FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms Vol. XLII No. 93 | INDORE | WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 | Pages 16 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 FREE www.freepressjournal.in Sports Rupa’s bronze brilliance Down Under P.14 ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE MONEY GST 2.0 to aid consumption, but weigh on govt revenues UJJAIN PRESS PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit Kathmandu’s Gen-Z protests P.6 Cinema Aishwarya moves court P.16 Gen Z turns violent, torches Parliament bldg, President’s House, PM’s house; finance minister chased & kicked; ex-PM’s wife burnt alive NEPAL BURNS, OLI QUITS PTI KATHMANDU Nepal is facing one of its worst political crises in recent years as Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday following intense, youth-led antigovernment protests that have left 19 people dead and plunged the country into chaos. Oli, 73, tendered his resignation to President Ramchandra Paudel, citing "extraordinary circumstances" and expressing hope for a “constitutional and political” resolution. His resignation came shortly after hundreds of demonstrators stormed his office, demanding his ouster for the deaths in police action and alleged inaction against corruption. The protests, largely driven by Gen Z activists and students, erupted over the government’s controversial ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook and X, and broader public frustration over corruption. Despite heavy security, curfews, and restrictions on gatherings, the protests intensified across the country. On Tuesday, demonstrators An aerial view of smoke rising from the Federal Parliament of Nepal premises after it was set on fire by protesters during massive anti-government protests, in Kathmandu, Nepal on Tuesday See World Page CHINA SILENT, RUSSIA CLOSELY MONITORING hina has yet to officially react to the fall of Nepalese PM K P Sharma Oli, its steadfast ally, and the prevailing violent student movement against C the political class of Nepal. Meanwhile, Russia is closely monitoring the situation in Nepal, its embassy in Kathmandu said as it advised its citizens to observe caution. The embassy is geared to arrange the safety of its citizens, it said. However, there are no plans to evacuate its diplomatic staff, it added. set fire to Oli’s private residence in Balkot and attacked the properties of several top leaders, including President Ramchandra Paudel, former PMs Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Sher Bahadur Deuba, and ministers Prithvi Subba Gurung and Ramesh Lekhak. Protesters also vandalised parliament and disrupted flight operations at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Slogans such as “KP Chor, Desh Chhod” (KP thief, leave the country) and “Take Action Against Corrupt Leaders” echoed through cities including Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. Protesters burned tyres, blocked roads, and pelted stones at ministerial residences. The Gen Z movement, which began online through platforms like Reddit and Instagram, has exposed the lavish lifestyles of ministers’ children, questioning the origins of their wealth. The social media ban, labelled a crackdown on free speech, only fuelled public outrage. Though the government revoked the ban on Monday night, protests continued, demanding broader reforms — including a retirement age for politicians and a guarantee of freedom of expression. In a joint statement, the heads of Nepal’s security agencies, including Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel and IGP Chandra Kuber Khapung, called for restraint and dialogue. “A peaceful resolution through dialogue is the only way to restore order and stability,” they said. The Nepal Army also reiterated its commitment to protecting national sovereignty and unity, and said it is “analysing the latest developments of the Gen Z movement.” SECURITY STEPPED UP ALONG BORDER The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) that guards the 1751km-long unfenced international front with Nepal has stepped up security across all its border posts and vulnerable points in the wake of unrest in Nepal, officials said on Tuesday. A high alert has been sounded in Uttar Pradesh's seven districts bordering Nepal. MONITORING DEVPTS: MEA India on Tuesday said it is closely monitoring the unfolding developments in the Himalayan country and hoped that all issues will be resolved through peaceful means. "As a close friend and neighbour, we hope that all concerned will exercise restraint and address any issues through peaceful means and dialogue," the MEA said. It also asked Indian nationals to exercise caution in view of the prevailing situation in the neighbouring country. NO KATHMANDU FLIGHTS Air India and IndiGo cancelled flights connecting Kathmandu on Tuesday as the airport in Nepal's capital was temporarily closed amid massive anti-government protests. Nepal Airlines also cancelled its flight from Delhi to Kathmandu on Tuesday. A Kathmandubound AI flight that took off from Delhi was diverted to Lucknow and later returned to the national capital, the source added. VEEP POLL | Apparently 15 Opposition MPs cross-voted in favour of NDA candidate Radhakrishnan is new Vice-President Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar NEW DELHI The National Democratic Alliance candidate for the VicePresidential election, C.P. Radhakrishnan, was on Tuesday evening declared elected as the 15th  Vice-President of India. He polled 452 first preference votes to defeat the joint opposition candidate Justice B. Sudershan Reddy who polled 300 first preference votes. While Radhakrishnan is a two-term former BJP MP and Governor of Maharashtra who hails from Tamil Nadu, Reddy is a former Supreme Court judge and noted jurist. Incidentally, this is the seventh time that a person from one of the southern states would occupy the second highest constitutional post in the country. The announcement was made by Secretary-General of Rajya Sabha P.C. Mody, who had also been designated the Returning Officer for the poll by the Election Commission of India. Considering Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh’s claim that all 315 Opposition MPs had voted, it appeared that 15 of them had cross-voted in favour of the NDA candidate. Making a detailed an- Rs 273 cr bank fraud case: ED searches 10 sites in Delhi, Bhopal OUR STAFF REPORTER BHOPAL The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations at ten locations across Delhi and Madhya Pradesh in connection with an alleged Rs 273 crore bank fraud case on Tuesday, officials said. A total of ten premises, including one in Bhopal, are being covered by the Delhi zone of the federal probe agency in the case against a company named Era Housing and Developers India Private Ltd. (EHDL) and its promoters. 4Continued on | P8 PM Narendra Modi felicitates Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as defence minister Rajnath Singh, home ministerAmit Shah and Union minister and BJP national president JP Nadda applaud during the NDA parliamentary party meeting, in New Delhi THE NUMBERS 452 votes bagged by NDA candidate 300 votes received by INDI alliance candidate nouncement on the election, Mody also stated that, “The notice for the 17th election to the office of the Vice President was issued on August 7, in all, 68 nomination papers were received. After scrutiny, nomination filed by CP Radhakrishnan and B Sudershan Reddy were found valid.” On the electoral college, the Secretary-General said: “In the VP election, all members of parliament, including the nominated members are eligible to cast votes. There are 788 electors, 245 from RS, 543 from RS.” Incidentally, seven posts of MPs – 1 in Lok Sabha and 6 in Rajya Sabha are lying vacant”. As for the polling which happened today, he said, it closed at 5 p.m. and by then 767 electors had cast their votes. 4Continued on | P8 Actor Ajaz Khan booked INDORE: Actor Ajaz Khan has been booked for sharing a video on social media supporting criminal Salman Lala, who died while fleeing police. In the video, Khan suggested Lala was targeted for being Muslim, not a gangster. Authorities say the video promotes communal disharmony and violates legal orders. With 5.6 million followers, the viral post could incite public unrest and tension. See pg 5 Honouring the nation builders — teachers Recipients of Free Press Teachers’ Day award pose with chief guest DAVV Vice Chancellor Prof Rakesh Singhai and special guests Daly College Business Management principal Dr Sonal Sisodia and Shikhar Institute director Nitin Meena at Free Press House in Indore on Tuesday Detail on pg 2 PIC: Anand Shivre Indore, Dewas, Jabalpur top rankings Cabinet clears direct for clean air efforts under NCAP Indore & Udaipur election ordinance awarded for int’l NAGAR PALIKA CHAIRMAN Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The state cabinet on Tuesday approved the Madhya Pradesh Municipality (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 to make changes in the Madhya Pradesh Municipality Act, 1961. The amendment will allow direct election of Nagar Palika Parishadchairman in the upcoming 2027 general election. Direct elections were regularly held from 1999 to 2014, but were discontinued during the Covid period. Since then, indirect elections created challenges, especially with councillors bullying chairmen. To address this, the government has decided to end indirect election process and bring back direct voting. According to officials in the Urban Administration and Cleaner roads, lighter pockets To encourage scrapping of older vehicles, the cabinet has approved a 50% tax rebate on new vehicles for those who scrap their BS I and BS II vehicles. The rebate will be provided once a “Certificate of Deposit” from a registered scrap centre is submitted. This step is aimed at reducing pollution, as older vehicles emit more harmful gases than newer ones. The rebate applies to both transport and non-transport vehicles, helping people upgrade while promoting a cleaner environment. Housing Department, under the old system, three-fourths of councillors had to support a 4Continued on | P8 offgrid Ambulance ferries fodder for mayor’s buffaloes FP News Service MORENA City’s mayor is facing criticism after reports surfaced that fodder for her buffalo was brought from the municipal gaushala (cow shelter) using a government ambulance, on Tuesday. A viral video shows fodder bags being unloaded from the government ambulance at Mayor Sharda So- lanki's residence. Government ambulances are meant for treatment of sick or injured cows. Mayor’s personal staff admitted that fodder was taken from Devari Gaushala, run by the municipal corporation. Rudra Pratap, who works for the welfare of cows, criticised the use of municipal ambulance to transport fodder for mayor’s personal buffalo and said a complaint would be filed. He said that when they call the ambulance for sick animals, it often takes hours to arrive, and sometimes it doesn’t come at all, and private vehicles have to be arranged for transporting animals. 4Continued on | P8 recognition as wetland cities Our Staff Reporter NEW DELHI/INDORE Indore, Amravati and Dewas on Tuesday emerged as top performers in curbing air pollution under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). At an award event here, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said several cities have achieved significant progress despite being industrial hubs or having coal mines. He announced that from next year, wards within cities will also be assessed for their air pollution control efforts, and released guidelines for this. Indore ranked first among cities with more than 10 lakh population, followed by Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh). Agra (Uttar Pradesh) and Surat (Gu- Dhaba cook gets over Rs 46 cr tax notice FP News Service BHIND A cook from Bhind has been hit with a massive Rs 46 crore tax notice from the Income Tax Department, leaving him and his family stunned. The notice, sent to Ravindra Chauhan, a 30-year-old cook at a dhaba in Bhind district, filed a police complaint after receiving the tax notice. “I work at a dhaba. My account doesn’t see even Rs 3 lakh in transactions throughout the year,” Chauhan said. “We got the complaint and are deciding on the next course of action,” said a senior officer. His lawyer, advocate Pradhuman Singh Bhadoriya, claimed that in November 2019, when Chauhan was working as a mess helper in Gwalior, his supervisor asked him to give his bank details and Aadhaar Card details to help him with his provident fund. Eight months passed without any PF money or incentives, and he was unable to close the bank account, Chauhan claimed. His employment ended in 2023 when the contract expired, forcing him to seek work in Pune. 4Continued on | P8 jarat) shared the third spot. In the 3-10 lakh population category, Amravati (Maharashtra) stood first, Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh) and Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) were joint second, while Alwar (Rajasthan) took the third position. 4Continued on | P8 Mukhyamantri Sugam Parivahan Seva to rollout from Indore: CM Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Chief Minister Mohan Yadav directed that Mukhyamantri Sugam Parivahan Seva should be launched from Indore at the earliest. He asked that the service should ensure reasonable bus fares while prioritising passenger facilities. During a review of the transport department’s work at Mantralaya on Tuesday, the Chief Minister emphasised that bus stops must be kept clean and passengers should be provided better facilities. 4Continued on | P8