FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms Vol. 15 No. 171 | BHOPAL | WEDNESDAY | DECEMBER 3, 2025 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 FREE www.freepressjournal.in World ‘IMRAN IS ‘FINE’, BUT UNDER MENTAL TORTURE’ P.10 ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: BHOPAL UJJAIN MONEY PRESS PUNE INDORE NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit Justice delayed, dignity denied P.6 Rupee breaches 90 mark amid unrelenting dollar demand Cinema Ashnoor reveals why she hit Tanya P.14 15 YRS & 9 DIST JUDGES: VICTIMS’ WAIT FOR JUSTICE CONTINUES Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy victims still await full justice, 15 years after convictions in the case during the tenure of nine district judges. Many are of the opinion that the accused got off with light punishment for a major disaster. Appeal for enhancement of the two-year jail punish- ment is pending in the court of the principal district judge in the District and Sessions Court, Bhopal. In June 2010, a Bhopal chief judicial magistrate (CJM) court convicted seven former executives of Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) in the Bhopal gas tragedy case. The seven Indian nationals, all former employees of UCIL, were sentenced to two years in 41ST ANNIV OF BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY prison and a fine for causing death by negligence under Section 304-A of the Indian Penal Code(IPC). All of them went into appeal and got out on bail. The appeal of the state authorities for enhancement in the quantum of punishment has been pending since then. The conviction came over 25 years after the disaster, with the verdict being seen by some as a minor punishment for a major tragedy. Those convicted included Keshub Mahindra, former non-executive chairman of UCIL, Vijay Gokhale, former MD, Kishore Kam- WINTER SESSION | 10-hour discussion to break the impasse which led to disruption of proceedings of both Houses Oppn gets its way, poll reforms debate on Dec 9 Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar LS adjourned NEW DELHI The Business Advisory Committee of Parliament, chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, on Tuesday agreed to hold a 10-hour discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and electoral reforms on December 9 to break the impasse which led to disruption of proceedings of both Houses of Parliament during the first two days of the Winter Session. The meeting was convened by Birla after the Opposition members disrupted the proceedings of Lok Sabha over the issue, claiming that many lives have been lost due to SIR and there should be an urgent discussion on it. The Speaker then convened a meeting of the floor leaders fp Briefs NEW DELHI Census in two phases Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases, the first between April and September 2026 and the second in February 2027, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. Giving details of the exercise in response to a question by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the two phases will be -- Phase I-House Listing and Housing Census followed by Phase IIPopulation Enumeration (PE). The first phase from April to September 2026 will be conducted in a period of 30 days. NEW DELHI AI under DGCA probe The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into Air India after the airline was reported to have operated aircraft in eight revenue sectors with an expired Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). According to a press note issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Air India is delegated the authority to issue ARCs for its aircraft following an annual review of maintenance records, physical condition, and compliance with airworthiness standards. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, left, arrives as oppostion leaders protest against SIR at Parliament complex of various political parties as also the ministers to discuss the issue. In the meeting, it was decided that the discussion on the 150th anniversary of the national song “Vande Mataram” would first take place on December 8 and the discussion on SIR would take place the following day. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced the decision in a post on “X”, where he wrote: “During the All Party Meeting Chaired by Hon'ble Speaker Lok Sabha HC junks plea to quash FIR over ‘beef’ message Our Staff Reporter GWALIOR Gwalior bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court has rejected a petition filed by a journalist requesting the cancellation of an FIR lodged against him for allegedly circulating a sevenpage WhatsApp message asserting that beef consumption is essential for being a good Hindu. Justice Milind Ramesh Phadke noted that the case concerns accusations of sharing material that could injure religious feelings or create communal discord. According to the prosecution, complainant Ram Mohan Tiwari reported to Daboh police station in Bhind that on 26.09.2025 at around 10:00 pm, he learnt from another individual that in a WhatsApp group titled “B P Bauddh Patrakar News Group”, the journalist had shared a seven-page message allegedly claiming that "consuming beef was essential to being a good Hindu." The complainant claimed that the post caused serious offence to him and others belonging to the Hindu and Brahmin communities. On his complaint, police registered the FIR. Challenging this, the journalist ap- Case registered over WhatsApp message claiming that eating beef is essential for being a good Hindu proached the High Court to quash the FIR under provisions relating to promoting enmity between groups [Section 196(1)], deliberately outraging religious feelings [Section 299], issuing statements containing false claims to cause mischief [Section 353(1)], and taking part in activities likely to create fear among communities [Section 353(2)] of the BNS. The petitioner’s counsel argued that the message was shared in the legitimate exercise of free speech and was merely an excerpt from scholarly literature, posted without malicious motive. It was submitted that the content cited a book written by Dr Surendra Kumar Sharma (Agyaat), which is not banned by any government authority, and was shared in a private WhatsApp group whose members willingly joined to engage with alternative journalistic viewpoints. 4Continued on | P8 Relentless protest by the Opposition demanding a debate on SIR led to the adjournment of Lok Sabha proceedings for the day on Tuesday even as the government asserted that it was ready to discuss the issue in the House without assigning a timeline. After two adjournments earlier in the day, the House met again at 2 pm amid sloganeering by the Opposition members today, it has been decided to hold discussion in Lok Sabha on 150th Anniversary of National Song 'Vande Mataram' from 12 Noon on Monday 8th Dec and discussion on Election Reforms from 12 noon on Tuesday 9th Dec.” PMO complex is ‘Seva Teerth’ now PTI NEW DELHI The new complex housing the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) will be called 'Seva Teerth', officials said on Tuesday. The new complex, which is in the final stages of completion, was earlier known as the 'Executive Enclave' under the Central Vista Redevelopment project. Besides the PMO, the 'Executive Enclave' will also comprise offices of the Cabinet Secretariat, National Security Council Secretariat and India House, which will be a venue for high-level talks with visiting dignitaries. Sambhavana Trust pays tributes on the eve of 41st anniversary of Bhopal Gas Tragedy on Tuesday Biswajeet Banerjee The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to conduct a statewide investigation to ensure that individuals who have converted to Christianity are not availing benefits reserved for Scheduled Castes. Calling any continuation of SC reservation benefits after conversion a “fraud on the Constitution”, the court said caste-based privileges are strictly linked to religious Now, direct election for local body chairman PTI Assembly passes Municipalities (Amendment) Bill NEW DELHI As a government order to manufacturers to preload a state-run cybersecurity app, Sanchar Saathi, on all phones kicked up a privacy row, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday appeared to soften the stance, saying users are free to delete it if they so wish, and that it will remain inactive till they register on it. The November 28 order from his ministry directed smartphone makers to pre-install the app on all new devices and push it through updates on older ones. Many opposition leaders and critics saw it as a snooping attempt, as they felt the app could listen to calls and monitor messages. Scan & Watch 4Continued on | P8 Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL To hold direct election for the post of chairman of Municipal Councils and Nagar Parishads, the Madhya Pradesh Municipalities (Amendment) Bill 2025 was passed in the state assembly on Tuesday. The next election of local bodies will be direct. Tabling the bill, urban de- Bhopal: In the past two years, 329 FIRs had been registered against police personnel in the state, the government told the state assembly in a written reply in assembly here on Tuesday. Congress MLA Bala Bachchan raised a question about the cases registered against police personnel from Behind the hoopla over the promise of artificial intelligence lay difficult realities, including how such technology might affect people already disadvantaged in a data-driven world. A new report by the United Nations Development Programme notes most of the gains from AI are likely to be reaped by wealthy nations unless steps are taken to use its power to help close gaps in access to basic needs, as well as such advanced know-how. The report released Tuesday likens the situation to the "Great Divergence" of the industrial revolution, when many Western countries saw rapid modernisa- tion while others fell behind. Questions over how companies and other institutions will use AI are a near universal concern given its potential to change or replace some jobs done by people 4Continued on | P8 January 1, 2024 to October 31,2025. The police personnel were booked for loot, atrocities, molestation, harassment, damaging public property, hurting public faith and many other crimes against common people. 4Continued on | P8 Do we give red carpet welcome: SC questions Rohingyas’ legal status PTI NEW DELHI The Supreme Court on Tuesday sharply questioned the legal status of Rohingyas living in India and asked whether "intruders" should be given a "red carpet welcome" while the country's own citizens grapple with poverty. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi made sharp observations while hearing a habeas corpus (bring the person) petition filed by rights activist Rita Manchanda alleging disappearance of few Rohingyas from the custody of authorities here. Now, the hearing in the case has been adjourned to December 16. The counsel alleged certain Rohingyas were picked up by Delhi Police in May and there was no information about their whereabouts. "If they do not have legal status to stay in India, and you are an intruder, we have a very sensitive border in the north India side. If an intruder comes, do we give them a Allahabad High Court directs the Uttar Pradesh govt to conduct probe identity as recognised under law. Justice Praveen Kumar Giri issued the directives while dismissing a petition filed by Jitendra Sahani, who sought to quash proceedings against him under Sections 153A and 295A of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly promoting religious enmity and making derogatory remarks about Hindu deities. The court observed that Sahani described his religion as Hindu in his affidavit filed in court, but police investigation revealed he had converted to Christianity and was working as a priest. A witness statement recorded under Section 161 CrPC alleged that Sahani encouraged villagers to adopt Christianity by mocking Hindu spiritual beliefs and promising jobs and economic benefits through missionary support. 4Continued on | P8 AI’s impact could worsen gaps between rich and poor AP velopment and housing minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said that everybody desired direct election to check horse-trading of corporators. In direct election, the chairman would not be under any pressure and could undertake development work. Till now, corporators used to form groups and build pressure on the chairman and due to this, the latter could not work properly, he said. The objective of the bill is to check blackmailing. 329 FIRS AGAINST COPS IN 2 YRS UN report BANGKOK cused and against Union Carbide s owner Dow Chemical highlight the reality of corporate clout trouncing judicial remedies against corporate crime. If the Indian government is serious about securing justice for the Bhopal disaster it needs to summon the political will necessary to defeat corporate strategies of digression and delay. Free to delete Sanchar Saathi: Scindia after privacy row ‘Those converted to Christianity can’t avail reservation benefits’ PRAYAGRAJ dar, ex-vice president, J Mukund, former work manager, SP Chaudhary, former production manager, KV Shetty, former plant superintendent and SI Qureshi, former production assistant. Rachna Dhingra of the Bhopal Group for Information and Action, said, The recent outcomes of the criminal proceedings against the Indian ac- with computers and robots. But while much of the attention devoted to AI focuses on productivity, competitiveness and growth, the more important question is what it will mean for human lives, the authors note. It's an issue for communities where most people are still struggling to access skills, electric power and internet connectivity, for older people, for people displaced by war, civil conflict and climate disasters. At the same time, such people may be "invisible" in data that will not take them into account, the report said. "As a general-purpose technology, AI can lift productivity, spark new industries, and help latecomers catch up," the report says. 4Continued on | P8 red carpet welcome saying we would like to give you all facilities" the CJI asked, adding, "What is the problem in sending them back." He said India is a country with a lot of poor people, and we should rather focus on them. "First you enter, you cross the border illegally. You dug a tunnel or crossed the fence and entered India illegally. Then you say, now that I have entered, your laws must apply to me and say, I am entitled to food, I am entitled to shelter, my children are entitled to education. 4Continued on | P8 Rs 195cr spent on investors’ meet, Rs 34cr on CM’s foreign trips 57, 565 people have got jobs in past two years Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The government has spent Rs 195 crore on the Investors’ Summit, Regional Industries Conclaves and interactive sessions in the past two years. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav gave the information in reply to a question raised by the Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar in the House on Tuesday. A sum of Rs 88 crore was spent on the Global Investors’ Summit held in Bhopal in February last year. The government has spent Rs 107 crore on industrial conclaves and interactive sessions held in different cities across the country. It was also said that a sum of Rs 34 crore was spent on the Chief Minister’s foreign trips. A sum of Rs 10.81 crore was spent on his trips to UK and Germany. Similarly, an amount of Rs 6.64 crore was spent on his Japan trip. The government spent Rs 16.55 crore on his UAE and Spain trips. According to a written reply by the Chief Minister, 746 industries have been set up in the past two years. He made state in reply to a question raised by legislator Chintamani Malviya. These industries generated jobs for 57, 565 people. We understand there is pressure over India: Kremlin on US tariffs Agencies NEW DELHI Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday addressed concerns over India facing high US tariffs for purchasing Russian oil, saying Moscow recognises the challenge but will not intervene in New Delhi's bilateral issues with Washington. Peskov said, "We cannot interfere in the diplomatic relations between the US and India. We understand that there is pressure over India." He noted that this pressure now shapes how Russia approaches its partnership with India. Explaining Moscow's position further, he said, "This is the reason we have to be care- Russia ratifies pact with India Russia's lower house of parliament, State Duma, on Tuesday ratified a key military pact with India ahead of President Vladimir Putin's state visit to New Delhi on December 4-5. The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support signed on February 18, between the two governments was sent to Duma last week ful in creating an architecture of the relationship that must be free of any influence coming from any third country." 4Continued on | P8 S400, SU57 on agenda With Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled to visit India on December 4 and 5 it will be an opportunity for the leadership of India and Russia to review progress in bilateral relations. Ahead of the Russian President Visit the Kremlin Spokesperson Dimitry Peskov that the sale of additional S400 long-range anti-aircraft missile and SU57 could be on the agenda during the visit.