FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms Vol. 14 No. 338 | BHOPAL | THURSDAY | MAY 22, 2025 | Pages 16 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 FREE www.freepressjournal.in Sports RAIN RULES REWRITTEN, BUT TOO LATE FOR KKR P.14 ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: BHOPAL 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. Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju was the brain behind several major attacks on security forces in Chhattisgarh. He was associated with the banned movement since the 1970s and elevated to the top post in CPI (Maoist) seven years ago. A resident of Jiyannapeta village in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, Basavaraju holds a BTech degree from the Regional Engineering College, Warangal, and was seen as an enigmatic leader of the outlawed Naxal outfit. He was considered to have developed expertise in imparting military training and triggering explosives and landmines 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 Nobody has right over govt land even under waqf by user: Centre PTI 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 NEW DELHI 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 on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that nobody can claim right over government land and it is legally empowered to reclaim properties which are declared waqf by using the waqf by user principle. Waqf by user refers to a concept where a property is recognised as waqf based on its long-term use for religious or charitable purposes, even without formal documentation. Responding to the submissions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta commenced advancing his arguments on behalf of the Centre before a bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih. 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 INDORE 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.16 Another Pakistan official declared persona non grata Approach Prez, PM: SC rejects plea for FIR on Justice Varma IANS IANS NEW DELHI NEW DELHI India on Wednesday evening declared a Pakistani official, working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, as "persona non grata" for indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in the country. The official has been asked to leave India within 24 hours, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) revealed." Charge d’Affaires, Pakistan High Commission, was issued a demarche to this effect today. He was asked to strictly ensure that none of the Pakistani diplomats or officials in India misuse their privileges and status in any manner," read a statement by the MEA. India had expelled another Pakistani official last week. 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  The estimated population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat has increased to 891 from 674 five years ago as per the census conducted this month, officials said on Wednesday. Not only the count went up by 217, but the animals were found outside the Gir National Park, their traditional habitat, and spread across 11 districts of Saurash- tra including non-forested and coastal areas, the officials said. "Estimated population of Asiatic lions has increased to 891," Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel told reporters here. As per the last census conducted in June 2020, the population of Asiatic lions, a subspecies only found in Gujarat's Gir area, was estimated at 674. As per the latest count, there are estimated 196 males, 330 females,140 subadults and 225 cubs, said the Gujarat forest department. As the population of lions is increasing, their spread in 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 Saurashtra region has also expanded. The big cats were earlier confined to the Gir National Park in Junagadh and Amreli districts, but now they have spread to 11 districts, an official said. As many as 384 lions were counted in Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary and 507 were found outside its limits, said Jaipal Singh, principal chief conservator of forest. The areas outside Gir 4Continued on | P8 PTI NEW DELHI 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 PTI where lions were spotted included sanctuaries like Pania, Mitiyala, Girnar and Barda. Some animals were seen in non-forested areas and coastal areas too. Seventeen lions were counted in Barda sanctuary, 15 km from Porbandar. The highest number of lions recorded in a single pride was 17 in Bhavnagar district, official said. Is she a drug lord? SC grants anticipatory bail to Puja Khedkar single sky - brief, brilliant, and utterly collective," said Mushtaq, standing next to Bhasthi, after receiving the prestigious literary award 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. LONDON/BENGALURU Kannada writer, lawyer, and activist Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi on Wednesday scripted history by winning the International Booker Prize for "Heart Lamp", the first Kannada title and the first-ever collection of short stories to be awarded the GBP 50,000 prize. "This moment feels like a thousand fireflies lighting up a 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. Kannada writer, translator win Booker for Heart Lamp Asiatic Lion population goes up to 891 PTI 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 China, Pak, Afghanistan decide to expand CPEC PTI BEIJING/ISLAMABAD The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is set to be expanded to Afghanistan with the foreign ministers of the three countries agreeing on it as part of broader efforts to boost "trilateral" cooperation. The announcement on expansion of CPEC was made following a meeting among Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Beijing, according to a Pakistani readout. India has been severely critical of the CPEC as it passes through Pakistan-occupiedKashmir. New Delhi is also opposed to China's Belt and Road initiative as the project includes the CPEC. The trilateral meeting took place days after the interim Taliban government recently warmed up to India.