FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms Vol. XLI No. 344 | INDORE | THURSDAY | MAY 22, 2025 | Pages 16 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 FREE www.freepressjournal.in Sports RAIN RULES REWRITTEN, BUT TOO LATE FOR KKR P.16 ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE MONEY Topmost Naxal among 27 killed in encounter PTI WHO WAS BASAVARAJU Topmost leader and the backbone of the Naxal movement, Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju, and 26 other dreaded Maoists were killed by security forces in a fierce encounter in the dense forests of Abhujmad in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh on Wednesday. Hailing the operation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was proud of the security forces for the "remarkable success", while Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed it a "landmark achievement" in the battle to eliminate Naxalism. Police said the gunfight took place in dense forests of Abhujmad on the tri-junction of Narayanpur-Bijapur-Dantewada districts. The operation was launched two days back following intelligence inputs about the presence of Central Committee and Politburo members of the CPI (Maoists) fp Briefs NEW DELHI Team leaves for outreach India on Wednesday rolled out its massive global campaign 'Operation Sindoor Outreach' to expose Pakistan's direct and indirect links to terrorism as the first group of an all-party delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha left for a five-nation visit from New Delhi. SRINAGAR Turbulence hits IndiGo flight Severe turbulence hit an IndiGo airlines flight bound to Srinagar from Delhi, causing panic, cries and prayers among passengers on Wednesday, but fortunately the flight landed in Srinagar safely, though with a broken nose. Official sources said that a Srinagar-bound IndiGo flight from Delhi with more than 220 people on board hit turbulence midair due to inclement weather, prompting the pilot to report the “emergency” to air traffic control at Srinagar. See Nation NEW DELHI GDP growth projected at 7.2% The Indian economy is projected to expand by 7.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2024-25, due to an improvement in the agriculture sector and a sharp increase in net indirect tax, according to Barclays. "We think the agriculture sector growth is likely to show improvement year-on-year, as suggested by advance estimates of crop production, which show record high wheat production. Accordingly, we estimate agriculture GVA growth at 5.8 per cent in Q4, accelerating from 5.6 per cent in Q3," Barclays's India Chief Economist, Aastha Gudwani, said. n Backbone of the Naxal movement, he took over from Ganpathy in 2017 n Held BTech degree, carried `1 crore reward on his head nResident of Jiyannapeta village in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh n Developed expertise in imparting military training and triggering explosives, landmines n Known by the aliases of Prakash, Krishna, Vijay, Umesh and Kamlu as well as senior Maad Division cadres and PLGA (Peoples' Liberation Guerrilla Army) members. So far, bodies of 27 Naxalites and a large number of weapons have been recovered from the spot. A member of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), a unit of Chhattisgarh Police, was also killed in the action while some others sustained injuries, police said. PM Modi said he was proud of the security forces who killed 27 Maoists in Chhattisgarh. "Proud of our forces for this remarkable success. Our Government is committed to eliminating the menace of Maoism and ensuring a life of peace and progress for our people," he stated on X. The union home minister said this was for the first time in three decades of India's battle against Naxalism that a general secretary-ranked leader has been neutralised by Sonia, Rahul enjoyed Rs 142 cr of proceeds of crime: ED to court Proud of our forces for this remarkable success. Our Government is committed to eliminating menace of Maoism and ensuring a life of peace and progress for our people Narendra Modi Prime Minister the security forces. "A landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism. Today, in an operation in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, our security forces have neutralised 27 dreaded Maoists, including Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist, the topmost leader, and the backbone of the Naxal movement," Shah wrote on X. 4Continued on | P8 Waqf not essential to Islam: Centre FP News Service MUMBAI IANS NEW DELHI The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday told a court here that Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi have enjoyed Rs. 142 crore of “proceeds of crime” linked to alleged National Herald money laundering case. Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the ED, said that the accused were benefiting from the proceeds of crime until the federal antimoney laundering agency attached assets related to the National Herald in November 2023.Further, ASG Raju claimed that the accused committed money laundering not only when they acquired the “proceeds of crime" but also when they continued to hold it. As per the ED, a prima facie case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was made out against NATIONAL HERALD CASE the Gandhis, Congress Overseas Chief Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, and others. After hearing the opening arguments of the ED, Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts ordered that the matter would be taken on a day-to-day basis from July 2 till July 8 for submissions on behalf of the Central agency and the proposed accused. In the meantime, the judge asked the probe agency to furnish a copy of the prosecution complaint to BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, on whose private complaint the ED launched the money laundering probe. The Centre has firmly asserted before the SC that Waqf is not an essential religious practice in Islam but merely a form of charity, which is recognised across all faiths. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, arguing on behalf of the government, stated on Wednesday that the concept of Waqf is secular in nature and does not constitute a fundamental religious right. "Waqf is an Islamic concept. But it is not an essential part of Islam. It is just charity in Islam," Mehta said. He pointed out that several Islamic countries function without a Waqf structure and yet remain deeply Islamic. "If the majority of Muslims are financially unsound, would that make them less Muslim? Clearly not. The test for essential practice, as laid down by the Supreme Court, must be applied here." 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 Narrow escape for Vande Bharat as iron rods fall from bridge Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL In what could have been a major accident, iron rods from an under-construction railway bridge nearby fell on the tracks of the Vande Bharat Express heading to Rewa from Bhopal on Wednesday. The accident occurred near the bridge being built between Mandideep and Obaidullaganj stations. No casualty was reported, and the train pro- PRESS PUNE ceeded on its journey after stopping for repair work, railway officials said. They said strong winds and rains in the area collapsed the bridge’s structure of iron rods. At around 3.50 pm, as the train was crossing the area, these rods shattered some windows of its C-3 compartment. The train was cruising at a slow speed because a plastic bag was lodged between the hatch and the electrical wiring. There would’ve been massive damage had the train been running at full speed. 4Continued on | P8 BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit A gambit, not glory, for Munir P.10 Interim trade deal likely by July 8 MAJOR ACTION | Backbone of the Naxal movement Basavaraju was brain behind several major attacks on security forces NARAYANPUR UJJAIN Cinema Gowns and glory P.14 India expels Pak official Agencies Approach Prez, PM: SC rejects plea for FIR on Justice Varma NEW DELHI IANS India on Wednesday expelled yet another official from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi for “indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India.” The diplomat has been asked to leave the country within 24 hours. “The Charge d’Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission was summoned and issued a demarche today,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. “He was instructed to ensure that no member of the Pakistani diplomatic mission in India misuses their privileges or official status in any manner.”This marks the second such expulsion in just over a week. On May 13, India had expelled another Pakistani official on charges of espionage. NEW DELHI The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a plea seeking criminal prosecution of Justice Yashwant Varma, who is embroiled in a controversy surrounding the alleged discovery of a huge pile of burnt cash in the storeroom attached to his bungalow in the national capital after the fire brigade had gone there to douse a blaze on March 14. “There was an in-house inquiry report. It has been forwarded to the President of India and the Prime Minister of India for action. If you are seeking a writ of mandamus, you have to first make a representation to those authorities before which the issue is pend- Hailstorms reported in Vidisha, Shajapur, and Umaria  In a significant conservation milestone, Gujarat's Forest and Environment Department has released the findings of the 16th Asiatic Lion Census, showcasing a notable increase in both the lion population and their habitat. Conducted across the Gir Sanctuary and surrounding areas, the census recorded a total of 891 Asi- atic lions, underscoring a rise from 674 in 2020 and marking a pivotal moment for wildlife preservation in the state. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel highlighted the importance of this census. "The census, employing modern technologies, including the 'Direct Beat Verification' method, reaffirms our commitment to wildlife conservation," stated Chief Minister Patel. The census, conducted over four days in May 2025 across 11 districts, documented not only an increase in the number of lions but also an expansion of their habitat beyond traditional boundaries. This expansion Supreme Court lating wealth through corrupt means, an impeachment by itself will not suffice, said the petition, demanding his criminal prosecution. "What has happened is a grave crime against public justice. 4Continued on | P8 Rain brings down max temp Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Weather conditions changed suddenly in many regions of the state on Wednesday. Highspeed winds accompanied by light to moderate rains took everyone by surprise. Hailstorms hit Vidisha, Shajapur, and Umaria, and it seemed like monsoons had arrived before schedule.  Bhopal had an overcast sky in the afternoon. Past 4 pm, drizzle accompanied by gusty winds lashed the city. The vis- Children enjoy rainfall on road in Bhopal on Wednesday ibility declined substantially, creating problems for traffic.  The winds blew away the iron sheet over a hut in a village of Banda tehsil in the Sagar district. Two children standing beside the hut were also tossed and turned by the wind, but they remained uninjured. Rainfall also drenched Sehore, Chhindwara, and some other parts of the state. 4Continued on | P8 Green light given to Sonewani conservation reserve in Balaghat Indore sanctuary decision deferred Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The State Wildlife Board has approved creation of Sonewani Conservation Reserve in Balaghat, recognising the region’s rich wildlife presence. The move comes after political resistance to declaring the area a wildlife sanctuary, particularly from former minister Gaurishankar Bisen. To balance conservation with local concern, the state opted for a NEW DELHI Pak's attempt to hoodwink world: India India on Wednesday trashed as "baseless" Pakistan's allegations that there was an Indian hand in a bomb attack on a school bus in Balochistan's Khuzdar region. The MEA said it has become "second nature" for Pakistan to blame India for all its internal issues in order to divert attention from its reputation as the "global epicenter" of terrorism. See world Boost for Balaghat Sonewani Conservation Reserve approved in Balaghat due to high wildlife density. Proposal for Indore-Barwah sanctuary deferred; locals demand inclusion. Elephant conflict in Shahdol discussed; domesticating killer elephants suggested. Gharial project area on Sone River may be reduced due to low sightings. conservation reserve status instead. Meanwhile, the proposal to set up a sanctuary near Indore and Barwah was deferred and will be discussed in the next board meeting. Local residents have been pushing for its creation. The board also discussed a indicates a growing lion presence in new areas, necessitating careful management to mitigate potential human-wildlife conflicts. Historically, the census traces back to the earliest records in 1936, when 287 lions were documented in Junagadh State. Over the decades, systematic efforts evolved, with methodologies becoming more refined to accurately count and monitor lion populations. The 4Continued on | P8 PTI NEW DELHI 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 Vinay Madhava Gowda adoption of the 'Direct Beat Verification' method, involving over 500 volunteers and forest officials, ensured meticulous data collection across 35,000 sq km of lion territory. Integral to the success of the census were technological innovations such as high-resolution cameras, camera traps, and the eGujForest mobile application. Is she a drug lord? SC grants anticipatory bail to Puja Khedkar Bhasthi who will share the £50,000 prize. The award was announced by Booker Prizelonglisted author Max Porter in his role as chair of the fivemember voting panel, at a ceremony at London’s Tate Modern. recent elephant attack in Shahdol, which killed three villagers. It was decided that elephants involved in multiple human fatalities should be domesticated. Another key discussion was about Sone River's gharial project. BENGLURU Banu Mushtaq and her translator Deepa Bhasthi have won the International Booker Prize for fiction on Tuesday for “Heart Lamp,” a collection of 12 short stories written over more than 30 years and which chronicle the everyday lives and struggles of women in southern India. The stories were selected and translated into English from Kannada, spoken in Karnataka, by Deepa Owing to the monsoonlike weather, temperatures subsided in many cities. Bhopal’s maximum temperature settled at 39.1°C, 2.1°C below the normal mark. Indore registered a maximum temperature of 36.8 °C, 3.5°C below the normal mark. However, many cities in the state boiled due to soaring temperatures. Khajuraho’s maximum temperature was 46°C, followed by 45.2°C in Nowgaon, 43.6°C in Satna, 44. 5°C in Tikamgarh, 41.9°C in Sidhi, and 44.5°C in Guna. Is she a drug lord or a terrorist ? The Supreme Court asked Delhi Police on Wednesday as it granted anticipatory bail to former IAS probationer Puja Khedkar, accused of cheating, and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination. A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma directed Khedkar to fully cooperate in the probe cautioning against any misuse of her liberty. She was ordered not to influence witnesses or tamper with the evidence. "What is the grave crime she has committed? She is not a drug lord or a terrorist. She has not committed 302 (murder). She is not an NDPS offender. You should have a system or a software. You complete the investigation. She has lost everything and will not get a job anywhere," the bench said. Banu Mushtaq to share Booker with translator Asiatic Lion population goes up to 891 FP News Service ing,” a bench headed by Justice Abhay S. Oka told advocate Mathews J. Nedumpara, the lead petitioner-in-person. "You make a representation calling upon them (the President and the PM) to take action. If they don't take action, then you can come here," added the Bench, also comprising Justice Ujjal Bhuyan. If Justice Varma has committed the offence of accumu- You make a representation calling upon them (President and PM) to take action. If they don't take action, then you can come here Respite from heat as rain, winds lash state offgrid GANDHINAGAR CASH AT JUDGE'S RESIDENCE ROW CPEC SET TO CROSS AFGHAN BORDER FP News Service MUMBAI In a significant step toward regional economic integration, China, Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday agreed to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan. The decision was announced following a trilateral meeting of the countries' foreign ministers in Beijing. The informal dialogue, hosted by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, brought together Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. The ministers resolved to expand the multibillion-dollar CPEC project—a key component of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)— to include Afghanistan, aiming to bolster trade, infrastructure and development across the region.