing a people’s needs today? Why overburdened. It could take hour just to cross the
hana on Wednesday morning, tation if the civic fully functional fly- isn’t there a coordinated commuters over an hour just junction
seeking enforcement of the ban body proceeds with over is nothing approach to planning projects to cross the junction. Until the Amol Mayekar, a resident
on pigeon feeding, were the “short-sighted Campaign short of destroying in Mumbai, especially con- Versova-Dahisar Link Road
detained by the police. The and reckless decision”. taxpayers’ hard- sidering the disruption they becomes operational, the
police had earlier denied per- testers, alleged to be Jains, trolled feeding move. Meanwhile, leaders from earned money. The BMC may cause to the public?” Raja coming years will be a traffic 2018 after a decade-long cam-
mission for the protest. gathered in large numbers and Chetan Kamble, a civic the BJP and the Republican must stop this reckless waste vowed to raise the issue with mess for the entire area.” paign, the flyover reduced
Around 15 to 20 members fed the pigeons at the same activist from Dadar said, “The Party of India (RPI) have of public funds, explore viable the civic chief. In a similar The Veer Savarkar flyover, commute times from over 45
were detained as soon as they spot last week. MES leader high court's Wednesday order urged the BMC to reconsider alternatives and immediately vein, RPI's Harish Yadav said, locally known as the MTNL minutes to under 10 minutes
started the demonstrations, Pramod Parte, who was among is clear – public health comes the proposal and find alter- withdraw its decision.” “This decision will not be tol- flyover, is situated in Goregaon for travellers between the
taken to the Dadar police sta- the detainees, said, “The police first. Yet it’s outrageous that natives. Former opposition leader erated. I will soon be dispatch- West. It stretches from near WEH, Goregaon and Malad.
tion and released by afternoon. action has exposed the double citizens upholding the court’s On August 5 and 6, FPJ had in the BMC and BJP leader ing a formal letter condemn- the Radisson Hotel along the The demolition is needed to
Around 11.30am, more than 150 standards of home minister directives are being detained, highlighted how the demoli- Ravi Raja questioned the ing the BMC’s move.” Western Express Highway make way for phase 2 of the
people, mostly locals, Devendra Fadnavis. Why was- while those openly defying tion would severely impact rationale behind the demoli- Amol Mayekar, a resident of (WEH) to the Rustomjee Coastal Road project, which
also reached the kabutarkhana n't notice served to the Jain them face no action. No one is the locals. tion. “This bridge was con- Goregaon, warned, “If this fly- Ozone residential complex. will connect Versova to
to extend support to the closure community members?” above the law.” A campaign has also been structed because it was genu- over is demolished, the only Built at a cost of Rs27 crore in Dahisar, said the BMC.
of the iconic pigeon feeding Opposing the BMC's plan of
spot. controlled feeding, Parte said,
The assertive action is in “The human health is para- Special Committee
stark contrast to the police's mount. The locals are totally
The state government has formed an expert
passive stance during the against the civic body's deci-
committee to conduct a scientific study on pigeon
August 6 protest at the same sion. You cannot tell the birds to feeding at public places and its effects on public
location, where officers were come at a particular time to eat. health. The committee includes the director of the
seen merely observing from We will ensure no feeding is department of public health as its chairman. The
the sidelines. The sudden shift allowed.” others are BMC’s executive health officer, director of
in approach has drawn criti- Snehal Visaria, the petitioner town planning department, director of Bombay
cism, raising serious questions against the BMC, said, “On Natural History Society, an AIIMS professor, an
on the manner in which the Monday, we had submitted 12 officer nominated by State Animal Welfare Board,
authorities have handled the letters to the BMC to allow con- pulmonologists Dr Sujit Ranjan and Dr Amita U
demonstrations. trolled feeding. We were told it Athavale, the professor of immunology nominated by
The MES members will take a minimum of five Government Medical College, a professor of
slammed the “double stan- days for our letters to reach veterinary science nominated by Government
dards” of the government and ward offices. Speaking with the Veterinary College and a microbiologist nominated
questioned the absence of FPJ earlier, BJP MLA Parag by JJ Hospital dean.
police actions when the pro- Shah had welcomed the con-

HC convinces slum
dwellers to clear path NOTICE INVITING TENDER
(TRO: BSD: ARCH: 2025-26: NIT: 01)

of Worli-Sewri link Central Bank of India, Regional Office Thane invites offer (through
online mode only) under two bid system (Technical & Financial) from
reputed and experienced contractors for the below works at Bank's
Urvi Mahajani Premises, at B/O Bhiwandi – Shop No. 9,10 & 19 at Shatrunjay
MUMBAI The SRA had approved Height, Agra Road, Opp Shankar Dyeing, Kamat Ghar Bhiwandi –
the slum rehabilitation 421305.
The Bombay High Court has plan in 2004, but the NATURE OF Work NIT 01 Interior and Allied works
cleared the way for the Worli- project has been stalled Availability of Tender Electrical ,Low Side AC and Allied
Sewri elevated corridor pro- for over a decade, Document & further Works
leaving many families updating/Clarification etc 14-08-2025 on E-Tendering Portal, i.e.
ject, directing three slum if any, https://centralbank.abcprocure.com
dwellers to vacate their struc-
without permanent
homes. The petitioners Last Date and time for 04-09-2025. up to 15:00 hrs
tures, which were blocking submission of tender
claimed that the delay in
the construction site. Further information regarding this NIT like clarification/ corrigendum/
the rehabilitation had
The deadlock was resolved amendments/Addendum. Time extension etc. Shall be updated on the
caused them significant
after the Slum Rehabilitation above portal only. Bidders are requested to visit the website regularly
hardship. to keep themselves updated.
Authority (SRA) offered to pay
the trio Rs25,000 per month Regional Head
Thane Regional Office
as advance rent for one year if for the dwellers to vacate. If
they agreed to vacate. They they do not comply, author-
accepted the offer, agreeing to
leave their homes within 10
ities are allowed to take
further action, including
SHREE
HREE MAHALAKSHMI
HMI MANDIR
NDIR
days of receiving the payment.
The dispute focused on three
demolition.
Regarding the delay in pro-
TRUST,
TR , MUMB
MBAI
slum dwellers – Sharda Suhas viding homes promised for Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai- 400026.
Page, Hemchand Gangaram rehabilitation, the court said,
Gupta and Kalpana Bhagwan “It is unacceptable that a On the ocassion of Shravan month "SHREE
Mhatre – whose homes were developer has not completed RIGVED SAMHITA PARAYAN'' will be organised
obstructing the construction the project in over 20 years.” from 14.08.2025 till 18.08.2025 between 8.00 am
of the elevated corridor. It also took a serious note of to 12.30 pm at SHREE MAHALAKSHMI
While four other dwellers had the failure on the developer's MANDIR, MUMBAI.
accepted compensation and part to pay rent to slum
vacated, these three had dwellers for up to 12 years. National award winner Shri V. M. Murwane
refused to leave, despite The court also instructed Guruji (Wayangani) and his colleagues are
notices being issued in 2022. the SRA to resolve the peti- available for this Parayan. This Parayan is
A bench of Justices Girish tioner’s application under the organised by SHREE MAHALAKSHMI MANDIR
Kulkarni and Arif Doctor was Slums Act within 15 days. The TRUST for Universal Peace and Welfare of
hearing a petition by the ruling emphasised the urgent
devotees and to fill everyone's life with
Mahakali Nagar Rahivasi SRA need for the rehabilitation
Sahakari Gruhnirman project to be completed and
happiness, peace, knowledge and health.
Sanastha, representing slum the rights of the slum All devotees are requested to take benefit of
dwellers who were seeking dwellers to be properly spirtual listening and darshan during aforesaid
protection from eviction until addressed. If it's true that
the rehabilitation project was the slum dwellers are not
period and time on behalf of trust.
completed. paid rent for 12 years, then SHREE MAHALAKSHMI MANDIR TRUST,
The court has ordered the certainly this is a serious MUMBAI
SRA to deposit the advance ground that the SRA needs to
rent into their accounts, while take over the project, the MANAGER
setting the August 22 deadline court added.
 mumbai
Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025
www.freepressjournal.in

HC concerned over prosecutors’ freedom

Urvi Mahajani student at BYL Nair Hospital, The court emphasised the process began in December
MUMBAI allegedly died by suicide on Remark was made critical role of the prosecutor 2024 and was communicated
May 22, 2019, after suffering during hearing in in adding accused individuals in March. He noted that the
The Bombay High Court on severe caste-based harass- Payal Tadvi’s to the case for fair administra- application to add Ling as an
Wednesday expressed con- ment and ragging by three tion of justice. accused was filed in February
cerns over the independence senior doctors – Bhakti
alleged suicide The state’s decision to and the order passed in
of prosecutors working under Mehare, Ankita Khandelwal, case remove Gharat followed the March.
a “hanging sword,” referring and Hema Ahuja. Gharat had trial court’s move to add Dr. Yi At the last hearing, the
to the state’s decision to handled the case from the inform it by August 13 Ching Ling, the former head court asked additional public
remove advocate Pradeep beginning, but his removal by whether Gharat would be of the gynaecology depart- prosecutor S Gavande to
Gharat as Special Public the state government in willing to resume his role as ment at BYL Nair Hospital, as inquire with Gharat about his
Prosecutor (SPP) in the high- February sparked contro- SPP. an accused. willingness to return as SPP.
profile Dr Payal Tadvi case. versy. On Wednesday, the court This addition came after Gavande informed the bench
A bench of Justices Abeda Tadvi, Payal’s questioned whether the state’s Gharat filed an application to that Gharat had expressed
Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam mother, challenged the deci- actions undermined the pros- do so. The timing raised readiness to return if per-
Ankhad noted that it would sion in the HC, calling the ecutor’s independence. “How doubts, with the bench asking, mitted by the court.
examine whether prosecutors removal of Gharat “arbitrary far can prosecutors work “Is it a coincidence that the When the court indicated it
could function effectively and illegal,” arguing that it under a hanging sword?” the HOD was added as an would reinstate Gharat,
under such circumstances, could delay the trial and jeop- bench asked, expressing con- accused, and he was then Venegaonkar requested time
questioning the potential
impact on trial proceedings.
ardise crucial evidence. On
August 11, the court directed
cern about the chilling effect
such decisions could have on
removed?”
Public prosecutor Hiten
to consult the government.
The HC has kept the matter
Festive fervour
Payal Tadvi, a postgraduate the state government to the prosecution’s autonomy. Venegaonkar clarified that the for hearing on August 26. An artist giving final touches to an idol ahead of the Ganpati festival
– Salman Ansari

BANKING SCAM | The scale of ₹476-cr fraud

Briefs points to a possible money laundering racket
EOW probe in
IndusInd Bank
Ganpati fest: Pothole fines for
irregularities mandals waived, Op Sindoor
2 workers die in
factory mishap
Palghar: Two workers died
Court denies bail Poonam Apraj
MUMBAI
tableaux dedicated to soldiers
after a large glass sheet fell on
them on Tuesday evening.
According to the Naigaon
police, the incident occurred
in fraud case, hints Mumbai Police’s Economic
Offences Wing (EOW) has
initiated a preliminary
Kalpesh Mhamunkar &
Devashri Bhujbal
MUMBAI
tinue this year.
The CM also emphasised
the need to expand the
hole to discourage mandals
from digging holes on the
roads to erect their pandals.
around 6.30 pm at a glass
manufacturing company,
Rajaji Glass Pvt Ltd, in Vasai.
The victims, Kashish
at use of shell A/Cs inquiry (PE) into alleged
irregularities worth Rs2,000
crore at IndusInd Bank.
According to officials, the
The Maharashtra government
will use this year’s Ganesh fes-
tival to promote the country’s
number of artificial ponds for
idol immersion and increase
the availability of boats for
immersing tall idols in deep-
The
Sarvajanik
Brihanmumbai
Ganeshotsav
Samanvay Samiti’s President
Naresh Dahibhawkar said,
Samarbahadur Yadav, 18, and Pranali Lotlikar AT A GLANCE nating had been recovered bank officials had sent a letter achievements in Operation sea areas. He indicated that “The CM has promised to con-
Akram Akhtar Ali Khan, 27, THANE from him, and there was no to the police requesting an Sindoor and the importance the government would take sider completely waiving the
were moving a stack of glass Identity theft evidence he had forged docu- investigation into allegations of using indigenous products. positive steps, within court- fines. Almost 60% of the man-
sheets when one measuring The Thane Sessions Court has Patwa and co-accused ments or promised the com- of irregularities against some As reported by the FPJ ear- mandated limits, to extend dals do not dig the road as
approximately 7 feet by 10 rejected the bail plea of Rahul obtained a plainant a job. of its former Key Managerial lier, the government has the number of days loud- their pandals are not big.
feet and 5 mm thick slipped Patwa, arrested in connection
complainant's ID The prosecution, however, Persons (KMPs). The EOW declared Ganeshotsav as a speakers can be used during Whoever does it, they fill the
and fell on them. The shards with an alleged Rs476-crore alleged that Patwa conspired will now examine the claims, state festival. the festival. holes immediately after the
Shell account
of glass pierced their bodies. fraud, observing that the scale A bank account was with others to obtain the com- gather documents, and rec- Fadnavis suggested that Meanwhile, the CM waived festival ends.”
Both sustained severe injuries of the offence points to a poss- opened in the plainant’s identity documents, ord statements before decid- tableaux based on Operation the penalty of Rs2,000 per The Samiti on Wednesday
and heavy blood loss. They ible money laundering racket. complainant’s name, open a bank account in his ing whether a formal FIR Sindoor be dedicated to sol- pothole imposed by the BMC also requested the CM to
were rushed to Neelkanth Additional Sessions Judge but with Patwa's name, and register Patwa’s needs to be registered. diers and assured that all con- on Ganpati mandals. This year waive the Rs1.25 lakh per day
Hospital, where doctors D.R. Deshpande, in a strongly mobile number own mobile number with the Sources said that the cessions given to festival com- for the first time, the BMC had fine on fire engines deployed
declared them dead on arri- worded order, noted that the account. It was further alleged inquiry will focus on the mittees last year would con- hiked the fine to Rs15,000 per near Lalbaugcha Raja.
val. funds may have been routed Massive transactions that Patwa falsely claimed to nature and extent of the
through a shell bank account, The account was used have a shop at Kalbadevi alleged irregularities, the
warranting the potential to carry out Road, Mumbai, a claim found period during which they
Funds for organ
transplant
application of provisions
under the Prevention of
Money Laundering Act
transactions of over
₹476 crore
to be untrue during investiga-
tion.
According to the prosecu-
occurred, and whether they
caused any financial loss to
the bank or its customers.
Special trains, pothole filling for
Mumbai: The Maharashtra
government plans to increase
(PMLA).
“There is an element of
PMLA
The court noted that
provisions of the
tion, Patwa and his co-
accused misused the bank
According to officials, the
matter came to light after the festival travel to Konkan region
the budget for organ trans- money laundering in the account opened under the bank flagged suspected FPJ News Service Ganeshotsav, beginning on vice, the trains will offer free
plants under the Mahatma matter as an unaccounted Prevention of Money pretext of offering the com- accounting discrepancies and MUMBAI August 27, draws lakhs of travel, meals, and water to
Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya amount seems to have been Laundering Act could plainant a job to carry out wrote to the police, reques- devotees and natives back to devotees. The special trains
Yojana, Health Minister transferred via a shell bank apply massive financial transactions ting an investigation into the To ease the annual festive rush the Konkan region each year, will operate on August 23-24,
Prakash Abitkar announced. account, so the provisions of amounting to Rs476.16 crore role of some of its former on the Mumbai-Goa Highway causing heavy congestion on departing from Dadar railway
The promise was made on the PMLA may also come into Patwa, arrested in 2024, through multiple banks. KMPs. The EOW will now during Ganeshotsav, Deputy the busy highway. Pawar station at 11am. On August 23,
World Organ Donation Day picture. Considering the claimed innocence in his bail Investigators said the transac- scrutinise financial records, Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has emphasised that timely road the train will stop at Ratnagiri
at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital nature and gravity of the plea, stating he was a free- tions and KYC details point to internal audit reports, and approved Rs21.90 crore to maintenance was crucial for and Kudal, with its final desti-
for Children, where donor offence and the likelihood of lance agent assisting with a larger racket involving other evidence. Sources said complete the bypass works lakhs of travellers visiting the nation at Sawantwadi.
families were honoured. The tampering with prosecution banking and stock-related money laundering through the alleged irregularities between Kolad and Mangaon. Konkan region for the festival. On August 24, the train will
hospital also revealed a new evidence, the applicant does paperwork and had been shell accounts. The charge involve complex accounting He also announced the cre- Meanwhile, port and fisher- halt at Vaibhavwadi and
milestone: it has secured a not deserve to be released on falsely implicated. His defence sheet in the case has already entries, and investigators are ation of a dedicated helpline ies minister Nitesh Rane Kankavali, also terminating at
license for paediatric heart bail,” the court observed. argued that nothing incrimi- been filed. trying to establish whether for pothole complaints, with a announced the launch of two Sawantwadi. Both trains will
transplants and will soon these were deliberate directive that every reported special Ganpati Modi Express depart from platform 14.
seek licenses for pancreas, Story In Picture manipulations, systemic fail- pothole must be filled within trains to Konkan. Marking the Ticket distribution for these
intestine, and lung trans- ures, or compliance breaches. 24 hours. 13th year of this popular ser- trains will begin on Monday.
plants. This makes it one of
the few centers in the country
offering multiple paediatric
Consumer
transplants.
How to protect yourself from panel issues
Man injured in
axe assault
being a Digital Arrest victim notice to Uber
Pranali Lotlikar
Palghar: A 35-year-old man Deeksha Pandey these scams, out of fear, agree to be aware and vigilant at all MUMBAI
was seriously injured in a MUMBAI to be placed under digital times especially when a
broad daylight axe attack in arrest. Scammers use fear and scammer contacts you. The The State Consumer Disputes
the Kamala Park housing col- In 2024, India faced significant intimidation to ensnare first and most important thing Redressal Commission
ony on Wednesday. The vic- losses from ‘Digital Arrest’ people, creating a sense of is that you should never pick (SCDRC) has issued a notice
tim, Baboolal Fulchand Yadav, scams, with Rs1,777 crore lost panic and urgency, making up a call that is displayed as to Uber, demanding a formal
was struck in the face around in the first four months itself. victims believe they have very scam/fraud on Truecaller or response to a woman's
4 pm at a busy neighbour-
hood square. According to
Airport customs seizes 70 exotic The situation is no different in
2025.
little time to protect them-
selves.
from an international number.
If you land yourself in one
appeal after she was alleg-
edly left stranded with her
police, the 27-year-old
attacker attempted to flee but
animals smuggled from Bangkok So, what is ‘Digital Arrest’?
The term refers to the state of
These scammers are really
smart. First, they isolate the
such situation, you should stay
calm and think. Scammers
sick pet dog in November
2020. The decision to admit
was caught by local residents.
The mob tied him to a tree
and thrashed him before
M umbai customs officials have seized
nearly 70 exotic animals, including
endangered species, smuggled from Bangkok
In a second case on August 11, another pas-
senger arriving from Bangkok was arrested
after customs discovered several live animals,
being restricted, suppressed,
or incapacitated within the
digital realm. It is a new type
victim by prohibiting them rely on fear to make you act
without thinking. Alert the
Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 so
the appeal signals a potential
legal challenge to ride-hailing
companies’ contentious pet
police arrived and took him in two separate incidents over the past week. including Meerkats, a Blue-Tongued Skink, of cybercrime. In today’s digi- that your bank account can be policies.
into custody. Yadav has been Two people have been arrested in connection Iguanas, and various Tarantulas, hidden in tal world, scammers and frozen before the criminals Reema Chawla's original
hospitalised with severe with the cases. their luggage. criminals are finding new withdraw money from it. complaint, which sought
injuries. The motive for the On August 8, customs officials at Customs officials, with the help of NGOs, ways to trick people. In a Take a moment to breathe compensation and more pet-
assault is under investigation, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International are working to secure and deport the animals Digital Arrest, someone pre- and assess the situation. Real friendly services, was dis-
and a formal case is being Airport (CSMI) intercepted a passenger and back to their country of origin. The depart- tends to be a police or some police officers or government missed by a lower court that
registered, police said. The found two Kinkajous, two Pygmy Marmosets, ment is also investigating who was meant to other government official, officials will never threaten found no binding agreement
identity of the suspect has not and 50 Albino Red-Eared Sliders concealed in receive the smuggled animals in Mumbai, as often on a video call, to intimi- you over a video call or ask for or legal provision to support
been officially confirmed. a bag. These species are protected under the such exotic wildlife can fetch high prices on date and control you. They from calling or speaking to money to avoid arrest. her claim. However, the
Convention on International Trade in the black market. might claim you’ve done anyone, warning that doing so Next, verify their claims and SCDRC has now sided with
Endangered Species (CITES). --Somendra Sharma something illegal like smug- could result in severe legal ask them questions regarding her, stating she has a "prima
Govandi man gling drugs through a courier
and demand money, personal
consequences. Then these
scammers use their manipula-
their identity/authority. You
should never share your per-
facie" case.
Chawla’s appeal argues that
assaults doctor Lady doctor killed, colleague information, or other actions tion skills to make the victim sonal information or make any the district commission
Mumbai: Govandi police to “fix the problem.” their puppet. They demand payments. If you are in this ignored the Transportation of
have booked a 27-year-old Scammers have been huge transactions or ask for situation and they are pressur- Animals Rules, 1978, which
man for allegedly assaulting a
doctor at Shatabdi Hospital.
injured in tail-end collision known to set up a fake police
station background and wear
their bank details. This can be
very frightening, especially
izing you, you should cut the
call and go and report it to
she believes allow pets to be
transported for necessary
The incident occurred on Raina Assainar from Beed district and a stu- undercarriage of the truck. police uniform to fool people. when the scammer already your nearest police station. purposes like medical care.
August 9 after a dispute over NAVI MUMBAI dent with Sassoon Hospital The impact caused severe They threaten the person with knows some of your personal Remaining calm and showing Her counsel also pointed to
a patient’s admission. was driving the car at the time head injuries to Dr. Aher, two options: either surrender information and uses fake uni- a bit of courage in such situ- procedural lapses by Uber,
According to the complaint A 32-year-old lady doctor died of the accident. resulting in her death on the and be placed under digital forms, backgrounds and offi- ations is very essential. By including its failure to submit
by Dr. Sandip Kedar, the while another 30-year-old According to police, the spot due to excessive bleed- arrest immediately or face cial looking documents. staying vigilant and cautious, a timely written defense.
accused, Virendra Bodre, doctor received serious incident took place around ing. Dr. Bade sustained serious legal complications How can you protect your- you can reduce your chances Furthermore, the appeal
brought his mother to the injuries after their WagonR 5.30 pm on Tuesday when a multiple serious injuries and and charges. self against Digital Arrest? The of falling victim to these digital cites a crucial argument: the
emergency department. car collided with a container container truck, driven by was rushed to hospital. In most cases, victims of answer is, first and foremost, arrest scams. Supreme Court’s recognition
After Dr. Kedar examined her truck on the Mumbai-Goa Rahul Ramchandra Yadav, 24, Goregaon Police Station in- of animals’ right to life under
and determined hospitalisa- National Highway near was heading from Mahad charge API Vijay Surve and Article 21 of the Constitution.
tion was not necessary, Bodre Lakhpale in Raigad district on towards Mumbai. “Despite his team arrived at the scene Chawla contends that the
became verbally abusive.
When staff tried to intervene,
Tuesday evening.
The deceased has been
the uphill terrain, the driver
allegedly drove the vehicle in
immediately after receiving
the alert, with local residents
Child run over by car outside his bldg, critical incident violated not only her
rights but also those of her
Bodre allegedly grabbed a identified as Dr. Priyanka a zigzag manner, shifting helping to move the victims to Kanjurmarg: A three-year- child was playing outside his from under the vehicle. Om dog, while stressing the seri-
blood pressure machine and Bhaskar Aher, a native of Beed lanes,” said police sub inspec- the hospital. old boy, Om Kanojia, is in building. The driver, Milind was immediately taken to a ous safety risks she faced
hit the doctor on the head, and working as tutor in the tor Sopan Raskar. A case has been registered critical condition after being Komnak, a resident of the local hospital before being being stranded alone late at
causing injuries. The police Anatomy department of As the truck approached under sections 106, 281, 125(a), run over by a car in MMRDA same colony, allegedly struck transferred to the ICU at Sion night.
were called and took Bodre Symbiosis Medical College for the Nirmal HP petrol pump at 125(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Colony on August 11. The inci- the boy with his Hyundai Hospital. The driver has been The SCDRC has now offi-
into custody. An FIR has been Women in Pune. The injured, Lakhpale, the doctors’ Sanhita and section 184 of the dent, which was captured on Santro. Local residents rushed booked under relevant sec- cially started proceedings,
filed in the incident. Dr. Vishal Ramesh Bade, also WagonR crashed into the rear Motor Vehicles Act. CCTV, occurred while the to help and freed the child tions of the BNS. seeking Uber's reply.
 www.freepressjournal.in mumbai
Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025

Run at your own pace, in own time with LOLT Cyber scam busted right outside police stn
FPJ News Service is the media partner. Bandstand, Bandra. The run Poonam Apraj arrested in the operation, shifted to Mumbai 18 months verification protocols while
MUMBAI The marathon will be held Global initiative will be flagged off at 7am by MUMBAI which police say is linked to ago and set up operations tar- opening these accounts.
worldwide on August 15, 16, aimed at promoting Priya Dutt. syndicates operating from geting people in slums. The modus operandi
Light of Life Trust (LOLT) has and 17, enabling participants The event will unite fitness In a major crackdown on Thailand, China, Dubai, In the raid at an office right involved luring slum residents
announced the International across the globe to run at their
fitness while raising enthusiasts, philanthropists cybercrime, the Mumbai Cambodia, and Malaysia. outside Kandivli (East) police with quick cash for opening
Virtual Marathon for 2025. It own time, pace, and location funds to support and community members in a Crime Branch’s Unit 2 has The arrested accused have station, the crime branch bank accounts using their
is a global initiative aimed at in support of LOLT’s mission edu of rural kids; collective effort to create last- busted a gang involved in been identified as Vaibhav seized 50 bank passbooks, PAN and Aadhaar details. In
promoting fitness while to empower rural commu- media partner FPJ ing change in the lives of rural renting and selling bank Patil, Sunil Paswan, Aman ATM cards, swiping one case, a daily wager from
raising funds to support the nities through education, children. Registrations for accounts and SIM cards to Gautam (the mastermind machines, two laptops, and Dahisar was paid Rs10,000 to
education of rural children, healthcare, and sustainable special physical run will be both the virtual and physical operators of illegal online from UP), his wife Khusboo dozens of SIM cards. Police open an account, which was
under the theme ‘I Run, They livelihoods. organised on Sunday, August runs are open at gaming scams. Five suspects, Sundarjulia, and Ritesh are now probing whether linked to the gang’s mobile
Learn’. The Free Press Journal As part of this initiative, a 17 at Taj Lands End, near https://cyruns.in/lolt including a woman, have been Bandekar. Police said Aman bank officials neglected KYC number for OTP verification.

10 yrs on, Shiv Sena

leader acquitted in
`26 cr fraud case
Charul Shah Joshi M/s Kapurba & Co The firm
MUMBAI owned plots in in Panch
Pakhadi and Majiwada in
After a decade, the Thane, which the members
Metropolitan Magistrate wanted to sell and Phatak sug-
court, Girgaon, on gested Saraogi to purchase
Wednesday, acquitted Shiv them.
Sena leader and MLC from Saraogi claimed that from
Thane, Ravindra Phatak, and time-to-time Phatak made
eight others, including his him pay Rs13 crore to
wife, in a case filed against Kapurba & Co and Rs15 crore
them with MRA Marg police towards removal of encroach-
station in 2015, for allegedly ment from the plot. Later, at
cheating a businessman to the the time of signing the sales
tune of Rs26 crore. agreement, Saraogi alleged
Phatak’s lawyer Prerak that Phatak signed it on behalf
Choudhary said that the of the firm and Saraogi
matter was a civil dispute but claimed it was not as per the
was given a criminal colour. draft shown to him.
He claimed the parties had However, it is alleged that
also signed a consent term even after several negoti-
four years after the registra- ations, a case was lodged for
tion of the case in 2019, and causing loss of Rs26 crore.
yet the case went on for years. Four years later, there was a
As per the businessman, settlement between both the
Premprakash Saraogi, who is parties, the agreement of
involved in minerals exca- which was also added with
vated in Sateli, Sawantwadi, the chargesheet. Phatak’s law-
he came in contact with yer Choudhary said that after
Phatak to sort out disputes the chargesheet was filed, the
with locals. In December defence moved a discharge
2008, Phatak was appointed plea but it was kept pending.
as his firm’s consultant. Finally, they decided to with-
It is claimed that in 2011, draw it and go with trial.
Phatak advised Saraogi to Choudhary said, during the
invest in real estate. They trial complainant could not
formed a firm namely M/s turn up and prosecution only
Blue Star Metal Solutions Pvt could examine three probe
Ltd wherein, Saraogi had 50% officers. As there was no evi-
stake. It is alleged that Phatak dence and a settlement was
and his wife introduced done, Choudhary said the
Saraogi with members of the court acquitted all the
Punamiya family, partners of accused.

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 www.freepressjournal.in mumbai
Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025

State to commemorate Partition Horrors Day `200CR DRUG HAUL | Probe reveals that Navin Chichkar got a
Republic of Vanuatu passport; dealt with US-based suppliers
Ravikiran Deshmukh People who have suffered the
MUMBAI

The BJP-led Mahayuti govern-

Mangal Prabhat Lodha to head committee
to celebrate 150 years of Vande Mataram
partition ordeal should also
be invited, the state circular
states.
‘Kingpin’ tried to invest
proceeds in assets abroad
ment will commemorate the department of skills, malls, educational institutes, Significantly, the circular
Partition Horrors employment and innovation, petrol pumps, skill develop- directs the government
Remembrance Day across the led by the BJP minister ment centres and vocational machinery to take pre-
state today (August 14). Mangal Prabhat Lodha, will training institutes, to name a cautions so that the feelings of ing concerns
alleged genocide
over
occurring
no
are you giving regarding the
inflammatory speeches?”
g
for ensuring that
the protest not g
ch
fo
d
including the allege
in Gaza. o

Divisional Commissioners celebrate 150 years of Vande few. The administration sections/groups in society are Somendra Sharma ted eight perso
ns in the case, sia in May
s

Chichkar met Wyatt in 2019 in

Statement of
h
| The NCB arres ted from Malay g
CARTEL TIES kar, who was depor

s in `200 crore
Gurunath Chich
kingpin, Navin
and District Collectors have Mataram. Lodha will head a 7- should make efforts for the not hurt. The cautionary & Ashish Singh Pak link emerge obed by NCB another accused Goa, where they discussed
been asked to host various member committee for this. participation of maximum advice appears twice in the MUMBAI ug haul case pr supplying ganja to India. He
dr & gummies, he claimed,
were
urgently arrange

Mumbai. Chichkar
hydroponic he

said
in
ganja for customers he to the customer.
asked Gopakuma
and handover the

Chichkar has stated

r to pack
contraband

that he Prabhat Pandey, another

Somendra Sharma a Bangkok-

events to “create awareness As per a circular, the com- people besides hosting pro- two-page circular. The event is
ased

claimed to have paid Wyatt in

e sourced from contacted his Thailand-b a customer in Australia
l Ashish Singh based grower. a carrier, had
supplier, who sent to whom he had
sent cocaine

arrested accused, allegedly

Hussein
- MUMBAI Investigators said to New
times through cour-
Chichkar to identified as Danny,
h hydroponic multiple 2024, he had
crore Navi introducedd Ali Qutubuddin Delhi with 40kg ier. In December
e In the Rs200 said. r and Mane
haul earlier Mohamme rn US-based ganja, an NCB official said asked Gopakuma of cocaine
Mumbai drugs Ali, a Pakistan-bo

about the poignant memories memoration of the remem- grammes where freedom about the tragedy of partition In an investigative trail that advance via cryptocurrency
y sources
this year, the Narcotics in the cocaine trade. Agency
arrested to conceal 200gm
s- (NCB) has player Chichkar asked for that
questioning, in a courier parcel
f-
e,
ay
Control Bureau
unearthed alleged

son and a Tanzanian

links of a During
per-
Pakistan-born, US-based traf-
Chichkar revealed
Hussein had visited
2014, 2016, 2018,
that
India in
2022 and
IN BRIEF
accused
Gopakumar and
Jayakrishna
Makarand customer. Chichkar, drugs
to As per
Mane alias Harshad to were being handed over
by told the NCB that he first
1
ec- carriers and
arrange local

and sufferings of people dur- brance should be organised in fighters, eminent senior and the woes of people, hence spans across Nepal, the UAE, for three consignments. In
ficker. first meeting took In his statement, from New Gopakumar, Mane
m’s by the 2023. Their move 40kg ganja Pandey to
Chichkar named Prabhat Kishor
The February haul

came into contact with

a cannabis
is- unit had place in 2023 at in Nazir Hussein, Delhi to Mumbai for Rs2 lakh. other receivers, some
NCB’s Mumbai zonal exhibition Kasim
US was found, various o
ded of 11.54kg growers’ where Chichkar a Tanzanian holding his When no carrier whom were contacts
. In led to the recovery $2,500 in of
4.9kg Thailand,
build nar-
a and UK passports
, as he agreed to pay as well. Chichka
high-grade cocaine, shared his plan to Thailand- Hussein one Uda
op- 200 in supplier for cocaine Thai Baht to the also stated that

ing Partition”. banks, post offices, railway citizens and public represen- it should not hurt the feelings the UK and Thailand, the 2020, he allegedly tied up with
hydroponic ganja, supply network
d to The supplier was engaged wit
of cannabis cotics approached consignments based supplier.

Chichkar in 2019 while

packets (5.5kg) He to Mumbai. Gavande
pert lakh in India. then sent Danny drug mone
him to collect

2
tate gummies, and Rs1.6 Hussein to source
high-grade
Hussein introduce
d
ry 23 this year, i
d i ht J l i i to hawala

In another development, stations, airports, shopping tatives are to be invited. of any community, it states. Narcotics Control Bureau consuming drugs. He Taffi, a US-based hydroponic
IN BRIEF
(NCB) has uncovered how claimed that Chichkar ganja trafficker. Proceeds from

1
alleged kingpin Navin Chichkar leased a supplied him cocaine and sales, according to the NCB,
Chichkar, accused in the Rs200 luxury property in ganja on credit before were moved through a TRON-
crore drug haul case, allegedly Phuket for `2 crore; demanding repayment, LINK crypto wallet before
bought a Republic of Vanuatu it was forfeited as he after which he joined drug being handed to Gopakumar,
passport, tried investing crime failed to pay operations. Pandey Mane and co-accused Prabhat
proceeds worth crores in over- installments, says NCB allegedly said he received Pandey, said an NCB official.
seas properties and used drugs from Gopakumar, Chichkar also told officials

2
cryptocurrency to pay interna- It claims he also Mane and Chichkar’s that he was acquainted with a
tional traffickers before fun- dealt with US brother, and once handed couple from Ulwe, who were
nelling drug money through based suppliers; over Rs6 lakh cash to co- sourcing cocaine and ganja.
hawala. switched from hawala accused Uday Gavande on Between September and
Investigation revealed that to USDT crypto for Chichkar’s instructions. October 2024, he instructed
routing crime proceeds The officials said that
after fleeing from India to Gopakumar and Mane to
Pandey knew that

3
Nepal in 2021, Chichkar went approach the duo to identify
Chichkar also tried proceeds from sales were
to the UAE, UK and Thailand. their supplier. However, in
to contact a Navi being routed through
In his statement, he allegedly hawala channels, adding November 2024, the couple
Mumbai couple,
disclosed that he had procured that he admitted was arrested in a separate nar-
who were sourcing
a passport of the Republic of depositing money, totalling cotics case. Chichkar also alleg-
cocaine and ganja,
Vanuatu and explored high- Rs2-3 crore, at least 25-30 edly revealed that as Indian
agency says
value real estate acquisitions in times at a hawala office. telephone numbers needed
the UAE and Thailand. This IDs for activation, he used vir-
included a Rs2 crore lease engaged in the international Jayakrishna Gopakumar, tual numbers of foreign coun-
agreement for a luxury prop- drug trafficking involving Makarand Mane and his own tries for operating through
erty in Phuket province, which ganja from a US-based sup- brother for local supply. various communication chan-
was forfeited after he defaulted plier known only as Wyatt, According to the officials, nels, especially WhatsApp.
on installments. Officials said paying in USDT cryptocur-
several other property negoti- rency and routing consign-
ations in both countries also ments through distributors in
collapsed before completion. Navi Mumbai, said the officials.
Operating under the alias He allegedly relied on school
A patriotic lesson Raven, Chichkar was also friends and close associates
Ahead of Independence Day, the students of Samta School participated in a Tiranga Rally — Salman Ansari

Must for large housing socs to register

for BMC’s spl waste disposal service
Shefali Parab-Pandit special care waste and hand it over to 202 tonnes already collected
MUMBAI the BMC for proper disposal. To
ensure proper waste segregation, the
Following the launch of its dedicated civic body will train residents and Public No琀ce
service for the collection of domestic staff on the types of waste to be separ- Customers of Fedbank Financial Services Limited, Palghar MSE
LAP Branch, situated at O ce No 113/114, First Floor, Dhanani
sanitary and special care waste, the ated. Over the past three months, Complex, Near Panch-Ba Kacheri Road, Tal-Dist Palghar
BMC has now made it mandatory for 2,091 housing societies, 1,146 beauty Maharashtra-401404 are hereby informed that, business of
bulk waste generators (BWG), includ- parlours, 286 educational institutions this branch is going to be merged with Vasai MSE LAP Branch
situated at, First Floor, O ce No. 108,109, Sohan Commercial
ing large residential complexes and and 40 women’s hostels have regis- Plaza Premises Co-Opera琀ve Society Ltd, Survey No. 38, Navghar,
commercial establishments, to reg- tered with BMC for the services. Taluka Vasai, Vasai Road (East),Thane 401210. with e昀ect from
ister for the facility. During the ser- Kiran Dighavkar, deputy municipal 14/08/2025. Customers are therefore requested to visit / connect
with our Vasai MSE Branch with reference to their account w.e.f
vice's trial phase between May and commissioner (solid waste manage-
11/11/2025. Inconvenience caused, if any is regre琀ed. We assure
August 12, the BMC collected 202 ment) said, “All registered entities will you our best services from our new loca琀on as well.
tonnes of such waste from these be provided with specially-designed For and behalf of
BWG. These entities are required to yellow dustbins from August 18 S/d
FEDBANK FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED,
segregate their domestic sanitary and onwards.” MSE LAP Branch – Palghar

Pharma grad
among 5 held
after drug
unit busted
Raina Assainar EXTRACT OF FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
NAVI MUMBAI JUNE 30, 2025
(in ₹ lakhs, except per equity share data)
Five people, including a
pharmacy diploma holder,
Quarter ended Year ended
have been arrested for alleg-
edly operating a drug manu- June 30, March 31, June 30, March 31,
2025 2025 2024 2025
facturing unit in Raigad.
Sachin Jayswar, 31, a D
1 Revenue from operations 202,757 190,974 154,295 702,846
Pharm graduate, is said to be
2 Profit before exceptional items and tax for the period/year 40,043 40,250 32,131 148,000
the mastermind as he was 3 Exceptional item - - - (7,363)
allegedly primarily respon- 4 Profit before tax for the period/year 40,043 40,250 32,131 140,637
sible for manufacturing the 5 Profit after tax for the period/year 30,797 31,900 23,627 107,588
drugs. One accused remains 6 Total comprehensive income for the period/year, net of tax 30,516 31,887 23,452 107,133
absconding, said Raigad 7 Paid-up equity share capital (Face value of ₹ 10 per share) 97,215 97,214 97,191 97,214
Superintendent of Police 8 Reserves (other equity) 840,873
Anchal Dalal. 9 Earnings per share (of ₹ 10 each) Not Not Not Annualised
annualised annualised annualised
Being operated from a
Basic - (₹) 3.17 3.28 2.43 11.07
house in Tadwadi, village Diluted - (₹) 3.15 3.26 2.42 11.01
Patharaj, the unit was busted
after the villagers reported a ( In ` Lakhs)
strong chemical smell and STANDALONE
suspicious activity. Quarter ended Year ended
According to police, the June 30, March 31, June 30, March 31,
accused even tried to give 2025 2025 2024 2025
money to the villagers to
stop them from informing a Revenue from operations 69,402 65,870 62,139 266,360
the authorities. b Profit before exceptional items and tax for the period/year 22,288 22,723 20,316 102,035
Acting on the tip-off, a c Exceptional item - - - (7,363)
raid was conducted on d Profit before tax for the period/year 22,288 22,723 20,316 94,672
August 11 by a team from the e Profit after tax for the period/year 16,603 17,739 15,414 70,107
f Total comprehensive income for the period/year, net of tax 16,466 17,729 15,321 69,956
Neral police station and the
Kalamb outpost. During the II. The above is an extract of the detailed format of financial results for quarter ended June 30, 2025, filed with the
Stock Exchanges under Regulation 33 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements)
action, chemicals, Regulations, 2015. The full format of financial results (Consolidated & Standalone) for the quarter ended June 30,
machinery and raw 2025, are available on the Company's website i.e. www.maxhealthcare.in and also on the Stock Exchanges
materials used to produce websites (www.bseindia.com and www.nseindia.com). The same can be accessed by scanning the QR Code
MD, valued at approx Rs15.16 provided below.
lakh, and phones worth III. The above financial results (Standalone & Consolidated) for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, have been
reviewed by the Audit Committee and approved by the Board of Directors on August 13, 2025. The financial results
Rs1.3 lakh were seized.
for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, have also been reviewed by S.R. Batliboi & Co. LLP, the statutory auditors.
Investigations revealed that The reports of the statutory auditor are unmodified.
Sheikh from Dharavi alleg- IV. Crosslay Remedies Limited ('CRL') (wholly owned subsidiary of the Company) on May 16, 2025, executed a
edly handled the narcotics Sale Deed for acquisition of land parcel admeasuring ~4,000 sq. meter, located adjacent to the current hospital
sale in the city, while the raw premises in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh for a consideration of ₹ 12,000 lakhs. This strategic acquisition paves the
way for the addition of ~150 beds at Max Super Specialty Hospital, Vaishali, over the next 30 months, significantly
materials for the operation
enhancing CRL’s capacity to serve the growing healthcare needs of the region.
were reportedly sourced
V. On August 13, 2025, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the execution of an agreement to lease with
from Thane. Goyal Agrim Infra Realty LLP for the development of a new ~130 bedded hospital in Dehradun.
Apart from Jayswar, those The proposed facility will be located in close proximity to the Company’s existing 220 bedded hospital, which has
arrested include Javed been operational since 2012. The new hospital is expected to be commissioned by 2028 and will primarily focus on
Sheikh, 38, Jafar Mohamad, providing advanced oncology services, including radiation therapy.
39, Amit Kori, 23, Bharat
Jadhav, 36. Laxman Fasal, a
local, is on the run. The
Karjat court has remanded
Place : New Delhi
the accused to police cus- Date : August 13, 2025
tody for seven days.
 pune www.freepressjournal.in
Pune,Thursday, August 14, 2025

TRAFFIC RELIEF OR INDUSTRIAL ROADBLOCK | While

residents welcome the move, industries express apprehension
Metro to run
every 6 mins
PMPML rule irks staff
Extended heavy vehicle from Aug 15
Staff Reporter

ban sparks reactions

Varad Bhatkhande
PUNE

Pune Metro has decided to

operate trains at a six-minute
interval during peak hours
PIMPRI (8am to 11am and 4pm to
8pm) from Aug 15. This Ankit Shukla orities are putting all the “The number of new buses
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Police comes after commuters PUNE burden on us.” and drivers should be
Commissionerate (PCPC) demanded an increase in the Another driver highlighted increased to maintain the
recently announced an frequency of the trains Anger is brewing among Pune that PMPML buses are poorly capacity and manage the
increase in the duration of the due to overcrowding during Mahanagar Parivahan maintained, sometimes using crowd on the bus. Overloaded
ban on heavy vehicles entering peak hours. Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) old spare parts. Another driver buses and potholes lead to
their jurisdiction. However, this "This significant bus drivers and fitters after the deployed at Katraj depot, more breakdowns of PMPML
increased ban, although it may improvement means com- authorities introduced a new exhibiting frustration, said, buses. Instead of solving such
seem appropriate to reduce muters will wait less and rule, which states that half of “The seating and standing issues, authorities are imposing
traffic congestion, is ham- travel faster, with 54 extra their daily wages will be capacity of a bus is approxi- such strict rules. We are not
pering industries' finances. trips daily across both lines. deducted if a bus breaks down, mately 50 only, but we are here to cause any false break-
On Aug 3, Pimpri- The change ensures including a puncture, on the forced to carry over 100 pas- down or be a reason for incon-
Chinchwad Police announced smoother rides, especially road. sengers. Roads and routes are venience to the passengers. We
that the heavy vehicle ban has during the upcoming The PMPML bus drivers in terrible condition, yet we are are always dedicated to drop-
been extended. Previously, the Ganpati festival," Pune Metro have condemned the rule, cal- the ones who have been lined ping them safely. Authorities
ban was in effect from 8am to said in a release. ling it illogical. They argue that up to face punishment when need to understand and with-
11am and 5pm to 9pm. It has "The trials to reduce the drivers should not be con- things go wrong.” draw such a decision. Before
now been extended to 8am to heavy vehicles can be parked minal with such capacity.” headway to six minutes sidered responsible for techni- Speaking to the FPJ, Abhijeet applying such rules, PMPML
noon and 4pm to 10pm. in the MIDC area is required. “If traffic stops, the goods have been on for the last cal failures. Speaking to The Sable, the president of needs to discuss with the
Pimpri-Chinchwad, known The government has assured will not reach on time. It will two months. After fulfilling Free Press Journal (FPJ), the Rashtravadi Maharashtra union," he added.
as the industrial hub of entrepreneurs that it will pro- affect the industry," Batwal all technical requirements, drivers voiced their opposition General Kamgar Union, Meanwhile, Nitin Narvekar,
By extending the ban
Maharashtra, has multiple vide land to build a spacious timing, Pimpri- adds. the headway time to while requesting anonymity. Lokshahi Annabhau Sathe Joint Managing Director of
industrial areas like Talawade, truck terminal on 55 acres of Chinchwad Police have Similarly, Sandeep Belsare, six minutes is now going A 40-year-old driver Depot, said, “Putting such PMPML, told the FPJ, “Rash
Talegaon, Bhosari, Chakan, land near Yelawadi (Maval done a good job. the chairman of the Pimpri- to be implemented," it deployed at Upper Bibwewadi pressure on the drivers, con- and negligent driving is also a
Hinjawadi and Mahalunge. Taluka). However, no action Chinchwad Small Scale added. bus depot told the FPJ, “This is ductors, and fitters is unfair. reason for the breakdowns of
— Shail Matade,
Since heavy vehicles can't has been taken yet. Industries Organisation, said, Speaking on the develop- completely unfair. We are not Driving the buses on the road is the buses on the road. Senior
Resident, Pimpri
enter the city limits during the Currently, there are three "Due to restrictions on heavy ment, Shravan Hardikar, mechanics who can control not easy. Putting such pressure officials have taken this deci-
prohibited hours, the transport truck terminals in the Bhosari If traffic stops, the traffic, it will take time to send Managing Director of Maha every technical fault. If an on drivers is a threat to passen- sion after a thorough investiga-
of these industries is being MIDC area. However, entre- goods will not reach on the material during the day. Metro, said, “The six-minute engine fails or a tyre bursts, ger safety. Rules are mandatory tion. Accordingly, action will be
hampered as their supply preneurs claim they are in bad time. It will affect the While stopping heavy traffic, headway during peak hours how is it our fault? Instead of for every organisation, and taken. And absolutely, the deci-
chains rely on heavy vehicles. condition and not functioning. industry. it is necessary to make is a step towards making fixing the buses and adding action should be taken, but not sion will reduce the number of
In such a situation, entrepre- Residents welcome the arrangements for their park- metro travel faster and more new buses to the fleet, the auth- before an investigation." bus breakdowns.”
— Dilip Batwal,
neurs are accusing the traffic decision ing.” convenient for the people of
CEO, Federation of Chakan
police of disrupting the supply Meanwhile, residents have “Many entrepreneurs, Pune. There is 13% more ser-
Industries
chain by increasing the welcomed the ban. Speaking to freight transport organisa- vice in a day. The service is
restricted traffic time to the The Free Press Journal (FPJ) We will look into the tions, and drivers are not now operated from 490 trips
MIDC. on the issue, Shail Matade, a industrialists' aware of the truck terminal. to 554 trips.”
Also, there are no proper resident of Pimpri, said, "I concerns. Due to this, the available ter- Speaking to the Free Press
parking facilities within travel regularly to Talegaon minal is not used. While start- Journal, K Shantanu, an
Pimpri-Chinchwad, so these Dabhade through the old
—Vivek Patil, ing the terminal, it is necess- engineering student, said, “I
Dy Commissioner of Police
vehicles have to park outside Mumbai-Pune Highway. The ary to provide toilets, food used to travel by bus from
(Traffic), Pimpri-Chinchwad
on the highways or, worse, highway is already narrow. facilities, and security Nigdi to Kothrud, which
within the city. This makes the Heavy vehicles, which move arrangements for the drivers used to take more than 90
service roads of highways and slowly, always disrupt the flow like Pimpri-Chinchwad, but there," he added. minutes due to heavy traffic
city roads narrower, again of traffic. Also, many of them not by risking the lives of com- Police defend stance in peak hours. But as the
increasing traffic. drive recklessly. By extending muters." Defending the decision, metro was introduced, I
Two truck terminals are the ban timing, Pimpri- Industrialists raise con- Pimpri-Chinchwad Deputy immediately switched to it
being built in the Talegaon Chinchwad Police have done a cerns Commissioner of Police because it was very comfort-
MIDC area. The terminal, good job." Speaking to the FPJ on the (Traffic) Vivek Patil told the able and took around 45
being built on an area of 10,000 Echoing similar views, industries’ concerns, Dilip FPJ, "We have increased the minutes.”
square metres, has a capacity of Aryan Devne, a resident of Batwal, CEO of the Federation heavy vehicle ban duration by “However, the rise in foot-
200 trucks. The terminal being Nigdi Pradhikaran, said, "In of Chakan Industries, said, one hour in the morning and fall and overcrowding has
built on an area of 40,000 the peak hours of morning and "Chakan MIDC has a terminal two hours in the evening. It made it cumbersome,” he
square metres at Badhalawadi evening, heavy vehicles are the that can accommodate 50 to has been seen that heavy added.
has a capacity of 350 trucks. sole reason for increased traf- 60 vehicles. There are thou- vehicles contribute to conges- The ridership of Pune
Work on both these terminals fic within the city. Nowadays, I sands of vehicles on the road. tion, though they still have Metro has been rising in
began in 2023 but is not yet have noticed they are parked Due to this, this terminal is windows in the afternoon lakhs per month. From 52.41
complete.
A truck terminal with such a
beside the road too. Well, I
agree that the transportation
becoming inadequate. At least
500 heavy vehicles will be
and at night to travel. We will
look into the industrialists'
lakh in June, it has increased
by over seven lakhs to
Dahi Handi around the corner
large capacity that about 500 of goods is mandatory for a city parked; there must be a ter- concerns." around 59.5 lakh in July. As the Krishna Janmashtami approaches, earthen pots are available on sale for
the Dahi Handi festival at Kumbharwada. – Anand Chaini

Circle expansion Porsche case: Police challenge JJB’s order Police arrest four
for `5cr extortion
down the police's application, The minor driver was

sparks outrage
ANI
PUNE ruling that the offence did not allegedly served alcohol at a
fall under the category of a restaurant and bar despite
The Pune Police have moved "heinous crime". being underage. Staff Reporter Police have arrested Rohan
Indu Bhagat an application in the sessions The incident occurred in Also, the parents of the PUNE Shivaji Gaware (30), a resident
PUNE Demands of court in Pune, challenging the the early hours of May 19, juvenile driver allegedly of Koregaon Park, Sudarshan
the residents Juvenile Justice Board's (JJB) 2024, when a luxury car, bribed the doctors to swap A man, claiming to be the per- Aasman Gayake (27), a resi-
The unauthorised expansion decision to reject their plea to driven by the accused juven- his blood samples with those sonal assistant (PA) of crimi- dent of Chhatrapati
An immediate stay on
of SM Ghule Circle in Pune’s all ongoing work at SM try the 17-year-old accused in ile, collided with a motorcycle of his mother and similarly at nal Arun Gawali, demanded Sambhajinagar, Mahendra
NIBM Annexe area has Ghule Circle. the fatal Porsche car crash as near Kalyani Nagar in Pune. the government-run hospital Rs5 crore as extortion money Ramnath Shelke (42) and
sparked outrage. Residents an adult, said Special Public it is listed, a hearing date will The crash resulted in the in Pune after the incident. from a builder. This led to four Krushna Parmeshwar
are criticising and are calling FIRs against the junior Prosecutor Shishir Hiray on be fixed," he added. untimely deaths of two young On April 22 this year, the arrests made by the Pune Budhkar (26), both residents
for legal action after revel- officials who acted Wednesday. An officer from Pune individuals, identified as Supreme Court granted Police, officials said on of Beed.
ations that junior officials in without authority. Hiray, representing the Police confirmed that after Ashwini Koshta and Aneesh interim bail to the mother of Tuesday. Sumit Chaure claimed that
the Pune Municipal A full administrative state in the case, said the securing the necessary Awadhia, both from Madhya the teenage main accused in The builder had com- he gave Rs8 crore for business
Corporation’s (PMC) Road inquiry into how PMC prosecution argued before approval from the district col- Pradesh. The juvenile driver the Pune Porsche case after plained to the Lashkar Police and decided to get back his
Department executed the leadership was the court that the JJB's deci- lector, the police approached was apprehended but later she was arrested for allegedly Station. The Lashkar Police, money through extortion
project without informing bypassed. sion was flawed. "We have the sessions court to contest given bail by the JJB; the con- tampering with evidence, along with Anti-Extortion using gangster Gawali’s name.
their seniors. filed the application in the the JJB order. dition of the bail created huge whereas the father and doc- Squad 1, carried out the oper- Lashkar Police are investigat-
Citizens are criticising the sessions court on Aug 7. Once Last month, the JJB turned controversy. tors are still in jail. ation. ing the matter further.
action by the junior PMC offi- Dhankikar told the FPJ, “We
cial, calling the action a bla-
tant violation of constitutional
were not informed. We were
not asked. Not a single citizen International Left-Handers’ Day
principles, and are now from the area was taken into
demanding that FIRs be regis-
tered against those respon-
sible.
confidence. What’s worse is
that even senior officials in
PMC and the traffic police
Left-handers’ world evolves with unique challenges
Residents, including appear to have been Bipinchandra Chaugule handers’ or ‘The Indian cern was expressed by most Left-handers were once
Jaymala Dhankikar, Raj Singh, bypassed, which is not just PUNE Lefthanders Club’, working speakers, ranging from Brazil labelled as ‘the world’s largest
Ashok Mehendale, Uday irregular; it’s illegal.” diligently and persistently to to Australia and from the unorganised minority’, now
Kulkarni and Sayali Gosavi, The expanded circle, resi- From “Stupid! Don’t you create awareness about the U.K. to South Africa. The con- the ‘unorganised’ part is
have jointly warned that the dents say, creates visual know, which hand to take the peculiar human phenom- ference was held to com- gradually reducing, but there
unauthorised expansion is not obstructions, narrows critical prasad in?” to “I’ll tie your enon called ‘Handedness’. memorate International Left- is still a long way to go to
only unscientific and traffic- junction points and disrupts left hand to your back, so you Today, everyone knows Handers’ Day, falling on Aug remove the ‘un’ in it and
hostile, but also exposes the the flow of traffic, particularly can only use your right hand” that being either right- 13. The conference covered make it ‘organised’.
complete failure of internal during school and office to “Aree you a lefty? Then handed or left-handed dep- an interesting array of topics, The real equanimity in
governance within PMC. hours. you must be creative!” to ends on the dominant side of ranging from using a pen to human society will only be
The fact that senior civic Kulkarni, another resident, applauding left- our brain or the using a gun to manoeuvring a attained when the balance of
officials were reportedly kept said, “This unapproved struc- handed movie- dominant hemi- spacecraft. It had scientific respect between both hands
in the dark by their junior ture has turned a functional stars and players sphere. towards their child, but sadly, Even today, most gadgets and facts, psychological secrets, is achieved, as depicted in the
staff shows a lack of coordina- junction into a risk zone. It in sports like Furthermore, we that is not so. Even today, at implements are designed for spiritual and yogic insights unique Indian symbol of
tion and zero transparency. endangers lives daily.” cricket and tennis, are well aware that the end of the first quarter of right-hand use, industrial and parental emotions all ‘Namaskar’, where both
"If junior officials are mak- Gosavi, a resident of the the world of left-handers’ life these hemispheres are the 21st century, many par- machine tools are convenient rolled into one unified voice hands have that utopian
ing such critical decisions NIBM area, stressed the experiences has been evol- contralaterally connected to ents are hyper-worried about to operate with the right of all left-handers of the equal status. Every left-
without informing their illegality of the project, saying, ving a great deal. Even our body, controlling the their child’s dominant use of hand, and the story goes on. world. hander and parent of every
superiors, it reflects a collapse “We are looking at criminal though every bit of new opposite sides. Having the left hand for daily tasks. This is not just the case in Even today, left-handers in young left-hander needs to
of both accountability and negligence. If any accident information enlightens us, known these neurological Pre-primary and primary the Indian context. In a most of the other parts of the join in this movement to
constitutional governance,” occurs due to this reckless undoubtedly, the major secrets for decades, most par- teachers are seen telling par- recently organised online world face adversities at make that happen soon.
social worker Singh told The change, the officials respon- credit for this welcome ents and teachers should ents to be more aggressive in international conference by three places: first at home, The author is the president
Free Press Journal (FPJ). sible must face legal conse- change goes to organisations have been more pro-left- changing the child’s hand the Association of Left- then in school, and thirdly at of the Association of Left-
Voicing similar concerns, quences.” like the ‘Association of Left- hand in their approach preference from left to right. handers of India, this con- the workplace. handers, India
 www.freepressjournal.in marathwada
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Thursday, August 14, 2025

Briefs
TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT | Minister assessed the progress of
various tribal development programmes in the region Papalkar assures no removal
Implement schemes from govt Gairan lands
CSN
Kirtan
FPJ News Network
Mahotsav CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR

for tribals: Uike

Ganesh Sabha has organ-
ised Kirtan Mahotsav at Divisional Commissioner
Varad Ganesh Temple, Jitendra Papalkar has assured
Samarthnagar, till Aug 16 that no one will be removed
between 5pm and 7pm. from government Gairan lands,
The Mahotsav will be held following a protest by the Lal
at the Ashtavinayak FPJ News Network Bavta Shet Mazoor Union, affili-
Sabhagruha of the temple. CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR ated to the Bharatiya Shet
Kirtankar Ganesh Maharaj Mazdoor Union, at the
presented kirtan on Tribal Development Minister Divisional Commissionerate on
‘Samarth Ramdas Swami’ Ashok Uike has stressed the Tuesday. days before organising the cancellation of the notification
on Aug 13, Prabhanjan need for effective and transpar- Union’s district president morcha. The protest was in and ownership rights over the
Maharaj on ‘Raka ent implementation of welfare Ram Baheti, during the con- response to a notification occupied land, with their
Kumbhar on Aug 14, Savita schemes for the tribal commu- cluding meeting of the morcha, issued on July 17 by District Col- names included in the 7/12
Mule on Suvarna Tula on nities to ensure that every eli- said a delegation met Papalkar, lector Dilip Swami, stating that extracts of the Gairan lands.
Aug 15 and Suhas Maharaj gible beneficiary receives the who assured that no action all encroachments on Gairan According to the protesters,
Gondikar on Gopal Kala intended benefits. would be taken to remove lands would be removed. no such notification was issued
on Aug 16. Uike was speaking at a occupants from Gairan lands. Encroachment holders have in any other district. They also
review meeting on Wednesday “Hence, no one can touch the been living on these lands for alleged that the order was
CSN at the Divisional encroachment on the Gairan,” several years. The agitators issued under pressure from the
Krishna Commissioner’s office, where
he assessed the progress of vari-
Baheti said. The union had con-
ducted meetings in around 40
argued that removing them
suddenly would render them
guardian minister, a claim they
conveyed to the divisional com-
Janmashtami ous tribal development pro- to 45 villages over the past 10 homeless. They demanded missioner.
ISKCON will organise the grammes in the region. The
Krishna Janmashtami pro- meeting was attended by MP
gramme at ISKCON Sandipan Bhumre, MLAs schemes aimed at the socio- tise providing students in tribal gurated, through an online plat-
Madhuban on Adalat Road
on Aug 16, informed
Ramesh Laddha on
Bhimrao Keram and Sanjana
Jadhav, Divisional Commissi-
oner Jitendra Papalkar, District
economic uplift of tribal com-
munities, including the Prime
Minister Janjatiya Adivasi Nyay
ashram schools with residential
facilities, nutritious food, quality
education, scholarships, and
form, the new buildings of
Government Ashramshalas at
Vadner in Kannad and Surudi.
SCR recovers
₹83k in fines
‘Pharmotsav 2025’
Tuesday. A waterproof Collector Dilip Swami, ZP CEO Mahaabhiyan Yojana and the other essential amenities. “The He also launched the Ranbhaji FPJ News Network National Pharmacy Welfare
Mandap will be erected, Ankit, Additional Dharti Aba Janjatiya Gram development of tribal villages Mahotsav at the divisional com- FPJ News Network PUNE Association (NPWA).
and around 20,000 devo- Commissioner Jitendra Utkarsh Abhiyan. These initiat- through the Dharti Aba Janjati missionerate as part of the NANDED The ceremony saw former
tees are expected to Chaudhary, Project Officer ives focus on improving basic Unnat Gram Abhiyan should be Integrated Tribal Development Suryadatta Education Maharashtra State Pharmacy
attend the programme. Chetana More and others. amenities and services in tribal- accelerated,” he added. During Project. The minister reiterated South Central Railway’s (SCR) Foundation founder-president Council president Vijay Patil
Krishna Bhajan and Kirtan District collectors and ZP CEOs dominated areas. “Such the meeting, Swami and Ankit that the timely completion of Nanded division has recovered Sanjay Chordiya emphasised and Technical Education joint
will start at 5.30pm. from other districts partici- schemes must be implemented presented updates on welfare projects, strict monitoring, and Rs83,000 in fines from 320 pas- the importance of recognising director DV Jadhav present
Guidance stalls, aware- pated via video conferencing. with proper planning to ensure measures undertaken by the coordination between depart- sengers for misusing the alarm student achievements during awards, including the Dr HM
ness stalls, book stalls and The minister noted that both they reach the intended bene- Tribal Department at the village ments were essential to maxi- chain in trains over the past Pharmotsav 2025 at Suryadatta Kadam Memorial Award 2025
a fancy-dress competition the Union and state govern- ficiaries,” Uike said. level. mise the impact of government seven months, officials said. College of Pharmacy, to Popat Jadhav. Over 250 dig-
for children will be held. ments have rolled out several He directed officials to priori- On the same day, Uike inau- welfare schemes in tribal areas. Action was taken in 103 Healthcare and Research. nitaries attended the
cases of alarm chain pulling "Awards instil confidence, Bansiratna Auditorium event,
(ACP) in seven months up to responsibility and service where tributes were paid to
July 2025. Officials said the orientation," said Chordiya at late pharmacy education pion-
Ex-corporator’s son found dead in suspected suicide case misuse of ACP causes delays,
disrupts the timetable and
the event co-organised with the eers.

FPJ News Network which he wrote that no one was him hanging. The door had panchnama at the spot. The He had visited his family in inconveniences passengers.
CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR responsible for his death and been locked from inside, and the body was sent for a postmor- Machlikhadak on Aug 9 for According to SCR sources,
apologised for not meeting digital lock could only be tem. Dipesh had been living Raksha Bandhan, but stopped ACP is meant strictly for
Dipesh Tanwani (26), son of expectations. opened with his fingerprints. No with his parents at Machlikha- answering calls from Monday emergencies such as accidents,
former corporator Raju According to police, Dipesh’s other fingerprints were found, dak but moved to the Osman- morning. In his English-lan- fires, safety hazards or to assist
Tanwani and nephew of former family could not reach him on leading police to suspect suicide. pura flat about three months guage note, he wrote, “I am not elderly and disabled passen-
MLC Kishanchand Tanwani, the phone since Monday even- Assistant Commiss-ioner of ago. A graduate of a reputed city under pressure. This is my fault. gers. Unauthorised use is pun-
was found hanging at his flat in ing. On Tuesday morning, they Police Ranjeet Patil, Osmanpura school, he completed his MBA I am sorry. I could not fulfil ishable with up to one year’s
Amrutsai Ekdant Apartment, went to his flat and, finding it police station PI Atul Yerme, and abroad before returning home everyone’s expectations and imprisonment or a Rs1,000 fine
Osmanpura, on Tuesday morn- locked, entered through the bal- other officers, along with a during the COVID pandemic to could not make everyone under Section 141 of the
ing. Police recovered a note in cony, where they discovered forensic team, conducted a look after the family business. happy.” Railways Act, 1989.

www.freepressjournal.in nashik
Zirwal stresses SENSATIONAL CLAIM | Sanjay Chavan alleges the offer was
made by a Gujarat-based techie to help his wife win
Congress warns Cabinet raises
food safety ration shop-
intense agitation
FPJ News Network
NASHIK
Former MLA claims ₹5-8cr over onion prices
keepers’ margin
FPJ News Network

offer to ‘set’ Baglan seat

NASHIK
With festivals continuing until
Diwali, citizens are buying The Maharashtra cabinet
large quantities of food, on Wednesday approved
increasing the risk of adulter- an increase in the margin
ation, Food and Drug FPJ News Network This comes only a few days amount for shopkeepers of
Administration (FDA) Minister NASHIK after NCP-SP chief Sharad fair price shops distributing
Narhari Zirwal said on Pawar alleged that the food grains to beneficiaries
Tuesday. He urged officials to Former MLA Sanjay Chavan Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi under the National Food
test samples of raw materials has alleged that during the (MVA) was approached by Security Scheme —
used to prepare food to safe- Baglan Assembly elections, a two persons who claimed they Antyodaya Anna Yojana
guard public health. man from Gujarat offered to could help the alliance win 160 and Priority Families —
Zirwal was speaking at the “set” the results in favour of his of the 288 seats through "EVM KEY DEMANDS through the state’s public
launch of the FDA’s state-wide wife, candidate Deepika management." distribution system, Food,
campaign, San Chavan, in exchange for Rs5 “MVA rejected the offer as FPJ News Network The memorandum Civil Supplies and
Maharashtracha – Sankalp crore to Rs8 crore. we wanted to play it fair,” NASHIK
outlined a set of Consumer Protection
Anna Surakshacha. He said Chavan, a former legislator Pawar said. However, he did demands Minister Chhagan Bhujbal
that adulterated food poses of the Nationalist Congress not name the two persons or The Congress party has ■ Procurement of onions told the press.
serious health risks and that Party (Sharad Chandra specify their organisational warned of launching a stronger through the Agricultural The margin rate, cur-
the chances of such mal- Pawar), claimed the offer honestly,” Chavan said. the rise in Borse’s vote share. affiliation. Shiv Sena-UBT MP agitation if the Centre and the Produce Market Committee via rently given for distribu-
NAFED, using the auction
practice are higher during the came from Narayandas Patel, According to Chavan, Patel He said that in the last Lok Sanjay Raut claimed that the state government fail to take tion of food grains to
method.
festive season, when people who identified himself as an later tried to contact Deepika Sabha polls, BJP candidate same two people had offered immediate and sustainable ration card holders via e-
purchase sweets, khava, farsan, IT expert from Bhuj. “He told Chavan directly but failed, Subhash Bhamre’s vote share to secure the party’s victory in measures to address the ■ A guaranteed price of at least POS machines, has been
chivda and other items. He me, ‘Give Rs5 crore and we eventually approaching him in Dhule dropped by 50,000, 60-65 difficult seats by ongoing onion crisis, which has ₹3,000 per quintal for onions. raised by Rs20 per quintal
directed the administration to will ensure Deepika Chavan again. “We refused. Patel then while in the subsequent "managing EVMs." pushed farmers in Nashik into ■ A subsidy of ₹500 per quintal (Rs200 per metric ton) to
ensure products like oil, milk wins by 50,000 to 1.5 lakh said that if we did not pay, he Assembly election, Borse’s "I was present at that meet- severe financial distress. for farmers. on the consumer’s Rs170 per quintal (Rs1,700
and ghee do not reach con- votes.’ I informed the then- would help BJP’s Dilip share increased by 1.29 lakh. ing, where Uddhav Thackeray On Wednesday, former min- end. per metric ton). Earlier,
sumers if they are adulterated party president, Jayant Patil, Mangalu Borse win,” Chavan This raises questions about told them that he believes in ister Balasaheb Thorat, MP ■ Procurement of an additional the margin was of Rs150
or made with substandard who warned that it could be a alleged. the possible ‘setting’, Chavan the democratic system and Shobha Bachhav, senior leaders three lakh metric tonnes of per quintal (Rs1,500 per
ingredients. trap. We decided to contest Chavan further questioned mentioned. rejected their offer,” Raut said. Rajaram Pangwane, Sharad onions, as 70% of the district’s metric ton). This decision
Aher and Akash Chhajed led a produce remains unsold. will add an estimated
protest march to the NAFED ■ Fixing a minimum support financial burden of
divisional office here. They price (MSP) for onions to safe- Rs92.71crore annually on

DJ-free combined India earns ₹396cr

guard farmers from market

Briefs
accused both governments of the state exchequer, the
volatility.
being responsible for the col- minister opined.
lapse in onion prices, which “For the past several
NASHIK Dahi Handi in Pune from seeds have fallen to Rs10 per kg in
local markets.
this matter seriously and act
without delay. If no firm deci-
days, there has been a
demand from fair price
Drunk youths FPJ News Network sion is taken, the Congress will shopkeepers to increase
on rampage PUNE FPJ News Network include beet, cabbage, cauli- Farmers on brink intensify the agitation in the the margin. Several meet-
NASHIK flower, fruit seeds, onion, Thorat said onions form the coming days,” Thorat said. They ings were held in this
A group of intoxicated youths van- The Punit Balan Group (PBG)- pea, pomegranate, radish backbone of Nashik’s rural submitted a memorandum to regard. The government
dalised shops and vehicles at
organised combined Dahi- The demand for Indian veg- and tamarind. The main cul- economy, sustaining lakhs of NAFED’s divisional managers. was positive about the
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk
on Monday evening, smashing win- Handi of 23 renowned etable and fruit seeds in the tivation hubs are farmers, labourers and work- A large number of Congress demands of fair price
dows and assaulting a bystander Ganpati mandals will be cel- international market has been Maharashtra, Karnataka, ing-class families. He urged the workers and farmers joined shopkeepers, which is why
with an iron rod. Ambad police ebrated without DJ music this rising steadily, with exports Andhra Pradesh, Tamil authorities to act urgently, the protest march, which cul- today the cabinet has
detained three suspects following year, with festivities featuring worth Rs396crore recorded Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar warning that if the situation is minated at the NAFED office decided to increase the
the incident.Senior Inspector traditional Dhol-Tasha, between April and June 2025. Pradesh and Odisha. The ignored, the party will escalate with sloganeering and sub- margin of fair price shop-
Madhukar Kad and his team
Prabhat Band and Mumbai- India is the world’s second- USA, Netherlands, Bangla- its agitation. mission of the written keepers,” Bhujbal added.
responded immediately after receiv-
ing reports of the disturbance. A based Worli beats. PBG presi- largest exporter of such seeds desh, UAE, Thailand, Kenya, “The government must take demands.
case was being registered late dent and entrepreneur Punit after China. More than 500 Poland, Italy and Malaysia
Monday night as investigations con- Balan said the aim is to pro- private companies operate in are among the top importers
tinued into the chaotic scene that mote cultural music over loud the sector, with the private of Indian seeds.
left multiple four-wheelers dam-
aged.
electronic sounds.
The combined Dahi-Handi Dahi-Handi being broken to
segment holding a larger
share than government insti- Expert opinion and Youth dies after Jamner mob assault
NASHIK celebrations began last year at the sound of traditional tutions. five-year statistics
Lal Mahal Chowk on instruments. Industry growth has been Experts stress the need for FPJ News Network Police said Suleiman, a class was rushed to Jamner Upazila
72 students Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj The festivities will open fuelled by strong foreign focused research to boost pro- JALGAON 12 pass preparing for police Hospital, where doctors
land jobs Road. Balan initiated the with performances by Yuva demand, a large domestic ductivity, quality and disease recruitment, had come to declared him dead. Following
Seventy-two students from SMBT event to ease traffic snarls at Vadya Pathak, Samarth market and innovative pro- resistance in seeds. They also A 21-year-old from Betawad Jamner on Monday afternoon news of his death, a crowd gath-
College of Pharmacy and its major chowks in the city’s Pathak, Ramanbaug and duction methods. In 2024–25, call for a long-term agricultural Khurd, identified as Suleiman to submit his application. While ered outside Jamner Police
diploma institute have secured core areas and reduce press- Shivmudra Dhol-Tasha India earned Rs1,330crore in export policy to expand global Rahimkhan Pathan, died on seated at a café, he was allegedly Station and staged a sit-in.
placements in multinationals like ure on the police. In response groups. Prabhat Band will fol- foreign exchange from seed reach. Export earnings from Monday after being allegedly dragged out by local youths and Superintendent of Police
Cipla, Glenmark and TCS, with to his appeal, 35 Ganesh man- low with traditional songs, exports. vegetable and fruit seeds over assaulted by a group of youths in beaten. He was reportedly Maheshwar Reddy reached the
annual packages ranging from
dals took part in the maiden and the famous Banjo Worli the last five years were: Rs843cr Jamner while applying for assaulted again at the bus stand. spot and pacified the agitators.
Rs2.5 lakh to Rs10 lakh. Principal
Yogesh Ushir noted that some stu- edition. This year, in its sec- Beats from Mumbai will per- Major exports and in 2021–22, Rs943cr in 2022–23, police recruitment. The inci- Suleiman later returned home Police registered a case based
dents have also received offers ond edition, the celebrations form as Govindas form cultivation areas Rs1,090cr in 2023–24, and dent sparked tension in the and narrated the incident to his on the victim's father's com-
before course completion. will again be DJ-free, with the human pyramids. Key seed varieties exported Rs1,330cr in 2024–25. town later that night. parents before collapsing. He plaint.
 www.freepressjournal.in

304.32 pts 131.95 pts 16 paise

SENSEX 80,539.91 | NIFTY 24,619.35 | USD/INR 87.47 | GOLD 1,01,020.00 | SILVER 1,12,000.00
`500 `00
money Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025

INDIAN ECONOMY | No threat to positive outlook on sovereign rating

Briefs Tariff impact only
RBI rate cut
in Oct looks
‘US tariffs won’t impact growth’ short-term: CEA
PTI
PTI going there because of the MUMBAI He attributed the
unlikely: SBI NEW DELHI The 'China plus one' huge domestic market as well.
The Reserve Bank of India An emerging middle class is Chief Economic Advisor V
growth slowdown in
(RBI) is unlikely to cut Trump tariffs will not have
strategy has played getting larger...So, even for Anantha Nageswaran on FY25 to tight credit
interest rates in its any impact on India's growth, out for businesses those who are looking to Wednesday said US tariffs- conditions and
October policy meeting, as it is not a trade-oriented over the last few invest more in India and look- related challenges will dissi-
as inflation in August 2025 economy, and its sovereign years, and firms ing to export, it might not pate in the next one or two
liquidity issues
is expected to rise above 2 ratings outlook will continue are setting up necessarily be the US market," quarters, and urged the pri-
per cent, according to a to remain positive, S&P Global YeeFarn said. vate sector to do more as the The government is aware of
report by the State Bank of Ratings Director YeeFarn
businesses in India In 2021-25, the US was country navigates through the situation and conversa-
India (SBI). The report said Phua said on Wednesday. mainly to cater to India's largest trading partner. other longer-term challenges. tions with the impacted sec-
with the August inflation In May last year, S&P had domestic demand The US accounts for about 18 He attributed the growth tors have already begun,
print likely to top 2 per upgraded the outlook on per cent of India's total goods slowdown in FY25, which saw Nageswaran said, adding that
cent and be closer to 2.3 India's sovereign rating of whether the tariff imposition year at 6.5 per cent, the same exports, 6.22 per cent in a deceleration to 6.5 per cent one will hear from the policy-
per cent. Even a rate cut in 'BBB-' to positive, citing robust poses downside risks to the as it was in the previous finan- Sovereign Ratings. imports, and 10.73 per cent in from FY24's 9.2 per cent, to makers in the coming days
December could be chal- economic growth. positive outlook on India, cial year. To a query on whether US bilateral trade. tight credit conditions and and weeks but people have to
lenging if growth numbers On August 6, US President YeeFarn said, "I don't think YeeFarn further said major tariffs would impact invest- With America, India had a liquidity issues. The right agri- be patient.
for the first and second Donald Trump announced an the tariffs imposed on India sectors, like pharmaceuticals ment flows into India, he said trade surplus (the difference culture policies can add 25 With speculation on
quarters are taken into additional 25 per cent tariff on will have an impact in terms and consumer electronics, the 'China plus one' strategy between imports and exports) per cent to real GDP growth, whether US officials will visit
account. all Indian imports, on top of of economic growth, largely which export to the US, are has played out for businesses of USD 35.32 billion in goods Nageswaran added. India for trade talks later this
an existing 25 per cent duty, because India is not a very exempted from tariffs. over the last few years, and in 2023-24. It was USD 41 bil- On the US tariffs, the CEA month as reported,
taking the total to 50 per cent trade-oriented economy. And "Over the longer term, we companies are setting up lion in 2024-25. said it is the second and third Nageswaran said the
Global economy from August 27. if you look at India's exposure don't think this (higher tariffs) businesses in India mainly to In 2024-25, bilateral trade order impacts, which will upcoming meet in Alaska
in big problem The White House said the to the US in terms of exports will be a big hit (on India's cater to domestic demand. between India and the US flow once sectors like gems between US President Donald
if Russian oil measure responds to India's to GDP, it is just about 2 per economy), and therefore, the "Many (businesses) are reached USD 186 billion. India and jewellery, shrimps and Trump and his Russian
continued purchase of cent". positive outlook on India going there not because they exported goods worth USD textiles have taken the first counterpart Vladmir Putin is
exports disrupt Russian oil. S&P estimates India's GDP remains," YeeFarn said at a are looking to export just to 86.5 billion while imports order brunt, that will be likely to influence the
If Russian oil exports were Replying to a query on growth in the current fiscal Webinar on Asia-Pacific the US. Many of them are stood at USD 45.3 billion. "more difficult" to tackle. outcome.
to be disrupted, it could
create a major problem for
the global economy, how-
ever, for India, the impact
is expected to be limited, Sentiment remains Sebi to define DHFL case: Sebi bans Wadhawan Gem, jewellery
exports rise
according to a report by algo trading,
Bank of Baroda.
The report stated that broadly optimistic revamp stock brothers, 4 others from market 15.98% in July
according to estimates, the
brokers' rules Regulator imposes have engaged and partici- Gem and jewellery exports
effect on India's oil import FPJ News Service pated in an "egregiously witnessed 15.98 per cent year-
bill would be around USD MUMBAI PTI `120-crore fine fraudulent scheme" to divert on-year growth to USD 2,178.24
5 billion annually, an NEW DELHI PTI funds to "Bandra Book million (Rs 18,756.28 crore) in
amount considered man- Investor sentiment remained NEW DELHI Entities" (BBEs) linked to the July amid global challenges,
ageable given the broadly optimistic on Markets regulator Sebi on promoters. By March 31, 2019, the Gem and Jewellery Export
country's overall trade size. Wednesday amid strong mac- Wednesday proposed to Markets regulator Sebi has DHFL's loans to BBEs stood at Promotion Council (GJEPC)
ros, including the eight-year define 'algorithmic trading' as banned Dewan Housing Rs 14,040.50 crore. said on Wednesday.
low retail inflation of 1.55% part of the exercise to revamp Finance Corp Ltd's former The BBEs were directly or Overall gem and jewellery
REITS Q1FY'26 recorded in July. stock brokers' regulations, CMD Kapil Wadhawan, ex- indirectly connected to Kapil, exports stood at USD 1,878.09
payout jumps “Midcaps outperformed, which will ease compliance director Dheeraj Wadhawan, They have been Dheeraj Rakesh and Sarang, it million (Rs 15,700 crore) in the
13% to `1,559 cr reflecting strong investor burden. and four others from the restrained from added. corresponding month of 2024,
appetite. Globally, sentiment Also, the regulator has pro- securities markets for up to holding any key As per the order, promoters according to data shared by
India's four public-listed improved on the extension of posed granting stock brokers five years and imposed a pen- issued huge unsecured loans GJEPC.
Real Estate Investment China’s tariff deadline, and eas- access to the Negotiated alty totalling Rs 120 crore on
position in a listed to these entities despite their "The July exports are good
Trusts (REITs) distributed ing oil prices. Despite uncer- Dealing System, Order them for diverting funds and company for up to lack of assets or business, and an encouraging sign for
a total of Rs 1,559 crore to tainties around Trump’s trade Matching (NDS-OM) plat- fabricating books. five years bypassing all due diligence, our industry. It mainly got a
over 2.7 lakh unit holders stance and global risks, India’s form. Generally, this plat- Additionally, they have been and falsely recording them as boost from successful substan-
in the first quarter of the growth-inflation dynamics Rs 18,620 crore through the form is used by banks and restrained from holding any ing director & CEO and retail housing loans. tial order bookings during the
2025-26 fiscal, marking a remain favourable for FY26 exchanges. This selling has primary dealers for trading key position in a listed com- Santosh Sharma, a former The regulator found that India International Jewellery
13-per cent on-year rise, with risk to marginal down- been completely eclipsed by government securities. pany for up to five years. CFO. the fraud operated in several Show Premiere and a strong
an official said. Brookfield grade based on tariff updates. the massive DII buying of Rs Under the proposal, the Apart from Kapil and Also, Wadhawans were the steps.First, large unsecured bounce back of the Hong Kong
India Real Estate Trust, India looks forward to Friday's 46,272 crore. Yet the Nifty has regulator would for the first Dheeraj, restraints have been promoters of the housing loans were extended to these market. This performance is
Embassy Office Parks Trump-Putin meet,” said drifted down from 24,768 to time define 'algorithmic trad- imposed on Rakesh finance company. BBEs even though they had no heartening, especially as it
REIT, Mindspace Business Vinod Nair, head of research at 24,487. Indeed, Trump’s harsh ing' which means any order Wadhawan, who was non- In its 181-page order passed net worth, assets, or cash flows comes amid global challenges,
Parks REIT and Nexus Geojit Investments.” tariffs, and the straining of rela- generated or placed using executive chairman, Sarang on Tuesday, Sebi noted that to justify such exposure. such as the ongoing impact of
Select Trust collectively Analysts said, global events tions between US and India automated execution logic. Wadhawan, a former non- since 2006, DHFL, along with Second, all standard loan the US tariffs," GJEPC
manage more than 129 disrupt markets, although it's have been impacting the mar- The current rules do not executive director, Harshil its promoters, directors, and appraisal processes were Chairman Kirit Bhansali said
million square feet of not always clear how long ket sentiment. The tepid earn- define algorithmic trading. Mehta, who was joint manag- key managerial personnel, deliberately bypassed. in a statement. -PTI
Grade A office and retail those disruptions will last. ings growth, elevated valu-
space and have, since According to a Goldman Sachs ations and modest projection
inception, distributed over Global Institute, events that of 8-10% earnings growth for
Rs 24,300 crore to inves-
tors, a release said.
grab headlines, such as mili-
tary conflicts, didn't move mar-
kets to as lasting effect as some
FY26 have emboldened the
bears to increase the short-
positions.
Headline inflation to average 3.5% this fiscal: Crisil
BSE India might assume. Instead, the lar- “A sudden reversal of senti- PTI tion to average 3.5 per cent A cumulative cut of 100 basis
gest shifts often came from ments can lead to short cover- KOLKATA this fiscal from 4.6 per cent in Healthy agricultural points so far, along with
Defence Index broader, longer-term geo- ing and sharp recovery in the the last," Crisil said in its production is likely adequate liquidity, has
launched political disruptions that chal- market. This is the right time Ratings firm Crisil said that research report. to keep food ensured a swift transmission
BSE Index Services, an lenged the mechanisms under- for asset allocation. Investors headline inflation is expected Headline inflation is inflation in check down the line.
arm of stock exchange pinning the global economy. with a long-term investment to average 3.5 per cent this fis- defined as a rise in prices of all India's retail inflation rate
BSE, on Wednesday The 30-share BSE Sensex horizon of three years and cal as compared to 4.6 per items in the CPI, including has more than halved over the
announced the launch of climbed 304.32 points to settle above can accumulate fairly cent in the last financial year. food and energy. the current financial year, past year, slipping even below
defence index to track the at 80,539.91. The 50-share NSE valued large-caps in banking, In its research report for Assuming geopolitical which should help contain the lower end of the Reserve
performance of those Nifty edged up by 131.95 points telecom, capital goods, aviation August, the rating agency said The kharif sowing is up a uncertainties remain under non-food inflation, the report Bank of India's tolerance band
stocks representing the to 24,619.35. and select midcap IT,” said that healthy agricultural pro- healthy four per cent year-on- control, Brent crude oil prices said. of two per cent. It slid to 1.6
theme. The BSE India “This month, until August 12, leading investment strategist duction is likely to keep food year as of August 8. are projected to be subdued at Crisil said another bout of per cent in July from 2.1 per
Defence Index is derived FIIs have sold equities worth Dr VK Vijayakumar. inflation in check. "We expect headline infla- USD60 to USD65 per barrel in repo cut is expected this fiscal. cent in June.
from the constituents of
BSE 1000 Index, and
reconstituted semi-
annually in June and
December. RBI PANEL SUGGESTS MEASURES TO Banks to clear cheques Thermal power
will remain
Apr-Jul major MITIGATE AI RISKS IN FINCL SECTOR within hours from Oct 4 crucial for base
ports' freight PTI ommended a forward-looking The RBI will introduce a new mechanism from October 4 for load mgmt amid
traffic up 5% MUMBAI If used without approach, containing 26 clearance of cheques within hours of being presented to
Freight traffic handled by guardrails, it can actionable recommendations banks, reducing the current time period of up to two working RE capacity
major ports in India in
Apr-Jul rose 5.22% on year
An RBI panel has recom-
mended that banks and other
exacerbate the under six strategic pillars.
The report envisions a
days. Cheques will be scanned, presented, and passed in a few
hours and on a continuous basis during business hours. The
growth: Ind-Ra
to 293.05 million tonnes, financial institutions formu-
existing risks and financial ecosystem where clearing cycle will be reduced from the present T+1 days to a PTI
data released by the late a policy to mitigate risks introduce new encouraging innovation is in few hours. NEW DELHI
Indian Ports Association arising from use of Artificial forms of harm harmony, and not at odds, Cheque Truncation System (CTS) currently processes
showed. This rise was Intelligence (AI) in the finan- with mitigation of risk. cheques with a clearing cycle of up to two working days. Coal-based power will remain
mainly led by the uptrend cial sector, saying without Intelligence (FREE-AI) in the ness its potential while safe- "For an emerging economy To improve the efficiency of cheque clearing and reduce critical for base load manage-
in crude and petroleum guardrails it can exacerbate financial sector in December guarding against associated like India, AI presents new settlement risk for participants, and to enhance customer ment in the medium term,
products cargo, which risks. last year. risks. ways to address developmen- experience, the RBI has decided to transition CTS from the though renewable capacity
account for nearly one- The Reserve Bank of India In its report, published by The committee has devel- tal challenges," the report said. current approach of batch processing to continuous clearing additions remain strong,
third of total cargo (RBI) had set up the commit- the RBI on Wednesday, the oped seven Sutras to serve as Multi-modal, multi-lingual with 'on-realisation-settlement'. India Ratings and Research
handled at all the major tee to develop a Framework panel sets out a framework to the foundational principles for AI can enable the delivery of The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a circular for (Ind-Ra) said on Wednesday.
ports across country. It for Responsible and Ethical guide the use of AI in the AI adoption. Guided by the financial services to millions introduction of Continuous Clearing and Settlement on Furthermore, thermal
rose 7.10% on year to 87.81 Enablement of Artificial financial sector, aiming to har- Sutras, the committee has rec- who have been excluded. Realisation in CTS. -PTI capacity additions are
million tonnes for Apr-Jul. expected to pick up pace
in FY26, considering the
capacity under construction
IEA ups global
oil supply
growth view
10-yr benchmark 6.33%,
2035 gilt closes at `98.91
INDIA SENDS DIESEL TO CHINA and demand expectation by
FY32, Ind-Ra experts said in a
webinar.
For the first time since 2021, where it was anchored for 12 "We expect thermal power
for 2025, 2026 Informist prices up. Some foreign banks India’s Russia-linked Nayara days. Following the EU sanc- to remain critical for base load
The International Energy NEW DELHI and portfolio investors were Energy is sending a ship to tion, multiple Nayara car- management in the medium
Agency has raised its also purchasing gilts, dealers China following heavy sanc- goes were stranded at the term, though renewable
forecast for growth in glo- Prices of government bonds said. tions from the European site, the report further capacity additions remain
bal oil supply for 2025 and ended off highs Wednesday The 10-year benchmark Union as the refinery stated. Bloomberg said the strong. Land acquisition, con-
2026, mainly because of as traders sold gilts ahead of 6.33%, 2035 gilt closed at INR struggles to maintain its vessel later updated its desti- nectivity and adequate evacu-
the recent production an INR-280-billion gilt auc- 98.91, or a yield of 6.4811%, procurement from Russia, nation to Zhoushan, China. ation/transmission infrastruc-
increases by members of tion, dealers said. Traders against INR 98.83, or 6.4920% Bloomberg reports. Nayara is partly owned by ture remain key monitorables
the OPEC, the agency said were expecting bond prices to yield, Tuesday. The stated that a cargo of The cargo, EM Zenith, before the EU announced Russian oil giant Rosneft for the sector. The consistent
in its Oil Market Report fall near the end of trade, a "It's just that sentiment Indian diesel is now heading sailed from the Nayara’s sanctions on the Rosneft- PJSC, and was blacklisted by functioning of the Late
for August. The agency pattern seen for the past three went for toss because of the to China, which is the first Vadinar terminal carrying backed refinery to intensify Brussels in July. It reportedly Payment Surcharge Rules 2022
has lowered its projec- trading sessions. However, non-stop fall in prices, but such shipment since 2021, around 496,000 barrels of crackdown on Russia’s oil received its last delivery on supports the counterparty
tions for the growth in purchases at levels seen otherwise 6.50% (yield on the when the two neighbours ultra-low sulfur diesel on trade amid its ongoing con- August 9, and the report risk, even among entities sell-
demand for this year and lucrative after the yield on the 10-year 6.33%, 2035 gilt) is a engaged in an intense July 18, Bloomberg reported flict with Ukraine. stated that no further ship- ing directly selling to discoms,"
next year due to lacklustre 6.33%, 2035 gilt rose to the psychologically important border tension following the after compiling a report of Bound to Malaysia, the ment is likely this month for Vishal Kotecha, Director &
demand across the major psychologically crucial 6.50% level," a dealer at a private sec- clashes along Ladakh’s port agent, Kpler. The cargo cargo vessel made a U-turn the refinery, according to Head - Infrastructure &
economies. earlier in the day kept bond tor bank said. Pangong Lake. left the terminal hours in the Strait of Malacca, the ship-tracking data. Project Finance, Ind-Ra said.
 www.freepressjournal.in money
Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025

Briefs ONGC Q1 PAT climbs 18% to `11,554 cr

FPJ News Service 4.863 BCM. ONGC declared a commenced production from
NEW TAX REGIME:
TAX COMPUTATION
RInfra wins MUMBAI total two offshore discoveries the PY-3 field--a joint venture

T
during the quarter in its oper- of ONGC, Hardy Exploration & ax computation has
arbitration Oil and Natural Gas ated acreages. Production (India) Inc, and always been a nuanced
award against Corporation (ONGC) has Out of these, one is prospect Invenire Petrodyne Ltd located exercise—especially when
Aravali Power reported an 18.2% jump in net and one is pool discovery. It offshore in the Cauvery Basin certain incomes are taxed at
profit at Rs 11,554 crore for the realised $67.87 for every barrel on the east coast of India. The TAX TALK special rates, independent of
Reliance Infrastructure first quarter of FY25-26 ended of crude oil it pumped out of field is producing 4,000 barrels general income slabs. One such
CA Pramod Prabhudesai
(RInfra) on Wednesday June 30 as compared to Rs ground and below seabed from of oil per day and 88,000 stan- category is Capital Gains on
announced winning an 9,776 crore for the same sale to refiners, who convert it dard cubic meters a day of gas. shares, which continues to chal-
arbitration award of Rs quarter of FY24-25. into fuels like petrol and diesel, Also, North Karanpura CBM lenge taxpayers and professionals alike under the evolving
526 crore against Aravali The standalone net profit, as compared to $80.64 per bar- block was put on production. framework of the new tax regime.
Power Company Pvt Ltd. however, stood 10% lower at Rs crore compared to the APM gible for a 20% premium over rel realisation in the same ONGC commenced the supply For the purposes of this write up we shall only consider
According to an exchange 8,024 crore as compared to Rs gas price. the domestic APM gas price. quarter of the previous year. of treated natural gas from its Capital gains on shares which are classified into two types:
filing, Reliance 8,938 (FY24-25) on lower oil During the period under ONGC is actively working to Price of natural gas, which is newly established gas treat- Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG): Gains from shares held
Infrastructure had invoked prices and stagnant produc- review, consolidated revenue boost output from such wells,” used to generate electricity, ment facility at Palatana, for a period up to 12 months.
arbitration against the tion from its aging fields. The stood at Rs 1.63 lakh crore as ONGC said. produce fertiliser or turned Tripura on June 9. 2025. Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG): Gains from shares held
wrongful termination of a company’s standalone crude against Rs 1.69 lakh crore. The The standalone crude oil into CNG and piped cooking The gas is being supplied to for more than 12 months.
contract by Aravali Power oil production stood 1.2% standalone revenue showed a production during Q1 FY26 gas, marginally rose to $6.64 the city gas distribution (CGD) These classifications are crucial because each is taxed at a
in 2018. higher, and new well gas rev- 9.3% fall at Rs 32,003 crore as was 4.683 mmt, and standa- per million British thermal network in the Gomati special rate, distinct from the regular income tax slabs.
enue stood at Rs 1,703 crore, compared to Rs 35,266 crore. lone natural gas production units in Q1 from $6.5 in last year. through GAIL, enhancing the Importantly, the Income Tax Act, 1961, has consistently main-
delivering an additional Rs 333 “Gas from new wells is eli- was 4.846 BCM as against During the quarter, ONGC region's access to cleaner fuel. tained that income taxed at special rates is not eligible for
OSM to invest further deductions or reliefs. This principle ensures that the
$25 mn in minimum applicable tax on such income is paid, regardless of
Dubai EV plant the taxpayer’s overall income.

Electric vehicle (EV)

ICICI Bk trims hike, lowers BPCL APR-JUN NET PROFIT To simplify the understanding, here are two tables that dem-
onstrate how STCG and LTCG are taxed separately under the
min balance requirement
SOARS 141% TO `6,839 CRORE
maker Omega Seiki New Regime, and how they interact with other income.
Mobility (OSM) will invest Tax Calculations for previous Financial Year 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)
USD 25 million (AED 92
million) over the next five to `15,000 from `50,000 FPJ News Service The company’s pre-tax
Income
does not
Income
includes
Income
includes
years in its international PTI back, which help us serve them MUMBAI profit from the downstream Particulars include STCG LTCG
EV assembly plant in Jafza NEW DELHI better," ICICI Bank posted on petroleum business (basically Capital taxed taxed
Gains @ 20% @12.5%
(Dubai), which was its website. Similarly, the MAB Bharat Petroleum fuel retailing) surged to Rs
launched on Wednesday, In a U-turn, ICICI Bank has for semi-urban and rural loca- Corporation Ltd (BPCL) on 80.60.47 crore in April-June Capital Gains 0 200000 200000
the company has said. slashed the minimum monthly tions have been revised down- Wednesday reported a 141% from Rs 3,858.90 crore last Exempt Capital Gains 0 0 125000
Spanning over 42,000 sq average balance (MAB) wards to Rs 7,500 and Rs 2,500 jump in its consolidated net year.
Taxable Capital Gains 0 200000 75000
ft, the first Jafza plant will requirement to Rs 15,000 from respectively, it said. profit at Rs 6,839.02 crore in The company earned $4.88
assemble the company's earlier steep hike of Rs 50,000, Before August 1, the MAB for the first quarter of FY25-26 as 13,336.55 crore in the last fiscal on every barrel of crude oil it
range of electric two-and citing "valuable feedback" from semi-urban and rural was Rs compared to Rs 2,841.55 crore year. processed and turned into Income from Salary/ 675000 475000 600000
Bank Deposits etc
three-wheelers as well as customers. The minimum bal- 5,000 and Rs 2,000, respect- posted in the same period of The profit surge was despite fuels like petrol and diesel in
handle storage and dis- ance requirement for its new ively. Even after the rollback, the preceding year. inventory losses arising from Q1, compared to $7.86 per bar- Total Taxable Income 675000 675000 675000
tribution of auto compo- savings bank accounts opened the bank has effected a 50 per The more than doubling of selling products at rates lower rel gross refining margin in the Tax on above income 0 0 0
nents and spare parts, on or after August 1 was raised cent hike across all these seg- profitability can be attributed than the price at which input previous year. It had an unpaid after rebate/relief
OSM said. five times to Rs 50,000. ments. However, the bank said, to record marketing margins crude oil was bought at, lower LPG subsidy of Rs 2,076.2 crore
Tax on Capital Gains 0 40000 9375
"Following valuable feed- the revised MAB requirements because of holding retail prices refining margins and unpaid in the quarter. BPCL and other
back from our customers, we are not applicable to salary despite a drop in input oil cost. LPG subsidy. The earning state-owned fuel retailers like Cess 0 1600 375
SpiceJet inks have revised these require- accounts, senior citizens/pen- Analysis shows that the Q1 boost came from holding IOC and HPCL sell cooking gas Total Tax Including Cess 0 41600 9750
damp-lease ments to better reflect their sioners, basic savings bank net profit is more than half of retail petrol and diesel prices LPG at below market price and
agreement for expectations and preferences. deposit account/PM Jandhan the full April 2024 to March despite a fall in their bench- get reimbursed for the differ- Tax Calculations for current Financial Year 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)
We thank our customers for Yojana, and accounts for 2025 fiscal year earnings. It mark international rates. This ence as a subsidy from the gov- Particulars Income does Income includes Income
5 Boeing 737s their continued trust and feed- people with special needs. had reported a net profit of Rs led to a margin boost. ernment. not include STCG which is includes LTCG
Domestic carrier SpiceJet Capital taxed @ 20% which is taxed
Gains @ 12.5 %
on Wednesday said it has
finalised a damp-lease Capital Gains 0 200000 200000
Infosys to buy Fractal Analytics
agreement for five Boeing
737s planes ahead of the
winter schedule. The air- 75% stake in
Mahindra plans to export EVs files papers for
Exempt Capital
Gains
0 0 125000

line currently has 13

Boeing 737s and six Telstra unit for to UK with trade pact in place `4,900-cr IPO Taxable Capital
Gains
0 0 75000

regional jets in operation,

out of a total of 53 aircraft
$153 million PTI
NEW DELHI
"It balances a large number
of things. First, it helps open up
PTI
MUMAI
Income from 1175000 975000 1100000
Salary/ Bank
in its fleet, according to Indian IT services company our market in a way to goods Deposits etc
aircraft fleet tracking web- Infosys said on Wednesday Mahindra & Mahindra plans to coming in from the UK. Artificial intelligence sol-
Total Taxable 1175000 1175000 1175000
site Planespotter.com. The that it would buy a 75% stake export its electric vehicles to Second, it helps us export a lot utions provider Fractal Income
remaining 34 remain on in Versent Group, a wholly the UK, leveraging improved more across multiple indus- Analytics has taken the first
the ground. owned unit of Australia's trade opportunities following tries," he stated. He noted that step towards going public, fil- Tax on above 0 0 0
Telstra Group for $153 mil- the finalisation of the India-UK the FTA should be able to ing its preliminary papers Income after
rebate/ relief
Mahindra Fin lion, Reuters reports free trade agreement, accord- the automobile manufacturing encourage innovation and with the markets regulator
Versent Group provides ing to Group CEO and hub of the world. "We are look- manufacturing in the country. Sebi to raise Rs 4,900 crore Tax on Capital 0 40000 9375
to focus on cloud services to Australian Managing Director Anish ing forward to exporting our "If you take the automobile through an IPO. At the indi- Gains
quality of assets organisations in sectors such Shah. The Mumbai-based auto electric vehicles to the UK and sector as a specific example, cated price, the Mumbai- Cess 0 1600 375
NBFC arm of Mahindra & as finance, energy, utilities, major is a leading player in the to take a bigger share of the UK India has tremendous potential headquartered firm could be
Total Tax 0 41600 9750
Mahindra would continue government and education, electric vehicle segment in the market and competing in the to be the auto manufacturing valued at more than USD 3.5
Including Cess
focus on asset quality Infosys said in a statement. domestic market and expects UK on the back of this FTA," hub of the world...today, we are billion, according to people
while expanding business, The deal, which Infosys says EVs to comprise 30 per cent of Shah stated when asked to much smaller, but with what familiar with the matter.
a top official of the group will boost its local presence, is its overall sales by 2030. In comment about the benefits we are doing now, and also the The listing, if successful, Note: The calculations above (in both tables) show that even if
said. "We are very bullish expected to close by the sec- 2022, the company inaugur- for the Indian industry and the focus on ease of business, on would mark the first time an Taxable income is below Rs 7 Lacs or Rs 12 Lacs, Tax Payable shall
about this segment... we ond half of fiscal 2026, subject ated Mahindra Advanced automaker due to the comple- production of logistics costs, on Indian AI-focused company be NIL when such income excludes STCG or LTCG. If taxable
plan to expand (business to approvals from Foreign Design Europe (M.A.D.E) at tion of the agreement. production of import duties in debuts on the bourses. The income includes Capital Gains, then Tax is payable as applicable
of Mahindra Finance). We Investment Review Board of Banbury, Oxfordshire, the UK. Shah noted that the Indian some areas, we have started to proposed IPO includes a fresh on STCG or LTCG, regardless of slab-based rebate eligibility.
have taken time to get to a Australia and Australian In an interaction with PTI government has done a fine job see much greater ability for us equity issue worth up to Rs The author is Partner at B D Jokhakar & Co,
much better asset quality, Competition and Consumer Videos, Shah noted that India when it comes to the trade to produce very high quality 1,279.3 crore, alongside an Chartered Accountants, Mumbai
get to a much stronger set Commission. – REUTERS has the potential to emerge as agreement with the UK. cars in India," Shah said. OFS of Rs 3,620.7 crore.
of controls, and we want to
be one of the leaders CORPORATE RESULTS (Q1 FY26)
across the banking sys-
tem," Mahindra &
Mahindra Group CEO and
Manipal Hospitals
to set up `700 cr ED arrests influencer Sandeepa Virk in `40-cr United Spirits
the largest franchisee of
Yum Brands in India, oper-
MD Anish Shah told PTI in Diageo-controlled liquor ates Pizza Hut, KFC, and
an interaction. facility in state fraud, links former Reliance Capital director maker United Spirits on Costa Coffee. Revenue from
PTI Wednesday reported a 14% operations grew 11.05% to Rs
NEW DELHI Ashish Singh ucts. However, the products ED further alleged that in decline in its consolidated 1,356.96 crore in the June
TaMo forays MUMBAI listed were found to be non- 2018, Reliance Commercial net profit to Rs 417 crore for quarter of FY26.
into Dominican Manipal Health Enterprises existent. Investigators stated Financial Capital disbursed the June quarter of FY26.
Republic with on Wednesday said it has The ED has arrested social that the limited product range, around Rs 18 crore to The company had posted a Aditya Birla Fashion
inked a MoU with Maharastra media influencer Sandeepa inflated pricing, false claims of Sethuraman in violation of pru- net profit of Rs 485 crore a Aditya Birla Fashion and
CVs government to set up a 350- Virk in connection with an FDA approval, and technical dent lending norms. year ago. Its revenue from Retail reported widening of
Tata Motors on bed multi-speciality Hospital alleged money laundering and inconsistencies suggest that the Additionally, a Rs 22-crore operations was marginally consolidated net loss at Rs
Wednesday said it has for- at Nagpur entailing an invest- fraud scheme involving fake website served as a front for home loan was granted, by up at Rs 6,295 crore during 233.73 crore for June quarter
ayed into the Dominican ment of Rs 700 crore. online sales and the suspected laundering funds. Reliance Capital Limited, a the quarter under review. It FY26. The company had
Republic market through a The hospital is expected to illegal diversion of funds linked Punjab police registered a com- The probe further revealed large portion of which was was Rs 6,238 crore in the posted a loss of Rs 214.92
strategic partnership with commence operations in 2029 to a former director of Reliance plaint alleging cheating and that Virk was in regular contact either siphoned off or corresponding period of the crore during April-June
Equimax, its authorised and generate about 3,000 new Capital Limited. criminal breach of trust. with Angarai Natarajan remained unpaid. previous fiscal. USL’s total quarter a year ago. Revenue
distributor. The launch jobs. The Maharashtra gov- The arrest follows ED search ED investigators allege that Sethuraman, former director Refuting the allegations, expenses stood at Rs 5,776 from operations was at Rs
marks a significant mile- ernment has promised to operations on 12th and 13th Virk acquired property using of erstwhile Reliance Capital. Sethuraman said, “These alle- crore, up 2.79% in the June 1,831.46 during the quarter
stone in the company's facilitate all permits, appro- August 2025 at multiple loca- funds obtained through “false Searches at Sethuraman’s resi- gations are entirely baseless.” quarter. as compared with Rs 1,674.22
global expansion strategy vals and fiscal incentives tions in Mumbai and Delhi promises and cheating” and dence reportedly confirmed He firmly denied any connec- crore a year ago. Revenue
and introduces a tailored necessary to complete this under the provisions of the operated a website, hyboo- the diversion of funds for per- tion or involvement with Muthoot Finance from 'Pantaloons' was at Rs
portfolio of commercial project in a time bound Prevention of PMLA, 2002. The care.com, which claimed to sell sonal benefit. the anti-money Sandeepa Virk or any transac- Gold loan NBFC Muthoot 1,094.13 crore as against Rs
vehicles designed to meet manner, the firm said. probe was initiated after the FDA-approved beauty prod- laundering agency said. tions related to her. Finance has reported a 65% 1,101.38 crore a year ago.
the evolving needs of the y/y surge in its consolidated
region's logistics, infra- net profit at Rs 1,974 crore Max Healthcare
structure, and last-mile Indian Bank organises MSME for three months ended Max Healthcare Institute on
delivery sectors, the
Mumbai-based auto major Singaporean firm CapitaLand to & Retail Customer Outreach Camp June 2025. In the same
quarter last year, the com-
Wednesday said its profit
after tax increased 17% y/y to

invest `19,200 cr in Maha by 2030

said in a statement. o effectively

T
pany had posted a profit Rs 345 crore for June
participate after tax of Rs 1,196 crore. quarter FY26 on enhanced
Refold AI in the MSME Total income jumped 44% to utilisation of operational
PTI dollar). This planned invest- financing initiat- Rs 6,485 crore for the beds across the hospital net-
raises $6.5 mn NEW DELHI ment was announced at the ives of the govern- quarter under review from work. The healthcare major
IT startup Refold AI has inauguration of the company's ment, Indian Bank Rs 4,492 crore in the April- reported a profit after tax
raised USD 6.5 million, Singaporean firm CapitaLand first data centre in Navi has organised June quarter of FY25. Loan (PAT) of Rs 295 crore in the
about Rs 57 crore, in a Investment Ltd (CLI) has Mumbai on Tuesday. “MSME & Retail assets under management April-June period last year.
funding round co-led by signed an initial pact with the The event was attended by Customer increased 37% y/y to Rs
Eniac Ventures and Tidal Maharashtra government for a Singapore Deputy Prime Outreach Camp” 1,33,938 crore in Q1 FY26 PIGL
Ventures, the company planned investment of over Rs Minister Gan Kim Yong, Jeffrey in Mumbai. Binod against Rs 98,048 crore last Power & Instrumentation
said on Wednesday. Better 19,200 crore (2.83-billion Siow, Acting Minister for Kumar, MD & CEO of the and initiatives such as Ind year. (Gujarat) Ltd on Wednesday
Capital, Ahead VC, Singaporean dollar) in the state CapitaLand has its presence Transport and Senior Minister bank presided over the Smart biz app, Ind Trade reported a 40.18 per cent
Karman Ventures, Z21 and by 2030 in data centres, logis- since 2013, has been a steadfast of State for Finance of the city- event. Around 200 loans NeXT for forex, hassle free Devyani International year-on-year rise in consoli-
some angels also partici- tics, industrial and business partner in the company's state, Maharashtra Chief amounting to Rs 1,400 loan under Ind GST up to 1 The net profit of Devyani dated net profit at Rs 2.62
pated in the funding parks. growth journey over the past Minister Devendra Fadnavis, crore were sanctioned, and crore, online review International Ltd plum- crore for the first quarter of
round. The company plans The mega investment will decade, and it values the strong Manohar Khiatani, Chairman, sanction letters were dis- renewal of MSME meted over 90% to Rs 2.22 FY26, driven by strong reve-
to use the new capital to help fuel CLI's growth plans in support and collaboration with CapitaLand India Trust tributed to MSME and accounts, etc. The bank crore in the June quarter of nue growth. The company’s
expand its engineering two key markets in the state, CLI said. (CLINT) and Senior Executive retail customers. Binod has also launched a special FY26. It had reported a net total income for the quarter
team, deepen product Maharashtra -- Mumbai and Earlier on Tuesday, the Director, CLI and Sanjeev Kumar highlighted various “MSME rise campaign” profit of 22.43 crore in the stood at Rs 41.55 crore, up
integrations, and support Pune, a company statement investment amount was inad- Dasgupta, Chief Executive products and schemes under which the bank April-June period a year 59.83 per cent from the year-
its growing enterprise said here. vertently reported as Rs 9,200 Officer, CLI India, among offered by the bank in the offers various benefits to ago. The company, which is ago period.
customer base. Maharashtra, where crore (2.3 billion Singaporean others. MSME and retail sectors, customers.
 market
DII / FPI trading activity The big question about how people behave is
BUY VALUE SELL VALUE NET VALUE whether they’ve got an Inner Scorecard or an
DII 13,982.46 8,358.67 5,623.79 Outer Scorecard. It helps if you can be satisfied
FII / FPI 11,350.06 14,994.49 -3,644.43 with an Inner Scorecard. Warren Buffett www.freepressjournal.in Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025
All figures in ` crores

Fairly-valued stocks in focus; indices up to Rs 444 cr vs Rs 373.6 cr.

6
EBITDA margin improved
slightly to 13.4% from 13.2% in
the year-ago period.
Motilal Oswal Team pulled it back towards 80500 before the ● Two-wheeler sales volumes
MUMBAI close. On the daily chart it formed a of Indian OEMs in Q1FY26
small bodied candle with a lower Top stood at 5.8 million units, a

N Stocks
ifty index opened positive and shadow signalling support based buy- YoY decline of 1.6%.
moved in a range bound ing. The index eventually closed with
manner in the first half of the gains of around 300 points. Now if it Insecticides (India)
session. It respected its support of holds above 80300 zones, then bounce to watch out for ● Insecticides (India) has
24500 levels and witnessed buying on could be seen towards 80700 then 81000 posted 17.16% increase in
the second half of the day. It managed to zones else weakness can be seen consolidated net profit at Rs
cross 24650 zones but failed to surpass towards 80300 and 80000 zones. Asian Granito 58.10 cr for the first quarter
its previous day’s high. It formed a small Bank Nifty index opened gap up near ● Asian Granito India turned of 2025-26 fiscal year on
bodied bullish candle and an inside bar 55340 marks but failed to hold at higher profitable in the April-June higher sales. The company
on the daily frame and closed with levels and gradually drifted lower quarter of 2025-26 by had logged a net profit of Rs
gains of around 130 points. Now it has to towards 55000 levels in the first half of posting a consolidated net 49.37 cr a year ago. Total
hold above 24500 zones then up move the session. However mild recovery was profit of Rs 7.6 cre driven by revenue rose 5.24% to Rs
can be seen towards 24750 then 24900 seen from lower levels towards 55250 lower input costs and gas 691.13 cr in the quarter from
zones while supports can be seen at zones but the Index remained consoli- prices. The company had Rs 656.68 cr in a year earlier.
24442 then 24350 zones. dative in a narrow range of 200 points in reported a net loss of Rs 1.7 Expenses remained higher at
On option front, Maximum Call OI is the latter part of the session. It formed cr in the first quarter of Rs 617.58 cr as against Rs
at 24700 then 24800 strike while an Inside bar on daily scale as buying is 2024-25. Consolidated net 593.32 cr earlier.
Maximum Put OI is at 24600 then 24500 visible at lower levels but momentum is sales rose by 7.8% to Rs 388.2
strike. Call writing is seen at 24700 then missing at higher zones. Now it has to cr in the June quarter Jain Irrigation:
24650 strike while Put writing is seen at hold above 55000 zones for a bounce compared to Rs 360.1 cr in ● Jain Irrigation Systems has
24600 then 24500 strike. Option data towards 55555 then 55750 levels while the first quarter of FY2024- received a significant work
suggests a broader trading range in on the downside support is seen at 25. Operating profit or order from the Chief
between 24100 to 25100 zones while an 55000 then 54750 zones.Nifty future EBITDA for the first quarter Engineer (Special Project
immediate range between 24400 to closed positive with gains of 0.67% at was Rs 24.9 cr against Rs 15.7 Department), MSEDCL
24800 levels. 24719 levels. Positive setup seen in cr in the year-ago period. under the Magel Tyala Saur
S&P BSE Sensex index opened on a Apollo Hospital, Hindalco, Alkem, Exports for Q1 FY26 were Rs Krushi Pump Yojana / PM-
positive note and traded within a nar- Zydus Life, Uno Minda, Indigo, Laurus 63 cr, which was 26% y/y KUSUM B Scheme. The work
row band of nearly 200 points during Labs, Indian Hotel, M&M, and Supreme higher as compared to order is for the design,
the first half of the session. In the latter Industries while weakness in Oil India, exports of Rs 50 cr in Q1 manufacture, supply,
part the index edged higher but SJVN, LICI, Inox Wind, PI Industries, FY25. transport, installation,
encountered stiff resistance near 80700 Petronet, Colpal, Kalyan Jewellers, testing, and commissioning
zones followed by profit booking that IndusInd Bank and Adani Ports. GE Power India of 5,438 Off-Grid DC Solar
● GE Power India reported a Photovoltaic Water Pumping
THE FREE PRESS JOURNAL ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED net profit of Rs 34.72 cr for Systems of 3 HP, 5 HP, and
TO, LOST PROFITS THAT MAY RESULT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE USE OR RELIANCE ON THE
OPINIONS, NEWS, INVESTIGATIONS, ANALYSES, PRICES OR OTHER INFORMATION OFFERED ON THIS June quarter FY26 on 7.5 HP capacities, for a total
PAGE. DATA SOURCE: CAPITALINE account of higher income. value of Rs 135 crore plus
The company had incurred a applicable GST.
loss of Rs 9.54 cr in the April-
June period of the preceding Balrampur Chini
Mills:
Hot stocks Top gainers (value) Top losers (value) financial year. According to
an exchange filing, the ● JBalrampur Chini Mills Ltd
Company Name 8/11/2025 7 DSMA 21 DSMA 50DSMA 250 DSMA BSE 1 Year Pulscore Chg in `
High Price
Company Name 8/11/2025 8/12/2025 Chg in ` % chg Company Name 8/11/2025 8/12/2025 % chg company's total income has posted a 26.48% drop in
TCS 3040.35 3041.96 3114.72 3292.28 3845.50 4585.90 100.00 Alkem Lab 4842.40 5150.65 308.25 6.37 MRF 142024.70 140562.30 -1462.40 -1.03 increased to Rs 339.95 cr its consolidated net profit to
45063.90 44127.30 -936.60 -2.08
Siemens 3119.00 3064.04 3090.83 3189.99 3173.90 4041.64 100.00 Maruti Suzuki 12583.80 12837.85 254.05 2.02 Page Industries from Rs 252.87 cr in the year- Rs 51.57 cr for the first
Abbott India 33001.05 32342.10 -658.95 -2.00
AIA Engineering 3117.45 3122.30 3245.51 3329.06 3575.16 4940.00 100.00
Mah. Scooters 14875.10 15118.85 243.75 1.64 ago period. The quarter quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal
Multi Comm. Exc. 7940.25 8151.80 211.55 2.66 Honeywell Auto 35901.20 35544.70 -356.50 -0.99
Dr Lal Pathlabs 3219.85 3184.65 3075.50 2951.84 2950.24 3645.00 100.00 ended with an order backlog on higher expenses. The
Oracle Fin.Serv. 8401.50 8511.00 109.50 1.30 3M India 31340.40 30987.30 -353.10 -1.13
M&M 3184.20 3191.36 3201.85 3152.04 2954.97 3302.90 100.00
-295.90
of Rs 2,635.3 cr as compared company had reported a net
Apar Inds. 8719.05 8815.65 96.60 1.11 Solar Industries 14885.65 14589.75 -1.99
CEAT 3113.80 3194.61 3447.51 3583.13 3112.49 4048.95 100.00
-266.30
to Rs 2,330.9 cr a year ago. profit of Rs 70.15 cr in the
Gillette India 10291.50 10386.95 95.45 0.93 Dixon Technolog. 16090.25 15823.95 -1.66
Escorts Kubota 3365.45 3364.81 3393.48 3331.26 3449.73 4422.00 100.00
88.00 Bajaj Holdings 14046.95 13797.10 -249.85 -1.78
year-ago period. Total
Avenue Super. 4184.40 4272.40 2.10
Titan Company 3467.65 3406.81 3415.88 3489.11 3405.79 3866.15 100.00
Hero Motocorp 4560.85 4645.00 84.15 1.85 Godfrey Phillips 9837.75 9624.60 -213.15 -2.17 Endurance revenue rose by 8.48% to Rs
Thermax 3284.30 3458.66 3672.58 3558.18 4003.36 5721.20 100.00
Navin Fluo.Intl. 4823.65 4895.35 71.70 1.49 Atul 6625.35 6445.65 -179.70 -2.71 Technologies: 1,542.27 cr for the April-June
Gujarat Fluoroch 3427.65 3522.68 3518.31 3536.17 3859.81 4875.00 100.00 ● Endurance Technologies quarter of 2025-26 from Rs
Blue Dart Expres 5874.95 5944.60 69.65 1.19 Shree Cement 30577.75 30400.25 -177.50 -0.58
Torrent Pharma. 3613.75 3597.84 3575.58 3391.25 3296.80 3790.00 100.00 reported an 11% y/y rise in 1,421.59 cr in the year-ago
Craftsman Auto 6815.65 6882.75 67.10 0.98 Hitachi Energy 20848.95 20692.20 -156.75 -0.75
Larsen & Toubro 3667.90 3630.66 3544.69 3590.14 3527.79 3963.00 100.00 Q1FY26 net profit to Rs 226.4 quarter. The company's
Persistent Sys 5174.35 5230.20 55.85 1.08 Supreme Inds. 4354.30 4220.75 -133.55 -3.07
Akzo Nobel 3454.00 3639.41 3692.92 3490.55 3570.69 4649.00 100.00
J K Cements 6969.65 7025.00 55.35 0.79 Astrazeneca Phar 8791.40 8658.90 -132.50 -1.51 cr, compared to Rs 204 cr expenses remained higher
Cummins India 3793.20 3663.37 3597.48 3460.11 3294.35 3926.60 100.00
Metropolis Healt 2042.50 2095.50 53.00 2.59 P & G Hygiene 13311.35 13188.70 -122.65 -0.92 last year. Revenue grew 17.5% at Rs 1,485.39 cr as against
Ingersoll-Rand 3651.10 3703.09 3938.64 3900.94 3943.32 4699.90 100.00
100.00
M&M 3184.20 3236.55 52.35 1.64 Astral 1382.25 1269.75 -112.50 -8.14 to Rs 3,319 cr from Rs 2,825 Rs 1,334.09 cr in the said
Cams Services 3798.20 3773.36 3993.19 4106.11 4184.00 5367.45
Ajanta Pharma 2647.70 2699.55 51.85 1.96 CRISIL 5225.90 5114.00 -111.90 -2.14 cr, while EBITDA rose 18.8% period.
KEI Industries 3810.75 3830.24 3879.31 3787.11 3839.33 4776.85 100.00
BASF India 4600.00 4650.10 50.10 1.09 Glaxosmi. Pharma 2688.15 2589.05 -99.10 -3.69
eClerx Services 4115.65 4021.19 3797.55 3634.51 3142.45 4198.00 100.00 -89.10 -3.53
Polycab India 6753.85 6803.60 49.75 0.74 Privi Speci. 2520.80 2431.70
Schaeffler India 3870.10 4025.65 4115.22 4087.69 3662.42 4372.70 100.00 14740.55 -82.15 -0.55
Mphasis 2668.50 2718.20 49.70 1.86 LMW 14822.70
P I Industries
Avenue Super.
3851.30
4184.40
4044.36
4214.86
4112.76
4111.99
4092.18
4167.09
3949.40
4118.98
4801.40
5484.00
100.00
100.00
LTIMindtree 5063.55 5113.05 49.50 0.98 Trent 5444.10 5364.70 -79.40 -1.46 Stock Ideas
L&T Technology 4143.05 4223.09 4289.29 4342.20 4858.62 5990.00 100.00
UltraTech Cem. 12404.70 12453.80 49.10 0.40 Esab India 5154.00 5074.60 -79.40 -1.54 GPIL - TECHNICAL
8272.00 8195.70 -76.30 -0.92
Supreme Inds. 4354.30 4238.28 4233.61 4303.96 4334.34 5724.50 100.00
Pfizer 5040.80 5087.05 46.25 0.92 Bajaj Auto
6840.50 -74.10 -1.07
CALL OF THE DAY Buy GPIL
Timken India 2846.90 2893.10 46.20 1.62 Amber Enterp. 6914.60
Hind.Aeronautics 4446.20 4504.59 4627.03 4822.21 4364.35 5166.00 100.00 Godawari Power & Ispat Ltd is trading
Hero Motocorp 4560.85 4526.19 4401.42 4344.31 4488.93 6245.00 100.00
Interglobe Aviat
CreditAcc. Gram.
5877.80
1256.95
5923.85
1301.70
46.05
44.75
0.78
3.56
Bosch
Tata Elxsi
38704.00
5674.30
38636.45
5615.25
-67.55
-59.05
-0.17
-1.04
above its key 40, 100, and 200 EMA levels
on the daily chart, indicating strong bul-
CMP 204.29
BASF India 4600.00 4651.15 4906.46 4998.61 5551.17 8748.10 100.00 1309.05 1251.85 -57.20 -4.37
SKF India 4458.60 4672.36 4829.22 4788.33 4600.38 5601.00 100.00
Sonata Software
Narayana Hrudaya
330.00
1769.35
373.20
1812.05
43.20
42.70
13.09
2.41
Kajaria Ceramics
Poly Medicure 1973.00 1919.85 -53.15 -2.69
lish momentum. The super trend indica-
tor remains positive, reinforcing the
SL 192.00
Alkem Lab 4842.40 4868.26 4956.14 4893.04 5315.86 6440.00 100.00 Bata India 1186.25 1134.15 -52.10 -4.39
Navin Fluo.Intl. 4823.65 4990.00 5016.43 4831.75 3957.03 5442.25 100.00
L&T Technology
Radico Khaitan
4143.05
2852.90
4185.70
2894.95
42.65
42.05
1.03
1.47 ZF Commercial 13792.35 13740.35 -52.00 -0.38 uptrend. Additionally, RSI divergence is
visible, suggesting potential for further
TRGT 217.63
Pfizer 5040.80 5037.59 5225.09 5510.59 5077.84 6452.85 100.00 KEI Industries 3810.75 3760.40 -50.35 -1.32
Patanjali Foods 1781.00 1820.05 39.05 2.19
LTIMindtree 5063.55 5054.48 5129.37 5244.74 5504.23 6764.80 100.00
Ipca Labs. 1337.25 1376.30 39.05 2.92 Muthoot Finance 2585.55 2536.80 -48.75 -1.89 upside, though short-term consolidation
Fine Organic 4885.30 5088.34 5231.80 5030.81 4713.87 5685.55 100.00
Jindal Stain. 677.85 713.40 35.55 5.24 Ingersoll-Rand 3651.10 3602.80 -48.30 -1.32 cannot be ruled out.
ABB 5047.70 5122.55 5466.77 5764.03 6450.45 8941.45 100.00 Kaynes Tech 5853.60 5807.75 -45.85 -0.78
Rainbow Child. 1503.75 1538.05 34.30 2.28
Persistent Sys 5174.35 5131.71 5323.82 5651.48 5602.36 6788.80 100.00 1.05 Home First Finan 1282.40 1236.80 -45.60 -3.56
Dr Lal Pathlabs 3219.85 3253.55 33.70
Esab India 5154.00 5211.00 5386.60 5259.84 5441.92 6739.00 100.00 33.35 1.82 ERIS Lifescience 1722.85 1679.10 -43.75 -2.54
Bombay Burmah 1834.10 1867.45
CRISIL 5225.90 5245.39 5546.95 5638.06 5100.58 6955.40 100.00 2225.35 2257.80 32.45 1.46 Godrej Propert. 1989.60 1946.00 -43.60 -2.19
Dalmia BharatLtd

Upwardly & Downwardly Cos Max Financial

Tech Mahindra
1555.55
1481.70
1586.75
1509.40
31.20
27.70
2.01
1.87
Coromandel Inter
Britannia Inds.
2442.60
5382.90
2399.20
5340.25
-43.40
-42.65
-1.78
-0.79
Company Name 8/5/2025 8/12/2025 Days Gain/Loss % Per Day Star Cement 263.60 290.55 26.95 10.22 Galaxy Surfact. 2411.50 2370.05 -41.45 -1.72
Averge Archean Chemical 625.65 651.95 26.30 4.20 Fine Organic 4885.30 4844.15 -41.15 -0.84
Supreme Petroch. 818.50 727.70 5 -11.09 -18.16 GE Shipping Co 947.60 973.50 25.90 2.73 Hind.Aeronautics 4446.20 4405.80 -40.40 -0.91
Praj Industries 456.60 413.15 5 -9.52 -8.69 Ava n t i Fe e d s 639.60 664.70 25.10 3.92 C e ra S a n i t a r y. 6396.05 6356.20 -39.85 -0.62
Tanla Platforms 673.30 611.55 5 -9.17 -12.35 ABB 5047.70 5072.15 24.45 0.48 Angel One 2546.00 2507.60 -38.40 -1.51
Rossari Biotech 697.80 635.35 5 -8.95 -12.49 EID Parry 1148.30 1170.60 22.30 1.94 A B Real Estate 1854.05 1816.65 -37.40 -2.02
Samvardh. Mothe. 97.39 90.27 5 -7.31 -1.42 KPIT Technologi. 1199.15 1218.75 19.60 1.63 K P R Mill Ltd 992.65 955.30 -37.35 -3.76

Top gainers (%) Top losers (%) 52-week high

Company Name
Sonata Software
8/11/2025
330.00
8/12/2025
373.20
% chg
13.09
Company Name
Astral
8/11/2025
1382.25
8/12/2025
1269.75
% chg
-8.14
Company Name 8/12/2025 52-week 52-week
High Low
Change
Rs
Chg (%) PM E-DRIVE: KEY CHANGES
Star Cement
Alkem Lab
263.60
4842.40
290.55
5150.65
10.22
6.37
Praj Industries
CSB Bank
445.85
432.70
413.15
405.55
-7.33
-6.27
Hitachi Energy
RRPSemiconductor
20692.20
3737.65
21784.80
3737.65
8738.05
23.22
13046.75
3714.43
149.31
15996.68
& INVESTOR TAKEAWAYS
Jindal Stain. 677.85 713.40 5.24 Bata India 1186.25 1134.15 -4.39 Alfred Herbert 3843.95 3843.95 1440.00 2403.95 166.94
SJVN 93.13 98.00 5.23 Kajaria Ceramics 1309.05 1251.85 -4.37 GHV Infra 1779.35 1779.35 19.78 1759.57 8895.70 Teji Mandi Under the scheme, Rs 3,679
PCBL Chemical 369.25 385.55 4.41 KNR Construct. 210.30 201.95 -3.97 Jubilant Agri 2518.70 2724.05 1026.55 1697.50 165.36 crore will be allocated for

T
Jindal Worldwide 35.83 37.35 4.24 Rail Vikas 342.55 329.05 -3.94 Midwest Gold 1667.80 1667.80 47.00 1620.80 3448.51 he government has demand incentives for var-
Archean Chemical 625.65 651.95 4.20 K P R Mill Ltd 992.65 955.30 -3.76 Cartrade Tech 2334.35 2349.00 817.75 1531.25 187.25 extended the Prime ious vehicles, including two-
Indian Link Ch. 1167.85 1167.85 156.75 1011.10 645.04
Sammaan Capital 115.05 119.60 3.95 Glaxosmi. Pharma 2688.15 2589.05 -3.69 Minister E-Drive wheelers, three-wheelers,
Avanti Feeds 639.60 664.70 3.92 Home First Finan 1282.40 1236.80 -3.56 Rajesh Power 1545.60 1620.00 636.50 983.50 154.52
scheme until March 2028 to ambulances, and trucks. A
Biocon 342.05 354.90 3.76 Privi Speci. 2520.80 2431.70 -3.53 Sobhagya Mercant 819.95 819.95 49.34 770.61 1561.84
boost the electric vehicle sector. The focus budget of Rs 7,171 crore has been set aside
Orient Electric 203.00 210.60 3.74 Piramal Enterp. 1163.90 1126.85 -3.18 One 97 1119.95 1135.85 499.25 636.60 127.51
Algoquant Fin 1389.85 1406.00 786.45 619.55 78.78
will be on large segments such as electric for e-bus charging infrastructure and test-
Easy Trip Plann. 8.82 9.14 3.63 Supreme Inds. 4354.30 4220.75 -3.07
CreditAcc. Gram. 1256.95 1301.70 3.56 Fortis Health. 931.55 935.55 481.25 454.30 94.40 buses, trucks, and ambulances. However, ing upgrades.
Redington 242.70 235.55 -2.95
Usha Martin 339.75 350.80 3.25 Bajaj Finance 878.10 852.90 -2.87 Stellant Secu. 485.15 485.15 33.25 451.90 1359.10 subsidies for some other segments will be
Granules India 441.00 455.25 3.23 Atul 6625.35 6445.65 -2.71 Espire Hospi 600.35 620.00 170.90 449.10 262.79 phased out after a set period. The Ministry Potential Impact
NLC India 232.75 240.15 3.18 Poly Medicure 1973.00 1919.85 -2.69 Hira Automobile 401.95 401.95 74.78 327.17 437.51 of Heavy Industries launched the PM E- The government has announced that sub-
India Cements 357.65 368.35 2.99 Kalyan Jewellers 536.75 522.55 -2.65 Health.Global 670.85 674.40 349.00 325.40 93.24 Drive scheme in October 2024, replacing sidies for electric two-wheelers and three-
Ipca Labs. 1337.25 1376.30 2.92 ERIS Lifescience 1722.85 1679.10 -2.54 Indokem 367.35 372.95 72.00 300.95 417.99 the Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme wheelers will end on 31 March 2026.
Minda Corp 458.25 471.40 2.87 Cholaman.Inv.&Fn 1486.05 1450.75 -2.38 Euro Asia Export 313.00 313.00 16.73 296.27 1770.89 2024, which was in effect from April- Currently, these vehicles receive an incen-
Aptus Value Hou. 334.80 344.35 2.85 Jubilant Pharmo 1103.10 1077.85 -2.29 Elitecon Inter. 286.20 286.20 1.10 285.10 25918.18
September 2024. tive of Rs 5,000 per kWh, which will be
Graphite India 523.00 537.40 2.75 360 ONE 1041.65 1018.00 -2.27 Cura Tech. 299.00 299.00 23.24 275.76 1186.57
reduced to Rs 2,500 per kWh in FY2026,
GE Shipping Co 947.60 973.50 2.73 Tejas Networks 563.80 551.00 -2.27 Aryaman Capital 423.05 423.05 175.40 247.65 141.19
Segment-Wise Fund capped at a maximum of 15% of the
Aster DM Health. 587.50 603.25 2.68 Godrej Propert. 1989.60 1946.00 -2.19 KRBL 451.00 470.95 225.70 245.25 108.66
Zuari Agro Chem. 374.15 390.00 152.00 238.00 156.58 Under the extension, a total fund of Rs vehicle’s ex-factory price.
Multi Comm. Exc. 7940.25 8151.80 2.66 Godfrey Phillips 9837.75 9624.60 -2.17
Chambal Fert. 522.30 536.15 2.65 Jindal Saw 203.40 199.00 -2.16 Gautam Exim 260.00 260.00 53.60 206.40 385.07 10,900 crore has been allocated. Of this, Rs
Metropolis Healt 2042.50 2095.50 2.59 CRISIL 5225.90 5114.00 -2.14 Hubtown 349.35 351.75 149.90 201.85 134.66 9,500 crore will be spent on incentives for What Does It Mean for
Adani Total Gas 596.45 611.80 2.57 Tata Comm 1662.40 1627.25 -2.11 SKM Egg Prod. 340.15 340.15 151.00 189.15 125.26 large electric buses, trucks, and special-use Investors?
Quess Corp 269.35 275.95 2.45 NBCC 109.15 106.85 -2.11 IMEC Services 197.00 197.00 8.06 188.94 2344.17 vehicles such as ambulances. Another Rs The government has announced that sub-
Petronet LNG 272.95 279.60 2.44 Page Industries 45063.90 44127.30 -2.08 Vega Jewellers 191.15 191.15 2.24 188.91 8433.48 1,400 crore will be used to strengthen EV sidies for electric two-wheelers and three-
Narayana Hrudaya 1769.35 1812.05 2.41 Bharat Dynamics 1517.05 1485.85 -2.06 Nidhi Granites 254.00 254.85 86.20 168.65 195.65 charging infrastructure and related supply wheelers will end on 31 March 2026.
Nuvoco Vistas 450.60 456.00 288.00 168.00 58.33
Vardhman Textile 390.30 399.70 2.41 A B Real Estate 1854.05 1816.65 -2.02 chains. Currently, these vehicles receive an incen-
Rainbow Child. 1503.75 1538.05 2.28 New India Assura 188.65 184.85 -2.01 Avishkar Infra 214.30 214.30 49.95 164.35 329.03
tive of Rs 5,000 per kWh, which will be
Equitas Sma. Fin 53.72 54.94 2.27 Deepak Fertilis. 1477.40 1447.80 -2.00 Key Components reduced to Rs 2,500 per kWh in FY2026,
Tata Tele. Mah.
Zensar Tech.
57.72
791.10
59.03
808.80
2.27
2.24
Abbott India
Solar Industries
33001.05
14885.65
32342.10
14589.75
-2.00
-1.99
52-week low The government has taken significant capped at a maximum of 15% of the
Delta Corp 82.13 83.94 2.20 Company Name 8/12/2025 52-week 52-week Change Chg steps to promote electric vehicles. An vehicle’s ex-factory price. There may be
Vodafone Idea 6.61 6.48 -1.97
Patanjali Foods 1781.00 1820.05 2.19 Mahindra Life. 348.00 341.20 -1.95
High Low Rs (%) amount of Rs 500 crore has been ear- long-term opportunities in stocks related
EPL Ltd 226.45 231.35 2.16 Vaibhav Global 221.20 216.90 -1.94
National Standar 1760.25 6195.00 1700.00 -4495.00 -72.56 marked for electric ambulances, with to EVs and charging infrastructure.
HLE Glascoat 436.65 446.05 2.15 RBL Bank 258.15 253.15 -1.94 GRP 1969.80 4840.00 1965.00 -2875.00 -59.40 guidelines expected by early 2026. Companies involved in charging station
ICICI Securities 876.85 895.70 2.15 Muthoot Finance 2585.55 2536.80 -1.89 Bharat Global 75.30 1702.95 71.05 -1631.90 -95.83 Additionally, electric buses will be manufacturing, battery supply chains, and
La Opala RG 240.90 246.05 2.14 Century Plyboard 734.25 721.15 -1.78 Pix Transmission 1262.80 2796.45 1225.00 -1571.45 -56.19 deployed in nine major cities with popula- electric bus production could directly
Latent View 388.75 396.95 2.11 Bajaj Holdings 14046.95 13797.10 -1.78 Protean eGov 719.80 2225.00 716.50 -1508.50 -67.80 tions exceeding 40 lakh. benefit from this policy extension.
Avenue Super. 4184.40 4272.40 2.10 Coromandel Inter 2442.60 2399.20 -1.78 Macfos 700.00 1528.20 630.00 -898.20 -58.78
Maruti Suzuki 12583.80 12837.85 2.02 Clean Science 1180.35 1159.65 -1.75 Toss The Coin 320.40 927.50 300.00 -627.50 -67.65 Teji Mandi (TM Investment Technologies Pvt Ltd) is a SEBI registered Research Analyst
Max Financial 1555.55 1586.75 2.01 Godrej Agrovet 799.40 785.45 -1.75 (RA). Information in this article should not be construed as investment advice.
Lemon Tree Hotel 142.10 144.95 2.01 52-week High-Low Data are of BSE listed companies. All other tables are of BSE-500 Please visit www.tejimandi.com to know more.
Galaxy Surfact. 2411.50 2370.05 -1.72
and Moving average data of the previous trading day. Source: Capitalmarket
 CORPORATE CONNECT
Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025
www.freepressjournal.in

corporate gallery whispersinthecorridors

IRCTC Signs MoU with Govt of VIT-AP University Library Dr Suresh Mehrotra
Mizoram to Boost Tourism As Observes National Librarians’
Railway will serve the Capital Day, Honoring the 133rd Birth : Three women officers : Are Trumps action aimed to see Modi out of
holding key posts in Railways power?
City of Mizoram soon Anniversary of Dr. S. R. Three women are holding key In the corridors of power it is
The capital city Ranganathan posts in the Railways. loud thinking that US President
of Mizoram, Accordingly, Ms Sonali Mishra Trumps all actions indicate the
Aizawl, is set to (IPS: 1993 MP) is holding the post plot to remove Narendra. One
be connected to of DG, Railway Protection Force can wait and watch to see other actions of Trump.
the Indian Rail- (RPF), while Ms Usha Venugopal (IRAS) is enjoying
ways network for : Can Smriti Irani Beat Her TV
the post of Member, Finance, Railway Board and Comeback in Politics?
the first time
with the comple- Ms Aruna Nair (IRPS: 87) is Secretary, Railway
Smriti Irani’s Kyunki Saas Bhi
tion of the Board.
Kabhi Bahu Thi Season 2 is off to
Bairabi–Sairang : IAS and IPS transfers a blockbuster start. Reportedly,
New Railway likely in Odisha the show’s TRP broke a 5-year
Line Project in
NFR. This vital There’s speculation that record. With this success, she has
infrastructure, Odisha may see further IAS managed to stay relevant once again. As the saying
undertaken as and IPS transfers in late 2025, goes, “Jo dikhta hai, vo bikta hai.” The big question
part of the capital connectivity projects, will greatly en- VIT-AP University library has organized National Librari- focusing on officers with expertise in disaster now is, can she pull off a similar comeback in
hance travel and economic opportunities for Mizoram. ans’ day on 12th August,2025 at university library hall on management, given the state’s vulnerability to politics? And can her new TV fame play a big role in
Once operational, railway services will extend to Sairang, the occasion of 133rd birth anniversary of Dr S R Ran- cyclones and floods. Whispers suggest that the it?
just a short distance from Aizawl, significantly improving ganathan, father of library science in India and interna- administration is prioritising officers with strong
accessibility to the hill state of NE. tionally renowned, national professor recognized by : Two IAS officers get new assignments in
track records in rural development to bolster its Haryana
In anticipation of this transformative development, the Government of India and a professor of library science.
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Dr Achala Munigal, Assoc. Professor & Dy. Librarian Os- image ahead of upcoming elections.
Two IAS officers have been given new assignments
(IRCTC) have signed a two-year Memorandum of Un- mania University Hyderabad has been invited as chief : Operationalization of Integrated Theatre in Haryana. Vijayendra Kumar, ACS, Cooperation
derstanding (MoU) with the Mizoram Government in guest. In her presidential address, she stressed why Na- Commands in 2025 likely Department, has been assigned an additional
August 2025 to promote both inbound and outbound tional librarians’ day is organising every year on this occa-
Speculation is rife about the operationalization of charge of ACS, Sainik and Ardh Sainik Welfare
tourism for the state. sion and the influence of Dr S R Ranganathan’s
Under this agreement, IRCTC will act as the front-end contributions on present day libraries. She noted that Dr Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs) in 2025, with Department, in addition to his present duties, while
marketing agency while Mizoram Tourism will provide Ranganathan has been honoured Padmasri, National Re- commands planned for Lucknow (China-focused), Dusmanta Kumar Behera, DG and Secretary,
access to tourism infrastructure, including tourist search Professor & Rao Bahadur by then Govt. of India Jaipur (Pakistan-focused), and Developments & Panchayats, gets additional charge
lodges, and work with IRCTC to design curated travel and Mysore Maharaja for his outstanding contributions to Thiruvananthapuram (maritime). Resistance to of Secretary, Governor and has been relieved of the
packages. The collaboration also aims to develop local the development of libraries & society, introducing library “jointness” due to service-specific autonomy charge of DG and Secretary, Industries &
Destination Management Companies and service science course in many universities, devised classification remains a challenge, but progress in inter-services Commerce and MSME.
providers to arrange transport, accommodation, sight- and cataloguing systems, wrote many books on different aide-de-camps (ADCs) for tri-services chiefs
seeing with a special insight into the vibrant culture of subjects. Dr Ranganthan had been worked as Professor : West Bengal government weighing legal
signals momentum. options against the direction of Election
Mizoram. This includes the colourful tapestry of festivals and university librarian at Madras University, Benares
where communities come together with feasting, bam- Hindu University, Delhi University for many years and he : ‘Is it enough time for newly appointed Chief Commission of India
boo dances, traditional folk music and ceremonial rituals was the president of Indian Library association, honorary Secy of Bihar to script another success story?’ The West Bengal government has started weighing
imbued with meaning. Beyond cultural festivities, Mizo- member for FID, Vice president of Library association of The new posting of the Bihar Chief Secretary legal options against the direction of the Election
ram also offers a rich tourism canvas consisting of Great Britain and established DRTC at Bangalore. Hun-
Pratyaya Amrit comes at a time when Nitish Commission of India (ECI) to the Chief Secretary,
emerald valleys, lush green hills, pristine waterfalls and dreds of Ph.Ds. were awarded on bibliometric analysis on
heritage sites. his writings, papers presented and published in national Kumar's development story is waning. The 74-year- Manoj Pant. The ECI has recently directed the Chief
and international conferences throughout India and old Chief Minister, now slowed down by age, faces Secretary to order the suspension of four election
abroad. a crucial election in a few months. On the opposite officers and the lodging of FIRs against them. The
CORPORATE CORNER And also she addressed on research writing and research
ethics and guidance on articles to be published and how
side is the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), led by Lalu Commission found the officials guilty of
irregularities in the addition of names to electoral
Yadav's younger son Tejashwi Yadav, and the
research would be useful for society and the country as a
First Cadre Review For BSF whole. She advised university academic community to
Congress. One of the senior bureaucrat asked, is it rolls in two constituencies. This action is being seen
enough time for him to script another success as a strong warning from the Commission to all
Group B & C Employees utilise library resources off line and online effectively and
work hard like Ranganathan for reaching higher positions story? those involved in the state’s electoral process. The
Approved in their field of life. : Four senior IPS officers get new assignments issue has enhanced the tensions between the ECI
The Government of India has approved the very first While addressing, library Director Dr Ch. Deepak stressed in Tamil Nadu and the West Bengal government. Both are on
cadre review of Border Security Force (BSF) Group B the importance of libraries for academic community es- confrontational path on multiple issues and there
Four senior IPS officers have been given new
and C employees, spanning from Constable to Inspector pecially for teaching and research. He advised research are clear signs that the confrontation could intensify
and its implementation has already begun. The imple- scholars, students and faculty to effectively utilize both assignments in Tamil Nadu. Pramod Kumar has
in the coming days. The ECI will wait for the Bengal
mentation will cover a total immediate promotions slate print and online resources. been posted as DGP/Director of Civil Defence and
Chief Secretary Manoj Pant’s action-taken report on
of 23,710 personnel. Total 8116 promotion orders in dif- University Librarian Dr Ch Veeranjaneyulu while in his ini- Commandant General, Home Guards, Chennai,
the issue of four officials. All governments are said
ferent ranks have already been issued on Wednesday. tial address, draw the contributions of Dr S R ran- while Mrs Jeyawill take charge as IG, State Crime
to be legally bound under section 13 (CC) of the
This will be a significant morale boosting step by Govt. of ganathans’ to the library science and every librarian Records Bureau (SCRB) and Ayush Mani Tiwari
India post Ops “Sindoor” for career progression within should follow the principles, guidelines, best practices Representation of the People Act, 1950 to adhere to
takes over as ADGP/ Chief Vigilance Officer, Tamil
the cutting edge rank and file. and especially follow and practice the five laws of library the directives of the EC about officers who are
Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd.
The review is expected to improve promotion avenues science sincerely. All the user community of the entire engaged in the preparation of the rolls or conduct
(TANGEDCO). Besides, Dr V Varun Kumar has been
from Constable to Inspector that will provide significant university should be well aware of library resources and of elections.
transferred as DIG, Crime Branch, CID, Chennai.
respite to them from existing stagnation, thereby en- utilised effectively for their academic, career and profes-
hancing overall morale and professional development of sional development. University providing various annual
force personnel. subscriptions from ScienceDirect, IEEE (IEL), Springer, — Correctness of this content is the responsibility of the author.
Scopus, and many more e-journals, e-books and e- By arrangement with whispersintheccorridors.com
databases apart from print books and journals.

Shiv Chhatrapati Awards, RPF Bengaluru Division HUDCO Celebrates Har Ghar NFR to Host Grand
Government Benefits and Organizes Bike Rally under Tiranga with Enthusiasm, Independence Day Celebration
Official Appointments for Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign Festivities, and Patriotic Fervour at Eco Park, Amingaon
Traditional Indian Sports The Housing
and Urban
As part of the
nationwide
Athletes in Focus Development celebrations
Sports and Youth Welfare Minis- Corporation for Indepen-
ter Manikrao Kokate today an- (HUDCO), a dence Day
nounced that the state Navratna 2025, the
government will tr y and work to- NBFC-IFC Railway Pro-
wards granting Shiv Chhatrapati under the tection Force
Awards, government benefits, Ministry of (RPF) of
and official appointments to ath- Housing and Northeast
letes excelling in traditional Indian Urban Affairs Frontier Rail-
sports. He was speaking at the in- (MoHUA), or- way (NFR)
auguration of the Olympicveer The Railway ganised a vi- will present a
Khashaba Jadhav Paramparik Protection brant two-day celebration at the India Habitat Centre special patri-
Krida Mahakumbh, held at Kurla. Force (RPF), (IHC), as part of the ongoing Har Ghar Tiranga campaign otic performance at the Eco Park, Amingaon, Guwahati
The event also marked the inauguration of the Pun- Bengaluru Di- by the Government of India from 2nd to 15th August 2025. on the evening of 15th August 2025. Aligned with Indian
yashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Traditional Sports Ground The vision, today The Har Ghar Tiranga kiosk was inaugurated by the Chief Railways’ initiative to ignite the spirit of patriotism across
demand to extend government benefits to players pre- organized a Guest, Srinivas Katikithala, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of the nation, the RPF Band will perform at prominent public
serving India’s traditional outdoor games — a vital part of Bike Rally in Housing & Urban Affairs, in the presence of Sanjay Kul- venues, bringing music, pride and unity to communities
the nation’s cultural heritage — was put forward by Skill the city as shrestha, CMD HUDCO, officials of HUDCO, MOHUA and far and wide. The performance will feature a captivating
Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Inno- part of the various offices located in the India Habitat Centre. Speak- line-up of patriotic songs, with RPF Band performances
vation Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, who conceptu- Har Ghar ing on the occasion, Secretary MoHUA urged everyone to lighting up important Indian Railways locations on the
alised the Mahakumbh. The event is being organised at Tiranga cam- actively participate in the festivities and proudly hoist the evening of 15th August 2025 including Kakori Railway
the Jam Saheb Mukadam Vocational Education and paign to mark national flag at their homes, reminding each person that Station in Uttar Pradesh, the Rail Museum and Hubli Pub-
Training Centre’s newly inaugurated ground in memory the 79th In- the Tiranga is not just a symbol of our freedom but also of lic Garden near Hubli Railway Station in Karnataka and
of Rajmata Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar. dependence our identity, unity and honour. Eco Park, Amingaon in Guwahati. The event at Amingaon
The inaugural programme was attended by Smt. Madhavi Day celebrations. Kulshrestha, CMD, HUDCO, said that the celebrations are will be graced by Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, General
Sardeshmukh, Director of the Directorate of Vocational The rally was flagged off by Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Divi- a vibrant reminder of the shared heritage and aspirations Manager of N.F. Railway along with other senior railway
Education and Training; Mumbai Suburban District Col- sional Railway Manager, Bengaluru Division, in the pres- that bind the nation together. To mark these celebrations, officials, staff, their family members and members of the
lector Saurabh Katiyar; Treasurer of Kreeda Bharati ence of Dr. Shreyans Chinchawade, Senior Divisional HUDCO is planning to distribute over 10,000 national public all coming together to celebrate the pride and
Ganeshji Devrukhkar; Mumbai President Milind Dange; Security Commissioner, and other branch officers. flags, at the kiosk and also at various regional offices unity of the nation. To make the celebrations even more
and Ranjit Jadhav, son of Olympian Khashaba Jadhav. The Starting from the Divisional Office, the rally passed across the country, enabling citizens to be part of the na- special, Indian Railways has set up special Selfie Points at
festivities opened in a vibrant atmosphere, with the beats through Railway Quarters and Binny Mills Road before re- tional movement. The venue came alive with tricolour different locations inspired by the ‘Operation Sindoor’
of traditional Maharashtrian dhol and lezim. In a special turning to KSR Bengaluru Railway Station. decorations and the participants exhibited great zeal to theme, where visitors can take photos and remember
message, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis lauded the RPF bike riders proudly spread the message of national take home a national flag. To capture the spirit of the cel- their patriotic moments. In addition, family members of
initiative, noting that in today’s technology-driven age — pride, unity, and brotherhood. The rally reflected the un- ebration, selfie points adorned with the colours of the freedom fighters will be honoured and a display showcas-
where children’s physical activity is rapidly declining — wavering commitment of the Railway Protection Force Tiranga have been set up, encouraging participants to ing the achievements of the Armed Forces during Opera-
reviving traditional sports is both timely and important. towards safeguarding the nation and upholding its values. capture their Har Ghar Tiranga moment. tion Sindoor will be presented.

Send your CORPORATE / EVENTS / HEALTH / ART news and pictures to Sachin Tikare. Email: sachin@fpj.co.in Check the news online at www.freepressjournal.in/corporate-gallery/
 www.freepressjournal.in B ite
The world is facing a "volatile and uncertain era", having experienced successive
impact of Covid pandemic, multiple conflicts and "trade upheavals." Atmanirbharta
is the mindset needed to deal with "global turbulence" –S Jaishankar, EAM nation Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025

CHARGE AND COUNTER-CHARGE | Congress highlights ‘vote chori’ with video, party chief Kharge asks people to raise voice

RaGa’s chai pe charcha with ‘dead’ voters

Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar
NEW DELHI Bihar Dy CM, Tejashwi trade
Leader of Opposition in Lok
Sabha and Congress leader barbs over double voter IDs
Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday Dheeraj Kumar leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged
met with some voters from PATNA that Nirmala Devi, a promi-
Bihar who claimed that they nent BJP leader and the
have been declared 'dead' in With Bihar assembly elections mayor of Muzaffarpur, was
the latest voter list announced round the corner, deputy chief possessing two EPIC IDs -
by the Election Commission. minister and senior BJP REM1251917 and GSB1835164
Gandhi said during the leader Vijay Kumar Sinha and in the same constituency with
interaction with these resi- RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav two different ages. He claimed
dents of Bihar that “this is have intensified their attack as 57 in one constituency and her two brothers-in-law,
clearly a conspiracy by the over double EPIC cards as the 60 in another, calling it an “age Manoj Kumar and Dilip
Election Commission and BJP, latter alleged that there was a scam”. Sinha contended that Kumar, also have two different
under which the voting rights
Rahul Gandhi meets with people allegedly declared 'dead' in Election Commision’s voter list, in New Delhi. nexus between BJP and the he had already deleted his EPIC cards each, with two dif-
of Dalits, backward classes, and the Assembly segment nearly by these local leaders to a During a tea session with people to raise their voice and Election Commission (EC). name from Patna voters’ list. ferent votes at two different
minorities are being snatched 50 people have been declared woman, they said, was 85 years these “dead voters”, Rahul was save constitutional institutions Addressing reporters on Referring Tejashwi as the booths. On the other hand, the
away.” “dead” and their names have old and whose name was heard chatting with them and from the "clutches of the BJP". Wednesday, Sinha displayed “Yuvraj of Jungle Raj”, he Election Commission issued
Gandhi was informed these been deleted by the Election deleted. They claimed that “she urging them to go around and Tagging the advertisement matriculation and higher edu- asked him to present his own notices to them in this connec-
voters were from Raghopur Commission despite their still stood for six hours in the “see Delhi” to which one of titled 'booth par vote chori", cation degrees as proof that degrees and explain reported tion, asking them to reply by
Assembly segment, which is being alive. Supreme Court just to save her them remarked, “when we are Congress president Kharge his correct age was 57 to inconsistencies in his and his August 16, 5 pm.
represented by former Bihar The people who met Gandhi vote”. not even alive, how can we see said, "Do not let your rights to counter Tejashwi`s allegations elder brother Tej Pratap The RJD leader alleged that
chief minister and Rashtriya said they were from 3-4 polling Mentioning how the it”. vote be snatched away. Ask about discrepancies in his age. Yadav’s ages. “How did state organisation general sec-
Janata Dal leader Tejasvi Yadav. booths of the Assembly. When Election Commission had ear- Meanwhile, the Congress on questions, demand answers Earlier this week, Tejashwi Tejashwi Yadav become 26 retary of Bihar BJP, Bhikhu
During the interaction, Gandhi asked them if there lier declared 22 lakh existing stepped up its campaign this time! Raise your voice alleged that Sinha was regis- and Tej Pratap Yadav 25 in Bhai Dalsania, a resident of
which took place in a library at were more people who had voters “dead” following the against alleged 'vote chori' by against vote chori." tered as a voter in both 2015?” he asked, adding that Gujarat, had become a voter in
Gandhi’s residence, the local been proclaimed dead apart Special Intensive Revision of releasing a new video depict- "Free constitutional institu- Lakhisarai and Patna and he would also issue a legal Bihar by getting his name
leaders who accompanied from them, they replied in the electoral rolls, they said some ing how fake votes were being tions from the clutches of the claimed inconsistencies in the notice to Tejashwi for making deleted from Gujarat voters’
these “dead” voters, claimed affirmative. youth were also put in the cat- cast and party chief BJP," he said in his message to deputy CM’s age records. He false allegations against him. list in view of the upcoming
that from every panchayat in Gandhi was then introduced egory. Mallikarjun Kharge asking the people on X. claimed Sinha’s age was listed On the other hand, RJD assembly election.

Briefs Rahul, Tejashwi to hold EC officials must reach out ‘When Didi tore papers’: 17,665 claims, objections Congress holds protest in
joint rallies from Aug 17 to eligible voters: PUCL BJP attack on vote theft over draft voter list: EC Jaipur against EC
NEW DELHI Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Anurag Thakur on Wednesday asked West Election Commission of India (ECI) has The Congress held a massive protest against
Follow EC leader Tejashwi Yadav are all set to embark Bihar on Wednesday stressed on poll officials Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee why as received 17,665 claims and objections over "vote theft" in Rajasthan's Jaipur on
on ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ from Sasaram on approaching voters or Election Commission Opposition leader in 2005 she had alleged of the draft voter list after the SIR of the electo- Wednesday, with top leaders of the party in
directives: August 17 to register their protest against the would miss out on its main objective of ensur- “fake voters” in Bengal and why has she ral roll in Bihar, out of which 454 complaints the state, including former Chief Minister
WB CS told manner in which the ongoing SIR of the ing all eligible people were included in voters’ changed her stance now. “In 2005, in Lok have been dispose. According to a press note Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, participat-
electoral rolls was being conducted in Bihar. list. Demanding that SIR must be stopped and Sabha, Mamata Banerjee tore papers saying by ECI, after 13 days, no claim or objection ing. Gehlot criticised the EC for demanding
After appearing before In this connection, AICC general secretary its constitutionality should be examined by a that a vote bank of Bangladeshi infiltrators has been submitted by any political party. A an affidavit from Rahul Gandhi, for enquir-
the ECI, West Bengal (organization) and MP K C Venugopal held a constitutional bench of Supreme Court, PUCL was being created and their names were on total of 74,525 forms have been received ing into his "vote theft" allegation. “Rahul
Chief Secretary Manoj meeting with INDIA bloc leaders at Sasaram said Bihar assembly elections should be con- the voters’ list. Today, when there is talk of from new electors on attaining 18 years of Gandhi has also provided data, and the EC is
Pant on Wednesday was on Wednesday and reviewed preparations. ducted on the basis of final electoral roll pub- carrying out a cleansing campaign, why are age or above, including six forms received demanding an affidavit from him. We have
asked why the directives –Dheeraj Kumar lished by the ECI on Jan 7. –Dheeraj Kumar you opposing it,” he asked. –Aritra Singha from BLAS. seen this for the first time," Gehlot said.
given by the poll panel
were not implemented
and also a fresh deadline
of August 21 was men-
tioned to implement the
HOW BIZARRE! Voter list in Varanasi shows monk with 50 ‘sons’
same especially over the Biswajeet Banerjee monk never marrying. rolls. Senior Congress leader fied the issue, calling it “vote tionable entry is a potential Shankuldhara, Kashmiri Ganj. listed their guru’s name
suspension and FIR VARANASI The list, which has gone Maroof Khan said, "This is not theft” and demanding stolen vote." Voters numbered 234 to 285 instead of their biological
against five state govern- viral on social media, records just a clerical error. When one immediate action. Party spo- all have “Ramkamal Das” father’s when applying for
ment officers. A bizarre entry in the the “youngest son” as 28-year- name appears as father to 50 kesperson Akhilesh Singh Officials deny wrongdoing listed in the father’s name col- voter ID cards.
–Aritra Singha Varanasi voter list has trig- old Raghvendra and the voters of different ages, it added, "The Election State Election Commission umn. Under a 2022 State Election
gered political uproar — the “eldest” as 72-year-old raises serious questions about Commission must explain officials have dismissed the Ramkamal Das is a jagad- Commission guideline,
KOLKATA name of Swami Ramkamal Banwari Das. Uttar Pradesh the authenticity of the rolls. If how such anomalies pass controversy, saying the list in guru who built the historic monks, nuns, and members of
Mithun calls Das, founder of the Ram
Janaki Temple at Gurudham,
Congress
accused
leaders
the
have
Election
this can happen in Varanasi,
what is the guarantee it is not
scrutiny. It is not enough to
call it an ‘old list’ or hide
circulation is from 2023 and
pertains to polling booth 206
Shri Ram Temple in Khajua-
Kashmiriganj. The temple’s
religious orders may use the
name of their guru or relig-
govt sop alms, appears as the “father” of 50 Commission of allowing a happening elsewhere?" behind technical rules. In an at Kanya Primary & Upper gurukul houses monks and ious institution in place of a
stirs row men, despite the celibate “brazen manipulation” of the On X, UP Congress ampli- election, every fake or ques- Primary School, young brahmacharis, who parent’s name.

US refuses to answer Dharmasthala: Govt mulls calling off excavations

if Pakistan lost F-16s Vinaya Madhava Gowda
BENGALURU
ahead of Monsoon
Legislature Session. When
Anucheth came to Vidhana
Soudha from Dharmasthala,
came out publicly and made
an appeal before the media to
complaint. She also lodged a
complaint with the SIT.
Agencies known as Technical Support Siddaramaiah cautioned the and briefed both the Chief help her get at least the mor- However, the media looked
NEW DELHI Teams (TSTs), who are The controversy of party MLAs not to make any Minister and the Home tal remains of her daughter, out for family members of
BJP leader Mithun deployed in Pakistan 24/7 to Dharmasthala Temple admin- adverse remarks against Minister about the current who went missing from Sujata and her brother-in-law
Chakraborty on The US government has monitor the use of Pakistan's istration, owned by the trust- Dharmasthala or the ongoing status of the investigation. Dharmasthala temple prem- Mahabaleshwar Bhat played
Wednesday termed TMC refused to answer specific US-built F-16s. These TSTs run family of Rajya Sabha investigations, most MLAs Meanwhile, protest ises in 2012. down all her claims.
government’s flagship queries on the loss of Pakistan operate following elaborate member Dr Veerendra Hegde requested the CM and Home marches took place in most of According to Sujatha, her He counter-alleged that
programme ‘Lakshmir Air Force-operated F-16 end-use agreements signed is taking several curious Minister to call off the excava- the district headquarters daughter Ananya was pur- Sujatha was just SSLC pass
Bhandar’ as mere alms. fighter jets during Op between Islamabad and turns. tion works, as they were across the state, including suing her MBBS course (first- and there was no possibility
Supporting Mithun’s com- Sindoor, the intense 88-hour Washington. The agreements Under pressure from devo- receiving backlash in their Mysuru district represented year) in Manipal. At that time, of her getting a steno job with
ments, the district BJP battle fought by India and define the conditions under tees and party MLAs, the constituencies, since most of by Siddaramaiah himself. Sujatha was working as a the CBI. Secondly, she was
leaders claimed that in Pakistan between May 7 and which Pakistan's F-16s can be Congress government is plan- the Hindus were devotees of According to some Congress stenographer with CBI in unmarried and none of the
order to “deprive” people May 10. In a statement to used in combat and are the ning to wind up the excava- Dharmasthala. MLAs, the Chief Kolkata. Sujatha alleged that family members were aware
of their rights, TMC is dol- NDTV, the US State basis upon which Islamabad tions, while the SIT, probing On Tuesday, the govern- Minister will be taking a in 2012, Ananya had come to of her daughter, who could be
ing out “alms”. Department has said, "We continues to receive US sup- the “mass burial” has hit a ment was silent during the decision to stop excavation Dharmasthala to meet her studying medicine in 2012.
–Aritra Singha refer you to the Government port to maintain and sustain dead end at all the 13 spots Legislature Session and and control the adverse pub- friends and went to the Thirdly, the reason for her
of Pakistan to discuss its F- its F-16 fleet. These Technical where excavations took place. assured proper action, while licity against Dharmasthala. temple and went missing family distancing from her
CHENNAI 16s." Support Teams are, therefore, The events started rolling the opposition BJP raked up while being alone there. was that she was “hobnob-
AIADMK’s The United States keeps full
knowledge of the status of
contractually obliged to be
fully aware of the status of all
out on Monday while Chief
Minister Siddaramaiah was
the Dharmasthala issue and
made a huge issue out of it. On
CURIOUS CASE OF
ANANYA BHAT
Sujatha alleged that she
was assaulted at the house of
bing” with Naxals
Chickamagalur district and
in

Maitreyan Pakistan-operated F-16s of Pakistan's F-16 jets at all addressing Congress Wednesday, the SIT head Soon after the government Dr Veerendra Hegde and the was living in Kalasa with
joins DMK through US contractors, times. Legislature Party meeting Pranab Mohanthy and DIG formed SIT, one Sujatha Bhat police refused to take her Naxalites, he alleged.

Three-time Rajya Sabha

member V Maitreyan on UP big cat-astrophe
Wednesday quit the
Jagan: Why is Constitution Club poll
AIADMK blaming its
leadership, and joined the
ruling DMK in the pres-
Rajneeti over lions’ deaths Rahul mum on turns high-stakes battle
ence of Chief Minister MK
Stalin. Immediately,
Biswajeet Banerjee
ETAWAH
November 2019 by the Yogi
government. It currently
2024 Andhra PTI Mallikarjun Kharge.
AIADMK general secretary
Edappadi K Palaniswami The death toll at Etawah’s Lion
houses 19 lions — five males,
six females, and eight cubs —
vote chori? NEW DELHI Rudy got 391 votes against
Balyan's 291 for the key posi-
expelled Maitreyan from Safari has become the latest and draws around 1,000 visi- Agencies Rajiv Pratap Rudy maintained tion of Secretary
the party. Maitreyan flashpoint in the Samajwadi tors daily. his dominance of more than (Administration), and all
claimed that for the Party–BJP political war, with Yet, insiders say the state YSRCP supremo YS Jagan 25 years in the Constitution members from his panel, bar-
AIADMK, "Delhi (BJP) is SP chief Akhilesh Yadav accus- government releases funds Mohan Reddy on Wednesday Club of India management, ring one, were elected as 11
the switch board" which ing the Yogi Adityanath gov- only for staff salaries, not for alleged that the largest electo- prevailing over fellow BJP executive members, said offi-
decided matters and said ernment of “deliberate infrastructure upgrades or ral 'anomaly' in the country leader Sanjeev Balyan in one cials handling the poll held on
several leaders were dis- neglect” of a legacy project specialist care. “You can’t run a during the 2024 general elec- of its most keenly contested Tuesday. Rudy highlighted the
gruntled in the main linked to party founder premier wildlife project on tions occurred in Andhra elections that saw voting from presence of members from
opposition party. Mulayam Singh Yadav. token money,” a senior safari Pradesh and accused heavyweights like Union min- different parties, including
From 2014 to July 2025, 34 official told this reporter. Congress leader Rahul isters Amit Shah and JP BJP, Congress, SP and TMC,
NEW DELHI lions — including cubs — have Gandhi of remaining silent on Nadda as well as Congress among the new office-
Congress raps died in the safari, which
Mulayam had envisioned as a From 2014 to July
survive. Safari director Anil
Kumar Patel said cub mortal-
Wildlife meets politics
Wildlife experts say some cub
the issue. Both ruling TDP
and the Congress hit back at
stalwarts Sonia Gandhi and bearers.

Israeli envoy’s symbol of Chambal’s trans- 2025, 34 lions — ity is a challenge worldwide. deaths are natural, but conser- the former CM. Reddy
— MIKA’S MATRIX

Gaza remarks formation from a bandit- including cubs — “Only about 30% of cubs sur- vationist Ajay Dubey points claimed the 'anomaly'
infested ravine to a roaring have died in Etawah vive. If the mother is a first- out the political pattern. involved nearly 48 lakh votes,
Congress leader and wildlife destination. In the past time breeder, the chances “Cheetahs in Kuno were tied to or 12.5% of the votes polled in
former Union Minister year alone, five cubs died soon
safari, which drop further as she may aban- PM Modi’s image. The Etawah the state. "Unfortunately, why
Anand Sharma strongly after birth. Mulayam envisioned don them. Safari is tied to Mulayam Singh doesn't Rahul Gandhi talk
condemned the remarks of “This was Netaji’s dream. We have managed to push Yadav’s. Governments milk the about Andhra Pradesh? He
Israeli Ambassador to India, But this government has shows that after the safari’s survival rates to around 50% optics but skimp on long-term doesn't talk because he is in
Reuven Azar, "denying" the neither sanctioned budgets lion breeding centre started in by hand-rearing abandoned conservation.” hotline contact with
humanitarian crisis of Gaza, nor appointed trained doctors. 2014, deaths stayed in single cubs.” A senior official said: Chandrababu (Naidu),"
saying the language used The result is dead lions and digits until 2022. The worst “Whatever expansion the Reddy alleged. He claimed
by the Israeli representative wasted potential,” SP leaders year was 2023, when 10 lions Symbol of a legacy safari saw happened under SP. that the anomaly in Andhra
and "undiplomatic, dis- charged in Lucknow, adding died. In 2024, six cubs died, For the SP, the safari is not just Since 2017, the pace has Pradesh was the highest in
tasteful and unacceptable," that the BJP “would rather let and by mid-2025, three of the a tourism project but a politi- slowed, and it shows. For the the country. By the time vot-
while the brutality, destruc- the safari crumble than main- four cubs born to lioness cal emblem. Conceived by BJP, investing heavily in this ing ended and counting
tion of schools, hospitals tain a project associated with Roopa had perished. Another Mulayam in 2006 and revived project means acknowledging began, the percentage differ-
and mass starvation is tak- the Samajwadi Party.” litter from lioness Neerja last by Akhilesh in 2012, it was for- Mulayam’s vision. That is ence in votes was the largest
ing place. Data accessed by this paper year saw only two of four cubs mally opened to the public in politically inconvenient.” nationwide, he claimed.
 nation
Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025
www.freepressjournal.in

Infiltration FATAL TRIP | Passengers were coming back to Deaf-mute woman Tihar extortion
bid foiled; UP from Khatu Shyam, Balaji temple in Raj
racket: Nine
soldier dies abducted, gangraped
A soldier was killed in an
exchange of fire as the
Army on Wednesday foiled
an infiltration bid along the
Van hits truck, 7 Biswajeet Banerjee
BALRAMPUR
fered bullet wounds. “We
traced them through CCTV
footage and other leads. They
In the
Courtyard
officials axed,
transferred
New Delhi: The Delhi High
LoC in J&K’s Uri sector,
officials said. They said
troops foiled the infiltration
bid at Churunda in Uri in
kids, 4 others die In a chilling reminder of how
unsafe Uttar Pradesh’s streets
can be, a deaf and mute
woman was allegedly kid-
have confessed to the crime,”
SP Vikash Kumar said.
But the social media was
abuzz with political fallout.
26/11 Mumbai
attack: Rana
Court was on Wednesday
informed that 9 Tihar Jail
officials were suspended and
transferred for allegedly
north Kashmir’s Baramulla. Manish Godha & napped and gangraped just a Trinamool Congress posted can have three running an extortion racket in
During the exchange of fire, Agencies stone’s throw from the resi- the disturbing visuals from a cahoots with inmates inside
an Army soldier was killed. JAIPUR dences of Balrampur’s top working CCTV camera out- calls with kin the prison. A bench of Chief
The operation was on and police and administrative offi- side the SP’s residence — a 14- New Delhi: A Delhi court on Justice DK Upadhyaya and
details were awaited. A pickup van crashed into a cials — in an area touted to be second clip showing the vic- Wednesday allowed 26/11 Justice Tushar Rao Gedela
parked truck in Rajasthan’s under round-the-clock elec- tim sprinting for her life as the Mumbai attack accused granted 8 weeks time to the
UP MLAs Dausa in the early hours of tronic watch. The twist? two men pursue her on a bike, Tahawwur Hussain Rana to state government and the CBI
form ‘Friends Wednesday, killing 11 Uttar Several CCTV cameras with no one stepping in. TMC have 3 phone calls this month to file their status report in the
Pradesh residents, including 7 installed under the state’s blasted the Yogi government’s with his brother to discuss matter and kept the matter on
of MSMEs’ children, and injuring 8, much-hyped “Operation law-and-order claims, calling engaging a private counsel, October 28. After the
UP MLAs from 20 industrial police said. Trinetra” were switched off UP a “graveyard for women” sources said. Special judge allegations surfaced, the Delhi
hubs have come together The passengers of the when the crime unfolded. and accusing the BJP’s “dou- Chander Jit Singh also government said it initiated
to launch the ‘Friends of pickup vehicle were returning The 21-year-old was return- ble-engine” model of protect- extended the judicial custody disciplinary action against
MSMEs in UP Assembly’, a to their village in Uttar when it rammed into the sta- dent,” the president said in a ing from her maternal uncle’s ing criminals rather than vic- of Rana till September 8 after nine jail officials who were
platform to address Pradesh’s Etah after visiting tionary truck on the service post on X in Hindi. home when two bike-borne tims. “How dare the BJP lec- the accused appeared virtually. placed under suspension and
challenges faced by micro, Khatu Shyam and Salasar lane of the highway, the SP In view of the tragedy, the men allegedly waylaid her on ture Bengal on women’s safety Sources said the judge during transferred under the relevant
small and medium Balaji temples when the acci- said, adding, one of the 8 Lodhi Mahasabha has post- a deserted stretch, dragged when its own backyard is the in-chamber proceeding rules. Allowing time to file a
enterprises and dent occurred on injured is critical. poned the Virangana Rani her to a nearby field, and took soaked in blood?” the post said the phone calls by Rana status report, the bench asked
accelerating the state’s Manoharpur highway around Expressing grief over the Avantibai Lodhi Shobhayatra turns raping her. Unable to read, accusing the police of will be recorded and the the government to circulate its
economic growth. The 4 am, Dausa SP Sagar said. incident, President Droupadi in Etah that was scheduled for shout for help, she lay in the being “asleep or complicit.” conversations will have to be advisory to all the jails in
group, convened by Seven children and four Murmu called the loss of lives August 16. field until her worried family, The incident has also trig- in English or Hindi in the Delhi, including Tihar, Mandoli
Lucknow MLA Dr Neeraj women died in the accident, very tragic and prayed for the Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal who had started a search gered questions over the relia- presence of prison authorities. and Rohini. The court has
Bora, is modelled on the he said. recovery of those injured. Sharma has expressed grief when she did not return for bility of Operation Trinetra — Legal aid counsel Piyush Sach- been hearing a petition filed
‘Friends of MSMEs in Dausa Dy SP Raviprakash “The news of the death of over the loss of lives in the over an hour, found her in a the surveillance grid meant to deva was stated to have sou- by a former inmate alleging
Parliament’ at the Centre, Sharma said the deceased many people, including accident. Sharma has traumatised state near a deter crimes and aid rapid ght time to scrutinise certain extortion and safety and
credited with resolving were Mishthi, 1, Babu, 3, women and children, in a instructed the concerned offi- police outpost. She is recover- police response. The victim’s documents in chargesheet and security issues of prisoners
sectoral issues through Poorvi, 6,, Lakshay, 6, road accident in Dausa, cials to ensure proper ing at the women’s hospital. family said 3-4 cameras in the supplementary chargesheet. inside Tihar.
parliamentary mecha- Vaishnavi, 7, Mahak, 7, Saloni, Rajasthan, is very tragic. I arrangements for the treat- Within 24 hours, police area, including near the SP’s
nisms. The central body is 9, Sheela, 20, Priyanka, 25, express my deep condolences ment of the injured. claimed a breakthrough, house, were dead. Ironically, Environment must be protected
headed by Indore MP Seema, 25, and Sonam, 32. to the bereaved families. I Former CM Ashok Gehlot arresting Ankur Verma and the lone working camera pro-
Shankar Lalwani with Twenty people were on pray for the speedy recovery and other leaders also express Harshit Pandey after an vided the footage crucial to during development, says SC
former Meerut MP board the pickup vehicle of those injured in this acci- sorrow over the incident. encounter in which both suf- cracking the case. New Delhi: The Supreme Court granted 6 weeks to Telangana
Rajendra Agrawal as government to come out with a “good proposal” for holistic
national convener. restoration of Kancha Gachibowli forest site, saying the state
– Biswajeet Banerjee
Lawyer acted solo, will Today, SC will government will have to replant the uprooted trees. A bench of CJI
BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran said the forest area needs
2 Naxals dead hear plea for be restored. The SC reiterated it was not against development but
in J’khand, drop ‘threat to Rahul’ plea restoration of the environment needs to be protected. “Time and again, court
has observed we are not against development but it has to be
1 in C’garh PTI Damodar Savarkar and
J&K statehood sustainable. While carrying out developmental activities, the
The encounter took place NEW DELHI Nathuram Godse. interest of the environment and the wildlife has to be taken care of
by ensuring mitigating and compensatory measures. if the state
late in the afternoon in the
forest of Banda Pahad hill
under Madanwada police
The Congress on Wednesday
said Rahul Gandhi’s lawyer
“The contents of the pursis
(application) were drafted by
me without consulting my
T he SC will on Thursday
(Aug 14) hear a plea seek-
ing the restoration of J&K’s
comes up with such a proposal we will welcome it,” it said.

station area, when a team raised the issue of threat to his client Rahul Gandhi. My client statehood. The matter, Pre-arrest bail for AMU professor
of District Reserve Guard life without his consent and has taken strong exception to before CJI BR Gavai and Prayagraj: Allahabad HC has granted anticipatory bail to Aligarh
was out on an anti-Naxal will take back the statement filing of this pursis and has Justice K Vinod Chandran, Muslim University professor Jitendra Kumar, who is facing an FIR
operation, SP YP Singh in court on Thursday. expressed his disagreement has been filed by Zahoor for allegedly referring to examples of 'rape' in Hindu mythology
said. A member of the Gandhi’s advocate Milind with the contents of the pur- Ahmed Bhat and Khurshaid during a Forensic Medicine class in 2022, Live Law reported. A
bench of Justice Gautam Chowdhary granted him relief, taking
banned CPI (Maoist) was
killed in a gunfight between
Pawar said he had filed with-
out his client’s consent a plea
sis,” Pawar said.
Pawar said he would sub- reel meets real Ahmad Malik, arguing that
despite the Centre’s assur- into account the applicant's role and all the facts and circumsta-
the red rebels and security in a Pune court claiming the mit another plea to withdraw Bollywood producer and director Prakash Jha meets ance, no steps have been nces of the case. Last year, Kumar was granted interim anticipa-
forces in Jharkhand’s West Congress leader could face the application filed before Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in his native taken in the 11 months since tory bail as the court noted AMU had examined the matter and a
Singhbhum on Wednesday, harm from the followers of Judicial Magistrate (First village Nemra, Ramgarh to pay tribute to the late the court upheld Article fact-finding committee of 3 professors and an Assistant Registrar
police said. the ideology of Vinayak Class) Amol Shinde. former CM and Rajya Sabha MP Shibu Soren. 370’s abrogation. had submitted a report saying the applicant had made a mistake.

From the front page unprecedented. Rather than limiting the recount to would also be part of it. Advocate Manisha Karia, family lived at 1, Safdarjung Road, the official resi- 100,000–200,000 textile and garment jobs collectively
the disputed booth, a three-judge bench led by representing the board, said they had examined the dence of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Until then, in the three hubs — Tiruppur, Karur and Coimbatore
Justice Surya Kant ordered the production of all issue and provided detailed guidelines on how to the voters registered at that address were Indira — over the next few months,” the study says. While
SC says SIR... EVMs and electoral records from the poll. On July 31, feed pigeons and keep their population under con- Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, and Maneka India does face challenges, some trade economists
Justice Bagchi countered this argument by referenc- the court directed all voting machines be brought to trol. The court said the government shall notify the Gandhi. In 1980, the electoral rolls of the New Delhi believe that with some smart planning, New Delhi
ing Section 21(3) of the Representation of the Peoples its premises for a comprehensive recount. committee by August 20. At the petitioners’ request, parliamentary constituency were revised with could gain leverage with the US. Dr Arpita
Act, 1950, which grants the Election Commission dis- The recount itself was a meticulously documented the HC has asked them to submit their written repre- January 1, 1980, as the qualifying date.” Mukherjee, a professor at the Indian Council for
cretionary power to "direct a special revision of the affair. On August 6, Supreme Court Registrar Kaveri sentation to the committee. Seeking to portray that Sonia Gandhi – mother of Research on International Economic Relations
electoral roll for any constituency or part of a consti- oversaw the tallying of votes from all 6 polling booths Another petition suggested that pigeon feeding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has been at the (ICRIER), a Delhi-based think tank, says Trump’s tac-
tuency in such manner as it may think fit." The bench (65-70) in the presence of both parties’ represen- could be allowed in an open area near Mahalaxmi forefront of the campaign against SIR and “voter tics of imposing high tariffs as a stick to strike a trade
suggested this provision would become "redundant" tatives and their lawyers. Every moment was cap- Race Course in Worli. However, the bench rejected fraud” – may have herself made a false submission to deal will fail with India. She, however, also advised
if the Commission couldn't exercise such authority. tured on video, ensuring transparency and prevent- the idea, saying: “Today you have come for (feeding procure voting rights, Malviya wrote: “During this patience. “A U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) team is
The proceedings revealed deeper constitutional ing future disputes about the process. The results at) the racecourse. Tomorrow someone else will revision, Sonia Gandhi’s name was added, appearing scheduled to visit India on August 25th for the next
questions about the balance between individual vot- were striking. When the final tally was completed come for Oval Maidan, then Azad Maidan.” at serial number 388 in polling station 145. This entry round of talks” pointed out Mukherjee. It is here that
ing rights under Article 326 and the Election from the 3,767 total votes cast, Mohit Kumar emerged Initially, a petition was filed by animal lovers was a clear violation of the law, which requires a per- the final position of the US will be known.
Commission's plenary powers under Article 324. victorious with 1,051 votes against Kuldeep Singh's Pallavi Patil, Sneha Visaria, and Savita Mahajan, son to be an Indian citizen to be registered as a voter.” On the textile industry, she said New Delhi needed
Justice Bagchi characterized the dispute as "a battle 1,000 – a margin that had been obscured in the orig- through advocates Harish Pandya and Dhruv Jain, The BJP leader recalled that her name being added to play it smart. “We should look at targeted support
between a constitutional right and a constitutional inal count. On August 11, the Supreme Court bench, challenging the BMC’s demolition of kabutarkhanas to the electoral rolls had not gone unnoticed back for measures that improve their competitiveness. So
power," highlighting the complex legal terrain sur- which included Justices Dipankar Datta and N since July 3. The HC had restrained further demoli- then too and though it was deleted it reappeared sub- we should look at putting a subsidy on the service
rounding electoral administration. Kotiswar Singh, formally reversed the election out- tions on July 15. The court had also said that the BMC sequently. “Following an outcry in 1982, her name route (like logistics, manufacturing) rather than a
Advocate Prashant Bhushan raised serious con- come. The court found no reason to question the reg- could take action as per law against those feeding was deleted from the list — only to reappear in 1983. subsidy on the finished product, which violates WTO
cerns about transparency, questioning why the istrar's report, particularly given the videographic pigeons at public places. But even her reinstatement raised serious questions.” rules.” Mukherjee said that New Delhi needed to bear
Election Commission removed the searchable ver- evidence and signatures from both parties' represen- On why there were questions around her name in mind the American market. “Just as the Indian
sion of the draft electoral roll from its website tatives confirming the recount's validity. 3-judge SC bench... being added again, he wrote that, “In the fresh revi- market needs America, the American market needs
immediately after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's While the court clarified that any remaining dis- The court directed that shelters for around 5,000 sion of the electoral rolls that year, Sonia Gandhi was Indian goods. We need to stretch out talks till the
press conference alleging voter list manipulations. putes could still be raised before the Election canines be created within six to eight weeks, with listed at serial number 236 in polling station 140. The American festive season from November to
Bhushan demanded publication of names and rea- Tribunal, it emphasised that the registrar's recount strict action, including contempt proceedings, qualifying date for registration was January 1, 1983 — December. This is when the US will be most eager to
sons for the 65 lakh voters allegedly omitted from the must be accepted as the definitive result. The sealed against anyone obstructing the drive. yet she was granted Indian citizenship only on April negotiate, as goods shortages and price hikes will
rolls, calling the Commission's secrecy evidence of EVMs and documentation will now become part of Sharma argued that earlier directions for the 30, 1983. In other words, Sonia Gandhi’s name directly be felt by the US consumer.”
"mala fide intent." The timing of the revision has the official electoral record, ensuring this historic proper use of funds and sterilisation programmes, as entered the electoral rolls twice without meeting the
emerged as a particularly contentious issue. Singhvi recount becomes a permanent part of the case file. per the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001, had basic citizenship requirement — first as an Italian BJP push back...
questioned conducting SIR mere months before not been followed by the Municipal Corporation of citizen in 1980, and then again in 1983, months before The BJP MP said the cleansing exercise had
Bihar assembly elections, referencing a 2004 Election HC advices BMC... Delhi (MCD) and others, despite receiving funds. She she legally became a citizen of India.” unnerved the Opposition parties. Through a slide
Commission notification that exempted The court questioned whether the BMC had invited warned that the August 11 order could worsen dis- Therefore, Malviya said, “We are not even asking presentation he then claimed that a large number of
Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh from electoral objections and suggestions before modifying its own eases in shelter homes, increasing the risk of trans- why it took her 15 years after marrying Rajiv Gandhi fake votes were made in the constituencies repre-
roll revision due to impending elections. This preced- order. “You will have to receive objections from the mission to humans. She also referred to a May 2024 to accept Indian citizenship. If this isn’t blatant electo- sented by senior Congress, SP, TMC and DMK
ent raises questions about the Commission's consist- public. Even one person coming and applying affects order of a bench led by Justice J K Maheshwari, ral malpractice, what is?” leaders. Insisting that such “irregularities” have come
ency in applying its own guidelines. society at large. You will have to take the decision which had relegated petitions on the stray dog issue to light in Raebareli represented by Rahul Gandhi,
The Supreme Court's August 12 ruling that inclu- considering all these factors,” the bench said. to respective high courts. That order had stressed Temple in US... Wayanad represented by Priyanka Gandhi, Kannauj
sion and exclusion of citizens from electoral rolls falls It underscored that the civic body cannot decide there could be no indiscriminate killing of canines Police arrested 44-year-old Bo Richard Vitagliano, an of Akhilesh Yadav, Mainpur of his wife Dimple,
within the Election Commission's remit has provided without inviting public objections. “You cannot and that compassion for all living beings is a consti- “unhoused” man with a criminal record, and charged Diamond Harbour represented by Abhishek
legal backing for the controversial exercise. The decide the fate of the public at large. You cannot just tutional value, obligating authorities to maintain it. him with assault with a deadly weapon. While LAPD Banerjee, and Kolathur of DMK supremo MK Stalin,
court supported the Commission's decision not to allow feeding now once you have already taken a clo- The August 11 order, passed in a suo motu case suspects a property dispute, the Sikh Coalition urged Thakur alleged they had all secured wins through
accept Aadhaar cards and voter identification cards sure decision keeping public health in mind. You will over rising rabies cases and deaths, stated that all a full probe, saying it is too early to rule out a hate “vote chori” and demanded they step down.
as conclusive proof of citizenship during the SIR pro- have to take a well-considered decision,” the court stray dogs must be removed from Delhi-NCR local- crime.Akal Takht officiating jathedar Giani Kuldip Referring to the “shor” (noise) made by these
cess. According to Election Commission data, said. The court added once the application is ities and none should be released back once cap- Singh Gargaj condemned the assault as a hate crime leaders over the issue of voter theft, he said, it now
approximately 6.5 crore people from Bihar's total 7.9 received, the BMC will have to issue a public notice tured. It directed that dog shelters be set up within and demanded strict punishment for the accused, appears to be more of a case of “chor machaye shor”
crore voting population won't need to submit docu- inviting objections before taking a decision. “Once eight weeks, daily records of captured dogs be main- citing FBI data ranking Sikhs as the third most-tar- (the thief crying foul). In all these constituencies, he
ments if they or their parents appeared in the 2003 you have taken a decision keeping public health in tained, and a helpline to report dog bites be oper- geted religious group in the US in 2024. said, the question being asked is why did these
electoral rolls. This claim aims to address concerns mind, you need to maintain that sanctity,” it said. ational within a week. It also ordered the publication Opposition leaders make fake voters in the first place.
about mass disenfranchisement, though critics The bench said it will need to examine whether of information about rabies vaccination centres. Textiles sector braces... “Will they resign for engaging in vote theft and pro-
remain skeptical about implementation. feeding can be permitted at designated spots on a The bench also criticised animal rights activists for Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh held a meeting tecting intruders?” he asked.
The case reflects broader tensions about electoral regular basis “without compromising public health.” obstructing removals, asking, “All these animal activ- with people from the industry on Wednesday. While Gandhi had last week alleged through a presenta-
integrity, voter access, and institutional authority in Senior counsel Anil Sakhare, appearing for one of the ists, will they be able to bring back those who have the minister did not comment publicly, officials in tion that over 1 lakh fake voters were added in
India's democracy. With Bihar assembly elections petitioners seeking permission to feed pigeons at the fallen prey to rabies?” the textile ministry stated that India was looking at Mahadevapura assembly segment in Karnataka at
approaching, the outcome could significantly impact Dadar Kabutarkhana, said that once the BMC per- The NGO’s petition, filed in 2018 before the Delhi the recently inked India-UK FTA to sell more Indian the behest of the BJP to turn the election in its favour.
both the state's political landscape and national mits controlled feeding, they would move the HC High Court, had sought regular sterilisation and vac- apparel to the UK. This will be made easier by the He had charged that the Lok Sabha elections overall
precedents for electoral roll management. seeking modification of the earlier order that refused cination of stray dogs as per the 2001 Rules. In August fact that duty tariffs have been slashed from 10-12% to and the Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly polls
The Supreme Court will continue hearing argu- interim relief. 2023, the High Court disposed of the PIL after noting zero, putting India textiles on par with Bangladesh which followed were influenced similarly through
ments Thursday. Advocate General Birendra Saraf, representing satisfaction with the authorities’ steps. The NGO chal- and Pakistan. Also, on the anvil is increasing market addition of fake voters. Thakur responded to
the Maharashtra government, emphasised that the lenged this in the Supreme Court in July 2024. share in Japan. Singh visited Japan last month, where Gandhi's charge in high voting turnout past 5 pm
SC in vote recount... state is equally concerned with public health and will he held talks with senior people in the Japanese tex- during the Maharashtra Assembly polls saying the
His rival, Mohit Kumar, refused to accept defeat and take a decision “without compromising public Fresh airing to old... tile industry. Japan’s investment in Indian textiles is a voting rate in the later hours was less than that dur-
embarked on a determined legal journey that would health.” The state government submitted a list of Along with the image of the electoral roll, Malviya small but growing market. ing earlier in the day. “Rahul Gandhi had alleged that
ultimately reach the nation's highest court. eleven names to be a part of an expert committee posted that “Sonia Gandhi’s tryst with India’s voters’ People in the trade concede that these measures a lot of votes increased after 5 p.m. ….. But before 5
Kumar's challenge began at the district level, that will conduct a scientific study on the issue of list is riddled with glaring violations of electoral law. will not help India in the short term unless a deal is p.m. 58 lakh votes were cast per hour, and after 5 p.m.
where the Panipat Election Tribunal ordered a pigeon feeding at public places and its effects on pub- This perhaps explains Rahul Gandhi’s fondness for struck with the US soon. In a recent study conducted 32.5 lakh votes were cast per hour. So, it is clear that
recount of votes from polling booth 69 on May 7, lic health. Saraf said the committee would comprise regularising ineligible and illegal voters, and his by the global NGO Business and Human Rights Rahul Gandhi's figures are also false, and so is he.”
2025. However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court officials from the state public health and town plan- opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Resource Centre, around 100,000-200,000 jobs could The BJP also accused Gandhi of being a “loser who
quashed this directive on July 1, seemingly closing ning departments, as well as medical experts. He also Her name first appeared on the rolls in 1980 — three be lost if the US tariffs continue. complains” saying, “If there is a record of losing elec-
the door on Kumar's appeal. Undeterred, he peti- said that the committee could call for suggestions years before she became an Indian citizen and while “Textiles is a labor-intensive sector, and there are tions 90 times under someone’s leadership in the
tioned the Supreme Court. from other experts in the field, if needed. she still held Italian citizenship. worries of job losses if the market shrinks. If exports country, it is Rahul Gandhi, and questions are also
The SC’s response was both thorough and A member of the Animal Welfare Board of India He further noted that, “At the time, the Gandhi contract 10-20% due to loss of orders, it can threaten raised about Gandhi's leadership within the party.”
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THE POWER PLAY BEHIND BENAULIM ZP BY-POLL

IN SHORT >>

GANG ATTACK: DID THEY

Articles worth `33L

400 Engg seats remain vacant

seized in casino
raid, 11 arrested
PANAJI: The Crime Branch
arrested 11 persons for
n KEY PLAYERS VIE FOR DOMINANCE n INDIA BLOC LEADERS, CHURCHILL, ALEMAO SIBLINGS
their alleged involvement
in an illegal live card game
at Bambolim. SP CB Rahul
EYE SHARE IN VOTES n POLITICAL OBSERVERS FORESEE STRONG UNDERCURRENTS
Gupta disclosed that among
First major test for AAP
those arrested, eight were
gambling customers, two ACID TEST FOR INDI ALLIANCE IN BENAULIM since 2022 Assembly polls

despite relaxed JEE criteria

table dealers and one MARGAO: The Benaulim ZP by-poll is indeed a his dictatorship. The Lok Sabha election is
shift manager, all caught
MARGAO: Two years before
red-handed in the act. testing time for the INDIA bloc, just days after over. We are not even being told who is the Aam Aadmi Party could open
CB officials also seized the experiment tasted huge success in the Alliance candidate,” Martins said. an account in the Goa Legis-
two live card gambling recently held Lok Sabha polls. The Benaulim ZP by-poll is considered lative Assembly in the 2022

FAIL TO GET THEIR MAN?

tables, 14 tablets, two sets For, the Alliance has come under strain in significant for the INDIA bloc given that leaders Assembly election, the Arvind
of 52 playing cards, two Benaulim in the run up to the June 23 ZP by- of the Alliance have all been publicly betting in Kejriwal-led party had start-
live card shufflers, two card poll, with resentment support of the continu- ed its political journey in the
scanners and two cash
chip floats containing chips
brewing in the Con- ance of the Alliance at State from Benaulim in the
worth Rs 28 lakh approx. gress, Goa Forward least till the 2027 Goa 2020 Zilla Panchayat poll when
Other gambling articles were and the NCP camps Assembly elections. party-backed Hanzel Fernandes
also seized with the total val- Hectic campaigning underway in Benaulim for the June 23 Zilla Panchayat bye-poll. finally bursting out in Political observ- was elected to the South Goa
ue of the confiscated items the open. ers say the future of Zilla Panchayat from Benaulim by

58 non-JEE candidates secure admission; 100 switch

estimated at Rs 33 lakh. THE GOAN I NETWORK naulim MLA Venzy Viegas, the Frank Fernandes, both Inde- Benaulim the INDIA bloc may defeating the Congress and NCP
Congress, village leaders, who pendents are relatively new Congress leader face a setback in the candidates. It’s another matter
2 fall into sinkhole MARGAO are satraps in their own right entrants in the turbulent Be- and GPCC general File photo of INDI Alliance supporting AAP for the
event the Aam Aadmi Hanzel’s election was declared
at Miramar, hurt
Benaulim by-poll.
The result of the by-poll for and not to forget former Chief naulim politics. secretary has quit Party fails to retain
the Benaulim Zilla Panchayat Minister Churchill Alemao, A week to go for the by-poll null and void by the Administra-
PANAJI: Two persons were seat will be of no consequence besides the Alemao siblings on June 23, the Aam Aadmi the Congress to throw her hat in the election the Benaulim ZP seat. So far, AAP leaders have tive Tribunal in an appeal filed by

to NEET courses; DTE unlikely to conduct third round

injured after they fell into a and bearing on the South Goa anxious to make their mark Party is on the ground with ring. Goa Forward member Pele Fernandes is been concentrating on the by-poll campaign, Royla Fernandes after the High
sinkhole near a residential Zilla Panchayat body, where in the ensuing polls. Barring party volunteers, drumming openly supporting the candidature of Inde- with top leaders, including MLA Cruz Silva, AAP Court set aside his caste certifi-
colony in Miramar on Sun- the ruling BJP is firmly en- Congress-turned-Independ- up support for party and Al- pendent candidate Grrayfans Fernandes. Na- chief Amit Palekar and Valmiki Naik descend- cate stating he is a Christian car-
day evening. CCTV footage trenched in the power game ent Royla Fernandes, who had liance-backed candidate Jo-
released to a section of the
tionalist Congress Party (NCP) Goa unit Mahila ing on the Benaulim battle ground to drum up penter. Indeed, AAP Benaulim
with overwhelming numbers in the past contested the 2017 seph Pimenta. On the oth- chief and Carmona Sarpanch Sandra Martins support for Joseph Pimenta. “If AAP retains
media showed two men on its side in the 25-member Assembly polls on the AAP er hand, hectic behind the
MLA Captain Venzy and the party
falling when a portion of district panchayat body. banner, before unsuccessfully scenes activity is seen in Be-
is sore that neither the Alliance leaders nor the Benaulim seat, it would hold good for the are facing an acid test to retain
the ground collapsed at the The by-poll, however, holds contesting the 2020 Benaulim naulim in a bid to avoid a split Aam Aadmi Party leaders have informed her Alliance. We will have to wait and see how hold over Benaulim. Sources say
under-construction site. immense significance for a ZP poll on the Congress ticket, in the non-AAP votes and to of Pimenta’s candidature. “The INDI Alliance AAP leaders react in the event the party fails to neither AAP nor Venzy can afford
host of political players, includ- the remaining three candi- channelise the opposition was formed to take on PM Narendra Modi for retain the seat,” remarked a political observer. to lose the by-poll with just two

 POLICE YET TO ASCERTAIN MOTIVE FOR ASSAULT  VICTIM SAYS

Assagao nightclub
THE GOAN I NETWORK
ing the nascent INDIA bloc, the dates Joseph Pimenta (AAP), vote to one common candi- years and half to go for the 2027
row intensifies Aam Aadmi Party and its Be- Grrayfans Fernandes and date.
Engineering, Fatorda; Rayesh- Assembly election.

Govt presses forAll eyes on SGPDA

MAPUSA: The controversy

war Institute
meetingoftoEngineering
surrounding a nightclub

resolve
A DAY AFTER FEET WERE FOUND…
in Assagao continues to
escalate, with no resolution

PANAJI Massive search at Mandur, sopo fee issue

nod to increase
in sight. The situation has

andat Information Technology

ASSAILANTS RUSHED TOWARDS CAR SHOUTING ‘TARGET WALTER’
wholesale fish market
taken a new turn as the
landowner has appealed to

no clue of infant’s body

the Director of Panchayats to

Despite State government

regularize the structure.
(RIEIT), Shiroda; and Agnel
MBBS seats
Rains expose poor
TRADERS ASSOCIATION CLAIMS FEES CHARGED ARE EXORBITANT,
relaxing the mandatory
condition of roads Institute of Technology and
POLICE, LOCALS SCOUT AREA FORENSIC TEAM AT SITE NOT AS PER PDA CIRCULAR; THREATENS TO MOVE HIGH COURT
CCTV FOOTAGE SCANNED; DOG SQUAD CLUELESS
JEE criteria for admissions Design, Assagao.
MAPUSA: The onset of the THE GOAN I NETWORK
monsoon season has laid

PANAJI: Chief Minister Pra- We hope that the

bare the deplorable state of THE GOAN I NETWORK MARGAO

POLICE FILES: THE COMPLAINT

roads in Mapusa, exacerbat-

THE GOAN I NETWORK to the engineering degree

Will the June 19 meeting of

“Total 102 non-JEE candi-

ing the woes of pedestrians OLD GOA
SGPDA members will the South Goa Planning and
take cognizance of our
mod Sawant on Wednes-
and motorists alike. As The Agassaim police along Development Authority (SGP-
rains poured, several thor- with the locals, which grievances and take DA) take a call on the long-de-

programme, close to 400 seats dates had applied appropriate

toduring
stop the agents from the
oughfares across the town included the panchayat measures layed question of taking a call
revealed a landscape dotted authorities, conducted an on floating the tender for the
with potholes.
day met Union Health Min-
extensive search around the sopo collection fees at the

„„Complainant and „„Masked assailants ap-

charging exorbitant fees.
MARGAO continued to remain
Sopo tender: Eyes vacant. second round. Of which, the doors of the Highonly
area where the infant feet wholesale fish market?
were found at Tari Vaddo- We will be forced to knock Wholesale fish market trad-

Even as the Goa Police are While 58 non-JEE

on SGPDA meet
candidates
ister J P Nadda to
Mandur, on Sunday.
push for 58 turned up and got the ad-
Court ers are anxiously waiting for

friends travelling in a Bale- proached, shouting threats

However, the search could the SGPDA meet not just to float
for action,”
s
MARGAO: Wholesale fish not result in the finding of the the e-tender on sopo collection
—M Ibrahim, Margao
early approval of the Goa
market traders are anxiously remaining part of the body of at the earliest, but to put an end The wholesale fish market at Margao.
waiting for the SGPDA meet the infant. The forensic team at the site where the infant’s feet were to exorbitant rates levied on Wholesale Fish Market Traders

yet to shed light on the exact managed to grab the seats, mission,” DTE senior official
found. Manuel Vaz

no car to Margao for food to 'kill Walter'

not just to float the e-tender It may be recalled that, the fish traders by the PDA-ap- the SGPDA while fixing the Court if the PDA does not mete Association chief
on sopo collection, but to on Saturday evening feet of pointed sopo collection agents sopo rates. “The wholesale out justice to the wholesale

motive behind the gang war

y put an end to exorbitant

around 100, who had taken

rates levied on fish traders
by PDA-appointed sopo
government’s proposal to
an infant were found in a
residential area at Tari Vaddo-
Mandur.
said.
Mandur sarpanch Prashant
Naik, panchas Nandesh
Mayenkar, Premanand
found.
The shallow water located
near the area was also
in the wholesale fish market.
President of the Margao
Wholesale Fish Market Trad-
fish market traders have been
cooperating with the PDA on
the question of payment of
fish traders. “We hope that
the SGPDA members will take
cognizance of our grievances
last year could not be taken
to its logical conclusion be-
cause of the clause that the

add 50 MBBS seats at Goa

oll,

„„Saw one accused out- „„Complainant attacked

agents in the wholesale fish The same were first noticed Kurtikar and Francisco Po, searched as the dogs usually ers Association, M Ibrahim sopo fees. But, the agents ap- and take appropriate meas- sopo collection contractor
llymarket.

incident on the Colva–Mar- admission for WEATHER

the Bachelors The official said that despite
by a lady in the morning but former sarpanch Ajit Bacal tend to enter the shallow told the media that things pointed by the PDA are col- ures to stop the agents from ought to have 10-year expe-
she brought it to the notice and some locals also joined waters in search of food. have been going out of con- lecting the fees not prescribed charging exorbitant fees. We rience in fishing business/

Medical College (GMC). 

e >> of the local panch only in the in the search which however The police then pressed trol with the sopo collection in the circular,” he said. will be forced to knock the activities. Thought the con-

side Margarita Club with with koita; Rafiq attacked

rt- evening. could not help in finding the the dog squad into service agents appointed by the SG- In fact, Ibrahim pointed out doors of the High Court for ac- troversial clause was finally

gao road in the wee hours of programme, shifted for NEETMax:

lim Min:
32 C
25.8 C
And, on Sunday, a strong
this, nearly 400 engineering
remaining part of the body. but it too could not help in PDA charging the fish traders that he sent the receipts issued tion,” he threatened. scrapped from the tender doc-


police force descended at It was also observed that providing any clue. exorbitant fees. by the sopo collection agents The SGPDA also has a task uments by the government, a
s- Humidity: 87% the site and began searching the feet of the infant could The Forensic team also Producing receipts of the to the SGPDA members seek- to float the e-tender for sopo fresh tender is yet to see the

Tuesday, questions have been friends with axe based courses like medical seats got no takers. “Many,
s the area particularly the one have been picked by the dog arrived at the site and fees charged by the collection ing justice for the fish trad- collection fees at the whole- light of the day, which SGPDA
al TIDES behind the residential houses from the area where dumping collected some samples from agents, Ibrahim pointed out ers. The president has warned sale fish market afresh. For, Chairman Krishna Daji Salkar
on- Low: 01.18 13.10 where huge dumping of debris is done as there is an access to the area where the feet were that the fees are not charged that the traders will be forced the e-tender, which was float- has attributed to the interven-

raised over whether the gang and dental – thus leading to who had applied for engineer-
ng High: 08:19 18.38 and garbage is noticed. the spot where the feet were found. as per the circular issued by to knock the doors of the High ed around August-September ing election code of conduct.

„„At Mungul, first car „„Assailants fled in their

e

came well-prepared and well- vacant seats. Despite rain, dam water remainedlevels the same
remain even after
critically low MMCing,contemplates
opted out after
FIR they
against man-
armed to attack one Walter. Accused arrested by the Fatorda police in the Mungul-Margao blocked their path; second vehicles after passers-by This is the second yearWATER a the second round that ended LDC
in LEVELS:
THE GOAN I NETWORK aged amid topayment
clear thenegotiations
merit list for State reeled under scorching

Complainant Yuvkesh gang war produced before the Margao Civil and Criminal car blocked from behind gathered row that the government
PANAJI
AS OF JUNE 16
has on15.1%Wednesday. NEET based courses and got
heat. The Anjunem dam’s wa-
ter level had also plummeted

A With the LDC depositing

fter more than a fortnight to 22 per cent, further seeing THE GOAN I NETWORK nicipal lawyer for vetting before a

Court on Wednesday.  Santosh Mirajkar

of continuous rainfall in a dip. in the Municipal treasury formal complaint is lodged with
Goa, including pre-mon-  Water at Anjunem dam at Meanwhile, as per the latest MARGAO the police. However, with the

Singh Badaila, who was relaxed the JEE criteria. The326.9033.3% It was only the State-run admissions to medical and
soon showers, water levels in despite mm rainfall figures, Chapoli dam boasts The Margao Municipal Coun-
an amount of Rs 3 lakh LDC depositing in the Municipal
the dams remain quite low. 46.7 per cent capacity while cil will take a call on lodging and has now sent feelers treasury an amount of Rs 3 lakh
Two dams including Anjunem
 Selaulim dam @ having the main Tillari dam -- serving FIR against the erring LDC in that he would settle the and has now sent feelers that he
430.20
injured in the dastardly attack Directorate of Technical Ed- Goa 35.4% Engineering College at dental,” the officer said.
have recorded less than 20 recorded mm rainfall Sattari and parts of Bicholim the misappropriation case on dues on Tuesday, sources would settle the dues on Tues-
per cent water capacity while  Amthane dam stands at taluka -- registered only 24.8 Tuesday since the employee in the civic body informed day, sources in the civic body
Selaulim and Amthane have
18%  Panchwadi dam lags at
per cent with the area receiv- has conveyed to the civic offi- that the FIR with the police informed that the FIR with the

and is undergoing treatment realise, however, that the per- were to join them at the fast at a restaurant. When their er accused, armed with an ucation (DTE) is unlikely to 46.7% Farmagudi who managed to DTE had extended the
reported less than 40 per cent. ing 220.40mm of rainfall. cials about his willingness to will not be filed at least police will not be filed at least till
However, the Water Resourc-  Chapoli dam @ Gaunem dam leads the pack pay another installment of the
till Tuesday to allow the Tuesday to allow the employee
es Department remains unper- with a maximum of 50.5 per dues. to clear the balance dues. Mean-
24.8%  Tillari dam registers employee to clear the
at the hospital, stated in his son named Walter was not food centre. car reached Mungul, the axe, attacked Rafiq, who was go for a third round of admis- fill all its seats. The college MISAPPROPRIATION benefit to students who have
turbed stating that water levels cent capacity. while, expressing shock that the
will surge by the end of August The State has experienced balance dues Chairperson of Margao Munici-
and the dams will brim to their OF FAIR FUNDS continuous rainfall with the pal Council Damodar Shirodkar
full capacity. of each of these dams is huge. receiving 326.90mm of rainfall. laulim dam -- critical water India Meteorological Depart- the Municipal treasury, which and the Chief Officer Gaurish

complaint to the Fatorda travelling in the Baleno car Yuvkesh further stated that complainant stated that seated beside him. Prakash, sions for engineering. Minister Subhash Shirodkar,
speaking to The Goan, said
that water capacity will rise
has stopped offering mining cleared Class XII and also Di-
“All these dams will reach full
capacity by August-end with
overflow expected in the sub-
Selaulim dam records 33.3 per
cent capacity having recorded
430.20mm of rainfall whereas
source for several places in
the South district including
Margao, Vasco, Quepem,
ment issuing a yellow alert
from June 18-20. On Sunday,
Goa remained under a
However, it could not be con-
firmed how much amount has
the LDC offered to pay to the civ-
prompted the Margao Munici-
pal officials to keep on hold the
decision to lodge FIR against
Shankhwalkar tried to pass the
blame on others, Congress leader
and ZP member Michelle Rebelo

police that when the gang driven by Yuvkesh Singh on when he was near Margari- another car suddenly stopped who was also travelling in the Last year too, 500 seats engineering programme since ploma holders but had not an-
within two months. Chief Engi- sequent month,” he added. Amthane dam stands at 35.4 Sanguem, and the surround- yellow alert as heavy rains ic body on Tuesday. Of the total the employee. In fact, Chief Of- said they had no answers on why
neer Pramod Badami reiterat- As of June 16, Anjunem per cent capacity, while Panch- ing rural areas -- saw a decline accompanied by strong winds amount of Rs 17.44 lakh, the ficer Gaurish Sankhwalkar had official police complaint was not
ed the water level will gradually dam remains the lowest at wadi dam lags at 18 per cent. in water level to 34 per cent till swept across most parts of the employee had on Friday depos- on Friday said that his office has launched even after two weeks

members, some wearing the way to Margao. ta Club, Colva, he saw one of in front of them, blocking car, he stated, managed to had found no takers while 50 last year, following lack or no swered JEE.
rise while stating the capacity 15.1 per cent capacity despite Among other dams, Se- the first week of May when the State. ited an amount of Rs 3 lakh in sent the draft FIR copy to the Mu- since the fraud took place.

masks, marched towards In the complaint, Yuvkesh the accused persons with his their way. When he tried to escape as the gang attacked non-JEE candidates got demand in view of closure of In case of Class XII appli-
them after stopping their car stated that he, along with friends outside the club. reverse, a second car blocked them. admission. the iron ore mining industry. cants, the applicant had to se-
at Mungul, they were heard Rafiq and a third person, was At around 2.30 am, he them from behind. The complaint further stat- After the first round of ad- DTE confirmed that the va- cure minimum 45 per cent (40
shouting, ‘Walter ko pehle travelling to Margao to have stated that he, along with The complainant stated ed that the assailants made missions that ended on July cant seats are spread across per cent in case of SC, ST and
maaro’ and ‘Walter ko khatam food at a fast food centre at Rafiq, one Prakash, and two that one of the accused first good their escape in their cars 5, around 400 seats were left private colleges – Padre Con- OBC) marks in Physics, Maths
karo'. Malbhat. Two of their friends, other persons, decided to came out with a koita and after passers-by gathered on vacant, across four engineer- ceicao College of Engineering, and one other specified sub-
Little did the armed gang who were coming on a bike, go to Margao to have food started attacking him. Anoth- the Colva-Margao road. ing colleges – the situation Verna; Don Bosco College of ject, whereas, the Diploma

Clear 43k sapling backlog or HAR GHAR TIRANGA ‘Vote Chori’: 868 voters
face action: Tree Authority in 150-house area in
PWD SHARES MAJOR CHUNK OF ALMOST 80% OF THE Margao, claims Cong
TOTAL PENDENCY ACROSS NORTH AND SOUTH GOA THE GOAN I NETWORK THE CHARGES
MARGAO „„Margao Congress Block
THE GOAN I NETWORK As the “Vote Chori” issue Convener Savio Coutinho
USER AGENCY NORTH SOUTH TOTAL
GOA GOA hots up in Goa, Margao Con- has accused the Election
PANAJI gress Block Convener Savio Commission of gross ma-
With over 40k saplings/ plan- PWD 33351 1162 34513 Coutinho has thrown down nipulation in the electoral
tation pending in lieu of trees RVNL 666 1152 1818 the gauntlet at the Election rolls for Part No. 15 of the
cut for various State and Cen- Commission in Goa over gross
tral government projects in Indian Navy 1137 — 1137 manipulation in electoral rolls Margao Constituency,
last five years, the State Tree Dy Collector Bicholim 450 450 in Margao. covering Azad Nagar
Authority, taking serious cog-
COP — 219 219
Coutinho has claimed „„He claimed the small
nizance, has warned that the that Part No. 15 of 31 Margao 3,500 sq m area, with only
failure to comply with the ONGC — 1497 1497 Constituency exclusively
120-150 houses, is listed
mandatory condition of com- consists of an area known as
pensatory plantation, will
IT 360 — 360 Azad Nagar, located along with over 280 house num-
lead to “adverse ramification” GMC 240 — 240 the Margao Konkan Railway bers and 868 voters
against the user agencies. Greater Panaji PDA — 207 207 A woman shops for tricolour flags and shawls at the Panaji market on Wednesday, ahead of Station road.
STA, chaired by the Chief Independence Day celebrations.  Narayan Pissurlenkar “This area admeasures area called Azad Nagar,
Secretary, during its meeting Municipal Council Bicholim 183 — 183 not more than 3,500 sq. m, leaving aside the non-voters
last month, noted that al- NFS Bambolim 177 — 177 and has a maximum of 120 and minors residing there.
most 43,117 trees are yet to be to 150 houses. However, on “This area called Azad Nagar

Akshay Patra begins mid-day meal

planted as part of compensa- Military Training — 150 150 going through the electoral is bounded by a wall on three
tory plantation towards tree roll of Part No. 15, Margao sides, and the railway station
felling, in the last five years. During the meeting it was in North Goa alone while an- Constituency, one finds main road on one side. This
The Public Works Department
(PWD) shares a major chunk
that is almost 80 per cent of
reiterated that “non-compli-
ance to the terms and con-
ditions stipulated by Tree
other 1,162 is in South district
towards highway expansion.
Similarly, RVNL has failed
on trial in schools across 3 talukas names recorded with over
280 house numbers, with a
total number of 868 voters.
confirms the fact that there
is no scope for the number
of houses to increase in the
the total pendency – which Authority could lead to ad- to undertake replantation of The question here is how and manner in which the number
comes to around 34,518 trees verse ramification against the 1,152 trees in South and 666 in THE GOAN I NETWORK currently covers around 1,500 Speaking to The Goan, Di- from where 280 houses, of voters has been increasing
across North and South Goa. agency/organisations, while North Goa towards their dou- students from Classes I to VIII rector Education, Shailesh with the house numbers as here.”
Central agencies like Oil considering their future pro- ble tracking project. PANAJI and 500 from Classes IX and X. Zingade confirmed that the registered in the electoral Coutinho said, “We will
and Natural Gas Corporation posals”. The ONGC has to plant After initial delay, the Ben- The schools in Tiswadi, Foundation has commenced rolls, surface, and who has appreciate if the Election
(ONGC), Railway Vikas Nigam The STA has directed all the 1,497 trees for their proposed galuru-based Akshay Patra Bardez and Bicholim are pres- supply of meals to 2,500 stu- issued these house numbers,” Commission gives a justifiable
Limited (RVNL), Indian Navy departments/ user agencies to expansion project in Betul, Foundation has commenced ently covered by the Founda- dents on trial basis from Au- he said. explanation with regard
and Goa Tamnar Transmis- draw a plan of execution and South Goa while the Indi- the supply of mid-day meals tion, with plans to extend to gust 4 onwards. “The service That’s not all. Coutinho to how the Azad Nagar
sion Power Limited (GTTPL) submit the same during the an Navy has 1137 trees to be to around 2,000 students another 2,500 students in the is currently on a trial basis. We has challenged the Election area can hold 868 voters,
have also got huge backlog next meeting. planted in the North. The from government and govern- coming days as per the con- have signed a contract to sup- Commission to verify if there while our verification
ranging between 1000-1800, As per the data, PWD has GTTPL has got 1029 tree pen- ment-aided on a trial basis tract signed by the Education ply meals to 5,000 students,” is sufficient space for 868 continues for other areas in
each. got a backlog of 33,351 trees dency. from this month. The service department. he said. people to even stand in this Margao.”

Over 1,000 vacant posts cloud Festive relief: Govt to import 1L coconuts from K’taka
Goa Police manpower strength STA B I L I SE S OA R I N G P R I C ES
THE GOAN I NETWORK

PANAJI
not yet decided but it would be
sold at a subsidised rate that
is Rs 5 to Rs 10 less than the
till now and also there is the
harvest issue.
Dessai said that the
RECRUITMENT DELAYS DUE TO INELIGIBLE CANDIDATES,
I
n a bid to meet the rising „„25,000 jumbo market price. “This is a festive situation is expected to
demand ahead of Ganesh coconuts arriving in next season and we have to see normalise post Ganesh.
PENDING CLEARANCES, AND APPROVAL BOTTLENECKS Chaturthi festival and to two days, available across that coconuts are available to “Currently there are not much
stabilise the market prices, four Corporation outlets the consumers at an afforda- Goa coconuts in the market.
THE GOAN I NETWORK the Goa government is set to ble rate,” he said. These are all imported ones
THE SHORTFALL „„ADGP and 10 SP posts; procure around one lakh coco-
and mobile vans Highly placed sources hence the price is more,” he
PANAJI many await eligible officers nuts from neighbouring State „„Subsidised rate confirmed that the plan is said.
While the arrival of 700 new- „„Acute shortage in for promotion of Karnataka to supplement expected to be Rs 5–10 to procure almost one lakh Currently, the farmers are
ly-trained India Reserve Bat- forensics including „„Forensic science lab domestic supply and address lower than market prices; contributing to high prices coconuts from Karnataka getting a minimum assured
talion personnel will boost fingerprint, DNA, and price volatility. The coconut will final price yet to be fixed vendors and make it available price of Rs 15 per coconut.
Goa policing, the elite force
lacks assistant director, be sold through Goa Horticul- „„Market rates: Current to the public at subsidised rate Sources said that at present,
scientific investigation scientific officers, experts, „„Reason for shortage: coconut prices range
continues to face shortage ture outlets and mobile vans ensuring no profit no loss to some farmers, where plucking
of personnel with more than roles and technical staff across the State at subsidised Early May monsoons from Rs 25–75 per piece; the Corporation. “The aim is to has taken place, are selling
1,000 posts lying vacant in- rates. delayed fruit plucking; farmers receive minimum supplement the domestic sup- their coconut at Rs 24 to Rs
cluding vital roles in forensic Following directions from low domestic supply Rs 15 per nut ply and also stabilise market 34 per coconut varying sizes
investigation. in specialised areas such as der front. Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik, prices of the coconut, which to the traders, who in turn are
Official data reveals that the fingerprint analysis, DNA Sources revealed to The the Agriculture Department are currently skyrocketing,” selling it at Rs 45 to Rs 70 in
Goa Police, with a sanctioned forensics and scientific Goan that from the high- and the Goa State Horticulture in the coming two days. will be made available across sources said. the market.
strength of 7,871, has about investigation at the lone est-level vacancy of the Ad- Corporation to procure Speaking to The Goan, four Corporation-run outlets Currently, the coconuts are “Apart from plucking, a
1,012 vacancies. The India State Forensic Science Labo- ditional Director General of coconut from other States and Corporation Managing Director and other horticulture outlets sold at prices ranging from Rs sizable number of coconuts
Reserve Battalion (IRB) has a ratory, besides higher-rank- Police and 10 vacant Super- supply it to the consumers Chandrahas Dessai said that apart from making it available 25 per coconut to Rs 75 per are going for oil extraction
sanctioned strength of 3,021, ing posts such as Addi- intendent of Police posts, during festival season on no first consignment of 25,000 through the Corporation’s coconut based on the size. The and also tender coconut
of which about 230 posts are tional Director General of they cannot be filled until eli- profit no loss basis. In the first jumbo sized coconuts are vegetable mobile van in the vendors claim that due to early plucking thus affecting proper
vacant. Police and Superintendents gible officers are available for round, 25,000 coconuts are arriving from Karnataka in villages,” he said. monsoons in May, no fruit harvest and yield,” sources
The shortages are acute of Police on the law and or- promotion. set to come from Karnataka the coming two days. “They Dessai said that the price is plucking took place from May said.
 gujarat www.freepressjournal.in
Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025

ONLINE SCAMS | The new elite force will tackle a surge in

Briefs cases, which see an average of 13 cyber frauds reported daily Crowd beats up Muslim couples
can end nikah
Rohan Soni in without written
State creates cybercrime
GANDHINAGAR
Ahmedabad contract: HC
Metro: 44L
commuters
court premises FPJ News Service

unit to combat frauds

AHMEDABAD

travel in July FPJ News Service

AHMEDABAD In a significant clarification
The Gujarat Metro Rail on Muslim Personal Law, the
Corporation (GMRC), FPJ News Service The accused in a fatal car Gujarat High Court has ruled
which operates the metro GANDHINAGAR accident that killed two men that Muslim couples can dis-
rail service in Ahmedabad, was assaulted by the victims' solve their nikah through oral
has hit a new high in The Gujarat government has relatives outside the mutual consent without the
passenger numbers. In July announced the formation of Ahmedabad Metro Court on need for a written agreement.
2025, GMRC recorded its a specialized cybercrime Tuesday. Rohan Soni, a col- The ruling came after the
highest monthly ridership unit, designed to operate lege student, was attacked as court struck down a Rajkot
with 44.04 lakh commuters similarly to the state's Anti- police escorted him to the Family Court order that had
traveling on the Terrorist Squad (ATS). court for a remand hearing. rejected a couple’s plea for
Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar Headquartered in The incident took place divorce solely because no
route, according to official Gandhinagar, the new unit when police from the N written contract was sub-
records. This figure will serve as the state's cen- Division Traffic Police mitted.
surpassed the previous tral hub for investigating and Station brought Soni to them to collide with BRTS A division bench of
record of 40.21 lakh set in preventing cybercrimes, court. According to the com- railings. Akram Qureshi died Justices A.Y. Kogje and N.S.
January 2025. which have reached plaint filed by PSI Mehul at the scene, while Ashfaq Sanjay Gowda emphasised
unprecedented levels. Sindhav at the Karanj Police Ajmeri succumbed to his that Muslim Personal Law
EKTA NAGAR Official data presented in Station, four individuals— injuries at Sola Civil Hospital. fully recognises the dissol-
IAF band to the Lok Sabha reveals a advanced forensics labs, been significant, totaling ₹17 Recruitment for specialized identified as Adil Sheikh, Eyewitnesses reported ution of marriage by mutual
troubling trend. Since 2020, high-speed data analytics, crore over the last five years. officers, including SPs, Ujef Ajmeri, Shahid Mirza, that a group of more than consent between husband
perform at Gujarat has recorded 23,784 and AI-powered fraud detec- An alarming 45% of this DySPs, and PIs under IG/DIG and Ayman Ajmeri— two dozen people, believed and wife. “There is no
Statue of Unity cyber fraud cases, averaging tion systems. The govern- loss—₹7.73 crore—occurred leadership, will begin in attacked Soni with a stick as to be family and friends of requirement in Islamic law
Marking the 79th 13 new cases daily. In 2023 ment has already allocated a in 2023-24 alone. These December 2025. he was being taken from the the deceased, surrounded for a written agreement or
Independence Day, the alone, the state's cybercrime dedicated budget for this scams range from fake In 2024-25, Tamil Nadu police vehicle. Officers Soni and began punching mandatory registration to
Indian Air Force (IAF) Band helpline (1930) received over purpose. This move is aimed investment schemes to "digi- recorded the highest formed a cordon to protect and beating him. Two con- end a marriage by consent,”
will present a musical 121,000 calls, a call every four at overcoming the limita- tal arrest" rackets where vic- number of cyber fraud com- Soni and move him into the stables reportedly sprinted the bench observed.
performance at the Statue minutes, underscoring the tions of current district-level tims are coerced into paying plaints nationally with over courthouse. During the with Soni to the courtroom The High Court studied
of Unity on 15 August 2025. scale of the problem. cyber cells, which often lack large sums of money. 37,000 cases, followed by scuffle, two police constables to prevent further harm. Islamic legal literature,
The event, themed “Wings "Cybercrime is evolving the expert manpower and While technology is a core Maharashtra (31,658) and were injured, and the Police are investigating Quranic principles, Hadith
of Glory: Symphony of faster than traditional law technology needed to inves- component of the new strat- Haryana (23,861). attackers allegedly whether Soni was under the references, and earlier judicial
Unity”, will pay tribute to enforcement," a source close tigate complex cases swiftly. egy, officials recognize that Maharashtra also reported obstructed police from per- influence of alcohol or other precedents before arriving at
the legacy of the IAF, with a to the development stated. "Cases often get delayed, public education is also vital. the highest financial loss at forming their duty. substances at the time of the its conclusion. It noted that
special remembrance of "The new unit is our answer giving criminals time to van- The new unit will reportedly ₹27.44 crore. Soni is accused of killing crash. The car was found to traditionally, Muslim couples
Operation Sindoor.The to these sophisticated oper- ish," an official noted. "The launch statewide campaigns This national trend has Ashfaq Ajmeri (22) and be decorated with items sug- have been able to end their
performance will begin at ations, which are often as new unit will ensure that to teach citizens how to prompted Union Minister of Akram Qureshi (35) in a car gesting a birthday celebra- marriage through an oral dec-
6 pm at the iconic venue in well-organized as terror or serious cases are trans- identify phishing, invest- State for Finance Pankaj crash on August 10. The vic- tion. Soni has a history of laration of mutual consent,
Ekta Nagar, bringing drug syndicates." ferred, investigated, and ment fraud, and other com- Chaudhary to stress the tims were traveling on a traffic violations, including with no obligation to record it
together stirring tunes, The elite unit will be solved in days, not months." mon scams. urgent need for specialized moped when they were hit previous instances of over- in writing or maintain a reg-
patriotic fervour, and the equipped with cutting-edge Financial losses from The unit is expected to be state-level units to work with by Soni's speeding Brezza car speeding and driving with- ister for such divorces.
spirit of national pride. technology, including cybercrime in Gujarat have operational by March 2026. central agencies. near Nehrunagar, causing out documents. The court clarified that
Visitors can expect a while nikah registration is
symphony that blends often carried out locally by
military precision with the recognised religious bodies,
emotion of India’s
independence journey.
Organisers have invited
State gets another Gujarat approves `1478 cr industrial this record serves only as a
formal declaration of the mar-
riage contract. The
citizens and visitors to join
the celebration and
veterinary and animal investments, creating 4000 jobs nikahnama issued is not a
mandatory prerequisite under
witness the musical tribute
at the world’s tallest statue. husbandry college Muslim Personal Law.
Therefore, the same principle
FPJ News Service Valsad; and `29.53 crore in the applies to divorce — oral con-
ANAND FPJ News Service NEET scores after completion GANDHINAGAR paper sector in sent between both parties is
Amul to hold AHMEDABAD of Class 12. The college will
offer the Bachelor of Industries Minister
Surendranagar district. He
added that these approvals
legally sufficient.
In the case before the
BoDs election The Gujarat Government has Veterinary Science (BVSc) and Balvantsinh Rajput chaired a will play a significant role in bench, both husband and wife
The election schedule for undertaken several initiatives Animal Husbandry degree committee meeting in further strengthening indus- had appeared before the
the board of directors of for student welfare and the program. Adequate staff Gandhinagar to grant final tries in the state and in Rajkot Family Court, confirm-
Amul Dairy, Anand, has well-being of citizens across appointments have already eligibility certificates to major increasing both direct and ing their mutual decision to
been officially announced. the state. As part of these been completed, including industries. During the meet- indirect employment oppor- end the marriage. Their plea
Voting is scheduled for efforts, yet another educa- One Principal, four ing, applications from 22 tunities across Gujarat. was aimed solely at obtaining
Wednesday from 9 am to 3 tional opportunity has been Professors, Seven Associate major units with a total invest- With the vision of making a formal court declaration of
pm at the Kaira District created for students aspiring Professors, 34 Assistant ment of Rs1,478.71 crore were Gujarat a hub of social and the divorce. However, the
Milk Producers’ to build a bright career. The Professors, and 23 non-teach- approved, expected to gener- economic growth, the State Family Court dismissed the
Cooperative Union Ltd. Central Government has ing staff. ate around 4,136 new jobs in ‘Incentive to Industries’ and cement-concrete sectors Government launched the application, reasoning that a
(Anand Amul Dairy). The approved the establishment The college will provide the state. scheme, resulting in the cre- in Ahmedabad district; `227.77 ‘Incentive to Industries’ written agreement and formal
counting of votes will take of a new Veterinary and another excellent option for On this occasion, Industries ation of over 1.65 lakh direct crore in the metal sector in scheme under the Industrial registration were necessary.
place on Friday starting at Animal Husbandry College at students in the state to pursue Minister Balvantsinh Rajput jobs. This, in turn, has given Kutch; `218.88 crore in the Policy–2015 to boost manufac- The High Court firmly
9 am. The election will Himmatnagar, Gujarat. veterinary studies. The 23- stated that an industry- significant momentum to chemical and ceramic sectors turing, attract advanced tech- rejected this stance, stating
span 12 blocks across Admissions for 80 seats will acre campus is equipped with friendly ecosystem has been small and medium-scale in Bharuch; `55.23 crore in the nology investments, and pro- that such a requirement is not
Anand, Kheda, and begin next month for the aca- modern infrastructure and established across the ancillary industries in the paper sector in Mehsana; mote innovative projects. supported by the Quran,
Mahisagar districts, demic year 2025–26. offers high-quality education country, including Gujarat. MSME sector. `167.70 crore in the ceramic, Offering net SGST assistance, Hadith, or long-standing
marking a significant The proposal to establish at affordable fees, per govern- Under the guidance of Chief Moreover, Minister Rajput metal, paper, and textile sec- the scheme has positioned Muslim customs. “The Family
event in the region’s the new Kamdhenu ment norms, along with resi- Minister Bhupendra Patel, the said that among the applica- tors in Morbi; `36.22 crore in Gujarat as a leading invest- Court erred in imposing con-
cooperative dairy sector. Veterinary College at dential facilities for students. state has attracted invest- tions approved today, invest- the metal sector in Rajkot; ment destination in India and ditions that are alien to
Candidates can submit Himmatnagar under Under the leadership of the ments of approximately ments include `383.91 crore in `359.47 crore in the chemical, globally, earning strong inter- Muslim Personal Law,” the
their nomination forms Kamdhenu University was then Chief Minister and cur- `1,48,336.35 crore under the the metal, paper, food-agro, plastic, and paper sectors in est from major industries. bench noted in its judgment.
from 20 August to 28 submitted to the Central rent Prime Minister,
August, excluding public Government. Following an Narendra Modi, 'Pashu
holidays. Forms will be inspection and thorough Arogya Melas' (Animal health
accepted by the election
officer at the Kaira District
review by the Veterinary
Council of India (VCI), appro-
fairs) were initiated in Gujarat.
Gujarat is the only state in the US, Gujarat to strengthen Mehsana to Tribals accuse Cong
Milk Producers’
Cooperative Union Ltd.,
val was granted to commence
the college this year.
country to have developed
facilities such as health cards drug control and get 10 hours of spreading lies on
Anand (Amul Dairy), as This will be the fifth vet- for livestock, Pashu Arogya
agri power
well as at the Deputy
Collector’s office, Prant
erinary college in the state
after Anand, Navsari,
Mela, and cataract surgeries
for animals. This new college
regulatory cooperation supply due to Par-Tapi-Narmada
Kacheri, Navu Sevasadan, Junagadh, and Dantiwada. will further advance this initi- FPJ News Service more than 150 U.S. Food and
Anand. Admissions will be based on ative in the future. GANDHINAGAR Drug Administration
(USFDA)-approved manufac-
delayed rain
A delegation from the U.S. turers, this collaboration is FPJ News Service
Office of National Drug important for both sides. GANDHINAGAR

Police deploy hi-tech underwater Control Policy (ONDCP)

recently visited the Food and
Commissioner Koshiya
stated, "Gujarat's food and The Gujarat government
Drug Control Administration drug regulatory system has today announced that from
robots to track crime evidence (FDCA) of Gujarat to discuss
cooperation on drug regula-
maintained a strict watch on
illegal drug traffickers and
August 14, 2025, farmers in
Mehsana district will also
FPJ News Service tion and enforcement. The will continue to do so." The receive 10 hours of daily agri-
AHMEDABAD meeting is part of a long- U.S. delegation expressed cultural power supply, up
standing partnership appreciation for Gujarat's from the existing 8 hours.
In a major technological leap, between the two agencies, the efforts in this area and This extension will benefit
the Gujarat Police has armed "FDCA, Gujarat – USFDA reviewed presentations on the around 43,000 agricultural FPJ News Service Pandalkhadak.
itself with two Deep Tracker Regulatory Forum," which FDCA's enforcement and pre- power connections in the VALSAD/DANG Speaking to tribal villagers,
Underwater Remotely has been in place for over 15 vention strategies to curb the district. MP Dhaval Patel reiterated
Operated Vehicles (ROVs), years. misuse of pharmaceutical The decision was taken In a sharp political turn in that the Par-Tapi-Narmada
worth Rs2.80 crore, to track, The U.S. delegation, led by drugs for narcotics produc- during the State Cabinet South Gujarat’s tribal belt, project was cancelled in 2022
recover, and secure evidence ONDCP Assistant Director tion. meeting chaired by Chief banners have appeared across by both the Gujarat govern-
from as deep as 200 meters Debbie Seguin, met with Both parties discussed Minister Bhupendra Patel. villages in support of BJP MP ment and the Centre. “No
underwater. These advanced FDCA Commissioner H.G. ways to strengthen the Briefing the media, State from Valsad and Dang, and work will be done under this
machines are set to revol- Koshiya and other senior offi- National Drug Control Government Spokesperson Lok Sabha BJP Whip, Dhaval project. Congress leaders are
utionise crime investigation, cials. The discussion focused Strategy, combat drug-related Rushikesh Patel said that, as Patel. The banners, put up by creating fear among our
ensuring that even murky equipped with high-definition Bridge accident near Padra in on several key issues, includ- crime, and reduce the use of announced in the last cabinet tribal youth in Dharampur people for their own political
waters won’t conceal a crimi- cameras, grabber arms, and Vadodara district. Despite ing the trafficking of illegal illegal narcotics. They also meeting, the daily electricity assembly constituency, accuse roadmap,” Patel said, urging
nal’s trail. powerful navigation systems. extremely murky water, the drugs, tracking of precursor explored methods to increase supply for farmers in the Congress party and locals not to fall for false nar-
“Even if criminals throw They are capable of perform- ROV successfully located a chemicals, and the export of control over precursor chemi- Saurashtra has already been Vansda MLA Anant Patel of ratives.
weapons or evidence into ing in poor visibility, high cur- submerged motorcycle and habit-forming substances. cal manufacturing and to increased from 8 hours to 10 deliberately misleading locals Patel emphasised that the
rivers or lakes, we will find rent, and deep-water condi- critical parts connected to the Given that Gujarat is a major share intelligence on suspi- hours starting August 9, 2025. over the Par-Tapi-Narmada BJP government has always
them,” said a senior Gujarat tions — making them a vital case. exporter of pharmaceutical cious pharmaceutical ship- This farmer-friendly river linking project. prioritised the welfare of
Police official. “The Deep asset in crime scenes invol- “In traditional methods, products to the U.S., with ments. measure has boosted daily The tribal community in tribal communities, citing
Tracker’s precision means no ving water bodies. recovery would have taken agricultural power consump- Narmada, Tapi, Surat, Valsad various developmental
clue is out of reach.” To operate these machines, days and required divers to tion in the region from 4.4 and Dang districts has been schemes implemented in the
Purchased as part of a pilot Gujarat Police officers and work in risky conditions. The crore units to 5.2 crore units, protesting against the project region.
project, one unit has been staff underwent three days of Deep Tracker reduced the benefiting nearly 12 lakh for years. However, sup- Several residents have
deployed in Vadodara and the specialised training, focusing time, improved safety, and agricultural power connec- porters of the BJP say the openly expressed their faith
other in Rajkot. Each vehicle, on manoeuvring, camera preserved evidence integrity,” tions, he added. opposition is now based on in Prime Minister Narendra
costing Rs1.40 crore, is operations, and evidence said a police diver involved in Providing an update on the misinformation. Modi and MP Dhaval Patel.
designed for search, evidence handling. The aim is to ensure the operation. Kharif sowing status, Patel “The Congress is spreading “We trust our PM and
recovery, tracking, and sur- that the technology is used to Police officials believe this said that so far this year, lies about the Par-Tapi- Dhavalbhai completely. They
veillance in underwater con- its full potential, especially in technological upgrade will crops have been sown in Narmada project to create have always worked for us,
ditions where divers or tradi- critical criminal investigations. serve as a deterrent for crimi- 74.85 lakh hectares, covering political mileage,” reads one and we know they will protect
tional methods fail. The Deep Tracker’s effec- nals who previously relied on 87.48% of the state’s normal of the banners spotted in vil- our rights,” said Ramesh
These portable ROVs are tiveness was recently demon- dumping evidence in rivers, cultivation area of 85.57 lakh lages like Jagiri, Nadgadhari Chaudhary, a young farmer
remotely operated and strated in the Gambhira lakes, or reservoirs. hectares. Road, Barda, Shishumal, and from Dharampur.
 www.freepressjournal.in madhya pradesh
Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025

CHLORINE GAS LEAK SPARKS PANIC

Our Staff Reporter DM Kaushalendra Vikram manufacturing chlorine tab- Piplani police station In- SDM, Govindpura, Ravish Inspector Yadav added.
BHOPAL Singh has ordered a joint in- lets. It is reported that chlor- charge Inspector Chandrika Kumar Srivastava, also The gas caused tears and
quiry into the incident by ine gas started leaking from Yadav said the factory was reached the spot, and SDRF irritation in the eyes and
Leakage of chlorine gas at a the Chief Medical and a storage used for keeping closed on Wednesday. Police and NDRF teams, along with breathing problems for
factory in the Industrial area Health Officer and the Bho- raw materials at the factory. received information re- the fire department, were those affected. However,
on JK Road on Wednesday pal Municipal Corporation, The gas quickly spread garding the incident from roped in to contain the leak- none of them complained of
afternoon caused panic instructing that the report outside the premises, forc- workers of adjoining fac- age. any serious problems. The
among locals and workers, be submitted within two ing the locals and workers to tories. The adjoining build- The teams used caustic officials and personnel en-
leaving many with eye irrita- days. move away while using ings and factories were soda to neutralise the gas, gaged in rescue work wore
tion and breathing dif- The incident occurred masks and other protective evacuated, and senior offi- and it took around 1-½ masks. mary investigations suggest store got wet, triggering the
ficulties for some time. around 3.30 pm at a factory gear. cials were informed. hours to contain the leakage, Inspector Yadav said pri- that the raw material at the leakage of chlorine gas.

TIRANGA YATRA | Warning that any future misadventure at MPBSE Class 25K to 60K votes manipulated
border will receive strongest reply ever, CM Mohan Yadav says... 10, 12 exams
in 60 assembly seats : Congress
ARMY CAPABLE OF TAKING from Feb 7
Our Staff Reporter
BHOPAL
Our Staff Reporter
BHOPAL

BACK PAKISTAN PUNJAB The Madhya Pradesh Board of

Secondary Education
(MPBSE) has announced the
Congress on Wednesday
stepped up its campaign
against alleged 'vote
Our Staff Reporter timetable for Class 10 and 12 chori' claiming manipu-
INDORE examinations for the year lations of votes in 2023 As-
2026. sembly elections.
Chief Minister Dr Mohan According to an official no- “In 60 Assembly consti-
Yadav here on Wednesday tification, the examinations tuencies over 25000 to 60,000
said that the Indian Army is will be conducted from Feb- votes were manipulated, and
capable enough to take back ruary 7 to March 3, 2026 in a the Congress will shortly ex-
that part of Punjab which went single shift from 9 am to 12 pose the entire anomaly,” Congress leaders Vivek Tankha, LOP Umang Singhar and
to Pakistan at the time of par- noon at the designated exam- said Congress state president PCC chief Jitu Patwari address media on Wednesday
tition. ‘If Pakistan did any mis- ination centers across the Jitu Patwari while talking to SERIES OF DEMONSTRATION
adventure again, it will get state. media persons here on Wed- Congress has planned a series of rallies and protests from
strongest reply ever. Our Army The exam of Class 10 will be nesday. August 14 to October 15 across the state over ‘vote theft’.
is capable of reclaiming the held from February 11 to The Election Commission On Thursday a rally will be taken out in Gwalior and on In-
partitioned part of Punjab,’ he March 2, while the exam of has issued three voter lists dependence Day a rally in Bhopal.
said while addressing a Tir- Class 11 will be from February during the elections, first
anga Yatra in the city and CM Mohan Yadav leads Tiranga Yatra in Indore on Wednesday Pic Anand Shivre 7 and March 3. when the election schedule
blaming Congress for partition
in 1947.
elections. ‘They put a question
mark on Supreme Court and
Commission responsible,’ he
said. The CM also claimed that
Citing the success of Operation
Sindoor, Yadav stated that
Besides, the examinations
of DPSE (Diploma in Pre-
was announced, second
when the candidates had
RaGa’s vote theft rhetoric
He also attacked Congress
for attacking constitutional
Indian Army. Congress lost
elections because of its wrong
Congress leaders issue such
statements which please
today’s India not only hits tar-
gets within the country but
School Education) two-year
course will be conducted
filed the nominations and the
third when the polling was holds no water: BJP
bodies for its failure to win policies but it holds Election people of Pakistan and China. also on foreign soil. from February 10-19, 2026. done, stated Patwari. The Bhopal: State sports min-
PCC chief also claimed that ister Vishvas Sarang criti-
the website of Madhya Pra- cised Leader of Opposition

HC seeks reply from Post Kothari, Uma transfer, SEIAA desh chief electoral officer
was not working ever since
Rahul Gandhi over his vote
theft rhetoric. He said Rahul
Rahul Gandhi raised the vote was making baseless allega-
govt on appointment holds 5 meetings, 100 cases get EC theft issue.
Member of Parliament
tions against Election Com-
mission knowing that

of primary SC hearing on The charge of Environ- Because the SEIAA was not Vivek Tankha clarified that Congress party would lose told media persons at BJP
mental Planning and Coor- holding meetings, several the party was not against the Bihar Assembly elections to office here on Wednesday.
deemed dination Organisation (EPCO) cases were pending for green poll panel but only wanted to be held this year. He added that Rahul’s vote
teachers by DPI permission has was given to Deepak Arya.
The executive director of
approval.
SEIAA is regularly holding
help it by highlighting the
electoral irregularities. “We
“If Congress party has evi-
dence regarding tempering
theft rhetoric was an act to
defame India’s democracy
Our Staff Reporter been put off EPCO is the member secre- meetings to dispose of the are trying to help the ECI, in of voter list, then why it is and Election Commission’s
BHOPAL tary of SEIAA. After the cases pending for a long many states fake voters are shying away from approach- fairness at global level. Ques-
Our Staff Reporter transfer of the two officers, time. On the other hand, 237 present, like in Karnataka ing Election Commission tioning the timing of vote
The MP High Court princi- BHOPAL the dispute between the cases, which were disposed around 1 lakh voters are sus- and lodging complaint. Con- theft claim by Congress
pal bench at Jabalpur on chairman of SEIAA, SN of under the provision of picious, we don’t want to gress is in habit of targeting party, Sarang said Opposi-
Wednesday sought reply The State Environment Im- Singh Chouhan, and the of- deemed permission, are yet fight with the Commission,” the institutions to defame tion stooped to lowest level
from the state government pact Assessment Authority ficers of the authority came to be solved. said the Congress leader. India’s democracy,” Sarang and rejected by the people.
on the posting orders issued (SEIAA) is back on track to an end. The Supreme Court was to
by allegedly misinterpreting after the transfer of Principal After the change in the en- hear the SEIAA case on Au-
the orders of the high court
and the Supreme Court.
The HC expressed concern
Secretary Navneet Kothari
and IAS officer Uma Ma-
heshwari.
vironment department,
more than five meetings
have been held in the past 20
gust 12, but the hearing was
put off.
Nevertheless, the govern-
West Discom to give notice
at Directorate of Public In-
struction (DPI) commissioner
locus standi on posting
SLP(c) in the SC. It was dis-
missed by the Supreme
The government trans-
ferred both the officers on July
23. Additional Chief Secretary
days and over 100 cases dis-
posed of.
The department has given
ment is not cancelling the
provision for deemed per-
mission.
to DEs for non-performance
orders issued afresh from Court on April 25, 2025 on Ashok Barnwal was given the green clearance in mining, A decision on the issue will use of thermovision cameras
tribal department to DPI, ig- preliminary hearing and the additional charge of the en- construction and other be taken only after an order of on high-voltage lines to detect
noring the three years of ex- orders of the division bench vironment department. cases. the Supreme Court. even small red points early,
perience and 90% salary of of the high court were con- enabling timely repairs and
the primary teachers con- firmed. preventing prolonged power
cerned which was challenged
in the high court.
Senior advocate Ramesh-
war Thakur who appeared
PCC to endorse Missing man’s outages.
He also praised the sugges-
The HC has also sought
reply from the principal sec-
on behalf of the petitioners,
said that instead of complying
DCC president names body found in tions of Indore rural super-
intendent engineer Dr DN
retary of school education
department and principal
with the orders, the DPI di-
rected the district education
selected by AICC Upper Lake Sharma and Ratlam super-
intendent engineer Manoj
secretary of tribal welfare, officers concerned (Sagar, Our Staff Reporter party’s future roadmap in Bhopal: The body of a miss- Sharma for their contribu-
along with the district edu- Sidhi, Katni, Guna, etc.) on BHOPAL the meeting. ing 30-year-old Rafeeq Ansari tions towards consumer ser-
cation officers of Sagar, June 12, 2025 and issued fresh Shortly the AICC is going was found floating in Upper Our Staff Reporter incidents, ensuring timely vice and transparency.
Satna, Sidhi, Katni and appointment orders for the In a bid to quell the voices of to announce the names of Lake under Bhadbhada INDORE provision of new connections, Besides, Singh advised in-
Guna, who issued the erron- petitioners. The service of resentment over proposed the DCC presidents, as the Bridge early on Wednesday switching government con- forming public represen-
eous orders on the instruc- more than two years of the DCC presidents, the PCC party is having heavy weight morning. Some locals called Madhya Pradesh West Zone nections to prepaid mode as tatives about new projects and
tions of the DPI persons concerned in the political affairs committee leaders and they may op- police when they spotted the Power Distribution Company per state directives, maintain- sharing updates on media
commissioner. tribal department was not brought the proposal mak- pose the appointments. body. The man was missing managing director Anoop ing transformer health and groups and social media plat-
The petition was filed by taken into account. At pres- ing it mandatory for all To find out the solution of since Sunday night and his kin Kumar Singh held a review properly servicing high and forms. He directed all officers
the affected people for mis- ent the petitioners were get- members to endorse the the problem, a proposal was had lodged a complaint in this meeting on Wednesday with low voltage lines. to remain at headquarters,
interpreting the reservation ting 90% salary and an order names selected by the AICC; presented in which the connection at Itkhedi police over 80 engineers at the Polo- Singh directed officials to conduct night inspections at
laws in the appointments of was issued to appoint all of no questions asked. The pro- members are instructed to station. According to re- ground auditorium. make serious efforts in the least five times a month, and
primary teachers. The DPI them in DPI schools on 70% posal was passed unani- support the names which ports, Lambakheda resident During the meeting, Singh September Lok Adalat to re- continuously strive to improve
ordered that the talented salary. mously, said party leaders are selected by the AICC. Ansari was a carpenter and warned power officials to solve as many pending cases departmental operations.
candidates of the reserved Notice was issued to prin- here on Wednesday. The members have been was engaged to a girl around complete tasks on time and as possible, recover dues The meeting was attended
category should be given cipal secretary school educa- The PAC meeting at- given the task to run the 15 days back. His marriage instructed the chief general from old vigilance cases, and by chief general manager Pra-
posting in DPI schools tion, PS (tribal) , tended all major members ‘vote theft’ campaign in their was to take place next year. manager to issue notices to di- ensure timely entry of ma- kash Singh Chauhan, execu-
within 20 days from the date commissioner DPI, commis- of the committee, whereas areas respectively with mass On Sunday night Ansari left visional engineers who were terials like cables, trans- tive director Gajra Mehta,
of the order as per their first sioner tribal, district educa- the former chief minister participations. It is also home while talking to his ranked at the bottom in per- formers, and wires received chief engineers Ravi Mishra,
preference. tion officers Sagar, Katni, Kamal Nath did not at- asked that the Congress fiancée on phone. His kin formance. He emphasized fo- from the store. Kamesh Srivastava, SL Karwa-
Despite HC order, the DPI Siddi, Guna and ESB and tended the meeting. leaders shall reached the launched a search and ap- cusing on improving billing Highlighting the impor- dia, SR Bamanke and city
did not comply and filed reply was sought. State in-charge Harish booth level and to check and proached police when he efficiency, reducing power tance of proactive mainten- superintendent engineer DK
Choudhary presented the verify the voter lists. failed to return home. losses, minimizing tripping ance, he instructed the regular Gathe, and other officials.

offgrid
BJP chief joins Tiranga
Even most powerful will not be spared in drug case: CM Yatra in Chhindwara
Our Staff Reporter Yadav made the statement shops and bars in the relig- FP News Service MLAs joined the event.
BHOPAL at the fifth anniversary of ious places; besides, the po- CHHINDWARA Women also participated in
the anti-drug campaign on lice launched a campaign large numbers.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav Wednesday. against drug addiction from The state BJP president He- Addressing the gathering at
has come down heavily on According to reports, a July 15 to 31, he said. mant Khandelwal visited Amit Thenge Chowk, Khan-
Love Jihad and the drug few BJP leaders have con- At the function, Yadav Chhindwara for the first time delwal said the BJP had made
mafia without mentioning nections with the Machhli transferred Rs 339 crore to after assuming office and par- history with its Lok Sabha vic-
the name of the infamous family. the accounts of more than ticipated in Tiranga Yatra tory. “BJP is a worker-based
Machhli family. After the drug case came 56,52,000 beneficiaries by a amid a warm welcome from party where posts hold no im-
to light, the photographs of a single click. party workers. portance. Workers are our
The police have few BJP leaders with the Yadav said that a person Despite light rain, the rally priority,” he stated.
been given free hand members of the family went should draw inspiration proceeded from Imlikheda to He praised Prime Min-
to deal a severe blow viral on social media. from the positive thoughts Amit Thenge Chowk, where ister Narendra Modi and
Through his statement, and himself take an oath to enthusiastic supporters Chief Minister Mohan Yadav
to the mastermind, Yadav has clearly told the renounce drug addiction greeted him at multiple points for country’s rapid progress
says Yadav police that they should and that he should inspire along the route. A long proces- and spoke on unity to
freely act against the cul- others to stay away from sion carrying the National strengthen the party. Com-
Yadav said the police had prits. drugs. To raise awareness TFlag followed behind him. menting on Rahul Gandhi’s
acted against drug addiction After the drug case, the among the people against Prominent leaders includ- allegations of vote theft,
in Bhopal. Howsoever administration removed the Chief Minister Mohan Yadav administering oath of de-addiction during de-addiction drug addiction, Gayatri Pari- ing MP Bunty Sahu, BJYM Khandelwal called them un-
powerful such people may family of Yasin Machhli from program held at Ravindra Bhawan on Wednesday. war and Brahma Kumaris president Vaibhav Pawar, fortunate, asserting that the
be, they have to face the the government land that The state government is promise to keep Madhya The government has im- are doing appreciable work, Amarwada MLA Kamlesh Election Commission was an
music, he said. they had encroached upon. making all efforts to fulfil its Pradesh drug-free, he said. posed a ban on the liquor Yadav said. Shah, former ministers and independent body.
 Uttar Pradesh www.freepressjournal.in
Lucknow, Thrusday, August 14 , 2025

ACCIDENT | PM offers condolences and ₹2 Lakh Ex-Gratia to victim's families

Deputy CM says, "No
Briefs
mercy for offenders"
SITAPUR
Cop beats
youth to
11 including 7 children UP State Bureau
LUCKNOW

death
A Sitapur youth died after
being brutally beaten by a
policeman who mistook
dead in a horrific crash
UP State Bureau
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav
Prasad Maurya, speaking in the
Uttar Pradesh Legislative
Council, asserted that individ-
uals involved in crimes or pro-
him for a thief. The victim, AGRA / LUCKNOW
PM extends tecting criminals are being
Satyapal, was sleeping condolence linked to the Samajwadi Party.
PM Modi took to social Links SP with
outside his shop when the A road accident in Rajasthan’s He emphasized that under the
officer assaulted him. A Dausa district claimed the lives
media platform X extend-
current government, there will
criminal activities
ing condolences stating:
video surfaced showing of 11 people from Uttar
"Deeply saddened by the
be “no mercy” for criminals,
the victim accusing the Pradesh, including seven
loss of lives in an accident regardless of their political con-
cop before his death. children and three women. in Dausa, Rajasthan. nections. crimes, and those shielding
Family members blocked The victims were returning to Condolences to the Maurya, who is also the them, will face strict action
roads in protest, demand- Etah from Khatu Shyam families who have lost Leader of the House, stated that without political bias, underlin-
ing action. temple when their pickup their loved ones. Praying the Yogi government is com- ing the government’s stance of
truck, carrying 22 passengers, for speedy recovery of mitted to ensuring law and zero tolerance toward criminal
KANPUR rammed into a stationary con- the injured" He also order, and any nexus between activities. This confrontation
Lawyer, 6 tainer truck. extended ₹2 Lakh as Ex- politics and crime will be dis- occurred during a debate on
The collision took place Gratia to victim's families mantled. His remarks sparked the state's law and order situ-
Others Booked around 3:30 am in the Santhal and ₹50,000 to injured a sharp response from the ation, a topic that has been a
for Waqf Land police station area’s Bapi vil- from PMNRF opposition. Leader of the point of contention between
lage. Ten people died on the Opposition Lal Bihari Yadav the two parties. The Deputy
Grab spot, while another woman women. Of the deceased, nine Meena stated that the location countered by alleging that CM’s strong words indicate a
Advocate Akhilesh Dubey succumbed to injuries at the belonged to Asrauli village in
Overloaded vehicle is a known accident blackspot, members, deepening the “protectors have become pred- firm stance by the government
and six others, including a hospital. The impact crushed Etah and two to Khera had 22 passengers already identified by the state tragedy’s impact on the close- ators” in the state and claimed to project an image of being
policeman, were booked the rear section of the pickup Firozabad. for remedial measures. knit community. that law and order had col- tough on crime and to hold all
for illegally occupying and left the site scattered with Four people remain hospi- By late afternoon, nine Police and district adminis- lapsed. Following this, SP individuals, including those
Waqf property worth ₹300 blood, footwear, and belong- talised in Dausa, while criti- Prime Minister Narendra bodies had been transported tration officials visited the acci- members staged a walkout with political affiliations,
crore in Civil Lines. Dubey ings of the victims. cally injured victims have been Modi expressed condolences back to Asrauli, where burial dent site to investigate the from the House in protest. The accountable. The SP’s walkout,
allegedly used forged District Magistrate of Etah, shifted to Jaipur’s Sawai Man and announced ex-gratia relief and cremation preparations cause. A medical team from exchange highlighted ongoing on the other hand, was a clear
documents and threats to Premranjan Singh, said the pil- Singh Hospital. Local accounts of ₹2 lakh each for the families began. The remaining two Etah has been deployed in tensions between the ruling signal of their protest against
seize the land. Authorities grims had travelled in two sep- describe the collision as so of the deceased and ₹50,000 bodies were sent to Firozabad. Dausa to assist the injured party and SP over crime con- the government's claims, which
have issued notices, with arate pickups — one carrying severe that it sounded like an for the injured. Rajasthan Villagers reported multiple until their treatment is trol and governance. Maurya they believe are politically
arrests expected soon. men, the other children and explosion. Agriculture Minister Kirori Lal families had lost several complete. reiterated that those guilty of motivated.

GHAZIABAD
Police hold
3KM SP poster questions MP’s Doctor Assembly holds 24 hour discussion
tricolour rally granted bail in on vision document 2047
Ghaziabad police led a 3
km Tricolour rally ahead of
priorities after child’s death hair transplant UP State Bureau
Independence Day, with UP State Bureau death case LUCKNOW
Additional CP Alok GORAKHPUR
Priyadarshi and officials UP State Bureau The Uttar Pradesh Assembly
participating. Over 1,000 In Gorakhpur’s Ambedkar KANPUR on Wednesday began a con-
personnel, NCC cadets, Chowk, a poster put up by a tinuous 24-hour debate on the
and students joined the Samajwadi Party leader has The Allahabad High Court has “Vision Document-2047,”
march, promoting the sparked citywide discussion and granted bail to Dr. Anushka focusing on the theme
"Har Ghar Tiranga" cam- viral circulation on social media. Tiwari, a dentist accused in the Developed India, Developed
paign. The red-and-green SP-themed deaths of two engineers fol- Uttar Pradesh. The discussion,
poster features BJP MP and actor lowing a hair transplant proce- which started in the morning,
VARANASI Ravi Kishan holding a samosa, hospital transfer, she was dure. The case was filed at will continue until 11 a.m. on
DM Issues alongside a congratulatory mess-
age for his recent ‘Sansad Ratna’
Mocks Ravi Kishan's declared dead. The poster’s
placement next to another one
Rawatpur police station,
charging her with culpable
August 14.
Opposition leaders ques- budget allocation.
Notice to award while also criticising his food portion claims from BJP leaders congratulating homicide not amounting to tioned the government over
Session saw strong Treasury benches
DPRO Over work focus. Ravi Kishan further fuelled pub- murder. progress in the last eight-and- protest from countered by highlighting
The poster, reportedly placed lic attention. Throughout Dr. Tiwari's defense argued a-half years. Leader of opposition over the improvements in law and
Negligence late Tuesday night by Mulayam lem, 8-year-old Afreen’s life could Wednesday, passersby stopped that she did not perform the Opposition Mata Prasad governmental order, investment climate, and
Varanasi DM issued a Singh Yuvjan Sabha district presi- have been saved.” The reference to read and discuss the contrast- procedure on one of the Pandey demanded a detailed failures progress in education and
show-cause notice to dent Avinash Tiwari, sarcastically points to a recent incident in ing messages. deceased, Vineet Dubey, and account of fulfilled promises health. Finance and
DPRO for delays in the highlights the MP’s parliamen- Ghosipur Mohalla, where Afreen The SP’s move is seen by local that another doctor, Dr. since 2017. SP leader Shivpal Parliamentary Affairs Minister
"Har Ghar Nal" scheme. tary speech about food portion drowned after falling into an observers as a pointed attempt to Manish Singh, was respon- Singh Yadav criticised the commitments. Congress Suresh Khanna said the state
During a CM dashboard sizes in hotels and dhabas. open drain while returning from underline what it views as mis- sible. Her legal team also high- focus on 2047 targets, urging leader Aradhana Mishra has laid a strong development
review, 15 departments Beneath the congratulatory a madrasa. Heavy water flow car- placed priorities, contrasting lighted that there was no the government to address raised issues of MSP for foundation since 2017, while
were flagged for poor per- message, the poster reads: “If ried her around 100 metres symbolic national-level speeches direct evidence against her present-day challenges like farmers, alleged irregularities Deputy CM Keshav Maurya
formance. Officials attention had been paid to before locals pulled her out. with urgent municipal concerns and that she had no prior unemployment, farmer dis- in the Ayushman Bharat called the debate meaningful
warned to improve rank- Gorakhpur’s waterlogging prob- Despite resuscitation efforts and affecting residents’ lives. criminal record. tress, and unfulfilled housing scheme, and a low health for shaping future policy.
ings.

LUCKNOW
Man dies in Full dress Nurse's son slaps Farmers protest NSUI held protest over Applications
roof fall rehearsal held for US tariffs, begin for
accident
Independence day CHC supretendent Demand MSP and detention of Rahul 4,543 SI posts
Ashok Mishra died after free electricity UP State Bureau
falling from his roof while UP State Bureau UP State Bureau LUCKNOW UP State Bureau
fixing tin sheets in Sisendi LUCKNOW LUCKNOW UP State Bureau LUCKNOW
village. Family refused a LUCKNOW Members of the National
postmortem. The incident A full dress rehearsal was A senior nurse’s son allegedly Students’ Union of India The Uttar Pradesh Police
was reported to PGI conducted today in Lucknow slapped the superintendent of Farmers in Lucknow organized (NSUI) staged a protest in Recruitment and Promotion
Trauma Center, where he for the upcoming Aliganj Community Health a "Tiranga" vehicle rally with Lucknow on Wednesday, Board (UPPRPB) has com-
was declared dead. Independence Day celebra- Centre (CHC) on Wednesday their tractors on Wednesday to breaking police barricades menced the application pro-
tions on August 15. The main afternoon, accusing him of protest the 50% tariff imposed and attempting to surround cess for the recruitment of
GORAKHPUR event will take place between harassing his mother during by the United States on Indian the Election Commission 4,543 Sub-Inspectors. The last
Digital classes the Vidhan Sabha and Lok duty hours. The incident Alledges doctor products. They also submitted office. The demonstration, Protesters allege date for online application
Bhawan. occurred after a verbal dispute a memorandum addressed to which lasted around 30 min- vote theft and bias and fee submission is
start for 70 The rehearsal featured a between Superintendent Dr.
harrased his mother President Droupadi Murmu, utes, saw physical altercations September 11.
inmates parade by Uttar Pradesh Vinay Singh and senior nurse during work hours demanding the withdrawal of between protesters and police. by Election According to UPPRPB
Police personnel and cultural Kusum Sengar during a routine trade agreements with the UK Police detained several par- Commission Chairman S.B. Shiradkar, the
Gorakhpur Jail launched performances by school hospital visit. and other nations that they ticipants, moving them to vacancies include 4,242 posts
digital literacy classes for 70 children showcasing various According to witnesses, the brought both parties to the believe harm Indian farmers. vehicles and later releasing for Civil Police Sub-Inspectors,
inmates under a UP govt state folk dances. A helicopter nurse’s health deteriorated fol- police station. The nurse’s son The farmers expressed con- them at Eco Garden Park. Commission answer questions 135 for Platoon Commanders
initiative. Shiv Nadar was also used to shower lowing the argument, and she filed a complaint alleging har- cern that the CETA and FTA NSUI leaders accused the raised by Rahul Gandhi with in PAC, 60 for Special Security
Foundation provided study flower petals, adding to the was admitted to the CHC. Soon assment of his mother, while agreements would increase the Election Commission of acting documentary evidence. Force Platoon Commanders,
kits, while officials high- grandeur of the event. after, her lawyer son and hus- Dr. Singh later visited the Chief import of foreign food and gen- under central government Authorities had deployed and 106 for female Platoon
lighted welfare schemes. District Magistrate Vishakh band arrived at the hospital. Medical Officer. Health depart- etically modified crops, influence and alleged large- Rapid Response Force and Commanders.
The program aims to reha- G. stated that all preparations The situation escalated into an ment officials condemned the threatening local agriculture. scale vote theft in recent elec- Provincial Armed In a significant move, the
bilitate prisoners through are being made to ensure the altercation and physical con- incident, with Divisional They called for the government tions. State president Anas Constabulary personnel in state government has
education. main ceremony is a success. frontation with Dr. Singh, Additional Director Dr. G.P. to fix a minimum support price Rahman said the protest was advance, converting the area announced a three-year age
The rehearsal was a timed which was captured on video Gupta stating that a depart- (MSP) for crops, waive farm in response to the detention of into a security zone. Roads relaxation for all applicants
PRAYAGRAJ practice of all the programs to showing shoving inside the mental inquiry will be con- loans, and stop the harassment senior Congress leaders in leading to the office were due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Deepak make sure there are no issues
on the day of the event.
hospital premises. Police from
Aliganj station intervened and
ducted. of farmers by microfinance
companies.
Delhi earlier this week. He
demanded that the Election
blocked with barricades to
control the crowd.
and the long gap in recruit-
ment.
Kumar
Appointed initiative
New ADRM CM leads Tiranga Yatra,
IRSS officer Deepak
Kumar took charge as
Rural women to lead flag production for 'Har Ghar Tiranga' takes selfies with youth
ADRM of Prayagraj UP State Bureau 3.50 lakh flags of this village, it also marks a
Railway Division. Trained LUCKNOW significant opportunity to
in Japan for high-speed target of which 3.48 strengthen their economic
rail operations, he pre- In Daya Ram Purwa village, lakh already participation. The assignment
viously worked at Modern about 25 kilometres from completed has required coordination,
Coach Factory, Rae Bareli. Lucknow, members of a rural bulk material handling, and
livelihood mission’s self-help quality control, expanding
LUCKNOW group have been engaged in members have been working their work experience beyond
Falcons large-scale flag production for
the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' cam-
extended hours, and as of
Wednesday, 3,48,000 flags have
traditional crafts.
Officials from the rural liveli-
launch team paign. Once confined largely been completed. The work has hood mission say such projects
anthem to household chores, these provided steady income and help sustain self-help group UP State Bureau from his official residence in
women now play a direct role skill utilisation for the women momentum beyond micro- LUCKNOW Lucknow. He led a Tiranga
Lucknow Falcons unveiled in local employment gener- involved, who previously food processing and encour- Yatra through the streets,
their official anthem at SR ation through this govern- focused on small-scale ven- age diversification of skills. As India celebrates its 78th accompanied by cabinet col-
Group of Institutions, with ment-linked initiative. tures like pickle and papad With the delivery deadline year of Independence, Chief leagues and public represen-
captain Bhuvneshwar The group was assigned a tar- making. approaching, the women are Minister Yogi Adityanath tatives, including Deputy CMs
Kumar and players get of producing 3.50 lakh tri- While the campaign is tied to a expected to complete the launched the state's 'Har Ghar Keshav Prasad Maurya and
present. colour flags. Since August 5, national event, for the women remaining flags within a day. Tiranga' campaign on Tuesday Brajesh Pathak.
 Karnataka
In association with

Mumbai,Thursday, August 14, 2025

www.freepressjournal.in

Quick CALL FOR ACTION Fear-driven measures only create more suffering, not safety: CM Iron ore export: ED
Oppn MLAs want SC's stray raids K'taka Cong MLA
NT Correspondent porting illegally mined iron

dog order extended to K'taka

BENGALURU MANDYA ore which was seized by for-
BESCOM AE The Enforcement Directo-
est officials at Belekeri port
in Karwar, Karnataka.
robbed at rate on Wednesday raided
premises linked to Karna-
This caused "loss" to gov-
ernment exchequer for an
PG facility Pess Trust of India
BENGALURU
bies. It should become ap-
plicable even in Bengaluru,
moved' is not governance - it
is "cruelty".
taka Congress MLA Satish
Krishna Sail and some others
amount of about Rs 38 crore
but the actual value of ille-
Bengaluru: A 30-year-old Mangaluru, Mysuru and Humane societies find so- as part of a money launder- gally exported ore is worth
assistant engineer with BES- Opposition MLAs on other places," he said. lutions that protect people ing investigation against the hundreds of crores of ru-
COM was allegedly robbed at Wednesday urged the Kar- Another BJP MLA C N and animals, he said, adding legislator in a case related to pees, the sources said.
knifepoint by an unidentified nataka government to im- Ashwath Narayan said the that, "Sterilisation, vaccina- alleged illegal export of iron The case originated from a
man inside her paying guest plement the Supreme Court court order should also be tion, and community care ore, official sources said. 2010 probe by the Karnataka
accommodation in Judicial directives on addressing applied to the premises of work. Fear-driven measures At least 15 premises in Lokayukta, which discov-
Layout, police said. the street dog menace in Vidhana Soudha, the seat only create more suffering, Karnataka, Goa and Mumbai ered about eight lakh tons
According to a complaint with the state and take steps to of Karnataka legislature not safety." are being searched under of illegally transported iron
Yelahanka police, the woman, protect the residents. and secretariat here, where Pointing to the Bruhat the Prevention of Money ore from Bellary to Belekeri
who had been staying at the The MLAs highlighted the there is street dog menace. Bengaluru Mahanagara Pa- Laundering Act (PMLA), the port. The Karnataka High
PG accommodation for about stray dog issue near Vidha- "There are about two lakh like's (BBMP) Rs 2.88 crore sources said. Court last year had ordered
15 days, returned from work na Soudha and the Legisla- reported dog bite incidents, plan to feed about 4,000 Sail is a Congress the suspension of the sev-
at around 3 pm on August tors' Home, and sought the it is a serious matter. We street dogs in the city, which MLA represent- en-year prison sen-
11 when an unknown man Speaker's intervention. can send them (dogs) on had led to a debate on social ing the Karwar tence of the MLA in
knocked on her door. Believ- These remarks by the the streets, to dog lovers' media recently, Suresh Babu assembly con- this case.
ing it to be another occupant, MLAs came after the Su- The call for action comes the corporations of the state houses. The Chief Minis- said, "Instead of the corpo- stituency in Ut- A special court
she opened it. preme Court directed Del- a day after two college stu- were to take similar action, ter has tweeted expressing ration serving Biryani to tara Kannada had previously found
The man allegedly pressed a hi-NCR authorities to per- dents were attacked by stray it would protect the chil- sympathy.... the government dogs, let the authorities take district. Sail and others guilty
knife to her neck, demanded manently relocate all strays dogs here and they were dren. should take action, the Su- measures to control their Sail, ac- in multiple cases re-
her gold bangle, and "molest- from streets to shelters "at hospitalised. Senior BJP MLA Suresh preme Court directions menace." cording to the lated to the illegal ex-
ed" her while "threatening the earliest". The incident occurred in- Kumar said the apex court's should be implemented in On the dog menace at sources, has port of iron ore from
to harm" her if she resisted. The top court noted that side the Jnanabharathi cam- directions should be extend- Karnataka too," he added. the Legislators' Home, BJP been accused the Belekeri port.
When she struggled to re- there was an "extremely pus, near Kengeri. ed to all parts of the country. In the wake of the SC MLA Umanatha Kotian said, of ex-
move the bangle, he demand- grim" situation due to stray Raising the issue, soon af- "In the last six months, directive to Delhi, Chief "We can't step out, dogs are
ed cash, police added. dog bites resulting in rabies, ter the Question Hour, JD(S) 18,000 dog bites have been Minister Siddaramaiah on everywhere...you (Speaker)
She told him to take money particularly among chil- floor leader in the Assembly reported in Bengaluru, 18 Tuesday said treating stray should take note and give in-
from her vanity bag on the dren. C B Suresh Babu said if all people were infected by ra- dogs as a nuisance to be ‘re- structions to officials."
bed. While he was distracted,
she ran into the bathroom,
locked the door, and raised an
alarm. The accused alleged- 'Probe ex-min's claim of vote BLR Airport exports record 31.5L
purchase to help Siddu win polls'
ly fled with her two mobile
phones.
Police said a probe is under-
way to identify the accused NT Correspondent friend. He has also said Shri.
mangoes to 51 global destinations
Pess Trust of India
and recover the stolen items.
This incident follows another
BENGALURU Siddaramaiah had paid for
this purchase, but took six BENGALURU Exotic reptiles seized from
recent case in the city where
a PG owner was arrested for
BJP Rajya Sabha member
Lahar Singh Siroya has
months to make the pay-
ment. Kempegowda International
passenger at B’luru airport
raping an inmate. A student urged the Election Com- The #ECI may want to Airport exported 921 metric NT Correspondent
from a reputed college, who mission to take note of for- take note of this claim of tonnes of mangoes—equiva- BENGALURU
had recently moved into a mer Union Minister C M gross electoral corruption lent to 31.5 lakh fruits—this
ladies' PG in Soladevanahalli, Ibrahim's reported remarks from someone who has been season, airport officials said Customs officials at Kem-
was allegedly taken to a se- on the alleged purchase of a lawmaker and a union on Wednesday. pegowda International Air-
cluded area in a car by the PG votes during the 2018 Kar- minister himself, and order The figure marks a 12 per port near Devanahalli said
owner, Ashraf, late on a Sat- nataka Assembly elections an investigation." cent increase over last year's Raghunath, chief operating they had seized several ex-
urday night and raped. Police to help Siddaramaiah win Siroya recalled that Sid- exports, they added. The officer of Bangalore Interna- otic and protected reptiles,
have arrested Ashraf in con- from Badami segment. daramaiah had defeated BJP mangoes were sourced from tional Airport Ltd (BIAL). including snakes, from a
nection with that case. In a letter to the ECI on candidate B Sriramulu in Karnataka's mango belts Shipments reached 51 passenger who arrived from
Tuesday, the Rajya Sabha Badami. and neighbouring regions. international destinations, Bangkok.
CHITRADURGA member said Ibrahim, who "Perhaps Sriramulu also “The success of this man- with 19 new locations added The seizure was made illegally into the country,
Woman kills was Siddaramaiah's close as-
sociate and advisor for dec- 'Ibrahim will
has some information and
insight on how the 3000
go season speaks of the col-
laborative efforts of our
to the network this year. The
top five destinations were
on Tuesday during lug-
gage screening, when
were confiscated, and the
passenger is under investi-
husband with ades, has said that he, along
with senior Congress leader do us a great
votes were purchased. If he
speaks, we'll know more
regulatory bodies, airline
partners, cargo handlers,
Dulles (IAD), Dallas–Fort
Worth (DFW), San Fran-
reptiles were found
packed in boxes concealed
gation.
The seized reptiles have
paramour B B Chimankatti, helped
purchase 3,000 votes in
favour if he on what happened in 2018
when he had contested from
trade promotion councils,
trade bodies, and farming
cisco (SFO), Chicago (ORD),
and Seattle (SEA), according
inside the passenger's bag-
gage, they said.
been handed over to the
Forest Department for fur-
2018, so that Siddaramaiah tells us how, two seats, and would have communities,” said Satyaki to BIAL. The animals, smuggled ther action, they added.
could scrape through the practically won both the
assembly election from the and from seats if this vote purchase
Badami seat.
Siddaramaiah has re-
portedly denied Ibrahim's
whom, he
purchased the
had not happened," he said.
Siroya also raised ques-
tions about Siddaramaiah's
Union Min slams K'taka govt’s
A woman has been arrested
charges.
In a post on 'X', Siroya
said, "In the final count, Shri
3,000 votes to
save his friend'.
narrow victory in the 2006
Chamundeshwari by-elec-
tion.
handling of Dharmasthala probe
along with her son and par- Siddaramaiah's victory mar- "Now that Ibrahim has
amour for killing her husband, gin in Badami was a mere spoken about Siddara- Pess Trust of India SIT and ordered the excava-
BENGALURU
an autorickshaw driver. 1696 votes. It was a humili- references and claims, was maiah's narrow victory in tion amidst public debate
The body of Ravikumar (51) ating margin for a sitting in charge of his friend's Badami in 2018, he should and opposition?" he asked.
was found dumped near chief minister. The NOTA election," must explain the also open up on the 2006 Union Minister for Food Joshi criticised the out-
Erajjanahatti on July 20. votes, which were 2007, source and method of the al- by-election of Siddaramaiah and Civil Supplies Pralhad come of the probe, stating
Ravikumar’s wife Sunitha, were higher than his victory leged vote purchase. from the Chamundeshwari Joshi has accused the state that "the only thing that
along with her son Vishnu and margin." "Ibrahim will do us a great assembly constituency. government of acting with came out of the 13 excavated
paramour Ganesh, has been Siroya said Ibrahim, who favour if he tells us how, and Then too he was his close extreme irresponsibility spots was dug-up soil." "It is
arrested. was a "prominent Congress from whom, he purchased friend and strategist," he in the Dharmasthala issue, truly tragic and condemn-
Sunitha had accused her son-
in-law of the murder. Howev-
leader in 2018 and by all the 3,000 votes to save his pointed out. which required a sensitive
approach. "Now that noth-
able that after forming an
SIT and ordering an exca-
Om Prakash
er, the investigation revealed ing has been found, CM Sid- gation." The Union Minister vation based on an anony- murder:
BJP legislators to visit
that Ravikumar was in the way daramaiah is changing his hit back, asking, "Didn't you mous allegation that bodies
of Sunitha’s illicit relationship. tune," Joshi alleged. yourself form the SIT?" were buried at 13 spots in CCB files
Hence, she plotted his mur- Joshi objected to Chief He questioned how the the Netravati bathing ghat
charge sheet
Dharmasthala on Aug 17
der. Minister Siddaramaiah's CM, who had formed the SIT area, the minister is now
Ganesh hails from Bengaluru statement in a recent leg- and ordered a probe, could saying the government had
and is involved in several theft islative party meeting that now claim the government no role in the investigation Pess Trust of India
cases. He had recently moved the "government had no role had no role. "Wasn't it you because nothing was found," BENGALURU
to Kelagote Extension in Chi- Pess Trust of India anti-social forces like SDPI in the Dharmasthala investi- who hurriedly formed the he added.
tradurga when he and Sunitha BENGALURU are behind the investigation.” The Central Crime
got into an illicit relationship. Following complaints Branch (CCB) of Ben-
Sunitha, who was lured with
money by Ganesh, plotted to
The BJP on Wednesday
announced that its legis-
that many people, includ-
ing young women and girls, Hindu activist's murder: BJP seeks galuru has named Pallavi
as the main accused in
lators would visit the tem- were buried in certain parts the murder of her hus-
NIA probe, writes to Karnataka Guv
eliminate her husband with
his help, police said. ple town of Dharmashala in of Dharmasthala, the state band--former DGP Om
Dakshina Kannada district government formed a Spe- Prakash--in its 1,150-page
Pess Trust of India
on August 17 amid the cial Investigation Team (SIT) Valmiki community leader, and 8 pm right in front of charge sheet.
BENGALURU SIT probe into the alleged to investigate the matter.
BENGALURU
was brutally murdered on the Mosque in the heart of Prakash, a 1981 batch
India Post mass burial case. The opposition BJP had August 3 in front of the Syed Koppal town," the memo- IPS officer, was allegedly
The party state president raised the matter in the The BJP on Wednesday Nadeemullah Qadri Mosque randum said. murdered by Pallavi on
releases stamp B Y Vijayendra said the pur- Karnataka Assembly and urged Karnataka Governor at Koppal town. The BJP legislators alleged April 20 at his HSR Lay-
pose is only to offer obeisance demanded that Karnataka Thaawarchand Gehlot to The party alleged that that the prime accused, Sadiq out residence in Ben-
of realtor to Lord Manjunatha Swamy Home Minister G Paramesh- prevail upon the state gov- the murder bore the "stamp Kolkar, had openly paraded galuru.
and Annappa Swamy. said, “We are not making any wara make a statement in the ernment to hand over the of the PFI and SDPI" and with swords and machetes Given the severity of
“Next Sunday on August entry (to the ongoing investi- House on the status of the SIT probe into the murder of a accused the Congress gov- in Koppal a day before the the crime, the Karnataka
17, all our senior MLAs and gation). We are going there probe into the Dharmasthala Hindu activist in Koppal to ernment of showing a "soft murder and posted videos on government had trans-
MLCs will be visiting Dhar- not as BJP leaders, but as mass burial case. the NIA, alleging a "deep- corner" to "dangerous el- social media. "Had the police ferred the investigation
masthala. We will seek the devotees of Lord Manjunatha They also urged the gov- rooted conspiracy" by Je- ements." "The peace and made preventive arrests on to the CCB.
blessings of Lord Manjuna- Swamy.” ernment to take measures to hadi extremist groups. tranquility of Koppal were the same day, the murder, According to CCB
tha Swamy,” Vijayendra told He said, "Truth should protect the religious sanctity In a detailed memoran- shattered due to the brutal, perhaps, could have been sources, the charge sheet
reporters here. come out and confusion of Dharmasthala, alleging dum submitted to the Gov- cold-blooded murder of one prevented. We charge the has been filed in the First
Asked about the reason should end soon. There is that some elements were ernor at Raj Bhavan, the BJP Gavisiddappa Nayak on 3rd police of dereliction of duty, ACMM Court in connec-
behind the visit, Vijayendra a murmur that somewhere spreading misinformation. legislators said Gavisiddap- August 2025. The murder negligence and irresponsi- tion with the murder, a
pa Nayak, a Scheduled Tribe took place between 7.30 pm bility," they said. case that has drawn na-
tionwide attention.
To commemorate the golden MILITARY BAND The document for-
HC dismisses petition
I-Day celeb: Madras Sappers,
jubilee of Bengaluru-based mally names Prakash's
realtor Puravankara Ltd, In- wife, Pallavi, as the
dia Post released a custom-
ised stamp on Wednesday, against smart meters prime accused, while
his daughter, Kriti, has

IAF bands to perform in B'luru

under the corporate scheme, been exonerated of any
‘My Stamp'. At the event or- NT Correspondent the PIL. The court concluded involvement.
ganised by Puravankara Lim- BENGALURU that it would be inappropri- According to inves-
ited to launch the stamp, K The Karnataka High Court ate for a single-judge bench tigators, there was in-
Prakash, Chief Postmaster Pess Trust of India has dismissed a writ peti- to decide on the matter and sufficient evidence to
General, Karnataka Postal BENGALURU tion challenging Bangalore thus dismissed the petition. establish Kriti's role in
Circle, said, through initia- Electricity Supply Company The writ petition origi- the alleged murder con-
tives like ‘My Stamp', India Madras Engineer Group, (BESCOM) 's mandatory in- nated from an incident in- spiracy.
Post celebrates the contribu- popularly known as the stallation of smart meters. volving M Jayalakshmi, a Findings indicate that
tions of companies towards Madras Sappers, will stage The court, which had been resident of Doddaballapur. she was on the upper
shaping India's future. a Military Band Display at hearing the petition for sev- She had applied to BESCOM floor of the HSR Layout
“Stamps are powerful sto- Bengaluru's Lalbagh Botani- eral days, delivered its ver- to convert her single-phase residence at the time of
rytellers of history, achieve- cal Garden on August 15 as dict after listening to the fi- meter to a three-phase con- the incident. In the ab-
ments, and culture,” he add- part of the 79th Independ- nal argument. nection for her newly con- sence of credible proof
ed. ence Day celebrations, an of- The petition, filed by M structed house. In response, linking her to the crime,
According to India Post web- ficial from the Directorate of Jayalakshmi and PM Har- a BESCOM Assistant Ex- her name has been
site, the ‘My Stamp' scheme Public Relations, Ministry of ish, was dismissed after the ecutive Engineer from the dropped from the charge
allows corporate houses, Defence, said on Wednesday. Advocate General (AG) in- Doddaballapur sub-division sheet.
organisations and institu- The Madras Sappers are formed the court that the issued a letter instructing Pallavi, however, has
tions to get their customised part of the Karnataka & state government has no her to install a smart meter. been arrested on charges
sheets printed from India Kerala Sub Area. The event, intention of replacing old Jayalakshmi challenged this of murder and remains
Post. scheduled from 4 pm to 5 ebrates Rani Chennamma, mander. The show will con- performance will begin at 6 meters. The AG also stated order in the High Court. in judicial custody.
“Alongside these customised pm, will feature synchro- queen of the former princely tinue until August 17. pm and will include a tribute that a Public Interest Litiga- During a previous hear- Following a detailed
themed stamps, the organi- nised martial melodies and state of Kittur, who led an The Indian Air Force Band to “Operation Sindoor”—a tion (PIL) on the same issue ing, the single-judge bench probe, CCB officials gath-
sation may opt for printing of patriotic tunes. armed resistance against the will also perform on August precise air operation carried has already been filed before presided over by Justice M ered evidence against
their logo or images of their Lalbagh is currently host- British East India Company, 15 at Brigade Gateway Lake out by the IAF in response to a division bench, and the Nagaprasanna issued an in- Pallavi and submitted
organisation,” said Prakash ing the 218th edition of its and Krantiveera Sangolli in Rajajinagar, Bengaluru, the terrorist attack in Pahal- points raised in the writ peti- terim stay on the mandatory the charge sheet.
to PTI. flower show, which cel- Rayanna, her army com- the DPRO official added. The gam. tion are identical to those in installation of smart meters.
 ap/telangana
In association with FPJ

www.freepressjournal.in Hyderabad, Thursday, August 14, 2025

Briefs MLA Balakrishna lays foundation for Basavatarakam

HYDERABAD
Indo-American Cancer Hospital in Amaravati
METRO INDIA NEWS | AMARAVATI disciplinary approaches. The fa- Minister V. Satyakumar, Vijaya-
cility will provide end-to-end wada MP Kesineni Sivanath
The Basavatarakam Indo- services, from prevention and (Chinni), Tadikonda MLA U. Sri-
American Cancer Hospital & early detection to treatment, re- devi, and Amaravati Devel-
Research Institute (BIACH&RI), habilitation, and survivorship opment Corporation
has begun construction of its programs. Chairperson Lakshmi Partha-
new advanced cancer care The project, originally al- sarathy, among others. Trustees,
campus in Andhra Pradesh’s lotted land by the state govern- senior oncologists, and local
capital region. The ground- ment years ago, had faced community members also at-
breaking ceremony, led by hos- delays due to various reasons. tended in large numbers.
pital chairman and TDP MLA After the new TDP government Balakrishna expressed grati-
Nandamuri Balakrishna, took took office, an additional six tude to donors, partners, and
place today near Thullur, mark- acres were sanctioned, and full well-wishers, noting that the
Free CPR ing a significant milestone in the administrative support was ex- hospital’s mission has always
training state’s healthcare infrastructure.
Located along the E-7 road
tended to ensure construction
could commence.
been to bring world-class
cancer treatment closer to
Lodge Keys No. 297, the from Nelapadu to Ananthava- capacity of 500 beds and offer a equipment, and clinical excel- enhanced patient facilities, the Amaravati campus will be Dignitaries present included underserved regions. “This new
city’s primary unit of ram, the new facility will be comprehensive range of oncol- lence. In the second phase, ca- making it a regional referral developed as a “centre of excel- Andhra Pradesh Assembly campus is not just a medical fa-
Freemasonry is organizing built on 21 acres in three phases. ogy services, backed by Rs.750 pacity will be expanded to 1,000 hub for complex cancer cases. lence” for integrated cancer Speaker Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu, cility—it is a promise of hope,
free CPR training The first phase, expected to be crore in investment for infra- beds, with specialised depart- Speaking at the ceremony, care, combining cutting-edge Municipal Administration Min- compassion, and healing for
programs on August 16th completed by 2028, will have a structure, state-of-the-art ments, research divisions, and Balakrishna emphasised that medical technology with multi- ister Dr. P. Narayana, Health thousands of families,” he said.
and 17th, at Baradari
Masonic Building in
Goshamahal, in
collaboration with GVK
Green Health Services.CPR
(Cardiopulmonary
Human rights Activist Ekta honoured IMD issues red
alert to several
Resuscitation) is a first-aid
skill to be used when
someone’s heart stops
with Amazing Indian Award 2025 places in
beating or they stop METRO INDIA NEWS | HYDERABAD push for awareness, policy Telangana on
breathing. The program on change, and a society free of
Saturday, 16th August, will Hyderabad-based social and such abuse.” Aug 13, 14
be held from 2:00 PM – human rights activist, Do- Her recent landmark initiat- METRO INDIA NEWS | HYDERABAD
5:30 PM and the one on mestic Violence Crusader Ekta ive in collaboration with the
Sunday, 17th August, will be Viiveck Verma, Founder of the International Arbitration and The Met Centre of IMD has
held from 10:00 AM – 1:30 Invisible Scars Foundation Mediation Centre (IAMC), Ga- issued a red alert to various
PM. The programs are free wins a national honour. She chibowli — India’s first Family places in Telangana for two
of cost and interested
parties can register on
was honoured with the Amaz-
ing Indian Award 2025. She is
Mediation Training Program
for non-legal professionals —
days from Wednesday.
"Red warnings have been Health Minister
Mobile: 9848042020 among 12 unsung heroes has been hailed as a significant issued to central districts of

HYDERABAD
across the country recognised
for their extraordinary service
step towards conflict resol-
ution in domestic disputes.
Telangana, including San-
gareddy, Medak, Vikarabad,
cautions officials to be
Cancellation / to society.
The award was presented in
The jury for the Amazing
Indian Awards 2025 included
Khammam and Mulugu for
today," a Met Centre official ready amid heavy rain
Partial New Delhi by Mansukh Lax- Neerja Birla, Padmaja Ruparel, told reporters.
Cancellation / manbhai Mandaviya, Minister Abuse (DVA) Specialist, Certi- hood support, and emotional Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Pra- She said an orange alert METRO INDIA NEWS | HYDERABAD transferred to hospital birth-
of Labour & Employment and fied PoSH Trainer, and Che- healing to survivors of abuse. soon Joshi, and Ashishkumar has been issued to Hydera- ing waiting areas where they
Restoration Minister of Youth Affairs & vening Gurukul Fellow, has “This recognition is not just Chauhan. bad, Hanumakonda, Adila- Minister for Health Damodara can receive appropriate ser-
of Trains Sports. Instituted by Times been a tireless advocate for the for me, but for every survivor Ekta’s work stands as a tes- bad, Nalgonda, Ranga Raja Narasimha has directed vices. He instructed that am-
Due to maintenance works Now, the award celebrates in- rights and dignity of women who has faced the world with tament to the transformative Reddy and other districts. the officials to remain attent- bulances and 102 vehicles be
all over Hyderabad Division, dividuals whose courage, com- facing domestic abuse. courage,” said Ekta. “My jour- power of empathy, persist- A red alert indicates ex- ive as the state is expecting kept on standby, with drivers
some of the trains were passion, and commitment Through the Invisible Scars ney began from witnessing ence, and action in creating tremely heavy rain of over heavy rainfall over the next and EMTs available around
cancelled / partially have transformed lives. Foundation, she has worked to emotional abuse in family sys- safer, more equitable commu- 20 cm in 24 hours, while an three days, beginning Wed- the clock to respond to any
cancelled earlier. Now Ekta, a Domestic Violence & provide shelter, legal aid, liveli- tems, and I am determined to nities. orange alert means very nesday. emergencies and transport
additional heavy rain of 11 cm to 20 cm. In a teleconference with patients promptly.
cancellation/partial Chief Minister A Revanth senior officials of the Health He also mandated that hos-
cancellation dates are Reddy, who held a meeting department, the Minister as- pitals implement measures to
added and similarly the
trains will be restored to run
on some of the earlier
KTR questions
Bhatti on six
Activate Kaleshwaram with ministers and officials
here on Tuesday evening, di-
rected the authorities to be
sessed the current situation.
He emphasied that super-
intendents, Resident Medical
prevent power outages, ensur-
ing generators are activated
immediately during any

motors, says Harish Rao

cancelled/partially cancelled prepared for the next 72 Officers (RMOs), medical of- power interruptions, so that
days. Train number 77645
from Nizamabad to HS
guarantees hours in view of the forecast
of heavy rains by the India
ficers, doctors, and staff must
remain at their hospitals dur-
patient care remains uninter-
rupted. Moreover, the Min-
Nanded and train number METRO INDIA NEWS | HYDERABAD Meteorological Department. ing this period and that ister requested that
77646 from HS Nanded to METRO INDIA NEWS | HYDERABAD Reddy, who gave a slew necessary arrangements electricians be on duty in hos-
Nizamabad will have Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) The BRS leader men- of instructions to the offi- should be made. Additionally, pitals at all times. In light of
additional cancellation days working president K.T. Rama Former minister and BRS tioned that the Sri- cials, instructed them to he instructed senior officials the heavy rains, he called for
on 18th and 25th of August, Rao has come down heavily on MLA T Harish Rao called pada Yellampally explore the possibility of IT to cancel all leave for staff. precautions to be put in place
1st, 8th and 15th of Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti for the prompt activation of reservoir, which has a firms in Hyderabad letting Officials were also tasked to stop water from entering
September 2025. At the Vikramarka for his recent the Kaleshwaram project’s total capacity of 20 their employees work from with ensuring that prompt and pooling inside hospital fa-
same time, they will be statement claiming that the pumping motors to fill es- TMCft, currently con- home as part of measures medical assistance is available cilities.
restored to run 20th, 23rd, Congress government had im- sential reservoirs and pre- tains 14 TMCft and is to reduce footfalls on for patients and pregnant The Minister requested that
25th, 27th and 30th plemented “almost all” of the vent an impending experiencing an inflow roads. women facing emergencies, senior officials from the
Setpember 2025- the dates six guarantees promised to the irrigation crisis for farmers. of 22,300 cusecs. He also ordered cancel- and measures should be taken Health department conduct
on which they were people. “Now, it’s not just 100 In an open letter ad- Meanwhile, the Sriram lation of leave of all officers to prevent any hardships. field visits over the next three
cancelled earlier. days but two years since you dressed to Irrigation Min- Sagar Project (SRSP) to make the most of and staff in view of the fore- Raja Narasimha emphasied days to assess the situation
Train number 11409 from took office — and not a single ister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has 45 TMCft stored, every drop from the cast of heavy rains for a few that pregnant women nearing regularly and take appropri-
Daund – Nizamabad which guarantee has been fully im- on Wednesday, Harish Rao out of its maximum upper reaches to fill days beginning Wednesday. their due dates should be ate actions as needed.
had partial cancellation plemented. Yet you claim to expressed that farmers are capacity of 80 TMCft. reservoirs, tanks, and
between Mudkhed – have fulfilled almost all — this suffering significantly due Harish Rao empha- check dams for the ir-
Nizamabad will have is nothing but deceiving the to insufficient rainfall and sized the need to rigation of nearly five
additional partial
cancellation days on 18th ,
people,” KTR charged.
On the Congress govern-
delays in water release. He
pointed out that the govern-
transfer water from
Mid Manair to the
lakh acres. He re-
called that during the
Embrace Curiosity & Innovation: TGCHE Chairman
24th and 31st of August ment’s propaganda regarding ment has not adequately Lower Manair Dam last Yasangi season, METRO INDIA NEWS | HYDERABAD herence to the academic cal- lence and industry readiness.
2025, and 7th and 14th of the Six Guarantees and the 420 filled various reservoirs on (LMD), which is cur- five lakh acres were endar for career success. Principals Dr. P.C. Krish-
September 2025. At the promises made, KT Rama Rao schedule during the on- rently at only 7 TMCft, cultivated using water Prof. V. Balakista Reddy, The event, hosted to fam- namachary (JBIET) and Dr.
same time, they will be said the people of Telangana going monsoon crop season well below its 24 sourced from the Ka- Chairman, Telangana Council iliarise students with the in- Sumagna Patnaik (BEC),
restored to run 19th, 22nd, have seen through the lies. and urged that the Nandi TMCft capacity, to aid leshwaram reservoirs. of Higher Education stitutions’ academic culture, along with Vijay Rao, Cam-
24th, 26th and 29th “That is why, across villages, the Pump House at Package-6 the SRSP Stage-II aya- The BRS MLA called (TGCHE), inspired first-year facilities, and opportunities, pus Administrator, JBGEI,
Setpember 2025- the dates public is chasing away Con- be activated immediately to cut for both Vanaka- on the Congress gov- B.Tech students at J.B. Insti- featured HG Sonar Gauranga addressed the gathering.
on which they partially gress leaders,” he remarked. take advantage of the sub- lam (Kharif) and ernment to put tute of Engineering & Tech- Das of ISKCON, Hyderabad, Sessions on anti-ragging, ca-
cancelled were earlier. “If you have the courage, go stantial inflows from the Yasangi (Rabi) crops. politics aside and nology (JBIET) and Bhaskar who highlighted ethics and reer readiness, entrepre-
and say it. If the villagers don’t Godavari River. With heavy rainfall make sure that all ca- Engineering College (BEC) holistic growth. J.V. Krishna neurship, and examination
HYDERABAD drive you out after hearing "Water must be pumped contributing to in- nals, ponds, and during Orientation Day 2025, Rao, Secretary, JBES, wel- guidelines were led by Dr. J.
that, I will quit politics perma- into reservoirs such as Mid flows into the God- check dams related to held at MNR Open Air Audi- comed students, detailing the Kartigeyen, Dr. Md. Asif, Dr.
nently,” KTR declared. Manair, Annapurna (Anan- avari, Harish Rao the project are filled torium. He urged students to organisation’s 26-year Anoop Kumar Shukla, and
Congress on implementing tagiri), Ranganayaka Sagar, stated that it is crucial to facilitate irrigation. embrace curiosity, critical growth, infrastructure, and Dr. P. Srinivasa Rao, respect-
the six guarantees will be met Mallanna Sagar, Konda Po- thinking, and innovation to co-curricular offerings. ively. Dr. Md. Salauddin de-
with a fitting reply from the chamma Sagar, and Baswa- tackle global challenges, em- Prof. Ch. Sanjay, Director livered the vote of thanks,
people in every village of Telan- pur, all of which are vital to and collectively have the ca- five lakh acres," Harish Rao phasising digital technology, of JBES, emphasised the im- marking a vibrant start to the
gana. the Kaleshwaram project pacity to irrigate around said. regular attendance, and ad- portance of technical excel- students’ journey.
“Drugs Free
India” pledge
at Water
Board KTR slams Congress Govt for delaying Actress Lakshmi Manchu appears before
Kothwalguda Eco Park project
On the call of the Ministry of
Social Justice and METRO INDIA NEWS | HYDERABAD ED in online betting linked PMLA case
Empowerment, the 'Nasha
Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' ( BRS working president KT METRO INDIA NEWS | HYDERABAD Laundering Act (PMLA).
Drugs Free India) program Rama Rao criticised the Con- The ED had taken cogni-
which was organised across gress government for delaying Telugu actress Lakshmi sance of as many as five state
the country was conducted the eagerly anticipated Kothwal- Manchu on Wednesday ap- police FIRs to register its
at the Hyderabad guda Eco Park, describing the peared before the Enforce- case against these actors and
Metropolitan Water Supply project as a victim of Chief Min- ment Directorate (ED) here a number of other celebrities
and Sewerage Board (Jala ister Revanth Reddy's poor ad- for questioning in a money and social media influencers.
Mandali) on Wednesday. ministration. laundering case linked to il- These individuals are sus-
The Water Board Executive He accused the Revanth legal online betting and pected to have "endorsed"
Director Mayank Mittal Reddy government of prioritis- ment's ineptitude. The Congress progress during the time the gambling by certain plat- online betting apps for a ce-
attended the event held at ing politics and publicity over regime is marked by incom- BRS was in power. forms. lebrity or endorsement fee,
the headquarters in public welfare. petence and indifference,” he The BRS working president Lakshmi appeared before ED sources said.
Khairatabad and Taking to X ( previously stated, characterising it as ‘hope- noted that the work rate has de- the officials of the probe These platforms are al-
administered the anti-drug Twitter) on Wednesday, KT less governance. creased since the Congress took agency at its zonal office leged to have generated "il-
pledge to the employees. Rama Rao noted that the BRS The Eco Park, located along office, and recently it has halted here. licit" funds through illegal
Speaking on the occasion, government had nearly com- the Himayat Sagar lakefront, was completely because of insuffi- The federal agency had is- betting and gambling, worth
he said that drugs usage pleted most of the work almost planned to be a significant urban cient administrative backing. He sued summons to four ac- here for questioning in the involved in generating "il- crores of rupees, they said.
can cause serious social, two years prior. Nevertheless, the attraction featuring India’s lar- mentioned that he raised this tors--Prakash Raj, Vijay case. licit" funds, according to of- Deverakonda had recently
mental and physical 125-acre project remains un- gest aviary, an aquarium, board- concern 13 months prior, but the Deverakonda, Rana Daggu- Raj, Deverakonda and ficial sources. said that he made an en-
problems and added that opened to this day. “A world-class walks, landscaped gardens, and government did not take any ac- bati and Lakshmi Manchu-- Daggubati have appeared The agency has recorded dorsement for a gaming app,
everyone should come park designed for the people of camping facilities for the week- tion. "An ineffective government last month, asking them to before the ED. the statements of the three adding that gaming apps are
forward to face the Hyderabad is left in a state of un- ends. It was initiated in October leads to poor governance," he re- appear on different dates at The actors had "endorsed" actors under the provisions completely legal and recog-
challenge. certainty due to the govern- 2022 and had seen consistent marked. the agency's zonal office online betting apps allegedly of the Prevention of Money nised by the government.
 www.freepressjournal.com Kerala
Mumbai, Thursday, 14 August, 2025

UNCERTAINTY LOOMS | With all parties showing no signs of softening stand, it is anybody's guess how the day will play out

ALL SET FOR PARTITION DAY SHOWDOWN

HD Bureau
KOCHI
intent to relinquish his role
amid the chaos.
Kannur and the Cochin
Kerala, SC search panel
With both Governor Raj-
endra Arlekar and the go-
vernment of Pinarayi Vij-
University of Science and
Technology vice-chancellors
have faithfully issued adv-
to solve V-C row
ayan sticking to their res- isories to the respective co- HD Bureau aprasad as interim vice-
pective positions on the lleges to comply with the NEW DELHI -chancellor of the techn-
Governor's directive inst- ological university and Ciza
observance of Partition Day
ructing principals and re- A five-member search co- Thomas to the digital uni-
on August 14, there is great
gistrars to proceed with mmittee will be set up by the versity—bypassing the state
uncertainty over how the
event planning. The Cochin Supreme Court to identify government’s recom-
day would unfold on Thu-
University of Science and suitable candidates for the mended panels. In May, the
rsday.A sharp backlash has
Technology, for instance, vice-chancellor posts at APJ High Court ruled these ap-
erupted over the Governor's
directed a seminar on the Abdul Kalam Technological pointments legally unsu-
directive urging university
subject. University and Kerala Un- stainable, as they violated
vice-chancellors to observe
Leader of Opposition V D iversity of Digital Sciences, the provisions of the res-
Partition Horrors Rem-
Satheesan has accused the Innovation and Technology, pective university acts
embrance Day through ca-
chief minister of going soft in response to the ongoing which clearly require the
mpus seminars and theatre
on the Governor's directive standoff between the Go- Chancellor to select from
performances, raising qu-
as much of the talking has vernor and the state gov- names forwarded by the
estions about constitutional
been done by his ministers, ernment over the issue- state government.
mandates and academic
particularly Bindu and .Justices J. B. Pardiwala and Although the court all-
autonomy.
On the other hand, Higher General Education Minsiter R. Mahadevan instructed owed the incumbents to
Education Minister R Bindu chancellors on Wednesday University College Dev- V Sivankutty, both warning the Attorney General to continue until their six--
joined issue with the Go- to express their opposition. CPM students wing SFI and Congress elopment Committee’s ac- that directing academic propose four members and month terms ended, it dir-
vernor, echoing concerns The circular, issued from equivalent KSU have separately ting director, Biju V, issued a content without cabinet asked the state to nominate ected the state to furnish
that the directive could pr- Raj Bhavan, instructed un- vowed there is no question of second circular, now req- approval effectively cons- four as well, with one ad- eligible recommendations.
ovoke communal polari- iversities to mark the day- allowing any related event uiring colleges to secure titutes parallel governance. ditional member to come Subsequently, the Go-
sation. To complicate things —initially conceived by approval from “appropriate Former UDF convener M from the University Grants vernor reclaimed the aut-
further, CPM students wing Prime Minister Narendra authorities” before orga- M Hassan accused the Go- Commission. The bench hority to reappoint them,
SFI and Congress equivalent Modi in 2021 to acknowledge unced the move as unco- Partition-related com- nising any Partition Horrors vernor of attempting to tr- deferred further delib- prompting the state gov-
KSU have separately vowed the suffering of millions nstitutional, contending that memorations, should re- Day events. This instruction, ansform universities into eration to the following day. ernment to escalate the
that there is no question of during the 1947 Partiti- the governor had exceeded main the primary focus reportedly issued at the state extensions of the RSS. Ha- The dispute stems from matter to the Supreme
allowing any related event on—through comme- his authority by bypassing within institutions of higher government’s behest, refl- ssan claimed the Partition November 2024, when the Court. In response, the
either in the universities or morative events. the elected state gover- learning. ects the deep disarray within observance initiative was a Governor, exercising his Supreme Court emphasised
their affiliated colleges. The Chief Minister Pinarayi nment. He asserted that In- Administrative confusion university administration. BJP agenda, asserting it di- role as Chancellor, unila- that politics must not infl-
SFI burnt effigies of the Vijayan promptly deno- dependence Day, rather than followed, as the Kerala Biju V even expressed his minishes the significance of terally appointed K. Siv- uence appointments.
Governor and the vice-- Independence day.

Storm intensifies over Thrissur voters list Church wants NIA to

HD Bureau Education Minister V. Siv-
KOCHI

A storm of accusations is
ankutty has demanded a
fresh poll in Thrissur, bra-
nding the situation a “de-
probe 'love jihad'
enveloping Thrissur foll- mocratic massacre” and
owing claims that voter-list accusing Gopi of anti-d- HD Bureau have not charged Rameez Wednesday, signalling go-
irregularities significantly emocratic conduct. He KOCHI under laws related to forced vernmental attention to the
influenced the Lok Sabha urged the Union Minister to conversion, and urged au- unfolding developments.
outcome favouring Union resign and apologise, wa- The Syro-Malabar Church thorities to apply appro- As the police continue to
Minister and sitting MP rning that similar electoral has called for a National In- priate sections. He unde- probe, questions persist re-
Suresh Gopi. The issue has misconduct could reoccur, vestigation Agency inquiry rscored that Sona was taken garding the extent of coe-
drawn criticism from op- especially in local body el- into the death by suicide of a to Panayikulam, a locale al- rcion, the roles of family
position parties, demands ections. Adding to the 23-year-old woman of Ko- leged to have extremist af- networks, and whether in-
for independent scrutiny, mounting crisis, former thamangalam, identified as filiations, and suggested that stitutional safeguards failed
and political fallout reaching Thrissur MP T. N. Prathapan Sona Eldos. The student's to protect a vulnerable st-
the corridors of state power. filed a criminal complaint body was discovered in her
The suicide note udent. The absence of ex-
The mily and were made despite president Rajeev Chan- against Suresh Gopi. He al- residence on Saturday, and a by the girl plicit forced conversion
Congress party has acc- the fact that they did not re- Around 30,000 drasekhar dared the acc- leges that Gopi falsely cla- subsequent note addressed implied a painful charges in the FIR raises
used the Bharatiya Janata side there at the time of the names were users to go to either the El- imed domicile in Thrissur to her family and authorities relationship concerns among rights gr-
Party of manipulating ele- elections.CPM general se- ection Commission or the for over six months to qu- described emotional tor- marked by oups and faith bodies, who
ctoral rolls before the 2024 cretary M. A. Baby inten-
allegedly courts instead of creating a alify for Lok Sabha cand- ment, coerced religious view the case as emblematic
Parliament election. District sified the allegations by cl- “artificially” smokescreen over the issue. idacy, in violation of eligi- conversion, and permission
manipulation of broader trends dema-
Congress Committee pre- aiming that around 30,000 added to His colleague and former bility norms under the Re- to die, prompting the arrest and false nding more robust legis-
sident Joseph Taget spoke of names were “artificially” Thrissur’s voter state party chief K Sure- presentation of the People of a man named Rameez promises lative and investigative fr-
“suspect additions” under added to Thrissur’s voter list list shortly before ndran that the CPM and Act. Prathapan asserted that under provisions of the ameworks.
the address of “Bharath shortly before polling day—a Congress leaders should 'c- the Gopi family’s permanent Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita The suicide note by the
Heritage”—formerly ass- move he said secured the
polling day ommit suicide' rather than residence remains in Sas- covering sexual deceit, ab- the matter warrants central girl implied a painful rel-
ociated with Suresh Gop- BJP’s breakthrough parl- allege that such massive thamangalam,. The BJP etment to suicide, and ph- agency attention due to ationship marked by ma-
i—alleging 11 questionable iamentary win in Kerala. fraud has taken place under has on its part alleged si- ysical assault.. potential international ter- nipulation and false pro-
voter entries at that location. Further, CPI leader V. S. and arguing that such irr- their nose and they could not milar manipulation of voters Fr James Kokkavayalil, rorism connections. mises. Sona wrote that after
Many of these entries, Sunil Kumar indicated plans egularities undermined the do a thing about it. The list in the Wayanad cons- secretary of the Church’s Union Ministers Suresh forgiving Rameez continued
Taget implied, included to pursue legal action, citing integrity of the election. controversy has escalated tituency to ensure the vic- Public Affairs Commission, Gopi and George Kurien to show no affection, while
members of Gopi’s own fa- media-reported evidence On the defensive, BJP state beyond political rhetoric. tory of Rahul Gandhi. emphasised that the police visited Sona’s family on insisting she convert.

Sandra loses poll bid Court orders ship's arrest to secure damage claims
HD Bureau alarm and economic fallout eased after a ₹6 crore sec-
HD Bureau ificates for at least three interpretation. KOCHI for coastal communities. urity deposit. MSC Polo II
KOCHI films under their own name. Sandra expressed sur- The four fishing clai- also faced conditional arrest
One of the three certificates prise and disappointment at The Kerala High Court has mants—identified as Shaji of later in June under a ₹74 lakh
A sub-court in Ernakulam she submitted related to a the verdict, indicating she mandated the conditional Arattupuzha, Purush- claim from another private
has dismissed film producer venture under her former would review her options arrest of MV MSC Paler- othaman of Nayarambalam, firm; release followed pro-
Sandra Thomas’s petition partnership, Friday Film with legal experts before mo—a vessel anchored at Satheesan of Kuzhippilly, vision of adequate security.
challenging the rejection of deciding her next step. Vizhinjam Port and sister and Venu of Nayara- Meanwhile, the State
her nomination for pres- Sandra expressed The legal confrontation is ship to the ill-fated MSC Elsa mbalam—claimed varied Government itself has lod-
ident, treasurer and exe- disappointment only the latest episode in a 3—until the shipping co- damages. Shaji sought ₹1.3 ged an admiralty suit see-
cutive committee posts of at the verdict, year-long schism between mpany deposits ₹2.6 crore in crore for vessel damage and king ₹9,531 crore in solid-
the Kerala Film Producers indicating she Sandra and the KFPA. Te- compensation for claims interruption to income over arity for environmental and
Association, effectively ba- nsions escalated after the made by four fishermen 32 days, while Purush- economic damage caused by
rring her from contesting
would review her Hema Committee exposed othaman, Satheesan, and the capsizing of MSC Elsa 3.
whose boats and gear were
the upcoming election.The options systemic harassment and damaged by floating debris
The development follows earlier Venu claimed ₹35.08 lakh, That claim includes com-
Returning Officer had in- entrenched power struc- and wreckage. High Court orders targeted at ₹34.79 lakh, and ₹59.86 lakh pensation for ecological
validated her nomination on tures in Malayalam cinema. Justice Easwaran S del- other sister vessels in separate respectively. harm, restoration efforts,
the basis that only two films House, which was not co- Sandra, noted for chall- ivered the interim order on suits The development follows and fisherfolk losses. The
were credited to Sandra nsidered valid by the Ret- enging those structures, was 12 August 2025, after plai- earlier High Court orders High Court previously iss-
under her current banner, urning Officer. Sandra ar- expelled from the KFPA in ntiffs presented admiralty security is furnished. 2025. The disaster released targeted at other sister ve- ued a conditional arrest
Sandra Thomas Produ- gued that all certificates bore November 2024 for alleged suits seeking redress for lo- Kerala’s coast has been at dozens of container- ssels in separate suits. MSC warrant against another
ctions, while KFPA rules her name and should the- indiscipline and defamation. sses. The vessel may be rel- the centre of a mounting s—including hazardous ca- Manasa F was arrested in vessel, MSC Akiteta II, pe-
mandate that candidates refore qualify, but the court A court later stayed that eased without further dir- legal saga since MSC Elsa 3 rgo—into the Arabian Sea, mid-June under claims by nding security for the state’s
must provide censor cert- endorsed the association’s expulsion. ection once the specified capsized off Kochi on 25 May prompting environmental cashew importers and rel- claim.

offgrid

High Court eases petrol pump toilet access limits

HD Bureau hibited local authorities nsibility for providing pu- visions for "transiting tra- being vulnerable zones The revised order reflects access at fuel stations un- nerable communiti-
KOCHI from placing signage that blic lavatories, as outlined in vellers," which implicitly handling flammable mat- a nuanced approach: it ba- dermines the fundamental es—includin g children, el-
misrepresents these private the Swachh Bharat Mission, covers the general public. erials. lances the need for public right to life and dignity derly, persons with disa-
The Kerala High Court has facilities as public ame- belongs to municipal aut- The original interim or- The petitioners highl- sanitation—especiall y under Article 21—especially bilities, daily wage workers
revised its interim order nities, emphasising that horities and cannot be de- der, issued in mid-June, had ighted that municipal sig- along highways—with the impacting women, preg- and those experiencing
concerning access to toilets establishing public toilets legated to private busin- prohibited state and mu- nage and QR-code feedback rights and safety concerns nant individuals, caregivers, homelessness. The Forum
at petrol stations. Justice C S falls under the purview of esses like petrol pump nicipal bodies from desi- systems placed on private of private petrol pump op- and commuters. They urge stresses that lack of acce-
Dias decreed that wash- local self-government bo- owners. gnating petrol pump toilets lavatories misled the public erators, clarifying that the the court to consider bro- ssible toilets may force open
rooms at petrol pumps sit- dies. Counsels for IOCL, HPCL as public conveniences. into believing these were government must actively ader human rights impl- defecation, posing public
uated along national hig- Details from the cour- and BPCL were instructed That ruling stemmed from a public facilities, drawing provide public facilities ra- ications, including gender health and environmental
hways must be open to all troom reveal that the earlier to clarify whether deal- petition by the Petroleum crowds—including groups ther than co-opt those of equity. risks. They frame the res-
visitors at all times. Those at directive—limiting usage ership agreements mandate Traders Welfare and Legal from tourist buses—- private entities. Similarly, the All India triction as contradictory to
other locations are also to solely to customers—was public access to station to- Service Society and several creating security hazards, Meanwhile, civil society Lawyers’ Forum for Civil the intent of the Swachh
remain accessible to cus- reconsidered after sub- ilets. HPCL and BPCL noted individual outlet dealers, confusion, and disruption at groups have joined the is- Liberties has also sought to Bharat Mission and invoke
tomers and transit trav- missions from both the state that while their agreements who argued that allowing the pumps. They invoked sue. The Lady Lawyers’ enter the case, asserting constitutional provisions
ellers, unless legitimate sa- government and Indian Oil do not specify public access, public access risked ope- Article 300A of the Con- Association of Wayanad has that denial of access to es- highlighting state oblig-
fety or security concerns Corporation Ltd. Justice their "Marketing Discipline rational disruptions and stitution to assert their ri- filed to join the matter, ar- sential sanitation dispr- ations under Articles 14, 21,
arise. The court also pro- Dias insisted that respo- Guidelines" include pro- safety—petrol stations ghts over private property. guing that limiting toilet oportionately affects vul- 47, and 48 A.
 www.freepressjournal.in edit
Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025

ESTD -1928
Strained India-US relations
✩✩✩
QUALITY @ VALUE
and the problem of Munir
The Free Press Journal Neighbourly Eye This year’s Independence Day is all about defending liberal democracy
Founder Editor: S Sadanand
K C SINGH at home and a fearless pursuit of national interests abroad

Cards don’t
A
ugust 15, this leader. Members of the European bonhomie between Pakistan and support for Ukraine. Despite India’s linked to the already polarised US
year, has special Union (EU) have been voicing con- the US is turning that into mount- public criticism of these remarks, politics.
significance for cern that any deal, in the absence of ing distrust between India and not a word of reproach has ema- These irritants aside, India con-
make one Indian multiple rea- Ukrainian President Volodymyr America. Symbolising that was first nated from the US. On the contrary, fronts two core issues. One, to final-

T
sons. It is, firstly, the Indian Inde- Zelenskyy, will be wrong and un- the lunch hosted at the White the US has gone ahead to declare ise even an interim trade deal to
pendence Day. With escalating implementable. A video conference House by President Trump for the the Baluchistan Liberation Army bring certainty to US tariffs on In-
he Bombay High Court has ruled that an Aadhaar controversy over the Election Com- between the EU, President Zelen- Pakistani Chief of the Army Staff, (BLA), besides ISIS of Khorasan and dian exports. The second is to
card, PAN card or voter’s identity card cannot be con- mission’s Bihar vote revision, Prime sky and the US has been arranged Asim Munir, and within weeks of Tehreek-e-Taleban Pakistan (TTP), quickly get the US to withdraw the
sidered proof of a person’s nationality. This is not a mere Minister Narendra Modi would get immediately prior to the Alaska that, Field Marshal Munir revisited as terrorist organisations. Pakistan punitive tariffs imposed due to the
technicality but a reaffirmation of a basic legal principle: an opportunity to address the na- Summit to make that point. the US, apparently to attend the has been alleging Indian complicity Indian import of discounted Rus-
no forged or fake document has legal validity and, there- tion and shift the focus back to his The Summit holds importance ceremony marking the retirement in supporting the BLA and TTP. On sian oil. While doing that, India has
fore, cannot be relied upon to prove name, age, residence, agenda. But also, that day an impor- for India too, as a positive outcome of the US Central Command’s head. top of that, Pakistan and the US to live with restored US-Pakistan
land ownership or, most crucially, citizenship. The case tant summit takes place in Alaska, can remove at least one of the During that visit he launched held a counterterrorism dialogue bonhomie. One view is that Field
in question is unusual. A Mumbai resident, now in police between the leaders of the US and hurdles in the India-US relations. another tirade against India, in Pakistan on August 12, reaffirm- Marshal Munir may be targeting
custody for allegedly staying in India illegally, has pro- Russia. Pakistan celebrates its Inde- Putin, in case he accepts a ceasefire threatening a nuclear Armageddon ing their “long-standing partner- India to bolster his public image in
duced all the above documents, besides a passport, to pendence Day a day earlier, when, in Ukraine as a precursor to a dia- to thwart India from blocking the ship”. They reiterated their desire to Pakistan. He may be preparing to
claim that he is an Indian national. The police, however, significantly, the Pakistan Tehreek- logue to settle the dispute, would river waters flowing to Pakistan cooperate closely in multilateral grab direct power but at least wants
maintain that he is a Bangladeshi citizen who crossed the e-Insaaf party (PTI) is launching demand that the US first lift sanc- under the Indus Waters Treaty, fora, including the UN. This wooing to ensure that his nemesis, former
border unlawfully and has been living in Mumbai for protests over the continued deten- tions on it. If that happens, then the presently in abeyance. He un- of Pakistan by the US merely com- premier Imran Khan, remains de-
over a decade without any legal authorisation what- tion of their leader and former supplementary tariffs of 25% im- abashedly claimed that “if we think plicates the trade negotiations, as it tained. Khan, reportedly, may have
soever. prime minister, Imran Khan. posed by the US on India for buying we are going down, we’ll take half stiffens the Indian resolve to defend employed his family, based abroad,
The burden now lies on the police to prove that these First, the Alaska summit. Hardly Russian oil lose justification. That the world down with us.” its national interests, involving to lobby influential Jewish persons
documents are forged. The High Court, concurring with anybody is predicting a successful could improve the environment be- The spokesman of the Indian trade or geopolitics. to seek Trump’s intervention for his
the police’s apprehension that the man could abscond, outcome. US President Donald fore the next phase of India-US Ministry of External Affairs cor- According to reports, Russia has, release. In the Trumpian world,
even from the country, denied him bail. Yet, as of now, Trump himself has lowered expec- trade talks scheduled in the second rectly criticised the threat, es- meanwhile, successfully launched a such individuals are more effective
the police are still investigating whether the documents tations, saying he is meeting Rus- half of August. The possibility, how- pecially when made from US soil. military thrust into Ukraine near than direct diplomatic outreach in
are genuine or fabricated beyond doubt. India’s citizen- sian President Vladimir Putin to ever, of such a positive outcome in Ironically, it came on the 80th anni- Pokrovsk, intending to gain a ne- influencing decision-making.
ship law, enacted soon after the country became a repub- assess his mind. US analysts worry Alaska appears remote. versary of the American nuclear gotiating edge before the Alaska Thus, this year’s Independence
lic, clearly defines the conditions for acquiring citizenship that past experiences show Putin It is obvious that the worsening bombing of Japan at the end of the Summit. The allegations of Russian Day is about defending the values
by birth or naturalisation. Passed in the wake of Partition, having outplayed his American of India-US ties needs to be re- Second World War. Generally, a interference in the 2016 presiden- that India’s founding fathers cher-
the law was meant to counterpart during their en- versed quickly. An additional irri- consensus has existed since then tial election, which Trump lost, ished. These imply liberal democ-
deal with the plight of When Aadhaar counters. During President Trump’s tant has been Trump’s continuing that nations possessing nuclear have been recently revived. Trump racy at home and fearless pursuit of
those rendered state- was launched, it first term, the two leaders met six claims, despite Indian denials, weapons do not randomly threaten has, in the past, rejected specula- national interests abroad.
less overnight. In any was advertised as times, compared to a solitary meet- about having mediated the cease- their use. Russia has obliquely done tion, after speaking to Putin, about
democracy, citizen- ing between his successor, presi- fire to end the 4-day Indo-Pak mili- that during the Ukraine war, but os- his complicity. Such issues may also KC Singh is former secretary, Ministry of Ex-
ship carries both
the “poor man’s dent Joe Biden, and the Russian tary standoff. The revived tensibly to stymie increased NATO figure during parleys in Alaska, ternal Affairs.
rights and duties, and passport” and
the state retains the a secure,

Institutes of higher learning

authority to place rea- duplication-proof
sonable restrictions. In identity card. The
the US, a nation of im-
migrants, only a per- Mumbai case
son born
American soil can as-
pire to the presidency,
on challenges that
promise.
naturalised citizens are barred from that office. This
hostile towards students
underscores that while documentation may grant access Learning Curve The faculty are seen to abuse their enormous power over students, and
to certain services, it is not equivalent to nationality.
VRIJENDRA safety mechanisms look broken and repeatedly fail to protect students
An Aadhaar card may entitle a child in a government
school to a mid-day meal, or a ration card may allow a

L
family to buy subsidised food grains and other materials. ast month, finally, students a few months back. In lege principal. Even after she went ‘please show some kindness’ in a mechanisms and processes—even
But if such documents are obtained through fraudulent even the Su- February this year, a B.Tech stu- to the police, no FIR was regis- WhatsApp message, but the head when nominally in place—look
means, they not only lose their value but also constitute preme Court, dent from Nepal was found dead in tered. When she went to the col- never responded! The resident broken and repeatedly fail to pro-
a criminal offence. When Aadhaar was launched, it was taking note of re- her hostel room, and again in May, lege internal complaints doctors accused the head of ex- tect students and sensitively re-
advertised as the “poor man’s passport” and a secure, du- cent suicides by students, said, another Nepalese student was committee, not only did it not offer tremely odd behaviour towards spond to their serious complaints.
plication-proof identity card. The Mumbai case chal- ‘something is wrong’ after yet found dead in her hostel room at her any relief, but there was also certain students in each batch, Sadly, this is not just a failure of
lenges that promise. How did the accused obtain multiple another student at IIT Kharagpur KIIT. After the uproar, the UGC pressure on her to withdraw the criticising even students’ personal law. Instead, it is a collective failure
official documents if he was indeed ineligible, as the po- was found hanging from the ceil- had appointed a fact-finding com- complaint! Desperate, she posted choices and instigating patients of the college administration, the
lice claim? Who facilitated the process? And how did the ing fan in his room (this IIT has mittee to investigate both cases. on X that she would commit sui- against them! In fact, the United institutional mechanism to deal
ultimate proof of citizenship—a passport—land in his seen four ‘unnatural’ student The report of the committee ac- cide if she didn’t get justice. And Doctors’ Front, a doctors’ forum, with sexual harassment cases and
possession without raising any suspicion? If this case re- deaths in seven months) and cused the institute of failing to act yet, it took four and a half hours be- described the incident as a ‘symp- ragging, the failure of the police
sults in fixing accountability for these lapses and in cre- another student at Sharda Univer- lawfully on sexual harassment fore she was taken to hospital after tom of institutionalised cruelty and and of society at large, and an
ating safeguards to prevent future misuse, it will have sity in Greater Noida died allegedly complaints, inadequate hostel facil- she immolated herself. neglect’ in a protest letter to the astounding lack of empathy among
served a greater purpose than simply deciding the fate by suicide in her hostel room and ities, and the use of brute force Astonishingly, it later emerged Maharashtra Chief Minister. The the faculty (and often fellow class-
of one man. For in the end, a nation’s security rests not in named professors for her harass- against students. The report said that after she filed the complaint Front further noted that the faculty mates) towards their students.
the cards its people carry, but in the integrity of the sys- ment and humiliation in her sui- that the institute prioritised its against the professor, the professor at the hospital callously blamed the The real problem is that there is
tem that issues them. cide note. She was repeatedly ‘reputation over regulations’. It managed to get 71 out of her 100 victim for her suicide attempt in- no simple way out; no cosmetic sol-
derided in the classroom. Even added that the ‘internal complaints classmates to write a letter suppor- stead of fixing accountability. Even ution would help and would only
after her parents took up the committee to look into sexual har- ting him against her! A friend of as I write this, yet another PhD stu- be seen, rightly, as merely a ‘dam-

Big moment for matter with college authorities, no-

thing changed.
The Supreme Court has asked
assment complaints failed to take
lawful action…; there was no trans-
parency that protocols for investi-
the victim said that the accused
professor deliberately picked on
her—would mark her absent if she
dent has committed suicide at
IISER, in Nadia, after complaining
of ragging and apathy by the col-
age control’ exercise. These sui-
cides reflect a deep-rooted crisis in
our institutions, and any long-term
Indian sports for responses from authorities of gation were followed. Instead, in turned up for classes even two or lege administration in a social solution would require a complete

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these institutions as regards how both cases, the college opted for an three minutes late and failed her in media post. reorientation of how, and for
promptly they responded to these illegal compromise between the several papers. Further, she was These incidents suggest a de- whom, our institutions are man-
he National Sports Governance Bill 2025 passed by deaths and what steps they had accused boy and the harassed girl.’ very upset that her classmates pressing state of affairs in institu- aged. And yet, we are clueless be-
the Lok Sabha on Monday is a landmark moment in taken once they came to know of In yet another incident, in Bal- talked badly about her character. tions of higher education across cause our academic and political
India’s sporting history, with its establishment looking these suicides. asore, Odisha, a 20-year-old B.Ed In another incident in Mumbai, the country, where young students leadership is in denial about the
to bring about transparency and accountability into the On the same day, the UGC issued student set herself on fire on the at JJ Hospital, last month, students feel so helpless against authorities very nature of this crisis. The fu-
National Sports Federations (NSFs). With India looking a show-cause notice to Kalinga In- govt college campus (and died two were protesting against the head of and feel so abandoned by their in- ture, alas, offers little hope.
to bid for the 2036 Olympics, the Bill will bring the stitute of Technology, Odisha, days later) because her repeated the paediatrics department, hold- stitutions that they see suicide as
country’s sports federations under one umbrella and warning it against possible legal ac- complaints alleging sexual harass- ing her responsible for the at- the only option. Clearly, increas- Vrijendra taught in a Mumbai college for
ensure sports ethics, better administrative functioning tion and withdrawal of its deemed- ment by a professor and the head tempted suicide by a resident ingly and alarmingly, the faculty more than 30 years and has been associ-
and a dispute redressal mechanism, safeguarding ath- to-be-university status in of the department she was affili- doctor. The resident doctor had are seen to abuse their enormous ated with democratic rights groups in the
letes’ interests through a standardised National Sports connection with the suicides of two ated with were ignored by the col- desperately requested the head to power over students, and safety city.
Board (NSB). The Bill is aimed at galvanising the Indian
sporting ecosystem and landscape with the strength to
perform at a world-class level at international events, Dear reader, We are eager to know your opinions, comments and suggestions. Write to letters@fpj.co.in with the title of the letter in the subject line.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
especially the Olympics. Using snail mail? Send your letters to The Free Press Journal, Free Press House, 215 Free Press Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021.
It is understood that the Board of Control for Cricket
in India (BCCI) will also be coming under the ambit of A fact is a fact Food wastage structed shelters where
HASAN ZAIDI

the Bill despite it not receiving government funding. The decisions made by Open book exams Food wastage in India is a their lives will be a veri-
With all of the BCCI’s ongoing and future legal disputes political parties are truly Students memorise formulas and significant problem, with table hell. It is time for the
set to come under the purview of the proposed National amazing and entertaining. facts by the rote method without an estimated 68.7 to 78.2 SC to review its own ver-
Sports Tribunal, a new era of sports governance is upon Congress keeps attacking understanding their significance or million tonnes of food dict.
us, and it is only a case of better late than never. the government, stating application. They are able to pass being wasted annually, ac- Avinash Godboley, MP
In a country beset with administrative bickering and that it punishes people the exams with flying colours but cording to Conscious
apathy in sports bodies, the National Sports Governance who criticise the govern- fail to develop critical thinking, cre- Charcha and WRI India. A day for youth
Bill 2025 is a whiff of fresh air. The way forward is ment. However, it conveni- ativity and problem-solving skills. This wastage, which oc- August 12 was the Inter-
through accountability and transparency, and the Bill, ently dismisses its own Open book exams as proposed by curs across the supply national Youth Day, which
as referred to by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, minister (in Karnataka) for the CBSE will not only reduce stu- chain from production to reminds us to celebrate
is the single biggest reform in Indian sports since Inde- bringing out the facts in dents’ anxiety and stress but will consumption, has serious the boundless potential of
pendence. Reform in Indian sports is well and truly the the context of “vote chori”. also help them understand the con- economic, environmental, our youth. They are the
need of the hour, with the highest standards of profes- A fact is a fact, irrespec- cepts thoroughly, which will prove and social consequences. architects of tomorrow,
sionalism needed in India’s sports federations for the tive of who is in power, is it more than handy in their profes- The problem is not with brimming with creativity
country to soar high in the international arena and at not? sional lives. Hopefully, the CBSE has dhabas and street vendors and passion. Let’s em-
the Olympics. The issue of recurring litigation in elec- Sunil Okhade, Indore learnt its lessons from 2014 and will but star hotels across the power them to lead, inno-
tions of NSFs and athlete selections is one of the areas handhold schools, especially in rural country. The issue needs vate, and inspire change
where the Bill can provide redressal and tackle chal- Good decision areas, to get ready for OBEs. to be discussed with as- for a brighter future.
lenges. It also fills in the void of a dedicated dispute res- Apropos the SC’s directive Bal Govind, Noida sociations of hotels and T.S. Karthik, Chennai
olution body that is sorely required in the current on women’s entry in JAG, restaurants.
Indian sports administrative system. A core area where the decision to maintain a C.K. Subramaniam, Wrong priorities
the Bill can be fruitful is in the representation of athletes single merit list irrespec- also ignite unprecedented by various personalities Ukraine and Israel-Hamas Navi Mumbai The flooding of Prayagraj
in governing bodies that will infuse professionalism and tive of gender is truly national progress. sometime back. The TN wars, the two leaders shows that changing the
best practices of good governance. Gender imbalance commendable. Such R.S. Narula, Patiala CM and Kamban commit- should discuss ways and Doggone it! names of cities does no-
in leadership roles is an acute issue when it comes to merit-driven selection tee in the future must means for disarmament by Routine jobs of clearing thing for the people. The
sports governing bodies, and the Bill will plug in the must extend to other criti- Bad remark choose only the right mind all countries, including the stormwater drains, Yogi government should
loopholes in that aspect by ensuring relatively fairer cal sectors that directly Speaking at an event re- as awardees, or else this destruction of all nuclear keeping Delhi noise- and have improved the drain-
gender parity in leadership positions. Financial mis- shape human lives and the cently where he received will reflect badly upon weapons. Every (nuclear) pollution-free, and remov- age system instead. Such
management is a common practice; the Bill will sternly nation’s moral fabric— an award named after the them. nation should sign a dec- ing mountains of garbage is the faith of the people
deal with this matter using the provisions that can be healthcare, policing, and ancient poet Kambar, who A.P. Thiruvadi, Chennai laration in the UNO that it lying here and there are towards the Ganga that
used to provide redressal. Sporting events that get de- education. Doctors, police wrote the Tamil version of will use “nuclear energy” not being done by the they were literally per-
layed by cases lying in courts are another issue, and the officers, and teachers the epic ‘Ramayana’, Vair- Trump, Putin only for constructive pur- authorities. How will they forming their sacred rites
Bill will provide some relief to such events within the form the foundation upon amuthu, the lyricist, said summit poses, and they would in- carry out the gargantuan even as dirty water was
legal framework of the Bill. Last, but not least, the Bill which every other profes- that Lord Ram “lost his The entire world has crease funding for the task of shifting stray dogs entering their homes. Be-
will hopefully address the issue of non-uniformity in sion rests. Entrusting mind” after separating “Great Expectations” for ongoing research on nu- out of the Delhi-NCR re- fore protecting our relig-
electoral processes by bringing in a good deal of con- these roles solely to the from his wife, Goddess the Trump-Putin summit clear “fusion” reactors, gion to dog shelters within ious identities, let us make
sistency and transparency in the process. The passing most deserving and hon- Sita. The lyricist was in the on Aug 15, 2025, in Alaska. which do not give radio- a short span of eight India a better place first.
of the Bill is a huge moment for Indian sports govern- est individuals will not only midst of ‘me too’ com- Apart from discussing the active waste. weeks? They will most Anthony Henriques,
ance, but only time will show its effectiveness. dismantle corruption but plaints lodged against him possible end of the Russia- Sreelekha P.S., Telangana likely end up in hastily con- Mumbai
 world
Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025
B ite
Give them (Gaza's population of over 2 mn people) the opportunity to leave! First,
from combat zones, and also from the Strip if they want. We are not pushing them
out but allowing them to leave. — Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's PM
www.freepressjournal.in

UKRAINE WAR | Zelenskyy says he told EU leaders, US president Putin ‘bluffing’ Hire a new economist:
Briefs
NEW YORK
Mamdani
Trump keen to seal truce Kremlin won’t Don to Goldman Sachs
relook riders ... after bank says consumers will
holds lead in
at Alaska meet: Macron have to bear bulk of tariff burden
MOSCOW: Russia said on
Wednesday its stance on end-
mayoral race ing the war in Ukraine has Washington: Days after
The democratic primary, not changed since President Goldman Sachs’ top econ- US debt at
Zohran Mamdani has Putin set out his conditions omists published research
emerged as the front- last year: the full withdrawal claiming price increases record $37tn
runner in New York City's of Kyiv’s forces from key stemming from higher tariffs Washington: US national
mayoral race, leading by a Ukrainian regions and the are poised to soon be borne debt reached record $37
significant margin in a abandonment of its Nato mostly by consumers, US trillion. The national debt
crowded 5-person contest, ambitions. President Donald Trump is eclipsed this new milestone
The Hill reported. A new Russian Foreign Ministry’s urging the bank’s CEO David years sooner than pre-pan-
Siena College poll shoed deputy spokesperson Alexei Solomon to get a new econ- demic projections. The
Mamdani has 44% support Fadeev made the point clear omist, CNN reports. Congressional Budget
among registered voters in hours after Putin held a “Tariffs have not caused Office’s Jan 2020 projec-
New York, placing him 19 From L: French President Emmanuel Macron, European Council President Antonio Costa, Ukrainian President and phone call with North Korean inflation, or any other prob- tions predicted the US
points ahead of former German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a video-conference on Wednesday leader Kim Jong Un and lems for America, other than reaching the milestone
New York Governor AP country that is acceptable to ending Moscow’s war in Ukr- updated him on planned talks massive amounts of cash after fiscal year 2030.
Andrew Cuomo, who BERLIN Trump said there will all parties,” Macron said. aine. Zelenskyy and the EU with US President Trump in pouring into our treasury’s But the debt grew faster
comes in second with 25%. be “very severe German Chancellor ropeans have been sidelined Alaska of Friday. coffers,” Trump wrote in a than expected as the Covid
Republican nominee Curtis US President Donald Trump consequences” if Putin Friedrich Merz described the from that summit. German While Kim and Putin con- Truth Social post. “David pandemic shut down much
Sliwa trails with 12%, while was “very clear” in a meeting doesn’t agree to stop meeting with Zelenskyy and govt spokesperson Steffen firmed “their will to strength- Solomon and Goldman Sachs of the economy and the
current Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday with Euro- the war after the meet. Trump as “constructive”. Meyer said the intention of en cooperation in the future”, refuse to give credit where Trump and Biden adminis-
garners just 7% support. pean leaders the US wants to Speaking alongside meets was to “make clear the the Russian leader expressed credit is due.” trations borrowed heavily
Cuomo, who lost the achieve a ceasefire at the sum- Zelenskyy, Merz said after the position of the Europeans.” appreciation for North “David should go out and to stabilise the economy.
Democratic primary to mit with Russia’s Vladimir ing to Ukraine will only be video-conference that “impor- Zelenskyy said he told EU Korea’s help in “liberating” get himself a new economist
Mamdani in June, and Putin in Alaska, French Presi- negotiated by the Ukrainian tant decisions” could be made leaders and Trump, Putin “is the Kursk region in western or, maybe, he ought to just A report Goldman Sachs
Adams, who skipped the dent Emmanuel Macron said. president.” Following his in Anchorage, but empha- bluffing”. “Putin is trying to Russia and “the bravery, hero- focus on being a DJ, and not economists published over
primary altogether, are After the virtual meeting meeting on Friday with the sised “fundamental European pressure all sectors of the Uk- ism and self-sacrificing spirit bother running a major finan- the weekend estimated
both still registered between Trump, Ukrainian Russian leader, Trump will and Ukrainian security inter- rainian front” to show Russia displayed by service men of cial institution,” Trump Americans “absorbed 22% of
Democrats but are running President Volodymyr Zelens- also “seek a future trilateral ests must be protected”. is “capable of occupying all of the Korean People’s Army”. added. tariff costs through June,” but
independent campaigns in kyy and European leaders, meeting” — one involving Merz convened the virtual Ukraine.” Putin is bluffing North has dispatched over Solomon previously per- that this share will rise to 67%
the general election. Macron said Trump was Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy, meetings to ensure EU and about sanctions, “as if they do 10,000 troops for Russia in the formed regularly at high-pro- by October if tariffs “follow
Among registered prioritising a ceasefire Macron said. “I think that’s a Ukraine’s leaders are heard not matter to him and are Ukraine war and is planning file events. However, facing the same pattern as the ear-
Democrats, Mamdani holds between Ukraine and Russia. very important point in this ahead of the summit, where ineffective. In fact, sanctions another deployment, said a pressure from the bank’s liest ones.” Trump did not spe-
a commanding lead, with He added Trump had been regard. And we hope it can be Trump and Putin are expect- are helpful and are hitting South Korean intelligence board, he gave up his DJing cifically reference that report
55% backing him clear “territorial issues relat- held in Europe, in a neutral ed to discuss a path towards Russia’s war economy hard.” assessment. —Agencies side gig two years ago. in his post, however.
compared to Cuomo's 32%.

MANILA
US warships
in disputed Israel bombards Gaza, UK cops to reveal ethnicity
S China Sea
The US deployed 2
123 killed in 24 hours and nationality of suspects
warships on Wednesday in Agencies London: New official gui- COPS GET ‘LIVE FACIAL
a disputed South China Sea CAIRO/JERUSALEM dance issued on Wednesday FIGHTING MISINFO RECOGNITION’ VANS
shoal, where two Chinese will require police forces A greater number of Live
navy and coast guard ships
collided two days ago while
Israel’s military pounded Gaza
City on Wednesday prior to a
across the UK to reveal the
ethnicity and nationality of
The purpose highlighted by
the law enforcement bodies
Facial Recognition vans will
begin circulating IN the UK to
Sharif: India
trying to drive away a
smaller Philippine ship in a
planned takeover, with
another 123 people killed in 24
suspects charged with a crime
as part of a drive to counter
includes reducing the risk to
public safety where there are
locate suspects of serious
crimes. “No one should feel
can’t snatch
high-seas accident
captured on video,
hours, according to the Gaza
health ministry, while militant
misinformation spread
through online channels.
“high levels of mis or disin-
formation about a particular
a drop of
alarming several Western
and Asian countries. Both
group Hamas held further
talks with Egyptian medi-
The National Police Chiefs’
Council and the College of
incident, or in cases of signifi-
cant public interest”.
Indus water
China and the Philippines ators. The 24-hour death toll Policing said they have devel- “We have to make sure our ANI
claim Scarborough Shoal was the worst in a week and Hostages' families have mounted pressure on Israel’s oped the update especially for processes are fit for purpose ISLAMABAD
and other outcroppings in added to the massive fatalities PM Benjamin Netanyahu to prioritise their release high-profile and sensitive in an age of social media spe- unsafe leaving their homes.
the South China Sea. from the nearly two-year war. investigations and operations, culation and where informa- From today, every neighbour- Any attempt to stop the flow
Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei Israeli PM Benjamin BIBI HAS LOST THE PLOT: NZ PM with officers “encouraged” to tion can travel incredibly hood IN England and Wales of water into Pakistan is in
and Taiwan also lay
overlapping claims in the
contested waters. The USS
Netanyahu reiterated an idea,
also enthusiastically floated by
US President Donald Trump,
N ew Zealand’s PM Christopher Luxon said on Wednesday
that his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu had
“lost the plot” as the country weighs whether to recognise a
disclose the additional
information when there is a
“policing purpose to do so”.
quickly across a wide range of
channels,” said NPCC Deputy
Chief Constable Sam de Reya.
has named, officers to tackle
crime in our communities,”
said PM Keir Starmer.
violation of the Indus Waters
Treaty, and would be met
with a “decisive response”,
Higgins, a guided missile that Palestinians should Palestinian state. "What we are seeing overnight, the attack Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif
destroyer, and USS simply leave. “They’re not on Gaza City, is utterly, utterly unacceptable," he said. has said.
Cincinnati, a littoral combat being pushed out, they’ll be His remarks came a day after Greens MP Chloe Swarbrick “Enemy (India) can’t snatch
ship, were shadowed by a allowed to exit,” he told Israeli was removed from parliament's debating chamber on even a single drop of water
Chinese navy ship while television channel ‘i24NEWS’. Tuesday after she refused to apologise for a comment insinu- from Pakistan,” he said at an
sailing about 30 nautical “All those who are con- ating government leaders were spineless for not supporting a event in Islamabad on
miles from the Scarbo- cerned for the Palestinians bill to “sanction Israel for its war crimes." She was ordered to Tuesday. “You threatened to
rough Shoal. There were no and say they want to help the leave the chamber again on Wednesday for refusal to apolo- stop our water. If you attempt
reports of any untoward Palestinians should open their gise. The government later voted to suspend her. such a move, Pakistan will
incident, Philippine coast gates and stop lecturing us.” teach you a lesson you will
guard Commodore Jay Hamas chief negotiator al-Nono said. Egyptian secur- A Hamas official said the never forget.”
Tarriela said. Khalil Al-Hayya’s meetings wi- ity sources said the talks group was open to all ideas if Sharif’s remarks came after
th Egyptian officials in Cairo would also discuss the possi- Israel ends the war and pulls Pakistan’s former foreign
KATHMANDU were to focus on stopping the bility of a comprehensive cea- out. However, “Laying down minister Bilawal Bhutto-
India to get war, delivering aid and “end-
ing the suffering of our people
sefire that would see Hamas
relinquish governance in Gaza
arms before the occupation is
dismissed, is impossible,” said
Zardari siad India’s decision
to suspend the treaty follow-
addl 200 MW in Gaza,” Hamas official Taher and concede its weapons. the official. ing the Pahalgam terror stri-
from Nepal ke was an attack on the Indus
Valley civilisation and culture.
Nepal will export nearly 200 Shehbaz emphasised that
MW electricity to India in
addition to the existing 940
Migrant boat
CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS water was a lifeline for
Pakistan and no compromise

S Korea: Jailed ex-prez sinks off Italy,

MW, officials said, a would be made on the
development that will earn country’s rights under inter-
little over NRs 80 billion for
the Himalayan nation. This
Yoon’s wife arrested over 20 dead Southern Europe wildfires kill 3
Wildfires intensified across southern Europe on Wednesday after a nightlong
national agreements, Geo
News reported.
is part of the long-term Rome: A boat carrying
agreement that Nepal Seoul: The wife of South Ko- nearly 100 migrants capsized battle to protect the perimeter of Greece's third-largest city, with at least
signed for the export of rea’s jailed former president Trial of Hasina, on Wednesday in interna- three more deaths reported in Spain, Turkiye and Albania. Outside the Greek
10,000 MW power to India Yoon Suk Yeol has been
nieces starts tional waters off the Italian port city of Patras, firefighters struggled to protect homes and agricultural
facilities as flames tore through olive groves. Residents of four villages were
US report calls
over the next 10 years, most arrested as investigators seek island of Lampedusa, killing
of it during the rainy season to charge her over suspected Dhaka: The corruption tri- at least 20 people and leaving evacuated in Albania near a former army ammunition depot. In Korca, near the out India, Pak
between June to November. crimes, including bribery, al against ousted Banglade- a dozen missing, the UN refu- Greek border, explosions were reported from buried WWII-era artillery shells.
"The Central Electricity stock manipulation and sh’s PM Sheikh Hasina and gee agency and officials said. on rights abuses
Authority of India on Tues- meddling in the selection of a 17 others, includ- Sixty survivors were Agencies
day approved the import of
additional 199.70 MW
candidate.
In granting a special pros-
ing her nieces
A z m i n a
brought to a centre in
Lampedusa, said a UNHCR
US Nat’l Guard rehearses show of force WASHINGTON

electricity from Nepal to ecutor’s request for an arrest Siddiq and spokesman in Italy, Filippo San Francisco: National Maj Gen Scott Sherman, police domestic affairs. He said India “took minimal credible
Haryana," Nepal Electricity warrant late on Tuesday, the British MP Ungaro. As per survivor Guard troops rehearsed their who commanded troops in LA, the deployment of federal steps” to combat rights abus-
Authority spokesperson Seoul Central District Court Tulip Siddiq, accounts, there were 92 to 97 role in an operation at a Los was testifying at a trial to deter- agents on horseback and on es while Pakistan “rarely took
Rajan Dhakal said. said Kim Keon in a housing plot migrants on board when the Angeles park intended as a mine if the administration viol- foot to MacArthur Park in a credible steps”, the US gov-
Hee posed a scam began on Wednesday boat departed Libya. Author- show of force against undocu- ated the Posse Comitatus Act neighborhood with a large im- ernment has said in a report.
MOSCOW risk of at a Dhaka court with ities have recovered 20 bo- mented people and those pro- when it deployed the soldiers migrant population was pla- The Trump administration
Russia bid to destroying
evidence.
depositions of the com-
plainant, reports said.
dies, and were searching for
another 12 to 17 survivors. It
testing the Trump administra-
tion’s immigration crack-
and US Marines to Southern
California this summer. The
nned for Father’s Day, June 15.
But the operation was moved
scaled back the annual
report, released on Tuesday,
tighten grip The probe Afnan Jannat Keya, a was unknown how long the down, a deputy commanding 1878 law prohibits a president to July 7 after he raised conce- on human rights worldwide,
on Internet into Kim is one complainant, an assistant migrants had been at sea. -AP general testified. from using the military to rns the park could be crowded. dramatically softening criti-
of 3 special prosecutor probes director of the Anti- cism of some allies and coun-
Russia announced it was launched under Seoul’s new Corruption Commission, tries that have been US presi-
"partially" restricting calls in liberal government targeting testified before Judge Md dent’s partners.
messaging apps Telegram
and WhatsApp, the latest
step in an effort to tighten
the presidency of Yoon, a con-
servative removed from
office in April and rearrested
Rabiul Alam of the Special
Judge’s Court-4 in Dhaka in
the afternoon, The Daily
Unhappy end to McD’s Pokemon bait The State Department
human rights documentation
for India and Pakistan was
control over the internet. In in July over his brief imposi- Star newspaper reported. Agencies adequate,” the company said also much shorter and scaled
a statement, government tion of martial law in Dec. Siddiq dismissed the TOKYO in a statement on Monday. back this year.
media and internet Yoon and Kim are the first corruption trial as a “farce” McDonald’s said it was About India, the report

F
regulator Roskomnadzor former presidential couple to that is built on “fabricated ast-food chain working on ways to prevent said: ‘The government took
justified the measure as be jailed simultaneously over accusations and driven by a McDonald’s Japan has such a situation from happen- minimal credible steps or
necessary for fighting criminal allegations. clear political vendetta”. cancelled a Happy Meal ing again. action to identify and punish
crime, saying "according to campaign that came with Collecting Pokemon cards is officials who committed
law enforcement agencies coveted Pokemon cards, popular among adults and human rights abuses.”
and numerous appeals apologising after resellers children in many places, with On Pakistan, it added: “The
from citizens, foreign 4-day op kills 50 ultras in Balochistan rushed to buy the meals and the most popular cards selling government rarely took
messengers Telegram and Islamabad: Pakistani forces have killed 50 ultras in a 4-day then discarded the food, leav- for $1,000 or more. credible steps to identify and
WhatsApp have become operation in the border region of troubled Balochistan. ing trash outside stores. Limited edition and mint punish officials who com-
the main voice services The members of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan The meals, called Happy Japanese media reports. longtime philosophy that we condition Pokémon cards can mitted human rights abuses.”
used to deceive and extort were targeted from Aug 7 to 11 at Sambaza in Zhob along the Sets in Japan, were meant for Mounds of wasted food have cherished as a restaurant fetch hundreds of dollars on Indian and Pakistani
money, and to involve border with Afghanistan, the Army said. children. They came with a toy, were found near the stores. to ‘offer a fun dining experi- the resale and collectibles embassies in Washington had
Russian citizens in Separately, 9 security men, including an officer, were killed such as a tiny plastic Pikachu, “We do not believe in aban- ence for children and families.’ market, driving many to pur- no immediate comment on
sabotage and terrorist and 6 injured when their convoy was ambushed in Washuk bor- and a Pokemon card. They doning and discarding food. We sincerely accept that our chase the cards as a specu- the report which docu-
activities." dering Iran, the Dawn said. —PTI sold out in a day, according to This situation goes against our preparations had not been lative alternative investment. mented instances in 2024.
 B ite
"He is a very good captain. It's not like he is a new captain. He has
already been an IPL captain for a couple of years, which is a big
platform. That experience does count,"
- Akash Deep, India pacer, on Shubman Gill
www.freepressjournal.in/sports
games Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025

GREENLIGHT | Top
Briefs officials say Games ‘Sports Bill to Akash Deep
be in effect in
MUMBAI to include all
6 months’ credits Gambhir
Powar to ‘medal earning’
coach West sports New Delhi: Its passage
through Parliament
for strong backing
Zone team achieved smoothly, the
India pacer feels head coach
landmark National Sports
believed in him more than himself
IOA
Governance Bill will be
implemented within the
next six months and pre- PTI
paratory work like "draft- NEW DELHI

APPROVES
ing of rules and identifica-
tion of infrastructure" has A coach who believed in him
already started, Sports more than himself, a captain
Minister Mansukh who supported when the
Mandaviya told PTI on chips were down and condi-

INDIA'S
Former Mumbai batter Wednesday. tions that felt more like home
Kiran Powar was on In his first interview than away -- Indian pacer
Wednesday named the after the passing of the bill Akash Deep says his maiden
head coach of the West in both houses, but impactful tour of England

CWG BID
Zone squad for the Duleep Mandaviya also justified was rather smooth.
Trophy, which begins on as "standard safeguard" A 10-wicket match-haul in
August 28 in Bengaluru. the bill's provision that one game and a very impor-
The tournament, which will gives government discre- tant half-century in another,
be played in the zonal tionary power to "impose both in winning causes,
format once again this PTI reasonable restrictions" summed up Akash Deep's
season, will be held at the NEW DELHI on international partici- performance that has made
Gautam bhai is a
BCCI Centre of Excellence pation of Indian teams him an overnight star but he
grounds in Bengaluru with The Indian Olympic and individual athletes can't forget what head coach very passionate
North Zone taking on East Association (IOA) on under "extraordinary cir- Gautam Gambhir told him coach. He always
Zone in the first match. Wednesday formally cumstances". after his 66 at the Oval. motivates us. He
Former Gujarat approved the country's bid to "This bill will be imple- "Tumko khud pata nahi believes in me
wicketkeeper-batter Pallav host the 2030 Commonwealth mented as soon as poss- tum kya kar sakte ho (You are-
Vora has been named the Games during its Special "The ible. Within the next six n't aware of your capabilities).
more than I
assistant coach. The other General Meeting (SGM) here 2030 CWG months, all procedures 'See, I was telling you, you can believe in myself,
appointments, conveyed by with its top officials saying will be a full- will be completed to do it. You have to play with both in my batting
Mumbai Cricket that India would host an fledged Games. We ensure 100 per cent this dedication always'," the and bowling
Association, are of Dr "inclusive" edition featuring I am happy that will have all the sports we implementation," 29-year-old recollected in an
Akash Deep
Jaydev Pandya as all "medal-earning" sports.
all are together are good at and have a chance Mandaviya said in the interview to PTI.
physiotherapist, Mahesh India has already submitted ton, wrestling and shooting of winning maximum exclusive interaction at his "Gautam bhai is a very India pacer
Patil as strength and an Expression of Interest for and it was a have been left out citing the medals," said Executive residence. passionate coach. He always
conditioning coach, the 2030 CWG with unanimous cost factor. Council member Rohit Rajpal. The passing of the bill motivates us. He believes in
Pradipsinh Champavat as Ahmedabad as the host city. decision and our With Canada having pulled "There are three groups of makes India the 21st me more than I believe in for the first time. He's very
the team's analyst and But the nation will have to preparations will out of the race, India's chances sports. First is core sports of country to have a sports myself, both in my batting and supportive.”
Aakash Chaudhary as its submit the proposals for the of getting the 2030 CWG have the Commonwealth Games law. bowling," he gushed after hav- When a captain supports
masseur. Datta Mithbavkar final bid before the August 31
go ahead. We brightened. which are always there, then Implementation of its ing earned the vote of confi- you and understands things
will be the team manager. deadline. can't just tell "The plan is to have all our are sports which the host most significant provi- dence from his coach. well, especially when you are
IOA President P T Usha whether medal-earning sports like nation can choose and the sions would require the Having made his Test debut down, it makes a big differ-
said along with Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad is shooting, archery, wrestling third one are the additional setting up of a National under Rohit Sharma and now ence.
NEW DELHI 2010 host Delhi and etc. Our traditional sports like sports. Sports Board (NSB), playing under Shubman Gill, "I have played Duleep
the host city
SC cancels Bhubaneswar will also be kabaddi, and kho kho should "The 2030 will be an inclus- which would provide the adjustment has been easy Trophy under his captaincy
PT Usha
bail to Sushil considered.
"I am happy that all are IOA President
also be there," IOA joint secre-
tary Kalyan Chaubey said.
ive Games and will feature our
traditional and indigenous
affiliation to National
Sports Federations (NSFs),
for the Bengal speedster, who
terms the new skipper as
last year so it wasn't the first
time. He is a cool customer
Kumar together and it was a unani- A team of officials from sports also," Rajpal added. a National Sports Tribunal someone who is calm yet with a lot of ideas and when
mous decision and our prep- Commonwealth Sport, led by The General Assembly of (NST) for dispute resol- brimming with on-field ideas. someone is calm, it helps in
arations will go ahead. We its Director of Games Darren Commonwealth Sport will ution and a National "He is a very good captain. taking good on-field deci-
can't just tell whether a scaled down Games because Hall, recently visited decide the host country in the Sports Election Panel It's not like he is a new cap- sions," Akash Deep explained.
Ahmedabad is the host city. of circumstances. If we get Ahmedabad to inspect the last week of November in (NSEP) to oversee NSF tain. He has already been an Although it was his first
We have good facilities in 2030 CWG, it will be full venues and meet Gujarat gov- Glasgow. India has previously elections. IPL captain for a couple of time in England, Akash Deep,
Bhubaneswar and even in fledged one just like we did in ernment officials. hosted the 2010 edition of the "Creation of posts and years, which is a big platform. for the better part of the
Delhi also," Usha said after the 2010," she added, referring to A bigger delegation of multi-sport event in Delhi. other administrative That experience does count," series, felt that he was playing
SGM that lasted just over half the pruned roster of the 2026 Commonwealth Sport is The SGM was preceded by approvals will follow he said. on sub-continental tracks
an hour. Glasgow edition where major expected to be in the city later the Executive Council meet- established procedures.” "With Shubman as captain, with negligible movement for
"The 2026 Glasgow CWG is sports like hockey, badmin- this month. ing in the morning. I didn't feel like I was playing quick bowlers.
The Supreme Court on
Wednesday cancelled bail
to Olympic medallist
Sushil Kumar in the
murder case of former
junior national wrestling
Olympicveer Khashaba Bhutia feels sorry for Jamil
champion Sagar Dhankar
at the Chhatrasal Stadium
in the national capital. A
Jadhav Sports Festival begins Former India captain feels Khalid is taking charge in a difficult situation
bench of justices Sanjay Organised in memory of Ahilyadevi Holkar, the event PTI
Karol and Prashant Kumar
aims to keep Indian culture and traditions alive
NEW DELHI Jamil has
Mishra set aside the March
4 order of the Delhi High Former India captain signed two
Court granting bail to the FPJ News Service Bhaichung Bhutia feels "sorry" year contract
wrestler. The wrestler has MUMBAI for Khalid Jamil, who has
been asked to surrender taken charge of the national PTI
within a week. The top Under the initiative of Skill football team at a time when NEW DELHI
court's order came on an Development Minister the sport is going through a
appeal filed by Ashok Mangal Prabhat Lodha and difficult phase in the country The All India Football
Dhankar, father of Sagar the guidance of Chief Minister and said the AIFF preferred Federation (AIFF) on
Dhankar, challenging the Devendra Fadnavis, the him because he is unlikely to Wednesday said Khalid
order passed by the Delhi 'Olympicveer Khashaba make too many demands. Jamil has taken charge of
HC granting bail to Kumar. Jadhav Paramparik Krida Jamil, who replaced the senior men's team on
Kumar and others are Mahakumbha' began on Spaniard Manolo Marquez, a full-time basis for a
accused of fatally Wednesday in Kurla, became the first Indian in 13 period of two years with
assaulting Sagar Dhankar Mumbai. years to be appointed as head an option to extend his
in May 2021 over an Organised in memory of coach of the senior national contract by one year
alleged property dispute. Punyashlok Ahilyadevi team. depending on results.
Holkar, the event aims to keep make them more advanced. asm of the participating "We have got two world The AIFF said Jamil has
the culture and traditions From district level to state players. Adding special sig- class coaches leaving, we have domestic coach fits into that situation that we don't have signed the contract after
MUMBAI alive, Minister Lodha stated. level and to other states too. nificance to the occasion will got Igor Stimac who coached as he is fairly new to the team. money to pay to the coaches parting ways with ISL
Morris bets The ground of Jam Saheb We have to ensure that our be the presence of Ranjit the Croatian team, and then (Feel) sorry for him as well as as well. team Jamshedpur FC.
big on Brevis, Mukadam Government
Industrial Training Institute in
traditional games are being
played in more and more
Jadhav, son of Olympian
Khashaba Jadhav. From
Manolo Marquez who is one
of the great coaches with
he is taking charge of the team
when it's in a very difficult
"There are coaches who are
national team coaches, and
Jamil will begin his first
training camp on August
Mphaka Kurla has been reserved states. All we have to do is plan August 13 to August 22, great history," Bhutia told PTI situation," he added. they are being paid by the 15 at the Dravid-Padukone
exclusively for indigenous and on how to take them for- Mumbaikars will witness the Videos after the Fidel Castro Jamil was chosen ahead of other people, so, I don't know Centre for Sports
traditional sports. During the ward." thrill of traditional games. Centenary Football Cup's Stephen Constantine and where all the money's gone Excellence in Bengaluru.
same ceremony, the ground The Sports Mahakumbh Minister Lodha recalled exhibition match. Stefan Tarkovic. and there are scam after The former Mumbai FC
will be named and inaugur- will be inaugurated and the that Punyashlok Ahilyadevi "If these two coaches could- Taking aim at AIFF presi- scam." Chaubey had coach’s first assignment
ated as Punyashlok Ahilyadevi ground dedicated under the Holkar’s contribution to the n't work with the federation, dent Kalyan Chaubey, Bhutia recently admitted that club with the Blue Tigers will
Holkar Indigenous Sports chairmanship of State preservation of culture can then you bring people who said: "For Kalyan, he is the football is "going through cri- be the CAFA Nations Cup,
Ground. When asked about Minister for Sports and Youth never be forgotten. will listen and will do what right guys because Indian sis" due to the uncertainty where India will face
the tournament, an official of Welfare Shri Manikrao Preserving the cultural heri- Federations says and will not coaches do not demand surrounding the Indian Super hosts Tajikistan (August
Krida Bharti told The Free Kokate. Through a video tage she passed on is our duty. come up with his own ideas much. At the same time he is League, while attributing the 29), Iran (September 1)
With the SA20 Season 4 Press Journal: message, Chief Minister This Mahakumbh is being and demands from the feder- saying that there are financial situation to "some self- and Afghanistan
Player Auction just around "The games we organize Devendra Fadnavis stated it organised in the name of ation. problems and today the feder- claimed reformers with (September 4) in Group B.
the corner, former Proteas are traditional. We need to will further boost the enthusi- Olympian Khashaba Jadhav. "I think Jamil being a ation has gone into such a bad vested interests".
all-rounder Chris Morris
has shared his thoughts on
what promises to be the
ladder
Rohit rises to No 2 in ICC ODI rankings, Kohli at fourth
league’s most competitive
auction yet. Known for his
sharp cricketing insights
and understanding of team
strategies, Morris believes PTI Pakistani slipped to No. 3 the Indian team's tour of points after smashing a rec- batters from Australia and
this year’s dynamics will DUBAI after a string of low scores in England but have expressed ord-breaking fifth century in South Africa have been the
make for fascinating the recently-concluded ODI their willingness to carry on the tournament. big winners and reached
viewing. Speaking to Amid the chatter around his series against the West in the 50-over game. Rohit and Kohli last new career-high ratings fol-
SuperSport ahead of the future in international Indies in the Caribbean. The two star batters might appeared in ODIs during lowing the latest update to
Season 4 auction, former cricket, Indian maestro With 756 rating points be seen in action in the India's victorious Champions the T20I rankings.
Proteas all-rounder Chris Rohit Sharma has risen to Rohit sits just behind India's three-match ODI series Trophy campaign in the UAE Tim David is the leading
Morris shared his the number two spot in the Test captain Shubman Gill against Australia in October, earlier this year. run-scorer across the open-
excitement and early latest ICC ODI rankings for (784), who has retained the and have started training to India currently boast five ing two matches of the T20I
observations: "The auction batters released on No. 1 position in the rank- get back in the groove. players in the top 15 of the series between Australia and
is always exciting, no matter Wednesday. ings. One of the all-time greats men's ODI batting rankings, South Africa and the hard-
the tournament, but SA20 is The 38-year-old Rohit, Former captain Virat of the ODI game along with with Shreyas Iyer in eighth hitting right-hander has
the big one, with most of the who has not played any com- Kohli held the fourth posi- his longtime India teammate place and KL Rahul in 15th improved six spots to 10th
players back in the pool. petitive cricket since the tion with 736 points. Kohli, Rohit attained his position. overall. Teammate Cameron
There have been a lot of 2025 IPL season, dethroned Both Rohit and Kohli had career-best ranking points Australia and South Africa Green also gained six spots
retentions and several wild Babar Azam while moving a announced their retirement during the 2019 World Cup batters make gains to rise to 17th, while Dewald
cards picked up.” place up even as the from the Test format before when he accumulated 882 Meanwhile, in-form Brevis is the big winner.

Printed and Published by Girdharlal Lakhotia for the Proprietors, Indian National Press (Bombay) P. Ltd., at Journal Press, Free Press House, Free Press Journal Marg, 215, Nariman Point, Mumbai-400 021. Tel: 69028000, Advt. Dept. 69028026. E-mail: mail@fpj.co.in • OFFICE: Indore: 3/54, Press Complex, A. B. Road, Indore-452 008, Tel: 2555111-2, Fax: 2558555,
New Delhi: 1/8 INS Bldg., Rafi Marg, New Delhi-110 001; Tel.: 23718853; Kolkata: Tel.: 22875645; Chennai: Tel: 28217766; Bhopal: Tel: 2660570, 4271345. Transportation charges Rs. 2.00 only. Managing Editor: Girdharlal Lakhotia. Editor: V Sudarshan. Reg. No. MCS/048/2021-23; RNI No. 1541/1957
 games www.freepressjournal.in/sports
Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025

PRO KABADDI | Best Raider of PKL 11, Dalal, wants to take his Lavanya nets
Briefs new franchise Bengal Warriorz into Season 12 playoffs four in Carmel Leopards fall
of Joseph’s to Panthers
Top Indian buy Devank
CHENGDU (CHINA)
Heartbreak massive win
for Arora in Hubtown Panorama wins 13-11 in
bronze playoff
vows to step up his game
FPJ News Service
MUMBAI World Padel League Season 3
Lavanya Patil netted four
Irfan Haji goals as Carmel of St. Joseph
MUMBAI (Orlem) blanked Jankidevi
Public School Andheri 6-0 in
Devank Dalal was the top pick the Girls Under-16 Division II
for Bengal Warriorz in the match of the Dream Sports
Season 12 ProKabaddi League MSSA Inter School Football
auction this year. The fran- Tournament held at Wings
chise had failed to reach Sports Centre Bandra (West)
India’s Shivam Arora, the playoffs in the last season and on Wednesday.
world No. 5, suffered a they bolstered their squad by Lavanya scored the first
heart-breaking loss in the snapping Dalal for `2.205 four goals to put Carmel of St.
mixed heyball bronze crore, making him the most Joseph in the drivers seat. She
medal playoff at the World expensive Indian player at the scored as early as in the sec-
Games on Wednesday. In a auction. ond minute and doubled it
match of small margins, However, Dalal who won four minutes later. Lavanya
Arora, after being 2-1 up, best raider of the Season 11 completed her hat-trick in
lost 4-5 to giant-killer Tang award and played key role in the 17th minute and scored
Chunxiao of China. The 38- Patna Pirates run into final another goal four minutes
year-old Arora had lost 3-5 before losing to Haryana later. Natty Dsouza and
to another Chinese cueist, Steelers, wants to pay back the Harshita Keni scored the fifth Enri Goenaga gave Hubtown Panorama Panthers a
Zhang Taiyi, in the faith shown by his new fran- and sixth goal. sound start with Sanyo Gutierrez in men’s doubles.
semifinals in the morning. chise. He ended the last sea- Sarah Dsouza scored a
Arora was a trifle off-colour son with 301 points which Bengal Warriorz’ Devank Dalal working on raids at NMSA Club, Vashi on Wednesday. brace in another match as FPJ News Service Final Result:
on the day, missing a few included 18 Super 10s. He Gopal Sharma Int. Powai MUMBAI Hubtown Panorama
shots at crucial times to wants to do better that per- the team to reach playoffs and From Singh Pura Kurud steamrolled Gokuldham Panthers def. Vedanta
give his opponent a look-in. formance this season. give it all to win the title.” near Rohtak in Haryana, Dalal School (Goregaon) 4-0. Prity The Hubtown Panorama Leopards (13-11 in total
“I want to avoid last season The 23-year-old’s multifa- travelled hard yards before Roy and Priya Patel scored Panthers edged past the games)
mistakes and perform better. I ceted skill set, height, speed I want to help the getting picked by army and the third and fourth goals for Vedanta Leopards in a thril-
MUMBAI
have worked on new skills and instant decision ability being posted as Havaldar in the Powai school. ling encounter on Day 2 of the
Karina, Yashi with Bengal Warriorz coach makes him top player to
team to reach New Delhi. He started playing Dhirubhai Ambani Int. World Padel League Season 3. Riera 6-1, briefly putting the
playoffs and give it
in U-19 finals, (Naveen Kumar). We have a
good team combination and
watch for Bengal Warriorz.
The PKL 12 starts on August all to win the title.
for Services team and was first
scouted by Jaipur Pink
(BKC) registered an impres-
sive 2-0 win over St. Joseph
The Panthers started
strong as Enri Goenaga and
Leopards ahead 8-7 in total
games.
stun top seeds and have jelled well during 29 while Bengal Warriorz Panthers in PKL 9. A fractured sec. (Orlem). Eamika Khanna Daniel Santigosa dominated However, the Panthers
training sessions,” said Dalal start there campaign in Vizag Devank Dalal skull sustained during train- and Eva Gupta were on target Sanyo Gutierrez and Javi G roared back in the decider.
Bengal Warriorz Raider
to FPJ during an interaction at on August 31 against defend- ing forced him to miss the to give Dhirubhai Ambani Mora with a commanding 6-2 Daniel Santigosa returned,
Navi Mumbai Sports ing champions Haryana PKL 10. He came back school a good win. win in the opening men’s this time partnering with
Association Club, Vashi on Steelers. good team and drafted a good strongly in PKL 11 and wants In other matches, doubles set. Alex Arroyo, to clinch the
Wednesday. The franchise has His new teammates Nitesh raider so we are hoping for to go places now. Shishuvan School (Matunga) The Leopards responded in final set 6-3 against Jairo
been been training at the Kumar and Mayur Kadam, the best,” said Kumar. “The “My aim is to play for the defeated Billabong Int. style in the second set with a Bautista and Ignacio Piotto.
venue from two months. both defenders, are also hop- team looks in good shape and national team and am target- (Mulund) 1-0. Shindewadi powerful performance from Arroyo’s brilliance proved
“My fans increased after ing that they can qualify for we have a good combination ing Asian Games next year. Mumbai Public School Tamara Icardo and Marta decisive as the Panthers
last season performances playoffs and become cham- by bolstering raiding depart- My ultimate goal is to win gold (Dadar) defeated The Ortega, who overpowered sealed the match with a 13-11
which felt good. I want to help pions this season. “We have a ment,” Kadam said. for India,” Dalal signed off. Somaiya Vidyavihar 1-0. Julieta Bidahorria and Virgi overall games win.
Karina Phipps played
steadily to register a
deserving 3-1 (11-8, 16-14,
PPL S2
7-11, 12-10) victory against
second seed Aryaa
Dwivedi in a girls’ under-19
semifinal match of the
Kimkima, 16, wins hearts and player of the day award
Silver Scent-48th Bombay FPJ News Service ning the player of the day the 65+ kg division, where Debnath of Rohtak Rowdies hence won five extra points
Gymkhana Maharashtra GWALIOR after a dominant display Rohtak Rowdies’ Nirmal Devi winning both the bonus for his side and winning the
State Open Squash against Vikram Sekhawat of secured a commanding 2-0 points and the challenger tie. Kiraak won the fixture
Championship 2025 on Kiraak Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Muscle. Kiraak win over Jincy Jose of Kiraak round. Rowdies responded 18-12.
Wednesday. Top seed Rohtak Rowdies in a tight Hyderabad’s Stewe Thomas Hyderabad. in the 100 kg division as star The Main Card Fixture 2
Ananya Narayan also contest to become the first won the Bullet Badshaho ka In the specially-abled cat- player Dara Singh out- opened with a dominant per-
bowed out, losing to Yashi team to cross 100 points and Badshah award for his stellar egory, Srinivas BV kept the muscled Amit Singh for a 4-1 formance from Kimkima
Jain in four games 13-15, maintain their gap on top of flash-pin against Manoj Rowdies’ winning run going win. The 90 kg bout closed who swept aside Mumbai
11-6, 6-11, 7-11. In the boys’ the Pro Panja League Season Debnath of Rohtak Rowdies. with a composed 2-0 the fixture on a high for Muscle’s Vikram Sekhawat
U-19 semifinals, Rachit 2 standings. Home team MP In Undercard Fixture 1, triumph against Chandan Kiraak Hyderabad, with 10-0 in the 100+ kg category.
Shah defeated Aatik Yadav Hathodas turned its tide Kiraak Hyderabad opened Kumar Behera. Siddharth Malakar overcom- Despite being the youngest
11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, while around by defeating Mumbai strongly in the 65 kg The Main Card Fixture 1 ing Pranjit Saikia of Rohtak player of the league,
Purav Rambhia overcame Muscle with a massive mar- Women’s category as began with Kiraak Rowdies 6-3 in a highly Kimkima showed great class
Udit Mishra 11-7, 11-3, 11-5. gin of 25-7. Madhura KN defeated Hyderabad prevailing in the entertaining contest. in winning all three rounds
Vasundhara Nangare set On the ninth day, 16-year- Rohtak Rowdies’ Ribasuk 70 kg category, where Stewe Siddharth did well to and the challenger round to
up girls U-17 final with old Kimkima of Hathodas Lyngdoh Mawphlang 2-0. Thomas enjoyed a dominant defend and hold his ground claim crucial points for MP Youngest player of the league (R) Kimkima wins hearts
Aarika Mishra. stole the spotlight by win- The momentum shifted in 10-0 win over Manoj in the challenger round and Hathodas. s in Day 9 events of Pro Panja League.

Crossword #1593 YOUR DAY By Vinayak Vishwas Karandikar

ARIES: Today is the day to focus on studies and career. LIBRA: Today is the day to travel, study, and enjoy. Expect
Understanding
Expect expenditure on houses, vehicles, advertising,
communication, or health. People in education, the
expenditure on travel, education, or entertainment.
People in tourism, law, marketing, the entertainment Janmashtami’s Real Essence
automobile sector, publication, and communications will industry, and communications will benefit. You may go on
benefit. Your mother may have health issues. A family a long journey or attend a religious activity. Some people Rajyogi Brahma Kumar Nikunj Ji
dispute is indicated. Some people may suffer from throat pain, nerve may suffer from throat pain, foot pain, or bronchitis. Lucky no.: 6; Lucky

L
disease, skin problems, or ear infections. Lucky no.: 9; Lucky colour: Red colour: Pink ord Krishna, the eternal and ever- ness. Likewise, the story of Krishna bring-
TAURUS: Today is the day to enjoy, entertain, and SCORPIO: Today, gains are connected with some losses. green deity, has been the most enig- ing about a great war is not a literal call to
communicate. Expect expenditure on children, Expenses related to education, travel, or premium matic figure of our ancient mythol- violence but an allegory for man’s fight
entertainment, travel, or communication. People in services are indicated. People in networking, the occult, ogy. So much has been written about Him against inner demons—the deep-rooted
networking, journalism, the entertainment sector, and the research, and journalism will benefit. Ill health of, or a
share market will benefit. Enjoyment with family is dispute with, your father is indicated. Some people may over the centuries that one wonders, vices.
indicated. Some people may suffer from throat infections. Lucky no.: 6; suffer from skin problems, asthma, or coughs. Lucky no.: 9; Lucky despite all the research, why no one has Given this spiritual interpretation, the
Lucky colour: Pink colour: Red understood Him fully. True believers see contradictions in God’s attributes disap-
GEMINI: Today is the day to study and do household SAGITTARIUS: Today is the day to struggle and suffer Krishna as an ocean of knowledge, peace, pear.
activities. Expect expenditure on education, vehicles, or losses. Expect expenditure related to premium services, bliss, and love, who is supremely pure and From a more pragmatic perspective we
family needs. People in education, communications, businesses, or spouses. People in insurance, the literary
publication, and courier services will get success. A good field, publication, research, and the occult will get success. benevolent. They also believe these should understand that ‘Krishna’ is an
family time is indicated. Some people may suffer from A dispute among family members is indicated. Some qualities are not contradictory. For attributive name of God Himself,
throat infections, toothaches, eye issues, or breathing problems. Lucky people may suffer from throat problems, dysentery, or indigestion. Lucky instance, if God uses His who, in the ‘night of deep
no.: 5; Lucky colour: Green no.: 3; Lucky colour: Yellow
power, it should never be for ignorance’, works through a
CANCER: Today is the day to travel, invest, spend and CAPRICORN: Today is the day to travel and take care of a violent act; otherwise, it human medium.
suffer loss. Expect expenditure on health, communication, your health. Expenses related to businesses, spouses, would conflict with His Who then was the
or travel. People in journalism, tourism, the literary field, travel, or health are indicated. People in the medical field, guiding
and the occult will get success. Travel with family communications, publication, and media will benefit. peaceful and loving nature. Krishna with the peacock
members is indicated. Some people may suffer from
coughs and colds, throat pain, or breathing issues. Lucky no.: 2; Lucky
Married people may face a dispute with their spouses.
Some people may suffer from throat pain, bronchitis, or skin problems.
Thus, accounts of war and Light crown? He was the first
violence attributed to Krishna crown prince of Bharat. His
colour: Silver Lucky no.: 8; Lucky colour: Blue
trouble those who believe in abso- crown signified sovereignty; the
LEO: Today you will get returns on your investments. AQUARIUS: Today is the day to enjoy and take care of your
Across Down Expect expenditure related to travel, medical needs, or health. Expect expenditure on children, health,
lute non-violence. Similarly, the romantic peacock feather symbolises purity. As
1 Departed or missing 1 Spiritual teacher investments. People in finance, banking, entertainment, or sports. People in the entertainment tales about Him, though reflecting divine often happens, people began to revere this
5 Ruth's husband in the Old 2 ___ minded : accessible communications, consultancy, and tourism will benefit. industry, the medical field, sports, and communications will love, are often seen as inconsistent with great and virtuous man as God. But in
Testament to new ideas ? You may enjoy a long journey with family. Some people benefit. A dispute among family members is indicated. purity. This is why some refuse to accept truth, God is the Supreme Almighty—a
9 Little Abraham 3 Theatrical Coward may suffer from skin problems, throat pain, or coughs. Lucky no.: 1; Some people may suffer from bronchitis, throat pain, or skin problems.
Krishna’s divinity, while others embrace it self-luminous entity beyond birth and
12 Once ___ a time... : a fairy tale 4 Bore or tolerated Lucky colour: Orange Lucky no.: 8; Lucky colour: Black
wholeheartedly. Devotees who adore Him death. So, let us, therefore, celebrate
beginning ? 5 Male deer VIRGO: Today is the day to focus on your career. You will PISCES: Today is the day to enjoy, study, and do business.
13 ____ player : not among the top agree He was one of God’s incarnations, Janmashtami in its truest sense by under-
6 Sole not depend on others. Expect expenditure on advertising, Expect expenditure on entertainment, vehicles, studies, or
yet add that He was, in fact, God Himself. standing the divine qualities of Lord
sixteen in a tournament? 7 As sweet __ _ rose? (2,1) communication, personality development, or health. houses. People in the entertainment industry, education,
15 Grass 8 Gentle breeze
People in advertising, communications, and publication will journalism, and publication will benefit. Those in Over time, the meaning of Krishna’s life Krishna and claiming our godly birthright
16 Balderdash 9 An arm of the
benefit. It will be difficult for you today to spend time with
your family due to job responsibilities. Some people may suffer from
relationships can tie the knot. Married couples can enjoy a
romantic date. Some people may suffer from coughs or asthma. Lucky
stories has changed. For example, the of heaven. (nikunjji@gmail.com ---
17 Ill-fated Mediterranean sea bronchitis or knee pain. Lucky no.: 5; Lucky colour: Green no.: 3; Lucky colour: Yellow account of Krishna stealing the gopis’ www.brahmakumaris.com)
19 They need combing! 10 Tolerate patiently? (4,4) clothes is often taken literally today, Writer is a spiritual educator and popular
20 ___ and Garba : Navratri 11 Computer capability for FPJ - SUDOKU - 484 though its spiritual meaning is that God columnist for publications across India, Nepal
entertainment? short frees His devotees from body-conscious-
and UK. To Date 9000+ Published Columns
21 Private rules for a town (2-4) have been written by him.
14 And others, in Latin (2,2)
23 Clean with a broom 18 Headgear
26 Rocky eminence 21 What a fiddler needs
27 A small black bird
28 It enables you to get a grip on along with his violin?
things 22 Eye complaint
29 Pledge 23 Branch of Islam
30 Urban area 24 Strolled
31 Indian National Theatre, in short 25 Viscera
32 Vitality 26 Male cat
33 A strip or pleated or frilled lawn 29 French wine
or lace 30 Clubs
34 The name of the only English Pope 32 Disappear
36 Ancient or aged 33 Literary monogram
37 Bring in as income or interest 35 1963 Shirley MacLaine
38 Revulsion role WHAT TO DO: Fill in the grid so that every row, every
42 Felon 36 Greased column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.
44 __ Deol : Dharmendra's daughter 38 Irish parliament Every puzzle has only one correct solution.
45 Haile ___ : Emperor of Ethiopia 39 Applications
till 1977 40 Footwear Solution
46 Exodus author __ Uris 41 Darkens or blackens? 40 Shoe, 41 Tans, 42 CST, 43 NSE. 45 Selassie, 46 Leon, 47 TDS, 48 Held, 49 SSEs.
47 Tax deducted at source, in short 42 VT now 30 Cudgels, 32 Vanish, 33 RLS, 35 Irma, 36 Oiled, 38 Dail, 39 Uses, 34 Adrian, 36 Old, 37 Earn, 38 Disgust, 42 Criminal, 44 Esha,

48 Gripped tightly or firmly to? 43 BSE alternative for share

22 Stye, 23 Shia, 24 Wandered, 25 Entrails, 26 Tom, 29 Vin, 26 Tor, 27 Tit, 28 Hand, 29 Vow, 30 City, 31 Int, 32 Vim, 33 Ruche,
8 Zephyr, 9 Adriatic, 10 Bear with, 11 EDP, 14 Et al, 18 Cap, 21 Bow, 16 Claptrap, 17 Unlucky, 19 Hair, 20 Ras, 21 By-laws, 23 Sweep,
49 Nav. readings traders Down: 1 Guru, 2 Open, 3 Noel, 4 Endured, 5 Bucks, 6 Only, 7 As a, Across: 1 Gone, 5 Boaz, 9 Abe, 12 Upon, 13 Unseeded, 15 Reed,
 freepressjournal.in CLICK ON PUZZLES TO PLAY Puzzles
Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025

Crossword #1593

Across 29 Pledge Down 21 What a fiddler

1 Departed or missing 30 Urban area 1 Spiritual teacher needs along with
5 Ruth's husband in the 31 Indian National 2 ___ minded : his violin?
Old Testament Theatre, in short accessible to new 22 Eye complaint
9 Little Abraham 32 Vitality ideas ? 23 Branch of Islam
12 Once ___ a time... : a 33 A strip or pleated or 3 Theatrical 24 Strolled
fairy tale beginning ? frilled lawn or lace Coward 25 Viscera
What is this phrase? 13 ____ player : not
among the top
34 The name of the only
English Pope
4 Bore or tolerated 26 Male cat
Riddler

5 Male deer 29 French wine

19 1 6 5 20 25 sixteen in a
tournament?
36 Ancient or aged
37 Bring in as income or
6 Sole 30 Clubs
spell SAFETY. 7 As sweet __ _ 32 Disappear
15 Grass interest
Safety in numbers. [A=1, B=2, etc.] The numbers 16 Balderdash 38 Revulsion rose? (2,1) 33 Literary
17 Ill-fated 42 Felon 8 Gentle breeze monogram
Answer:
19 They need combing! 44 __ Deol : 9 An arm of the 35 1963 Shirley
20 ___ and Garba : Dharmendra's Mediterranean MacLaine role
Navratri daughter sea 36 Greased
entertainment? 45 Haile ___ : Emperor 10 Tolerate 38 Irish parliament
21 Private rules for a of Ethiopia till 1977 patiently? (4,4) 39 Applications
town (2-4) 46 Exodus author __ Uris 11 Computer 40 Footwear
23 Clean with a broom 47 Tax deducted at capability for 41 Darkens or
26 Rocky eminence source, in short short blackens?
27 A small black bird 48 Gripped tightly or 14 And others, in 42 VT now
28 It enables you to get firmly to? Latin (2,2) 43 BSE alternative
a grip on things 49 Nav. readings 18 Headgear for share traders

SUDOKU
40 Shoe, 41 Tans, 42 CST, 43 NSE.
35 Irma, 36 Oiled, 38 Dail, 39 Uses,
30 Cudgels, 32 Vanish, 33 RLS,
25 Entrails, 26 Tom, 29 Vin,
22 Stye, 23 Shia, 24 Wandered,
11 EDP, 14 Et al, 18 Cap, 21 Bow,
8 Zephyr, 9 Adriatic, 10 Bear with,
4 Endured, 5 Bucks, 6 Only, 7 As a,

Bookstore
Down: 1 Guru, 2 Open, 3 Noel,
48 Held, 49 SSEs.
Can you find the words connected in one way or the other with the theme indicated by 45 Selassie, 46 Leon, 47 TDS,

the title in today's Word Search?

38 Disgust, 42 Criminal, 44 Esha,
34 Adrian, 36 Old, 37 Earn,
The words may be read horizontally, vertically or diagonally either forwards or 30 City, 31 Int, 32 Vim, 33 Ruche,

backwards, but always in straight lines. Use a ruler to cross them through as you find them.
26 Tor, 27 Tit, 28 Hand, 29 Vow,
20 Ras, 21 By-laws, 23 Sweep,
16 Claptrap, 17 Unlucky, 19 Hair,
12 Upon, 13 Unseeded, 15 Reed,
Across: 1 Gone, 5 Boaz, 9 Abe,

Biography Computer Novels

Bridge Fiction Read
Business Finance Reference
Chess History Register
Children Hobby Religion
Classics Home Sales WHAT TO DO: Fill in the grid
so that every row, every column
Comics Magazines Self Help and every 3x3 box contains the
digits 1 to 9. Every puzzle has
only one correct solution.
 www.freepressjournal.in f itness & sustainability Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025

1 Minimalism equals

Dopamine Décor: Designing understated elegance

Minimalist style is rooted in structure and
clarity. It is about selecting pieces that are crisp,
your home for pure happiness clean, and sorted. Sharp blazers, tailored
trousers, silk slip dresses plain co-ords,
Trupti Palav

Y
and one-tone separates are some of the
Bringing dopamine choices that mirror the “fuss-free” ou don’t need to talk
décor to life appearance. Accessories play an about your aesthetics!
Ria Mukherjee Implementing intentional part in subtle styling. The outfits and accessories
Dopamine Décor in Staples like a fine gold chain, you flaunt echo it silently!

D
your own space can be stone studs, tiny hoops, a Minimalist and maximalist, two
opamine a joyous and rewarding leather tote or neutral flats prominent ways of styling defines how unique your fashion
décor is all process. Here are a few come in handy to accentuate story can be. It is not about which colour you pick or how
about creating tips to get started: the everyday minimalist many accessories you flaunt, but how you curate the
a home that Embrace color: avatar. The style aim is to entire outfit effortlessly. From
makes you Don’t shy away exude elegance and sophistication shapes, structure, pigment to
feel genuinely happy the from bold colors. without shouting. Simplicity is the layering; the dressing shows
moment you walk in. Experiment with core of “clean fashion”! off your personality! Read
It’s a design approach different shades and 2 Maximalism defines on to explore how these
that uses vibrant combinations to find your personality standout style scan
colors, playful patterns, what brings you the There is nothing called ‘excess’ lead you to your
and deeply personal most joy. in maximalist styling. Think vibrant ideal fashion
touches to boost your Mix patterns: colours, busy prints, exaggerated match!
mood - just like the Combine different silhouettes, and interesting textures that
feel-good hormone it’s patterns and textures. echo the maximalist in the loudest way.

Minimalist or maximalist:
named after. Instead Whimsical Florals with stripes, Picture a printed dress layered with
of following rigid style patterns and playful polka dots with belts and beads or a bright-toned co-
rules, dopamine décor elements abstract designs – the ord set matched with stacked jewellery
embraces a joyful mix of Patterns are another key more unexpected, the and oversized sunglasses. Nailing the
furniture, textures, and
sentimental items that
component of Dopamine Décor.
Stripes, polka dots, florals, and
reflect your personality. abstract designs all find their place in
better.
Add playful
maximalist style is pretty simple. Simply
guard the “more is more” style mantra.
But, ensure to keep it complementary
Your guide to dressing at extremes
touches: Look for
The goal? To transform this joyful aesthetic. These patterns can furniture and decor and exciting. There 5 Wear what you feel
4 The blend of two
your living space into be mixed and matched in unexpected items that have a is no restriction over Fashion is pretty flexible! Meaning, you can create your
a celebration of life, Don’t be in just one lane-
ways to add a sense of fun and whimsical or playful how much or how style mood board your way. For example, workwear for
where every corner that’s what modern style teaches
spontaneity to a room. The goal element. Think outside to. Fashion rules Mondays can feature subtlety while Saturday outings can be
sparks positivity and you! Those who love fashion
is to create visual interest and the box & choose pieces take a backseat made for splash and sequins. You can evolve your aesthetics
comfort. should experiment with both
a sense of delight through that make you smile. here. It is daily, depending on occasion, mood, or inspiration. The
aesthetics. For example, an
surprising and delightful Personalize your replaced by your aim should be not to stick to just one set of fashion rules
The power of color all-black pantsuit can instantly
combinations. space: Incorporate instinct and swag. but to be ‘fashionably curious’. Whether you are feeling
At the heart of add funk with shocking pink
items that reflect Think of maximalism as a powerful in neutrals or keeping it flamboyant with
Dopamine Décor are heels. Or a psychedelic
The appeal of joyful spaces your personality and creative canvas where the skirt can be matched with colourful kaftan with tassels, tell your story that’s
bold, vibrant colors.
The appeal of Dopamine interests. This could be wardrobe works as paint! a plain white shirt and unapologetically yours!
Unlike the subdued
tones of minimalist or Décor lies in its ability to make anything from artwork plain, neutral wedges
monochromatic schemes, every day feel like a celebration. to travel souvenirs to 3 Accessories mirror your aesthetic or block sandals. 6 Confidence is your
this trend embraces the In a world where stress and family heirlooms. Minimal or maximal, accessories make This high-low ultimate accessory
full spectrum of the color anxiety are commonplace, having Focus on fun: the ‘must-have’ finishing touch to accentuate style approach Whether you lean
wheel. Bright yellows, a home environment that fosters Remember that your panache. A minimalist might flaunt a appears versatile minimalist, maximalist, or
electric blues, vivid reds, happiness and relaxation Dopamine Décor is single statement ring or a chic bag to perfect and fashion- somewhere in between,
and lush greens are all is invaluable. This all about fun and the well-tailored look. A maximalist will forward. The idea nothing elevates an outfit
welcome. These colors trend acknowledges positivity. Let mostly use accessories as focal points. For is to let either of more than how you carry it.
are used not just on walls, the importance of your creativity instance, layered neckpieces, stackable rings, your ensemble Clothes and accessories set
but in furniture, artwork, our surroundings run wild and sequined clutches, sparkly heels, and dramatic or accessories steal the stage, but posture, energy,
and even everyday items in shaping our enjoy the sunglasses will elevate the playful appearance of the spotlight, never both and self-assurance complete
like kitchen appliances moods and seeks process of those who love everything ‘dramatic’. Cohesion is at once. A chic minimalist the look. Confidence makes a
or textiles. The result is to create spaces designing pretty important when styling with accessories. The base offers space for minimalist outfit effortlessly
a lively, dynamic space that nourish our a space that add-ons should reflect your outfit’s vibe and not maximalist accessories to shine, chic and a maximalist one
that feels like a breath of emotional well- makes you clash with it. Simply put, in minimalist, accessories while both clothing match well artfully bold. Wear what feels good,
fresh air. being. happy. refine. In maximalism, accessories elevate! with understated accents! and make style your own.

Why should you

Irritable bowel syndrome

Padmapreetham
The importance of rich fibre
foods is that they try to guard Post-workout tips
consume fiber rich food
against illness. It has the power Denise Baptiste
for quick recovery
Mahalingam
to ease the symptoms such as

E
irritable bowel syndrome. It keeps

E
control of your digestive system. xercise boosts
ating fibre is crucial Maintain bowel health Omega-3 fatty acids Good amount of healthy
Moreover people suffering from your mood,
for good health, found Fibre diet manages to Besides protein, you protein
gastroesophageal reflux disease, enhances
in fruits, veggies, lower the risk of building up should also stock up on Taking adequate amounts
which causes heartburn, should sleep and
and whole grains. hemorrhoids and also small, omega-3 fatty acids that of healthy protein is a must if
switch to a high fibre diet to reduces pains
It promotes regular pouch-like structures in the help your body to fight you are into strenuous exercises.
cure this condition. Regular and and aches. In addition,
bowel movements and guards intestines or digestive tract. inflammation that might Include proteins like eggs, fish,
consistent fibre intake can help it strengthens muscles
against diseases like heart Fibre manages to regulate bowel have been caused due pulses, etc. into your diet. This is
maintain overall gut balance and and builds physical
disease, diabetes, and cancer. Yet, movements. It keeps the food to exercising. Also, it is essential to rebuild your muscle
health. endurance. The perfect
many fall short on fibre intake, moving through the digestive essential to drink plenty tissues that have undergone
tract so as to avoid constipation. Improves digestive system exercise gets your heart
aiming for 30g daily, while of water to stop the body wear and tear during the course
This can decrease the risk Fibre diet is important for pumping, keeps you
averaging only 14g. Boosting from being dehydrated. of your exercise. Protein also
of digestive conditions like older people since the digestive limber, burns fat and
fibre, alongside hydration, You lose a lot of water in helps maintain your energy
diverticulitis. system gets to slow down with prepares the muscle
enhances digestive health. the form of perspiration levels throughout the day.
Constipation age. So consuming a high fibre tissues to deal with the
High-fibre diets, including oats, when you exercise. These Cold and a hot shower
When you think of heart diet is essential to improve the physical needs of the
eggplant, okra, and barley, can healthy fats also support If you alternate between a
health, the significance of health of the digestive system. body. Regular exercise
slash cholesterol by 30% in four overall joint health. cold and a hot shower, it helps
fibre in your diet is not an Soluble fibre will soak up water also causes some wear
weeks, as per the American to heal sore muscles. It also
exaggeration. Your stomach just like a sponge which eventually and tear in the body.
Journal of Clinical Nutrition. ends up relaxing the muscles
can feel bloated when you are bulk out the faeces and allow it Be certain to listen Sleep is
Plus, fibre-rich foods keep you and has been proved to be
suffering from constipation. to pass through the gut smoothly. to the body. Do not essential
feeling full longer. The digestive anti-inflammatory. Go for
Trying to add large amounts This promotes more overdo it. Today, we The first thing you should
system does break down the a soothing and gentle
of fibre to your diet can comfortable and regular shall discuss ways do after a workout is to get
foods that you consume into Boosts massage after exercising.
quickly help alleviate these bowel movements. in which you can proper sleep. Sleep is essential to
essential nutrients that your This helps in acting as a
kinds of symptoms. So it is good bacteria Abdominal fat heal your body repair the muscles and tissues of
body requires. And if you balm on the muscles that
better to gradually increase You must have heard after a workout. the body. When you sleep, the body
disregard it, then your body can The have been stretched or
your fibre content along about probiotics which are Walking is the releases a growth hormone that
run into problems when it comes importance of injured while exercising.
with fluid intake (such as Controls hunger considered to be good bacteria. easiest form rebuilds and strengthens the cells,
to digesting food. Here are a few fibre rich food
water). This can minimise the High fibre diet This good bacteria is mostly found of exercising. tissues and muscles in your body.
reasons why it is is that it will
chances of lowering the risk of helps digestive in fermented foods like yogurt. It is Among the best Quality rest can significantly
important to help people to
constipation. health. High fibre especially found in fibre rich foods cardio workouts, speed up your recovery
eat fibre lose abdominal
foods can make such as fruits and vegetables. And walking keeps you process.
rich Blood Sugar control fat. According
you feel full for long some of the best sources are agile without jarring
foods? Fibre is classified into to the October
hours. It is a satisfying whole wheat, corn and banana. your knees and ankles.
soluble and insoluble. 2009 issue of the
weapon to control Probiotics also help improve Swimming exercises
Soluble fibre mixes Journal of Nutrition,
with water to create hunger pangs. Not all your digestive health. your big groups of
those who manage
a gel like material. fibre rich foods are high in to consume more fibre muscles, provides
This fibre slows calories except for nuts. You can from cereals or whole cardiovascular benefits
down your body’s munch popcorn to satisfy your snack grains are more likely to have less and reduces swelling. It
breakdown of cravings. It provides a feeling of fullness abdominal fat and overall body fat may be of great help for
carbohydrates without adding calories and this makes than those who don’t follow this people with low back
and eventually you less inclined to overindulge. Most high particular diet. It also supports a pain. Aerobic exercise
tries to control the fibre foods are low in sugar and fat so they healthier body composition over fortifies your heart and
absorption of sugar. are generally considered to be healthy. time. tones the body.

What causes kidney failure

Causes of kidney failure Complications Treatment of kidney
When the body is unable Bone disease, heart failure
Neha Ghosh to eliminate urine, toxins start disease, anaemia,
Dialysis: This

and how it can be treated

building up in the body and decreased sex drive,
treatment procedure
overload the kidneys. Conditions damage to the central
filters and purifies the

K
that can interfere with the nervous system and
blood with the help of a
idneys are one of the elimination of urination are low immunity.
machine, which performs
vital organs of the kidney stones, enlarged prostate, Symptoms of Diagnosis of kidney
Types of kidney failure Stages of kidney failure the function of the
body that have several blood clots within the urinary kidney failure failure
Stage 1: In this stage, you will kidneys. Dialysis doesn’t
important functions, tract and the damaged nerves Acute prerenal Chronic intrinsic kidney Less amount of Kidney tissue
not experience any symptoms cure kidney failure.
which include that control your bladder. Low kidney failure: This failure: When the kidneys have urine
eliminating waste products and and complications. Kidney sample: Kidney Kidney transplant:
blood flow to the kidneys Kidney type of kidney failure suffered long-term damage, it Confusion
extra fluid, balancing water and failure can be managed by tissue samples will be Kidney transplant is
failure is also caused when there occurs when there causes chronic intrinsic kidney Unexplained
minerals in the blood, controlling maintaining a healthy lifestyle. collected for examining another treatment
is low blood flow to the kidneys. is inadequate blood failure. shortness of
blood pressure and helping in Stage 2: In this stage, the abnormal deposits, procedure. A kidney
Some conditions that affect the flow to the kidneys. Acute intrinsic kidney failure: breath
the production of red blood cells. physical damage to the kidneys scarring or presence of transplant surgery is
blood flow to the kidneys include The kidneys can’t filter When there is a direct injury to Swelling in the
If your kidneys are unable to becomes more visible but in a infectious organisms. performed for three
heart attack, dehydration, heart toxins from the blood one or both the kidneys acute legs, ankles & feet
perform any of these functions, mild form. Urinalysis: Urine to four hours. Once
disease, liver failure, sepsis, without intrinsic kidney failure occurs. Excessive
it means that your kidneys are Stage 3: At this stage, the test will be done the surgeon places the
high blood pressure and a sufficient This leads to severe bleeding, renal fatigue
damaged and you have kidney kidneys are in a moderate to check for any healthy kidney in the
severe allergic reaction. blood flow. blood vessel obstruction, shock Nausea
failure. This article will talk about working condition, which abnormalities. body, it will start filtering
There are other causes and glomerulonephritis. Coma
what causes kidney failure, its means they are not working Measurement of wastes and toxins.
of kidney failure, which Seizures
symptoms and how it’s diagnosed
Chronic prerenal kidney properly the way they should. urine volume: To help
include the following: Pain in the
and treated. Overload of toxins due to failure: When the kidneys Symptoms start appearing such diagnose kidney failure
chest
heavy metals are not receiving enough as swelling in hands and feet the urine output is
What is kidney failure? Stomach pain
Blood clot in and around blood flow for an and back pain. measured.
Kidneys are bean-shaped Diarrhoea
your kidneys extended period of Stage 4: At this stage, Blood test: Blood
organs that are located towards Fever
Hemolytic uremic syndrome time, they begin to the kidneys are not working tests will be done to
your back and underneath the Nosebleed
Chemotherapy drugs shrink and they are properly and complications measure substances
ribcage in the upper abdominal Vomiting
Glomerulonephritis unable to function such as anaemia, bone disease like creatinine and
area. The kidneys filter blood and Back pain
Certain antibiotics properly. and high blood pressure start Weight loss blood urea nitrogen Prevention of kidney
eliminate toxins from the body.
When the kidneys lose the ability Diabetes Chronic post- occurring. Risk factors in the blood that are failure
to remove toxins and waste from Multiple myeloma renal kidney Stage 5: At this stage, Diabetes, filtered by kidneys. Maintains a healthy
the body, it leads to kidney failure. Lupus failure: Chronic post- the kidneys fail to work smoking, obesity, Imaging tests: lifestyle.
According to the National Kidney Vasculitis renal kidney failure completely and the symptoms heart disease, high MRIs, CT scan and Control diabetes &
Foundation, when 85-90 percent of Infection occurs when there is a become more evident which blood pressure, ultrasound tests are high blood pressure.
your kidneys are not functioning Scleroderma blockage of the urinary include, itchy skin, difficulty in family history of done to diagnose Go for regular check-
normally, it means you have kidney Throm -botic tract that prevents breathing, vomiting and nausea. kidney disease. kidney failure. ups.
failure. Kidney failure is the last thrombocyto -penic urination, causing extreme
stage of chronic kidney disease. purpura kidney damage. Disclaimer: The Free Press Journal bears no responsibility for the content that appears on this page.
 C I N E M A journal
www.freepressjournal.in

Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025

Rukhsar Rehman
“It’s true that
sometimes it’s a
woman who

on surviving two
breaks your
marriage”:
Rukhsar Rehman
hints at facing

broken marriages
infidelity in her
second marriage
with Faruk Kabir

Rashita Sahni friends, and family.” place the burden of saving a

A
Hinting at betrayal as a marriage on women. “It’s al-
ctress Rukhsar factor in her second divorce ways natural to judge
R e h m a n , from filmmaker Faruk women more. I know why it
known for her Kabir, Rukhsar admitted, happens but I would not like
work in films “It’s true that sometimes it’s to say it out loud on camera.
and television, a woman who breaks your The judgements have de-
has lived through two marriage. A woman is creased but we still don’t
failed marriages - experi- filled with emotions know what women
ences that have shaped and she’s capable of are going through

FPJ
her outlook on life, love, a lot of things. Even in the interiors.
and resilience. In an ex- men should not In metro cities,
clusive conversation use us or give us you can still take
with The Free Press love and hope just E XC L U S I V E a stand or post on
Journal, the actress because they want to the internet, but in
opened up about how have sex with us. Don’t small towns, nobody
she navigated heart- make a fool out of a woman.” knows what’s going on. It’s
break, the social During her first divorce, not all beautiful — I keep
judgment women face major source of strength for hearing strange stories from
and why she refuses to let her was her grandmother. women where they try to
bitterness define her. The actress said, “I had one normalise whatever bad is
Reflecting on her first di- woman in my life who was a happening to them.”
vorce from Asad Ahmed, very positive influence in
Rukhsar credited her every way, and that was my
faith and patience for dadi. She was the strongest Scan QR code to
helping her move woman I have ever seen. watch the full
forward. “I think Whenever I was overthink- interview on FPJ’s
Rukhsar Rehman and Faruk Kabir YouTube channel
my belief in the Al- ing, I would go to her. She
mighty, in destiny, not the kind of person who and playing from there. would just say, ‘Leave it.’ The
and my patience would say, ‘I want to fight it’ When your time is not right, way she said it, and the way
helped me. in the aggressive sense. My you shouldn’t push yourself I understood it because of
Sometimes I concept of fighting is differ- to the forefront, because if the time I spent with her,
do lose it, ent — to be brave enough to one thing doesn’t work, the would instantly lift a lot of
but I had sit back. Sitting back doesn’t other won’t either. If your my baggage.”
just surren- mean giving up on life; it personal life is bad, it can Rukhsar also spoke about
dered. I’m means taking the back foot ruin your professional life, the way society tends to

Isha Malviya breaks Ek Chatur Naar starring Neil

Filmy Shots

silence on Saiyaara Nitin Mukesh, Divya Khossla

casting rumours set for September release
Television actress and Bigg Boss Comedy thriller Ek Chatur Naar,
fame Isha Malviya finally broke her featuring Neil Nitin Mukesh and Divya
silence on reports which claimed Khossla, will be released in theatres on
that she was the first choice for the September 12, the makers announced
blockbuster film, Saiyaara, but was on Wednesday. The movie is directed by
later replaced by actress Aneet Umesh Shukla, known for movies such
Padda. She debunked the reports as Oh My God, All Is Well, 102 Not Out
and asked people to not spread and Aankh Micholi. Chaturai ki pehli
“fake news”. Isha took to her jhalak. aage aage dekho hota hai kya
Instagram handle on Tuesday to #EkChaturNaar Hosiyari Suru in
share a post about her alleged cinemas from 12th September,
casting in Saiyaara. Along with production banner T-Series posted on
that, she wrote, “What is wrong its social media handles. Ek Chatur Naar
with the media pages? Kindly stop is described as a comedy with clever
spreading fake news guys, movie plot twists that will take viewers on a
tak baat pahuch gayi aur mujhe hi gripping ride of drama and edge-of-the-
Hrithik celebrates Rajinikanth’s nahi pata (sic).” Atif Aslam’s father seat thrills.
50 years before box office clash passes away at 77,
Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan congratulated singer mourns
superstar Rajinikanth for completing 50 Pakistani singer Atif Aslam’s
glorious years in the film industry. He penned a father, Muhammad Aslam, passed
heartfelt note and it comes a day before their away on Tuesday. He was 77. The
films’ clash. For those unversed, Hrithik’s War 2 singer, known for some of the
is all set to clash with Rajinikanth’s Coolie at most popular Bollywood tracks,
the box office. Both the much-awaited films are

‘How
‘Howsoulless
soulless
shared a photo with his father on
scheduled to hit the big screens on August 14. social media and penned an
Taking to his X account on Wednesday, Hrithik emotional note. While Atif’s social
wrote, “Took my first steps as an actor at your

we
wehave
havebecome
become
media accounts are not accessible
side. You were one of my first teachers, in India, internet is flooded with
@rajinikanth sir, and continue to be an screenshots of his post. Along with

as
associety’
society’
inspiration and a standard. Congratulations on the photo, he wrote, “A final good
completing 50 years of on-screen magic.” bye to my Iron Man. Rest in love
Hrithik had starred as a child artist in Abu g.” According to Pakistani
Rajinikanth’s 1986 film Bhagwaan Dada. The media reports, Atif also requested
film also featured Hrithik’s father Rakesh his fans and followers to keep his
Roshan, who had also produced it. father in their prayers. Sonakshi Sinha on Supreme Court’s
order on relocation of strays
Pics: Varinder Chawla

‘I am better
CJ Desk
CAUGHT ON CAM

B
ollywood actor
Sonakshi Sinha

than her’
Celebs were snapped as they has criticised the
were out and about in Mumbai Supreme Court
directive on relo-
cation of street dogs from
Mrunal Thakur faces backlash as old video calling Delhi NCR region, calling it a
Bipasha Basu ‘manly with muscles’ resurfaces disappointment.
The 38-year-old also shared
CJ Desk she jokingly replies that he a note on Instagram with a

M
could sit while she balanced on caption that read: “Day by day
runal Thakur, her head. When he then chal- we expose how soul-less we
who began her lenges her to do push-ups, the have become as a society.
career with actress says that he might be Every day is a disappoint-
television ser- interested in marrying a ment.” The note that she
ials and is now strong, muscular woman, be- shared read, “Street dogs are
active in Hindi films, has fore remarking, “Do you not a problem. They are vic-
become the target of want to marry a girl tims. Victims of fear, hunger,
trolling after an old who is manly with disease, neglect, cruelty, and
video went viral on muscles? Go marry abandonment. They live with-
social media in which Bipasha.” Further, she out shelter, without vaccina-
she claimed she was added, “Listen, I am tion, without sterilization, left
‘better’ than Bipasha far better than Bi- behind to give birth on the
Bipasha Basu Nataša Stanković is
Basu. The clip is pasha.” A user com- streets, only to watch their
from her Kumkum mented, “That’s why spotted outside a puppies suffer the same fate.”
Bhagya days, where she they made a song on BI- mall in Bandra “Sending them to over-
portrayed Bulbul PASHA and not you.” crowded shelters where they
Arora Khanna. While another added, will lose their freedom and
In the resurfaced “She wants to be Sara Ali Khan is identity. This is not animal In their judgement, A bench
clip, Mrunal is seen feminine (not papped outside Manish welfare. Spaying and vaccinat- of Justices J B Pardiwala and R
chatting with her manly) is okay! ing street dogs is the real, hu- Mahadevan noted that there
Kumkum Bhagya But putting Malhotra’s house mane solution,” the note read. was an “extremely grim” situ-
co-star Arjit down someone Sidharth Malhotra Many celebrities have criti- ation due to stray dog bites re-
about fitness, else? That too THE and Janhvi Kapoor Alaya F is all smiles cised the directive including sulting in rabies, particularly
where Arjit BIPASHA?” “Not as she is snapped Vir Das, Jahnvi Kapoor, Varun among children. The court has
playfully dares even close to Bi- are snapped at Dhawan and Varun Grover. directed Delhi authorities to
her to do a pasha’s pinky the Mumbai airport in Bandra John Abraham also wrote a start with creating shelters for
headstand, finger,” read letter addressing the Supreme around 5,000 canines within
to which another comment. Court and Delhi Government. six to eight weeks.
Mrunal Thakur
 www.freepressjournal.in

C I N E M A journal
Mumbai, Thursday, August 14, 2025

The Women. The Frames. The Power

Some film posters go beyond promotion, capturing raw emotion and power, becoming unforgettable moments that tell a deeper story
CJ Desk

ome posters don’t The calm before the Blood. Grief.

S just promote a
film—they punch
you in the gut with
emotion, power,
and presence. These aren’t
just visuals; they’re moments
frozen in time that make you
political storm
Yami Gautam in Article 370: Yami stands
in a stark bureaucratic world quiet, crisp,
composed. And yet, the poster whispers: she
knows more than she lets on. It’s not a loud
image. It’s a controlled burn. That steady
Vengeance.
Rashmika Mandanna in Mysaa: A
total reinvention. Rashmika, eyes wet
and wild, drenched in blood and
emotion - this poster didn’t scream, it
wept. Gone was the girl-next-door. In
stop scrolling, hold your gaze, the slight tension in her shoulders… it her place stood a woman scorched by
breath, and feel. From tells you this woman is walking into a system pain and possibly fury. One of the
burning eyes to bleeding built to crush her… and she just might break it most shocking transformations in
knuckles, here are the instead. Minimal but mighty. A masterclass in recent memory.
posters that didn’t just sell a stillness with stakes.
story but became the story!

Bloodied, bruised, but

never beaten
Priyanka Chopra in Mary Kom: One clenched fist,
one guttural scream and the image became iconic.
Priyanka became Mary Kom long before the trailer
dropped. That poster, raw and unfiltered, showed
her mid-fight, soaked in sweat, rage, and resolve. A
poster that made people believe before the film
even spoke.

Regal. Fierce.
Unshakable.
Deepika Padukone in
Padmaavat: The poster that
Commanding
turned Deepika into a living the frame
portrait of defiance. Clad in Alia Bhatt in Gangubai Kathiawadi:
crimson, hands folded in na- Alia’s transformation into Gangubai
maste, but eyes hit like a thunder-
blazing with silent clap but it started
war. This image of with that poster.
Rani Padmavati White sari. A red
didn’t need a bindi like a target.
sword to feel And that stare
powerful. equal parts
Deepika looked innocence and
unbreakable, un- danger. You knew
touched, and ab- instantly this was-
solutely queenly. n’t a character.
No words. Just This was a force.
presence. And it Soft. Strong. Su-
was everything. preme.

Pratik Gandhi gets real Angelina

CJ Desk

ctor Pratik Gandhi says

ing, it is required to reinvent
your style of storytelling.”
The actor added:
Actor
themed projects feel
deeper specially
during Indepen-
such that you tend to celebrate these
stories and their lives.”
Saare Jahan Se Accha follows the
back to spy world
A it’s vital to bring fresh,
human-centered per-
spectives on patriotic
stories. Asked how one
moves away from clichés when it
comes to themed stories, Pratik told
IANS: “It is very, very important to
These kinds of stories-
you know, there’s a
saying that there are
only a few types of
stories all over the
world-every time you
reinterpret or you find
shares why
patriotic themed
stories feel deeply
during ‘national
dence Day or
Republic Day,
Pratik, who
will be seen as
an Indian spy
in the Netflix
series Saare
gripping journey of RAW agent
Vishnu Shankar, who is assigned a
dangerous mission deep inside Pak-
istan. Set against the tense backdrop
of the 1970s, a time when every stra-
tegic move risked igniting a global
nuclear conflict, the show captures
CJ Desk

A
ngelina Jolie is
all set to re-
unite with her
Mr and Mrs
Smith director
will also reteam with Ma-
leficent producers Joe Roth
and Jeff Kirschenbaum
under RK Films.
Working across genres,
RK Films have helmed pro-
duction for Netflix’s Damsel
move away from clichés and take a a smaller space where festivals’ Jahan Se Accha the fierce intelligence war between Doug Liman for new spy and Glenn Powell-starrer
fresh take-have a fresh take you can create a new emo- said: “It is like that. India’s RAW and Pakistan’s ISI. thriller, The Initiative for Anyone But You over the last
on similar stuff, maybe. tion and then tell the story We are also talking The series also stars Suhail Nayyar, Universal Pictures. few years. Lauded for her
More so because, you from that angle. “So that’s what we about Pathpuja. So, closer to the Kritika Kamra, Tillotama Shome, The film is penned by F prolific career, Jolie was last
know, the more are also trying here. We have seen an festive season, you tend to do that Rajat Kapoor, and Anup Soni. Cre- Scott Frazier, who has seen in 2024 biographical
you want the ample amount of spy-world, spy- more, right? Because of the overall ated by Gaurav Shukla and produced written action and spy drama Maria. Her previous
younger audience thrillers. But this is, for the first time, energy of the society and the by Bombay Fables, with Bhavesh thrillers including xXx: Re- accolades include an Acad-
to get involved exploring the human side of a spy. country.” “Similarly, for our two big Mandalia as creative producer, Saare turn of Xander Cage and emy Award for Best Sup-
with you, to get en- And that’s a fresh thing.” national festivals-15th August and Jahan Se Accha will premiere ahead Collide, entertainment news porting Actress for Girl,
gaged in the storytell- Talking about why patriotic 26th January-the overall emotion is of Independence Day on August 13. site Hollywood Reporter Interrupted.
said. The Initiative has been A veteran of the action-
likened to the revered crime thriller genre, Jolie has led
thriller Training Day, but set in titles like Salt, Tomb

Trailer launch in Calcutta in the world of spycraft.

Jolie will portray an
unruly spy named
Raider and The Tourist.
Liman’s expertise
includes creating
Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan and a chilling warning from a Kash- Bright, who will the Bourne fran-
miri Pandit: “Bengal is becoming mentor inexperi- chise and Road-
Agnihotri to launch another Kashmir.” enced newcomer house, which
The Bengal Files trailer To mark the trailer launch, Agni- Charlie. The film starred Jake
in Calcutta; to also visit hotri will visit Kalighat temple in will take a dark Gyllenhaal,
Calcutta to seek blessings before re- turn as Charlie with two films
Shahid Minar & Kalighat vealing the trailer. Following the will question starring Tom
Bengali actor CJ Desk
launch, he will pay tribute at Shahid
Minar, a historic site commemorat-
Bright’s inten-
tions and san-
Cruise cur-
rently in the
Basanti dies ilmmaker Vivek Ranjan
ing the martyrs of Indian indepen-
dence. The film is written and
ity. Jolie works.

B
asanti Chatterjee, who featured
in over 100 films, breathed her
last at her residence here, her
family said. Chatterjee, 88, was
suffering from cancer for a
long time. She died on Tuesday night. In a career span-
ning over five decades, she acted in more than 100 films,
F Agnihotri is all set to un-
veil the official trailer of
his upcoming film, The
Bengal Files, in Calcutta.
The film marks the third and final
installment in his truth-revealing
Files trilogy, following the critically
directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri
and produced by Abhishek Agarwal
and Pallavi Joshi. The cast in-
cludes Mithun Chakra-
borty, Pallavi Joshi,
Anupam Kher, and Dar-
shan Kumar. The
including critically acclaimed and popular movies such acclaimed The Kashmir Files and Bengal Files is pres-
as Thagini, Manjari Opera, and Alo. Chatterjee also fea- The Tashkent Files. ented by Tej Narayan
tured in popular TV serials such as Bhutu, Boron, The Bengal Files delves into the Agarwal and I Am
Durga Durgeshari to name a few. traumatic events of Bengal’s Direct Buddha.
Condoling her demise, CM Mamata Banerjee said Action Day and the 1946 Calcutta
in a post on X, “Her death is an irreparable loss to killings, shedding light on a dark
the world of cinema and stage. My deepest condol- and lesser-known chapter of Indian
ence to her next of kin.” Chatterjee had spent history. The first teaser, released
months in the ICCU of a hospital before being dis- in June, generated significant
charged, as doctors advised that she be kept at buzz for its haunting ima-
home under the supervision of nurses at this gery and powerful tone,
stage, a spokesperson from the West Bengal Mo- including blood-soaked
tion Picture Artists’ Forum informed. visuals, a burning idol
of Goddess Durga,