FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLI No. 295 | INDORE | THURSDAY | APRIL 3, 2025 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in Sports Yashasvi abandons Mumbai for Goa switch P.13 ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE UJJAIN MONEY PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK Cinema Kalki’s summer elegance P.14 288/232:WAQF BILL-2025 CLEARS LOK SABHA TEST Agencies NEW DELHI JAMNAGAR Jaguar crashes BJP Minority Morcha supporters thank PM Narendra Modi on the introduction of Waqf Amendment Bill in the Parliament in New Delhi on Wednesday ious matters and properties donated by them is fear-mongering for vote-bank," he said. Earlier in the day, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the Bill, as proposed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee, in the Lower House for consideration and passage. 4Continued on | P8 FP News Service TOKYO 6 magnitude quake in Japan An earthquake of magnitude 6.0 on the Richter Scale jolted Japan's Kyushu on Wednesday at 7:34 pm (IST), the National Center for Seismology (NCS) said. There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. Today in IPL MATCH NO. 15 KKR Vs SRH KOLKATA; 7.30 PM (Detail on sports page) AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday night staged a symbolic protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha by tearing a copy of the legislation. Participating in the debate on the contentious Bill, the Hyderabad MP cited the example of Mahatma Gandhi while he was in South Africa. He said if one reads history, one would find what Mahatma Gandhi had said about the laws of white South Africa. Parliament has approved the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, aimed at tightening immigration controls and regulating the entry, stay, and exit of foreigners. The Rajya Sabha passed the bill by voice vote on Wednesday, following its approval in the Lok Sabha on March 27. Opposition-proposed amendments were rejected. A key provision of the bill stipulates that individuals using forged passports or visas to enter, stay in, or exit India face up to seven years in prison Jail term up to 7 years for entry using forged passport One of the key provisions in the Bill is that anyone found to be using a forged passport or visa for entering India or staying in or exiting from the country will be punishable with a jail term of up to seven years and a fine which could extend to Rs 10 lakh.The Bill also seeks to ensure a close monitoring of everyone who visits India and fines up to Rs10 lakh. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai defended the legislation, accusing the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of enabling illegal immigration by facilitating voter registration and ration card access for undocumented migrants. This led to a walkout by opposition MPs. The bill mandates stringent tracking of foreigners, requiring hotels, universities, hospitals, and other institutions to report their presence. Rai emphasized that the bill was drafted after a three-year Govt disagrees with PHQ proposal Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The superintendents of police (SPs) are unauthorised to post the deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) within the districts. The government has turned down a proposal sent by the police headquarters (PHQ) seeking authority for the SPs for posting the DSPs. The PHQ sent a proposal to the Home Department seeking powers for the SPs to shift DSPs and sub-divisional officers of police (SDOPs) within the districts. The PHQ sent the suggestion seeking power for the SPs on a par with the collectors. In the districts, the collectors divide job assignments among sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs). In the same way, the SPs should have freedom to send officers of their choice to a particular place within the Govt to release transfer list After the rejection of the PHQ’s proposal, the government is going to release a transfer list of officers of state police service. The transfers will be carried out at the government level as has been happening for all these years. districts. The PHQ also pleaded that the authority to choose his team members would provide more control over his subordinates and would help them check the incidents of crime. According to sources, the state government rejected the proposal saying that it disagreed with the PHQ. The government believes that it will lead to political interference in the districts, sources said. 4Continued on | P8 New Delhi: The government has approved the appointment of NCAER Director General Poonam Gupta as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India for a period of three years, according to sources. The post of the Deputy Governor of RBI fell vacant after M D Patra demitted office in January. The sources said the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) app r o v e d Gupta's appointment for the post of Deputy Governor in the RBI for three years from the date of joining. Currently, Gupta is the Director General of National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), India's largest economic policy think tank. She is also a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and Convener of the Advisory Council to the 16th Finance Commission. Today's morality different: SC Online Report A failed romantic relationship need not always mean sexual relations were forced on either party, the Supreme Court noted Wednesday as it heard a plea by a man to quash rape charges levelled by his former fiancee. The woman had claimed she had sex expecting marriage. However, a bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Rajesh Bindal cited an evolving sense of morality in n Amit Shah, Union Min The government is not going to interfere in any religious institution. The changes made in the Waqf law by the UPA government gave it overriding effect over other statutes, hence the new amendments were required. n Kiren Rijiju, Union Min TRUMP TARIFFS GO LIVE AP 26% TARIFF ON IMPORTS FROM INDIA WASHINGTON President Donald Trump announced plans for sweeping tariffs Wednesday, saying "our country has been looted, pillaged, raped, plundered" by other nations. The aggressive rhetoric came as Trump showed a willingness to dismantle a global economic system that the United States helped to build after World War II. "Taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years," Trump said in remarks at the White House. "But it is not going to happen Two women Maoists gunned down in Mandla Carried Rs 28L bounty The US President, Donald Trump, has announced to apply 26 per cent tariff on imports from India. Unveiling a chart to illustrate the new tariff rates, Trump pointed out that China, which charges the US a 67% tariff, will now face a 34% tariff on its exports to the US. President Donald Trump has declared that the US will impose a 25% tariff on all foreign-made automobiles anymore." The president has promised that factory jobs will return back to the United States as a result of the taxes, but his policies risk causing a sudden economic slowdown as consumers and businesses could face sharp price hikes on autos, clothes and other goods. Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL study and aims to elevate India's education system and economy to global standards. He also clarified that an Immigration Bureau will serve as the central agency for immigration matters, in line with international practices. Welcoming foreign students and researchers, Rai stressed the need to monitor individuals involved in anti-national activities. The bill also grants the government power to regulate premises frequently visited by foreigners and enforce closures or restrictions when necessary. In a major breakthrough against left-wing extremism, two armed and wanted women Maoist cadres were shot dead in an early morning anti-Maoist operation by police in the dense jungles of Mandla district on Wednesday. The slain Maoists, identified as Mamta and Pramila, hailed from Chhattisgarh and were part of the Kanha-Bhoramdev (KB) division, a notorious Maoist outfit operating inBalaghat,Mandla and Kawardha districts of MP and Chhattisgarh. Both the women carried a bounty of Rs 14 lakh each, amounting to a collective reward of Rs 28 lakh, said Special Director General of Police, Anti-Maoist Operations, Pankaj Srivastava. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 the world today, pointed out the woman "did accept the relationship with the option it can be broken", and asked if therefore any failed relationship could ultimately be so punished. "You are a major... it cannot be you were hoodwinked to believe you will get married, etc. With due respect, today the concept of morality, virtues is different with the younger lot. If we agree with you, then any relationship between a boy and girl in college, etc., will be punishable." The court also observed complaints such as these are sometimes fed by conservative morals and values, in which the blame is apportioned to the man because of a "lacunae" in the system. The woman's lawyer pointed out the relationship in question was 'arranged' and not 'romantic' in nature, thereby raising the question of 'consent'. "This is not a romantic relationship that went sour. This was arranged. Consent in this case cannot be said to be 'free consent'," Madhavi Divan said, explaining that the breaking of the engagement would amount to "social taboo". 4Continued on | P8 FP News Service RATLAM Firoz was among the five founding members of Alsufa and treasurer of the organisation In a significant development, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has imposed an interim stay on the results of MPPSC State Service Main Examination 2025. The stay follows a petition challenging the commission's failure to release category-wise cut-off marks for the preliminary examination. The issue stems from the preliminary examination results declared on March 5, 2025, for recruitment of 158 posts. Unlike previous exams, where category-wise cut-off marks were provided, this time, MPPSC did not disclose them. Petitioners argue that this move violates established judicial precedents and unfairly reserves all unreserved posts exclusively for general category candidates, instead of allowing meritorious reserved-category candidates to Fawda, Amin Haji, Mazhar alias Chhotu, Imran Pathan, Yunus Saki, Imran Matka, Aqib Maharashtra and Firoz had planned to carry out a terrorist attack by through serial blasts in Jaipur. A case under sections 4,5,6 Explosive Substances Act and Section 13, 15, 16, 18 and 20 UAPA was registered with Nimbahera Police Station. As the case is an interstate matter, case number 18/2022/NIA/DLI was registered by NIA. Ten accused were arrested by NIA and Rajasthan Police in the case. They got a tip-off that accused was hiding at his sister’s place in Anand Colony. Ratlam police arrested the 11th absconding accused involved in conspiracy to carry out serial blasts in Jaipur, Rajasthan, said SP Amit Kumar during a press conference on Wednesday. He is believed to be the mastermind of the gang. National Investigation Agency (NIA) had announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh for the absconding accused identified as Firoz. He was among the five founding members of Alsufa and treasurer of the organisation. As per reports, during the checking by Nimbahera police, Rajasthan, a suspicious car (MP 43 CA 7091) was stopped and searched. Three persons including Zuber, Saifullah alias Saif Khan and Altamash, all residents of Ratlam were found with explosives and bomb-making material including timers, cells, wire and other materials on March 30, 2022. During interrogation, they confessed to being associated with Alsufa organisation. They along with eight other members of the organisation including Amin Pakistan troops cross LoC in J&K, violate ceasefire They fought when alive, but ended life together IANS A couple was found hanging at their house in the Chhatripura area on Wednesday. The police believe that the couple committed suicide over some dispute between them. However, the exact reason behind the suicide could not be ascertained as no suicide note was found at the spot. Chhatripura police station in charge KP Yadav informed Free Press that Gabbar Yadav, 45, a resident of Sethi Nagar, and his wife Sapna Yadav, 40, were found hanging when their son reached home from his school around 4.45 pm. The couple were hanging on two nooses made using a saree. He immediately informed the neighbours and later, the police were in- 4Continued on | P8 Petitioners argue this move unfairly reserves unreserved posts exclusively for general category candidates compete for them. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain conducted a preliminary hearing on April 2, 2025. Representing the petitioners, senior advocates Rameshwar Singh Thakur, Vinayak Prasad Shah and R.G. Verma informed the court that an interim order had previously barred the release of results without the High Court s permission. However, MPPSC proceeded to declare results on March 5, before the scheduled March 25 hearing, allegedly misleading the court. 4Continued on | P8 ED uncovers Soros-backed funding routes Online Report The Enforcement Directorate has uncovered financial transactions linking billionaire philanthropist George Soros’s Soros Economic Development Fund to the NGO sector in India, raising concerns over possible violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and FDI norms. Investigators have found that SEDF, the social impact investment arm of the Open Society Institute, provided funds to three Indian companies—Rootbridge Services Pvt Ltd, Rootbridge Academy Pvt Ltd, and ASAR Social Impact Advisors Pvt Ltd—under the pretext of FDI or consultancy/service fees. These companies received approximately Rs 25 crore between 2020-2021 and 20232024, despite OSI being under the scrutiny of the Home Ministry since May 2016 for “undesirable activities.” 4Continued on | P8 INDORE The Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said on Wednesday that the Pakistan Army intruded into the Indian side and also violated the ceasefire by opening fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district. “The violation took place at 1.10 p.m. on Tuesday, and the Indian troops responded with controlled and calibrated retaliation,” the spokesman said. The defence spokesman made no mention of any casualties on the Pakistani side of the LoC due to Indian retaliation, but official sources said five enemy soldiers were injured in the explosion and the subsequent firing between the two sides. 4Continued on | P8 Our Staff Reporter JAMMU The tariffs are expected to follow similar recent announcements of 25 per cent taxes on auto imports; levies against China, Canada and Mexico; and expanded trade penalties on steel and aluminum. HC interim stay on MPPSC mains over cut-off marks plea SPs won’t get authority Poonam Gupta Radical group founder wanted appointed RBI to post DSPs in districts Deputy Governor in Jaipur serial blast plot held offgrid NEW DELHI It was your (Opposition) insistence that a Joint Parliamentary Committee should be formed. We do not have a committee like the Congress. We have a democratic committee, which brainstorms. Our committee discusses, deliberates on the basis of discussions and makes changes. If the changes are not to be accepted, then what is the point of the committee? Curbs on entry, stay, exit of foreigners MUMBAI A Jaguar fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed in Gujarat's Jamnagar on Wednesday evening. After the crash, a large cloud of smoke engulfed the entire area. In a video of the incident that surfaced online, several burning pieces and debris of the plane could be seen scattered on the ground. After the incident, locals gathered at the site and the pilot, who was injured, could be seen lying on the ground. Owaisi tears up Waqf Bill E-paper Edit 75 years of bonhomie? P.6 INDICES RECOVER AHEAD OF US TARIFF DECLARATION 12-HOUR DEBATE | A Combined Opposition’s relentless opposition failed to stop the amendment bill tabled in the Lower House The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was cleared with a majority in the Lok Sabha late late on Wednesday, after an over 12hour debate that saw a sharp exchange of views between the government and the Opposition. The Lower House passed the legislation with 288 in favour and 232 against it. The bill seeks to improve the administration of Waqf properties, introduce technology-driven management, address complexities and ensure transparency. During the debate, Union Home Minister Amit Shah targeted the Congress for allegedly spreading misinformation on the Bill, and assured that the legislation does not seek to interfere in Muslims' religious matters. "That the Waqf bill is interference in Muslims' relig- MUMBAI Tailpiece formed. Preliminary investigation revealed that Gabbar used to make furniture in Sethi Nagar. When their son left for his school, everything was normal but he was shocked to see his parents hanging upon his return. The police believe that the couple took the extreme step following an argument over some issue. Following this, one of them hanged self then the spouse also hanged him/herself after making another noose with the saree. 4Continued on | P8 ELON MUSK TO LEAVE DOGE? Tesla shares climbed 5% on Wednesday after Politico reported that Elon Musk could soon step down from his position at Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The White House dismissed the report as “garbage.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said "Elon Musk and President Trump have publicly stated that Elon will depart from public service as a special government employee when his incredible work at DOGE is complete."