Vol. 68 No. 128 | Monday, March 3, 2025 | 25 Pages | `5 & for Pune `6 only Reg.No MCS/048/2021-23; RNI No. 1541/1957 M.p.c.s office Mumbai. PIN 400001 Leader in E-paper circulation l www.freepressjournal.in ● EDITIONS: ● MUMBAI ● INDORE ● PUNE ● BHOPAL ● NASHIK ● KONKAN ● E-paper ● Member: Audit Bureau of Circulation (Jan to June 2024) GAMES NATION Modi visits Somnath temple, prays for health and prosperity of countrymen Briefs TRUMP PUMPS UP CRYPTOS US President Donald Trump has announced the names of five digital assets he expects to include in a new US crypto strategic reserve, spiking the market value of each. Trump said on social media his January executive order on digital assets would create a stockpile of currencies including bitcoin, ether, XRP, SOL and ADA. The names had not previously been announced. Bitcoin, the world's largest crypto currency by market value, was up around 8% at $90,828. Ether, the second largest crypto currency, was up 8.3% at $2,409. Trump, who won support from the crypto industry in his 2024 election bid, has quickly moved to back their policy priorities. Under his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, regulators cracked down on the industry in a bid to protect Americans from fraud and money laundering. In recent weeks crypto currency prices have been down sharply, with some of the biggest digital currencies erasing nearly all of the gains made after Trump's election win triggered a wave of excitement across the industry. Haryana SIT to probe body in suitcase Haryana Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the murder of Congress worker Himani Narwal, whose body was found stuffed in a suitcase near a Rohtak bus stand. Narwal, linked to Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, lived alone in Haryana while her family resided in Delhi. Her mother blamed politics for the murder, claiming she had made enemies within the party . Cinema Grammy-nominated singer Angie Stone dies in car crash Vidarbha become Ranji Trophy champions for the third time after beating Kerala Edit Math behind problem of delimitation VARUN WEB TIES KIWIS INTO KNOTS IN THE DOCK | Anti-Corruption Court wants FIR slapped on ex-SEBI chief Madhabi Buch and other officials in case of alleged stock market fraud and regulatory violations SEBI LEGAL DARE FPJ News Service MUMBAI The Securities and Exchange Board of India on Sunday said that it will soon initiate legal steps to challenge the special AntiCorruption (ACB) court verdict which has directed an FIR to be filed against former chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and other officials in connection with alleged stock market fraud and regulatory violations. The capital market regulator, in a statement issued on Sunday, dismissed the complainant as a "frivolous and habitual litigant", vowing to take appropriate legal steps to challenge the order. To the surprise of many, a special court on Saturday directed the ACB to register Tailpiece Triple talaq by UAE resident on WhatsApp FPJ News Service India’s spin attack, led by the wily Varun Chakravarthy, choked New Zealand by 44 runs while defending 249, securing a high-stakes semifinal showdown with Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday. In their toughest group-stage test, Rohit Sharma’s men battled against disciplined Kiwi pacers and electric fielding, with Glenn Phillips’ spectacular catch sending Virat Kohli back early. Shreyas Iyer’s composed 79 and Hardik Pandya’s crucial 45 pushed India to a fighting 249/9. Chasing what seemed a manageable target, New Zealand soon found themselves ensnared in India’s spin trap. On a sluggish Dubai track, 4Contd on | nation Raut’s claim: Shah urged Shinde to merge with BJP Kalpesh Mhamunkar MUMBAI Our Correspondent LONDON THIRUVANANTHAPURAM British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has taken upon himself the onerous task of working in tandem with the leaders of Ukraine, France and Italy on a cease-fire plan to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. This plan will eventually need a US endorsement. The indications came ahead of a summit in London on Sunday, where the British PM met with President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and other European leaders to discuss the war. According to western media sources, these nations look set to assume key roles in a 'coalition of the willing' to enforce the peace deal with Russia. After hugging Zelensky on the steps of Lancaster House in London, Starmer told the gathering they must step up to a 'once in a generation moment.’ According to the Daily Mail, the leaders are also expected to ramp up defence spending with the British PM urging them to recognise the 'brutal reality' of the US pulling back from military guarantees given to allies.  The Kerala Police on Sunday booked a man residing in the UAE for allegedly divorcing his 21-year-old wife by pronouncing triple talaq through a WhatsApp message. An FIR was registered by the Hosdurg police in Kasargod district under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Muslim Women (Protection of rights under Marriage) Act. Razak allegedly sent the triple talaq WhatsApp message to his father-in-law asking him to convey it to his daughter from Kalluravi in Kasargod district. 4Contd on | nation 4Contd on | nation EPIC duplication, not faking it FPJ News Service MUMBAI The Election Commission of India (ECI) has clarified that duplication in EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) numbers does not indicate fake or duplicate voters, addressing concerns over identical alphanumeric series appearing in different states. The Commission explained that before the adoption of the ERONET platform, some States and Union Territories followed a manual system that inadvertently led to the same EPIC numbers being assigned to different voters across separate constituencies. Despite these duplications, the ECI emphasized that every voter remains restricted to casting their ballot only at their designated polling station in their respective constituency. Even if two electors from different states share the same EPIC number, their demographic details, Assembly Constituency, and polling booth locations are entirely distinct, ruling out any possibility of electoral fraud. To eliminate concerns and prevent further confusion, the Commission announced that all registered voters will be assigned unique EPIC numbers. Any existing duplications will be rectified through updates in the ERONET 2.0 system, ensur- ing that every voter has a distinct identifier. The clarification follows recent social media reports and allegations by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who accused the BJP of manipulating voter rolls by adding fake voters from other states. However, West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer dismissed these claims, stating that the voter roll update process adheres strictly to legal protocols. PRIVATE SPACECRAFT LANDS ON MOON A MUMBAI 4Contd on | nation Peace prospects in tatters, Europe picks up the pieces spacecraft from an American start-up gently touched down on a lava plain on the moon’s near side early Sunday morning. The Blue Ghost Lunar Lander, built by Firefly Aerospace of Cedar Park, Texas, had set out its journey on January 15. It was launched from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Over a week- Haridev Pushparaj an FIR against the former SEBI chairperson in connection with the alleged capital market fraud and regulatory violations. The court has also ordered ACB to register FIRs against Sundararaman Ramamurthy, managing director and chief executive officer of BSE, its then chairman and public interest director Pramod Agarwal, and SEBI’s three whole time members -- Ashwani Bhatia, Ananth Narayan, and Kamlesh Chandra Varshney. In the order passed on Saturday, the special court judge Shashikant Eknathrao Bangar said, “There is prima facie evidence of regulatory lapses and collusion, requiring a fair and impartial probe.” long journey, the lander travelled roughly 238,855 miles (384,400 km) and entered lunar orbit on February 13 where it was scheduled to wait for 16 days. The Ghost is on a 14-day mission and will collect information on the lunar soil  At the end of its operations, Blue Ghost will stay put, destined to remain on the moon’s surface indefinitely. UBT Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, known for his relentless attacks on former Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has made a sensational allegation— claiming that Union Home Minister Amit Shah advised Shinde to merge his party with the BJP. In his Sunday column Rokhthok in Saamana, Raut alleged that Shinde met Shah at Pune’s Westin Hotel at 4 AM on February 22, seeking clarity on his diminishing role in the government. According to Raut, Shinde complained about Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, frustrated that his authority was being systematically eroded. Alleged Conversation Between Shinde and Shah Amit Shah: "Shindeji, it’s 4 AM. What is so urgent?" Shinde: "You already know what is happening." Shah: "What exactly?" Shinde: "They are sidelining me and my people." Shah: "How is that possible? I’ll speak to Devendra." Shinde: "They’re trying to politically finish me. We trusted you and joined hands with BJP. You promised I’d remain CM TAKE YOUR PICK How can there be a Cold War in such scorching heat? Everything is "thanda thanda and cool cool" between me, CM and Ajit Pawar. – Eknath Shinde Private lunar lander Blue Ghost's shadow is seen on the moon's surface after touching down. (PHOTO: NASA/FIREFLY AEROSPACE VIA AP) “We have a rotating understanding between us.” – Devendra Fadnavis offgrid Outrage as Minister’s daughter is harassed at fair Kalpesh Mhamunkar MUMBAI Union Minister Raksha Khadse A group of girls, including the daughter of Union Minister Raksha Khadse, were subjected to harassment at the Sant Muktai Fair in Kothali village, Muktainagar Taluka. Following a complaint filed by Raksha Khadse’s security personnel, Muktainagar Police have registered a case against four youths. The incident has sparked outrage, with Khadse demanding immediate action against the culprits. The chairperson of the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission, Rupali Chakankar, has condemned the incident and directed police to take immediate action. She expressed dismay that such crimes persisted despite CCTV surveillance and patrolling. “The perpetrators must face strict punishment. The commission will ensure justice is served,” she said. Eknath Khadse concerned Veteran politician and former minister Eknath Khadse called the incident ‘unfortunate� and expressed concern about women�s safety in Maharashtra. He noted that many such incidents have occurred before, but victims hesitate to approach police. Encouraging his granddaughter to file a complaint, he stressed the need for courage in confronting such issues. Supriya Sule, Aaditya Thackeray slam law & order situation NCP leader and MP Supriya Sule criticized the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, declaring, “Every girl in Maharashtra deserves protection. As a mother, I understand Raksha Khadse’s pain. The government must take immediate steps to ensure women's safety.” Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also targetted the Maharashtra government, particularly CM and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying, “For the past decade, Fadnavis has been the home minister, except for a brief period. Crimes are rising because criminals are given a free hand.” He also referenced the murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, questioning the government’s ability to deliver justice. even after elections." Shah: "But BJP won 125 seats. How can you claim the CM post?" Shinde: "The elections were fought under my leadership." Shah: "No, the elections were won in Modi ji’s name. Tell me what you want." Shinde: "I want to remain CM." Shah: "That’s not possible. The CM will be from BJP now." Shinde: "What should I do?" Shah: "Merge your party with BJP. That’s the only way you can retain influence. An outsider will no longer be Maharashtra’s CM. We have respected your position so far." Shinde: "What about my party?" Shah: "Leave that to us. We built that party, so don’t worry." Raut claimed that Shinde left the meeting visibly tense and that Shah assured him BJP would "take care of his faction" after the merger. While the BJP has not officially responded, Raut insists his sources are from within the BJP itself. SHINDE’S SHINDIG Eknath Shinde dismissed the claims outright, saying, “Amit Bhai Shah is an important leader of the NDA. Why would we meet secretly at 4 AM? We don’t operate in secrecy like them. We meet during the day.” He further questioned, “If the meeting never happened, how can Raut describe it?” POST SCRIPT Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis took a swipe at Raut’s allegations, quipping, “Sanjay Raut is now manufacturing stories. His competition is with Sholay writers Salim-Javed.” Border checkposts will be scrapped Kamal Mishra MUMBAI Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while laying the foundation stone for the new Transport Commissioner's Office, Parivahan Bhavan, in Worli on Sunday, announced that all Maharashtra state border check posts will be abolished by April 15, 2025. Seamless transport and faster movement of goods— With GST, Vahan, Sarathi, FASTag, and E-Way Bills in place, border checkposts are now obsolete. Their removal means less corruption, fewer compliance hassles, and an end to harassment. Faster transit will boost Maharashtra’s status as a logistics and trade hub, driving economic growth and competitiveness. And with digital monitoring ensuring tax collection, there’s no need for manual interference. The future of transport is efficient, transparent, and checkpointfree! “This long-awaited decision comes as a major relief to Maharashtra’s transport fraternity and the entire country. The Chief Minister has directed Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, MoS Transport Madhuri Mishal, ACS Transport & Ports Sanjay Sethi, and Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar to finalize the modalities for smooth implementation within the given timeline. Furthermore, he assured that BOT projects will be duly compensated by the state government,” said Bal Malkit Singh, Former President & Advisor – All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC). A committee tasked with examining the issue has already submitted its report to the Maharashtra government, recommending the abolition of border checkposts. This proposal is part of the Chief Minister’s 100-day action plan to modernize the state’s transport sector. According to Singh, abolishing state checkposts offers several key benefits, including seamless movement of goods and passengers, 4Contd on | nation