FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLII No. 99 | INDORE | TUESDAY | SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in Sports Vaishali’s gambit pays off in Samarkand P.12 ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: UJJAIN INDORE WORLD PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit Sealing cracks in housing policy P.6 Peace only with end of Hamas, hostage return Cinema Katrina Kaif pregnant? P.14 INTERIM ORDER | No action on entire legislation as that could be done only in rarest of rare cases SC STAYS PARTS OF WAQF LAW Agencies NEW DELHI The Supreme Court, on Monday, in an interim order by a bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih, stayed certain provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 and declined to interfere with others. The Court said it would not stay the entire law, noting that legislation can be stayed only in the rarest of rare cases. It held that while the whole Amendment Act was under challenge, the case made out was only against specific provisions. The prayer to stay the entire Act was rejected. The Court stayed the condition in Section 3(1)(r) that a person must be a practitioner of Islam for at least five years to create a waqf, until State Governments frame rules that provide a mechanism to determine whether someone has practised Islam for five years or more. The Court said that without such a mechanism, the provision could lead to the arbitrary exercise of power. It added that the five-year practice condition is not per se arbitrary and is in- tended to prevent misuse, including possible conversions only to claim protection under the Waqf Act. As reported by Bar & Bench and Live Law. The Court also stayed provisions linked to de-recognising waqf land during disputes with the Government over alleged encroachment. It stayed the proviso to Section 3C(2), Section 3C(3), and Section 3C(4). The Court held that permitting a designated officer, such as the Collector, to determine rights in property is against the doctrine of separation of powers, as the Executive cannot decide citizens’ rights. 4Continued on | P8 SUPREME DIRECTIONS n The provision in Section 3(1)(r), requiring that only a person practising Islam for at least five years can create a waqf, has been put on hold. n The stay will remain until state governments frame rules to determine how such a practice will be verified. n The Court partly stayed provisions relating to waqf property inquiries, holding that a property cannot be treated as non-waqf solely on the designated officer’s report. under Section 83, subject to appeals before the High Court. n However, during such proceedings, no third-party rights can be created in respect of those properties. n The Court capped non-Muslim representation in state waqf boards and the Central Waqf Council: n In the 22-member Central Waqf Council, a maximum of four can be non-Muslims. n Revenue and board records will not be altered based only on such reports. n In the 11-member state waqf boards, a maximum of three can be non-Muslims. n Waqfs will not be dispossessed of their properties, nor will entries in official records be changed, until the title dispute is finally decided by the Waqf Tribunal n On the issue of the CEO of the Waqf Board, the Court directed that, as far as possible, the CEO should be appointed from the Muslim community. ‘Infiltrators will 2 DEAD, 12 HURT AS DRUNK have to go out’ DRIVER GOES ON RAMPAGE Chaos erupts in Indore as truck ploughs through traffic, drags biker 500 metres before bursting into flames as driver tries to ‘evade’ checkpoint Our Staff Reporter INDORE Dheeraj Kumar PATNA Giving his guarantee that action would be taken against all infiltrators, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and other opposition leaders of raising slogans and taking out yatras ‘shamelessly’ to protect foreign infiltrators. Without taking names of Rahul and other opposition leaders, Modi while addressing a public rally in Purnea, a major town in the Muslim-dominated region of Seemanchal, contended that people of Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam were concerned about the safety of their sisters and daughters and sisters due to infiltration. “There is not only danger to the dignity of Bihar but also to the identity of Bihar due to infiltration.” 4Continued on | P8 From the land of Purnea, I want them (opposition) to listen to me with open ears: whoever is the infiltrator has to go out, our government is firm on driving out infiltrators. However much you (opposition) try, infiltrators have to leave the country. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India NEW DELHI ITR filing deadline extended by a day The Central Board of Direct Taxes has decided to further extend the due date for filing the Income Tax Returns for Assessment Year 2025-26 from September 15 to September 16, a notification read. Interim Cabinet in Kathmandu Agencies KATHMANDU A tragedy unfolded on Monday evening on Indore’s bustling Airport Road near Shikshak Nagar when a speeding truck, allegedly driven by a heavily inebriated man, ploughed through unsuspecting pedestrians and vehicles, leaving at least two dead and 11 injured. The truck, coming from Vidya Palace, veered out of control and began a terrifying spree of destruction. Eyewitnesses describe the vehicle as a “monster on wheels,” crushing everything in sight over a stretch of nearly 1.5 kilometres. “It was like a war zone,” said Pradeep Dewaliya, who stood helplessly on the roadside. “The truck first rammed into a youth on a motorcycle, then kept moving, hitting cars, erickshaws, auto-rickshaws and even pedestrians. People were screaming and running, but there was no stopping it.” In one of the most gutwrenching moments, the truck dragged a motorcyclist for over 500 metres. When it finally halted, the mangled bike caught fire — flames quickly engulfed the front of the truck and tragically set the Nepal’s first female PM, Sushila Karki, has appointed three ministers to her interim cabinet, two days after assuming office in the wake of protests that ousted KP Sharma Oli. On Monday, President Ram Chandra Poudel administered the oath of office to Rameshwor Khanal as Finance Minister; Kulman Ghising as Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development; and Om Prakash Aryal as Minister for Home Affairs, Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs.   4Continued on | P8 NEW DELHI US Assistant Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch was scheduled to land in India on Monday for talks on a bilateral trade agreement with his Indian counterpart Rajesh Agrawal, a special secretary in the commerce ministry. The meeting will be held on Tuesday in New Delhi. Officials said the talks will be limited to trade-related issues and will serve as a precursor to the sixth round of negotiations on the proposed India-US bilateral trade agree- Bystanders rush to pull the motorcyclist from the wheels of burning truck and try to douse the flames in Indore on Monday motorcyclist ablaze as he lay near its wheel. A few brave bystanders rushed forward, pulling the burning body from the wreckage and managing to douse the flames — but the damage was already done. “It was the most horrifying thing I’ve ever seen,” said one local vendor. “He was alive when the fire started. We tried to save him... but it was too ment. Five rounds have already been held, but the sixth round, scheduled for August 25-29, was postponed after the US imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods. India and the US began negotiations in March this year for a just and mutually beneficial trade agreement, aiming to complete the first stage by October-November 2025. However, differences remain over Washington’s demand to open India’s farm and dairy sectors, which New Delhi considers politically and socially sensitive. 4Continued on | P8 from silence to storm PTI What should have been just another tense Indo-Pak contest at the Asia Cup has snowballed into an international cricketing flashpoint. The absence of a handshake — a mere gesture — has triggered what is now being dubbed as Handshake-Gate. After India’s seven- wicket win, skipper Suryakumar Yadav made it clear that the team’s decision to avoid handshakes was not unsporting but symbolic. “Few things in life are ahead of sportsman’s spirit also. We stand with victims of Pahalgam terror attack and dedicate this victory to our Armed Forces,” Surya declared. Pakistan Cricket Board, late.” Police and emergency personnel reached the scene shortly after and rushed the injured to nearby hospitals. Additional Police Commissioner Amit Singh confirmed the arrest of the truck driver, who is being questioned. "Preliminary findings suggest he was heavily drunk. See Page 3 4Continued on | P8 The land pooling for Simhastha in Ujjain will be done with the consent of all farmers. Keeping the benefits of farmers in mind, temporary constructions will be raised at temporary places. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav made the above statements during an interaction with media persons on Monday. The farmers’ welfare is on the government’s top priority list, Yadav said, adding that the government is moving ahead in land pooling with the consent of all parties through interaction. Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid stress on the development of raising permanent structures, keeping in mind the security arrangements and management of crores of people at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. The policy also encouraged the religious tourism in the region, Yadav said. The government does not want to trouble anyone and wants to go with everyone, he said. According to Yadav, Simhastha, to be organised in Ujjain in 2028, will be the biggest event in the history of Simhastha in the country. It is expected that there will be 30 crore devotees at Simhastha, he said. It is the duty of the gov- Structures during Simhastha During the Simhastha in 2016, temporary structures worth Rs 650 crore were built on 3,000 hectares. The structures were removed after the event. The government has planned to develop Ujjain into a global spiritual city during Simhastha 2028. ernment to provide crores of saints with high-level facilities at Simhastha, Yadav said. Such structures as will be built in Ujjain should be able to withstand rain and storms to avoid any difficult situation during Simhastha, he said.  It is the duty of the government to provide security to each devotee and make a foolproof arrangement, and a huge amount of land is required for it, he said. The farmers of Ujjain have always stood by the government, he said. CM seeks report Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said he has received the detailed information of the incident. “Additional Chief Secretary (ACS-Home) has been instructed to rush to Indore. Also, I have given instructions to investigate the reason for entry of heavy vehicles in the city before 11 pm and file an initial factual report.” The CM expressed deep condolence for the deceased and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured. Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The state government has renamed Alirajpur district as Aalirajpur. The Revenue Department issued a notification to this effect on Monday. This decision followed a no-objection certificate from the Union Home Ministry on August 21 this year.  Welcoming the decision, BJP MLA from Alirajpur and the Minister for the Scheduled Caste Welfare Department, Nagar Singh Chouhan, said to the Free Press that it was he who had asked Chief Minister Mohan Yadav that Alirajpur’s name be changed to Aalirajpur.  He said that earlier, Aalirajpur was part of an undivided Jhabua. In 2007, Aalirajpur was separated from Jhabua and named the Alirajpur district in the government records. Since then, the locals have demanded that Alirajpurbe renamed Aalirajpur. ‘Will act if illegality is found’ BIHAR SIR FP News Service NEW DELHI The SC on Monday said it would intervene if it found illegality, as it put off the hearing on pleas against EC’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar voters’ list to October 7. The petitioners had sought DALLAS BEHEADING an earlier hearing before October 1, when the final voters’ list was due for publication. However, the bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi declined, saying the Court will close for the Dussehra break on September 28. The court assured petitioners that publication of the final voters’ list would not affect the adjudication. “What difference will it make to us? If PTI transferred Our Staff Reporter however, hit back sharply, accusing match referee Andy Pycroft of mishandling the situation and demanding his immediate removal. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi went a step further, formally lodging complaints with both ACC and ICC, claiming violations of the Spirit of Cricket. US President Trump has called the Indian-origin motel manager beheaded in Dallas a “well-respected person” and said the accused will be charged with murder. Trump blamed his predecessor Biden’s immigration policies, calling the attacker an “illegal alien”. “I am aware of the terrible reports regarding the murder of Chandra Nagamallaiah, a well-respected person in Dallas, Texas, who was brutally 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 we are satisfied there is some illegality, we can intervene,” Justice Kant said. This was in response to submissions by Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for ADR, who alleged that the ECI was not following its own rules and was not uploading objections received, Bar & Bench and Live Law reported. 4Continued on | P8 Arth Jain is new CEO of Smart City Indore Time for being soft is over: Don 18 IAS officers WASHINGTON When gesture becomes flashpoint DUBAI Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL ALIRAJPUR DISTRICT IS NOW AALIRAJPUR INDIA, US TO HOLD TRADE TALKS TODAY Agencies CM: Ujjain land pooling with consent of all BHOPAL As many as 18 IAS officers were shifted in the state late on Monday night. Vishesh Gadpale, waiting for posting, has been posted as secretary, Energy department. Vandana Vaidh, director, Tribal Regional Development Schemes, has been posted as MD, Madhya Pradesh Finance Corporation, Gajendra Singh Nagesh, CEO District Panchayat Singrauli, as CEO, District Panchayat Narsinghpur, Guru Prasad, MD, State Wide Area Network (SWAN) as Deputy Secretary, Chief Secre- tary Office, Divyank Singh, CEO, Smart City, Indore as Additional Commissioner, Urban Administration and Development, Bhopal, Tapasya Parihar, CEO District Panchayat Chhatarpur as Commissioner Katni Municipal Corporation etc. Shishir Gemavat, CEO, District Panchayat Katni, has been shifted as Additional Commissioner, Urban Administration and Development, Bhopal, Dr Neha Jain, CEO, District Panchayat Sehore as Deputy Director, Narmada Valley Development Authority Indore, Shreyansh Kumat, CEO, District Panchayat Mandla, as CEO District 4Continued on | P8 What difference will it make to us? If we are satisfied there is some illegality, we can intervene. Supreme Court Leopard kills Cheetah Jwala’s cub at Kuno Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL In a major setback for cheetah conservation effort, one of Jwala’s female sub adult cubs was found dead in the forests of Kuno National Park on Monday evening. Officials said a preliminary investigation suggests the 20-month-old cub was killed in a fight with a leopard. The autopsy report is awaited to confirm the exact cause. The cub had been released into the wild in February 2025 along with her mother Jwala and three siblings. 4Continued on | P8