ESTD-1928 Vol. 67 No. 227 | MONDAY | JUNE 24, 2024 | 24 Pages | `5 & for Pune `6 only Reg.No MCS/048/2021-23; RNI No. 1541/1957 M.p.c.s office Mumbai. PIN 400001 THE FREE PRESS JOURNAL ✩✩✩ QUALITY @ VALUE www.freepressjournal.in NATION Rahul pens emotional letter to Wayanad, begins with sisters and brothers EDITIONS: MUMBAI INDORE PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK KONKAN E-paper WORLD Games Jordan’s 4-wicket haul bundles out co-host USA Regulators probe an official from Sunak’s party over betting allegations Edit More debate needed on caste inequalities TESTING TIMES FOR NDA LS session begins today in backdrop of swirling exam controversy, diminished NDA numbers and a rejuvenated Opposition FPJ News Service NEW DELHI The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha begins on Monday against the backdrop of a swirling controversy over irregularities in examinations, which in turn has put a question mark over the efficacy of institutions mandated to conduct these tests to profes- sional courses. Leaders of the Congress, the DMK and the Trinamool Congress have already indicated that they will be raising the issue that has affected millions of students. The first session will also see diminished numbers on the treasury benches and a more than vociferous and rejuvenated Opposition, after their suc- cessful outing in the general election. Food inflation, heat wave and the alleged misuse of investigating agencies are issues lurking in the background. Although the Janata DalUnited (JD-U) and the Telegu Desam Party (TDP) have bolstered the NDA numbers and they, in turn, have assured the BJP of unconditional support, Member: Audit Bureau of Circulation (Jan to Dec 2023) there is a residue of doubt about their response to the issue of irregularities in NEET examinations. The session begins with oath-taking by newly elected members on Monday followed by election of the Lok Sabha Speaker on June 26 and President Droupadi Murmu's address to BUSTED | Claim to have clinching proof, arrest six, even as CBI team is heckled Bihar cops crack solver gang scam CBI TO LOOK AT LARGER NEET PLOT 4Contd on | Nation FPJ News Service Kejriwal moves SC on his bail FPJ News Service NEW DELHI M Briefs Naxalites kill 2 CRPF jawans Kabuliwallahs catch Kangaroo by the tail Two CRPF personnel were killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast triggered by Naxalites in Sukma district in Chhattisgarh on Sunday. The personnel from Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) 201 battalion of the CRPF, were going from Silger to Tekulagudem camp, on a routine patrol at around 3 pm on Sunday on a truck and bikes, when the truck was blown up by the IED blast. Meenakshi Rao KINGSTOWN Maya reinstates her nephew In a significant political move, BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday reappointed her nephew, Akash Anand, as the party’s national coordinator and reaffirmed him as her political successor. This decision comes amid increasing pressure to reinstate Anand with a major assignment following the BSP's dismal performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections. The BSP failed to secure a single seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Gulbadin, Naib, Gurbaaz, Noor, Naveen – and so many more – are weaving golden threads into the rich tapestry of cricket history. On a magical Saturday night at St. Vincent, these Afghan heroes delivered a performance for the ages, defeating the mighty Australians in the Super 8 round of the T20 World Cup. What's in a name you would say? But each of these proud Afghan names embodies a powerful trait: Gulbadin stands for intent, Naib for authority, Naveen for new beginnings, Noor for light, and Rashid for unwavering faith. All these qualities shone brilliantly in a match that will be remembered for its heart and soul. Afghanistan’s players spent the night singing and dancing as they celebrated their historic victory It wasn’t just a 21-run victory over the perennial champions of cricket’s summit tournaments; it was a moment that transcended the scoreboard. Fans from around the world, regardless of their allegiance, rose to their feet to applaud the humble Afghan warriors who played with unparalleled passion and heart against a seemingly insurmountable opposition. The implications of this victory are manifold. Im- mediately, it throws the group wide open. Australia, the titans of cricket, now face the possibility of eviction from the tournament if India secures a win on Monday. If Afghanistan continues their dream run and defeats Bangladesh, they will make their first historic semi-final appearance. Conversely, a significant loss could still shake up the standings. In the long term, this victory is a beacon for the ICC’s efforts to expand the game beyond its traditional confines, showing that cricket can truly compete on a global stage. Afghanistan’s rise from an associate team to a top contender warms hearts across borders, uniting fans in admiration and respect. 4Contd on | Nation Officially, hubby & wife IANS MUMBAI Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal are officially husband and wife, having completed all legal formalities related to a civil marriage. The intimate marriage, which was formalised at Sonakshi's sprawling sea-facing, 26-floor apartment in Bandra J&K DGP to invoke Enemy Agents Law People who are found supporting foreign terrorists will be dealt with under the Enemy Agents Ordinance, which is much harsher than Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police RR Swain said on Sunday on the sidelines of a function here. 4Contd on | Nation 4Contd on | Nation 4Contd on | Nation PATNA at Learn and Play School at Khemnichak in Patna, he said. An active member of a ‘solver gang’, led by Sanjeev Singh alias Sanjeev Mukhiya alias Lutan, Chintu had first obtained the question papers and answer sheets for biology and then those for physics and chemistry, he told interrogators. At least 12 copies of question papers and answer sheets were printed to be distributed among candidates at Learn and Play School at Khemnichak. Rocky, from Nawada district in Bihar, who runs a restaurant on Kadru Road under Chutia police station in Ranchi, knew from where the question papers and answer sheets were obtained. The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police has obtained clinching evidence of the leak of the question paper of the National Eligibility-cumEntrance Test (Undergraduate), officials said on Sunday. Baldev Kumar alias Chintu, one of the six people arrested from Deoghar district in Jharkhand on Friday night, told interrogators that he had obtained a PDF file of the question papers and answer sheets from one ‘Rocky’ from Ranchi, ahead of the examination on May 5. Chintu had received the question papers and answer sheets on his WhatsApp and these were printed and provided to 35 candidates, who were asked to memorise them 4Contd on | Nation 4Contd on | Nation 48% DODGE NEET-UG RETEST nterestingly, 48 per cent of students who were scheduled to retake the NEETUG on Sunday did not turn up, the National Testing Agency said in a statement. After a Supreme Court order, 1,563 students, who were given grace marks, were eligible to take the retest. Of the total, 813 (52 per cent) gave the retest and 750 skipped, shows data released by the NTA. The NTA had opened seven exam centres in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Meghalaya, and Chandigarh. These candidates had been awarded grace marks to compensate for the loss of time in the examination held on May 5. In Chhattisgarh, the exam was scheduled to be held at two centres, with 602 candidates eligible for retest. However, only 291 aspirants turned up for the exam. The arrangements were made at two exam centres in Haryana for 494 candidates. Of these, 287 students appeared for the exam. I 2nd Gowda grandson held Rajashekara S BENGALURU In another embarrassment for the former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda’s family, one more grandson, MLC Dr Suraj Revanna, has been arrested by the Hassan police in connection with sexual assault on a man. The State later referred the case to the Crime Investigation Department (CID). The accused was produced before the Special People's Representatives Court Judge at his residence and remanded in judicial custody. Later, the MLC was sent to the Bengaluru Central Prison where his younger brother, former MP Prajwal Revanna, an accused in multiple rape cases, is lodged. The victim has alleged that the MLC called him to his farm house in Holenarasipura in Hassan district and sexually assaulted him, inflicting bite and nail injuries on his body and on private parts. The incident is said to have happened on June 16. The following day, the victim sent an email to the Chief Minister, Home Minister, Director General and Inspector General of Police, Hassan Superintendent of Police and to the local police station. Countering the victim's claim, Dr Suraj Revanna’s aide Shivakumar had filed a counter complaint alleging that it was a case of blackmail involving a ransom demand of Rs 5 crore. 4Contd on | Nation Sheshshayi Vishnu sculpture found in Buldhana PTI CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR An intricate and detailed 'Sheshshayi Vishnu' sculpture has been found during excavation work carried out by the ASI in Sindkhed Raja town in Maharashtra's Buldhana district, an official said on Sunday. It was found at a depth of 2.25 metres when a team of experts, during the conservation work of Lakhuji Jadhavrao's Chhatri, spotted some stone alignments and then reached a temple base on further digging, Superintendent Archaeologist of Nagpur Circle Arun Malik told PTI. "After the sabha mandap was exposed, we decided to check the depth of the temple, during which we found a sculpture of goddess Laxmi. Later, a huge sculpture of Sheshshayi Vishnu in its entirety was revealed. It is 1.70 metres in length and 1 metre in height. The width of the sculpture's base, which is yet to be exposed, may be 30 cm," Malik informed. "It is made up of a chlorite Tailpiece Sexual assault on JD-S male activist Shashi’s uttar annoys BJP offgrid FPJ News Service JAMMU West, was attended by friends and relatives from both sides, including her parents -- Bollywood veteran and newlyelected Lok Sabha MP from Asansol, Shatrughan Sinha, and his wife, Poonam -- and her close friend as well as 'Double XL' co-star Huma Qureshi. With that, public Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday moved the Supreme Court, challenging the interim stay granted on his bail order by the High Court in an excise policy case. The bail given by a trial court had been paused till an ED petition is heard in the case. The ED had challenged the bail granted to Kejriwal hours before he was to leave Tihar jail. On Friday, the high court said till it hears the agency's petition, the trial court order for bail will not take effect. Kejriwal's lawyers have sought a hearing on Monday. "The High Court has lost sight of the most objective criteria that is required to judge an application for cancellation of bail and, therefore, the impugned order staying the operation of the order granting bail cannot sustain even for a day," Kejriwal’s plea states. The plea states that the Aam Aadmi Party chief cannot be denied the due process of law, nor a "false case" can be foisted on him "merely because the petitioner is a political figure and opposed to the present dispensation at power in Centre". The Central Bureau of Investigation on Sunday registered a fresh case in connection with allegations of irregularities in the NEET-UG examination hours after the Centre handed over the investigation to the central agency on a reference from the Education Ministry. To unravel the larger conspiracy, the CBI will also look at the role of public servants, if any. The government had initially denied any paper leak but reviewed its stand after the controversy ‘exploded’ in public domain. The agency will take over FIRs registered in several states in connection with irregularities of cheating and impersonation in NEET. Individuals arrested by state police will also be taken into CBI custody. RECAP: The NEETUG was held on May 5 across 4,750 centres in the country and around 24 lakh candidates took the exam. The results were announced on June 4, ten days ahead of the expected date. One of the arrested accused. PIC: PTI Dheeraj Kumar ansi Shah's Happy Feet Home provides palliative care and educational, vocational and nutritional assistance for terminally ill children. Read more on Mumbai page. fp NEW DELHI schist rock. Such sculptures were carved in south India (Hoysalas). It is of Vishnu re- clining on Shesha Naga and goddess Laxmi massaging his feet while sitting on a cushion. Samudramanthana is depicted in this sculpture and jewels of Samudramanthana like Ashwa, Airavat are also seen on the panel," he said. The detailed and meticulously carved panel showing Dashavatara, Samudramanthana and Lord Vishnu reclining is the peculiarity of this sculpture, he added. Iconography expert Saili Palande-Datar said the rock is schist stone, which is soft as compared to locally found basalt rock. "Such sculptures were found in Marathwada earlier but they were in basalt rock. The sculpture of the donor couple (between Sheshnaag and Samudramanthan) is also carved prominently on this panel, which is its peculiarity. In the future, when an art museum is established in Maharashtra, this sculpture will be one of its masterpieces," she said. T he BJP leaders are not amused at Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's latest dig over paper leaks in competitive exams. On Saturday night, Tharoor shared an image on X that had a question and an answer. The question in Hindi was, "What is called Uttar Pradesh?" The answer was: "a state where uttar (meaning answers) are known before the exam." The purported test sheet also shows the teacher marking the answer '10/10' and complimenting the student. Tharoor described the post as "shandaar" and added the hashtag "Pariksha pe charcha" -- a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative on interface with students. The Thiruvananthapuram MP's post was clearly aimed at ridiculing the Centre over multiple cases of paper leaks. But BJP MPs saw in it an attempt to stereotyping the northern state. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma 4Contd on | Nation