Saturday, July 19, 2025 | Vol. 68 No. 246 | 36 Pages Reg.No MCS/048/2021-23; RNI No. 1541/1957 M.p.c.s office Mumbai. PIN 400001 THE FREE PRESS JOURNAL INDIA EDITION | www.freepressjournal.in ● Leader in E-paper circulation GAMES NATION Rahul claims chargesheet filed by ED against Vadra is a continuation of witch-hunt Briefs Islampur in Sangli is now Ishwarpur The Maharashtra government has announced that Islampur, a town in Sangli district, will be renamed Ishwarpur. The decision was conveyed by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal in the state Assembly on Friday, the last day of the monsoon session. He said the cabinet had approved the move a day earlier, and the proposal will now be sent to the Centre for clearance. The demand originated from Hindutva outfit Shiv Pratisthan, led by Sambhaji Bhide. Supporters said they would not rest until the change was made. A local Shiv Sena leader said the demand dated back to 1986. EU’ s Russian sanctions hit India refinery The European Union on Friday adopted its 18th sanctions package against Russia, calling it one of the strongest to date. The move targets key sectors including energy, banking, and defence. Notably, it includes designating a flag registry and the largest Rosneft-linked refinery in India—Nayara Energy. “We’re going after 105 more shadow fleet ships and limiting Russian banks' access to funding,” said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Nayara, which operates a major refinery in Gujarat and over 6,750 petrol pumps, can no longer export fuel to Europe. The new sanctions are designed to further cripple Russia’s war budget. SEE WORLD HC backs Krishna temple plea The Allahabad HC on Friday allowed the Hindu side’s plea in the Krishna Janmabhoomi–Shahi Idgah case, permitting Suit 17 to be treated as a representative case for all similar suits. Justice Ram Manohar Narain Mishra granted permission to make necessary amendments. The court will now first hear Suit 17, which seeks removal of the Shahi Idgah mosque. Edit Lack of political agenda affects BRICS’ functioning CLOSING IN | India hails move which will help New Delhi put pressure on Pak US tags TRF as terror outfit Ashwin Ahmad NEW DELHI India has welcomed the designation by the United States of The Resistance Front (TRF), reposnsible for the Pahalgam terror attack, as a terrorist group. Taking to X External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar that the move was a strong affirmation of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation. “Appreciate @SecRubio and @StateDept for designating TRF—a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) proxy—as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). It claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack. Zero tolerance for Terrorism,” the minister said. The US Department of State had issued the terror status on Friday, and a statement issued on behalf of the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the action “demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to protecting our national security interests, countering terror- ism, and enforcing President Trump’s call for justice for the Pahalgam attack.” The State Department statement pointed out:” TRF, a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) front and proxy, claimed responsibility for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack which killed 26 civilians. This was the deadliest attack on civilians in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks conducted by LeT. TRF has also claimed responsibility for several attacks against Indian security forces, including most recently in 2024.” “The Department of State has also reviewed and maintained the FTO designation of LeT. Amendments to FTO designations go into effect upon publication in the Federal Register.” The US actions suggests that Washington is taking India’s terror concerns seriously. Washington has taken action against Pakistani terror groups in the past as well. 4Contd on | nation Pahalgam link FPJ News Service MUMBAI Justice Yashwant Varma, currently of the Allahabad High Court, has moved the Supreme Court, challenging the findings of an in-house judicial committee which recommended his impeachment. He has argued that the discovery of cash in the outhouse of his official residence does not establish guilt, particularly when the committee’s report fails to address key facts surrounding the incident. In his writ petition, Justice Varma contended that the committee's conclusions were not based on hard evidence but on conjecture and pre-decided assumptions. "The report makes inferences without clarifying the most essential questions—who placed the cash, when, how, how much, and whether it was even genuine. Without this, no conclusion of culpability can be drawn," he asserted according to Live Law. 4Contd on | nation ■ It is a proxy of Lashkare-Taiba and has former Pak Special Service Group commandos in its ranks. ■ Claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack. ■ Carried out the 2024 attacks on pilgrims in Reasi and on migrants in Ganderbal, and the 2023 strike on armed forces. ■ Designated terrorist outfit by MHA in Jan 2023. Visitors barred 2 FIRs over during Session Assembly ruckus Poonam Apraj MUMBAI secretaries, and government officials. A decision on the formation of the Ethics Committee of legislators will be taken within a week, said the speaker. Henceforth, ministers will not be allowed to hold official meetings and meet visitors in the legislature complex when the House is in session. Also, legislators will have to take responsibility for the conduct of the persons accompanying them, said Narwekar. Late on Thursday night, even though many were involved in the scuffle, two visitors – Hrishikesh Takle and Nitin Deshmukh the former a supporter of BJP's Gopichand Padalkar and the latter a supporter of NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad, had been taken into custody by the police. The Marine Drive Police have registered two separate FIRs in connection with the scuffle that broke out in the Maharashtra Assembly on Thursday. On Friday, Marine Drive Police registered an FIR against MLA Jitendra Awhad for allegedly obstructing official work and misusing his position during a protest outside the Assembly. According to police, after a verbal altercation inside the Assembly premises, NCP SCP leader Awhad and his supporters staged a protest and deliberately blocked a police vehicle that was attempting to detain his aide, Nitin Deshmukh. Awhad stood in front of the vehicle, preventing it from moving. With Asembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar’s consent, an FIR was filed against Awhad under sections 132, 189(1)(a), 189(1)(b), 189 (1)(e), 189(2), 189((3),190 and 126(2) of BNS for hindering a police operation. FPJ Political Bureau MUMBAI A day after the scuffle that broke out in the state assembly, Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Friday announced measures to control the crowds in the premises of the legislature. As per these, there will be a ban on visitors during session periods and a ban on meetings for ministers. Narwekar's announcement came while making a statement over the incident in which supporters of BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and NCP SCP MLA Jitendra Awhad came to blows after some altercations had taken place between them. Narwekar said that visitors will be prohibited from entering the Vidhan Bhavan during the state legislature's session, and entry will be allowed only for ministers, legislators, their officially designated personal 4Contd on | nation 4Contd on | nation Nitin Deshmukh All parties back removal bid Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed that all political parties, including the Congress, support the impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma. Rijiju emphasised that this is a collective stand, not a government-driven move. “No party can be seen protecting a corrupt judge,” he said adding the motion, once supported by required MPs, will follow due process. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said bringing an impeachment motion in Parliament is entirely a matter of the MPs and the Centre is nowhere in the scene. SEE NATION Dhairya Gajara MUMBAI The Airline Pilots’ Association - India (ALPA-I) has asked to be included in the investigation as technical advisers where as observer they can to contribute professionally and ensure a transparent investigation. After the US-based Wall Street Journal newspaper reported that the investigation Prime Minister Narendra Modi unleashed a political blitzkrieg on Friday, going hammer and tongs against opposition parties. He slammed the "evil intentions" of the RJDCongress alliance in pollbound Bihar and accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of promoting infiltration in neighbouring West Bengal. Sounding the poll bugle in Motihari, the PM urged voters to re-elect "an NDA government, once again" to build a "naya Bihar" (new Bihar). Launching development projects worth over ₹7,000 crore, Modi outlined his vision: “Motihari should be known in the east just like Mumbai is in the west. Just as Gurugram offers opportunities, so should Gaya. Like Pune, Patna should Tata Sons constituted a public charitable trust in Mumbai with a fund of `500 crores dedicated to the victims of the unfortunate accident of Air India plane AI-171 in Ahmedabad. The ‘AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust’ will offer Rs1 crore compensation to the victims as well as support for rebuilding the BJ Medical College’s hostel. of AI-171 crash, which occurred in Ahmedabad on June 12 killing 260 people, is now focused on the flight’s ED nabs Baghel’s son PTI The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday arrested Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with the ₹2,100 crore liquor scam, triggering a political storm and allegations of vendetta. Chaitanya was taken into custody from the family residence in Bhilai under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), following fresh ED raids based on new evidence. He was remanded to five days of police custody by a local court. The ED alleged that Chaitanya was non-cooperative during the search, prompting his NEW DELHI The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) distanced itself from the INDIA bloc on Friday, saying it is not part of the opposition alliance anymore and questioning the Congress party's role in leading it. The remarks of Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh came ahead of an online meeting of the leaders of the INDIA bloc parties scheduled to be held on Saturday to discuss the political situation in the country. The meeting comes right before the Monsoon session of Parliament, which starts on Monday. 4Contd on | nation Agencies Trump had been recently photographed with patches of make-up on the back of his hand. The White House has said it is unrelated to the vein condition but is instead bruising as a result of frequent hand- captain, the aircraft accident investigation bureau (AAIB) on Thursday made an appeal asking the public and media NOT PART OF INDIA BLOC, SAYS AAP WASHINGTON Leavitt said Trump's bruised hand was consistent with "tissue damage from frequent handshaking" while taking aspirin, which she said is "part of a standard cardio-vascular prevention regimen". PATNA/KOLKATA Tatas set up `500 crore trust FPJ News Service MUMBAI Trump has ‘chronic venous insufficiency’ The White House announced that US President Donald Trump has a medical condition in his veins called chronic venous insufficiency. This followed days of speculation regarding photographs showing bruising on his hand, reports the BBC. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that Trump, 79, had noticed swelling in his legs, prompting a check-up with his doctor who diagnosed him with the condition. Dheeraj Kumar & Aritra Singha ‘New India doesn’t spare its enemies’ Recalling that it was from the soil of Bihar that he had resolved to launch Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attack, PM Modi said in Motihari: "This is a new India - an India that spares no effort in punishing the enemies, mobilizing forces from both land and sky." witness industrial development.” He flagged off four new Amrit Bharat trains and inaugurated projects across the rail, road, rural development, fisheries, electronics, and information technology sectors. 4Contd on | nation ALPA seeks observer status in crash probe VIDHAN BHAVAN SCUFFLE Hrishikesh Takle ‘Evil’ RJD-Cong, TMC ‘gunda’ raj in Modi’s line of fire ■ TRF emerged after Art 370 was abrogated in August 2019, with Sheikh Sajjad Gul as its supreme commander. Justice Varma moves SC to quash impeachment Dubey: BJP needs Modi BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has emphasised the pivotal role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the party’s electoral success. Speaking to ANI, Dubey said, “Today, Modiji has become Prime Minister for the third time. If Modiji is not our leader, the BJP may not even win 150 seats in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.”Referring to the next general election, Dubey remarked, “It is imperative for the BJP to contest the 2029 Lok Sabha polls under Modiji’s leadership. The BJP needs Modiji. As a party worker, I firmly believe we require his leadership. Whether one agrees or not, political parties often thrive on cult-like followings,” he added. Responding to a query on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remark about stepping down at the age of 75, Dubey stated that there is no need for Modiji to do the same. “The BJP needs him. One may agree or not, but political parties often function on cult-like appeal,” he reiterated. Cinema Check out our verdict on three film releases Jadeja’s resilient knock in the Lord’s Test earns him Gambhir’s high praise shaking. Trump's condition is "benign and common", particularly in individuals over the age of 70, according to a note from White House physician, Captain Sean Barbabella, released to reporters. Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when leg veins don't allow blood to flow back up to the heart, causing it to pool in the lower limbs. Normal blood flow from the legs back up to the heart moves against gravity, which in older people can become a difficult process. This can be due to weakening valves in veins, something that can occur as people age. When blood pools in the legs due to chronic venous insufficiency, it can cause swelling like the kind seen in Trump's ankles in recent photographs. Chhattisgarh ex-CM calls son’s arrest political vendetta, Congress stages Assembly walkout immediate arrest. The residence saw heavy police deployment, while Congress workers gathered outside in protest. Adding to the political drama was the timing — it was Chaitanya’s birthday. Former CM Bhupesh Baghel lashed out at the central government, accusing it of using investigative agencies to settle political scores. 4Contd on | nation to refrain from speculation and premature reporting. Welcoming AAIB’s appeal, ALPA India said that this is a vital step in protecting the integrity of the investigative process and the dignity of all those affected. However, the national pilots’ body also asked to be included in the probe for an inclusive and transparent investigation. 4Contd on | nation NIMISHA CASE Let govt take the call: SC FPJ News Service MUMBAI The Centre on Friday informed the Supreme Court that it is making all possible efforts to ensure the safe return of Nimisha Priya, an Indian nurse facing the death penalty in Yemen for the 2017 murder of a Yemeni national. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was told by Attorney General R. Venkataramani that Priya’s execution has been stayed, although the duration of the stay remains uncertain. 4Contd on | nation SC pulls up Maha govt, Centre over spl courts FPJ News Service MUMBAI The Supreme Court on Friday strongly criticised the Centre and Maharashtra government for merely designating existing courts as special courts, instead of creating new ones for cases under special statutes such as the NIA Act, MCOCA, and UAPA. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi cautioned that burdening regular courts with additional respon- ‘Designating existing courts delays justice; need exclusive ones for special cases’ sibilities would delay justice in other vital matters involving undertrials, senior citizens, marginalised groups, and matrimonial disputes. 4Contd on | nation