FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms Vol. 15 No. 158 | BHOPAL | THURSDAY | NOVEMBER 20, 2025 | Pages 16 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 FREE www.freepressjournal.in Sports CHESS HEARTBREAK ARJUN’S STUNNING EXIT ENDS INDIA’S WC DREAM fp Briefs MUMBAI RBI likely to cut Repo Rate Morgan Stanley expects the RBI to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25% in December, while maintaining a cautious, datadependent stance. The firm forecasts stable inflation near 4–4.2% and a controlled current account deficit. It also projects steady growth, supported by fiscal prudence, strong services exports and a resilient external balance sheet. NEW DELHI CSC security meet today India will host the 7th Colombo Security Conclave NSA meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, with participation from Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius and Bangladesh, while Seychelles attends as an observer and Malaysia as a guest. The meeting aims to review cooperation on maritime security, counterterrorism, cyber security and disaster relief, and finalise the roadmap and action plan for 2026. SRINAGAR Infiltration bid foiled Alert Army troops on the LoC in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, foiled an infiltration attempt after spotting suspicious movement from the Pakistan side. The infiltrators were engaged with gunfire and forced to retreat. A search operation is underway as security agencies step up measures ahead of winter amid increased attempts to push terrorists across the border. NEW DELHI Oz FM Penny Wong arrives Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong arrives in Delhi today for the 16th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue, signalling deeper strategic cooperation. She will meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to advance work on defence, technology, IndoPacific security, trade and people-to-people ties. Both nations aim to boost bilateral trade and expand the partnership under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework. NEW DELHI PM remembers ex-PM Indira Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tribute to former PM Indira Gandhi on her 108th birth anniversary. Born in 1917, Indira Gandhi rose from Congress ranks to become India’s first woman Prime Minister, serving two terms between 1966–1977 and 1980–1984. Remembered for her leadership and global influence, she was awarded the Bharat Ratna and several international honours. ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: BHOPAL MONEY SEBI WEIGHS NET SETTLEMENT OF SINGLE-DAY FPI TRADES UJJAIN PRESS PUNE INDORE NASHIK Nation PM: India emerging as organic farming power ED busts `415cr edu fraud, Al Falah univ chief arrested Fraud bros ran network in Old Bhopal NEW DELHI The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has secured a 13-day custodial remand for Al Falah Group chairperson Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, accused of generating over Rs 415 crore through fraudulent admissions and false claims of accreditation. Siddiqui, who was arrested late Tuesday after day-long raids across locations linked to Al Falah University and its trust, was produced before a designated court at the residence of Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan. The hearing concluded around 1 am, after which Siddiqui was sent to ED custody until December 1. The agency had sought 14 days. The ED told the court that Siddiqui had “incentives to flee India” as close family members are based in Gulf countries, and he possessed both financial influence and the ability to obstruct the in- People gather around the mortal remains of Delhi blast victim Bilal Sangoo during his funeral, in Kangan, Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday Mhow Cantt’s notice over illegal construction The Mhow Cantonment Board has issued a public notice to the occupants and legal heirs of House No. 1371, Survey No. 245/1245 in Mukeri Mohalla over alleged unauthorized construction. Earlier notices issued in 1996 and 1997 under the Cantonments Act, 1924, were ignored. The board has now given three days to remove the construction, failing which it will demolish it and recover the costs as per law. Video removed from all meta platforms video recorded by the suicide bomber before the attack near Delhi's Red Fort has been taken down from all platforms under Meta, the company owned by Mark Zuckerberg said. Meta said the video goes against the terms and rules of Meta's platforms A vestigation. His role emerged during a probe into a suspected ‘white-collar’ terror module connected to the No- vember 10 blast near Delhi’s Red Fort that killed 15 people. Investigators allege one of the key accused, Al E-paper Edit Another blow to red terror P.6 DELHI BLAST| ED flags fake accreditation scam. Court sends univ chairperson Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui to 13-day custodial remand Agencies MUMBAI The noose may tighten around Al-Falah University chancellor Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui and his brother Hamood after it emerged that the duo had another fraud case registered against them at Talaiya police station. Sources said Jawad and two others had obtained anticipatory bail and later relief from court, but two of his aides involved went absconding. Talaiya police have now begun digging through old case files and records linked to their activities. 4Continued on | P8 Falah doctor Umar-un-Nabi, acted as a suicide bomber. 4Continued on | P8 Hawk Force loses decorated officer in Maoist encounter Encounter in CG jungle Our Staff Reporter FP News Service Naib Tehsildar Ramkalesh Saket and Booth Level Officer (BLO) Vikram Singh Rathod were injured after being brutally attacked by three miscreants on Wednesday evening while they were conducting a survey for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Ratlam’s tribal belt. As per reports, the incident occurred in Julwaniya village under Raoti police station. The team had visited a village to inspect the SIR work and were collecting information from BLOs and Anganwadi workers when the unprovoked assault occurred. Both injured officials were immediately rushed to Ratlam Medical College for treatment. Ratlam Police have acted swiftly and arrested two of the three assailants: Saisingh SIR SURVEY NEW DELHI Inspector Ashish Sharma of Hawk Force Balaghat was martyred in an encounter with Naxals in Chhattisgarh jungles, officials said on Wednesday. The incident occurred around 8.30 am, when forces acting on specific intelligence about a large group of armed Naxal cadres were moving into dense forests and firing erupted suddenly. The critically injured inspector was rushed to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Dongargarh area of Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district, close to the site of the incident. Despite efforts by doctors, he succumbed to wounds caused by excessive bleeding. An air ambulance was arranged for specialised treatment, but he passed away before he could be airlifted. Special DG (Anti-Naxal) Pankaj Shrivastava said Sharma sustained multiple bullet injuries in thigh and abdomen while leading MP’s Hawk Force team in a combined operation Land to be acquired only for roads & social infrastructure Our Staff Reporter BKS rejects changes, warns of fresh stir BHOPAL Injured officials in hospital Gamd (28) from Umar village and Bapu Tad (55) from Dhol Fanta village. The third accused, Shoksingh, remains at large, and a search operation is underway. The attack on government officials performing their duty has been condemned and police are investigating the motive behind the assault. Following were the officials who were in the sir team: Ramkanesh Saket (Shivgarh, tehsildar), Vikram Singh Rathod (Julwaniya block) and Labhchand Rathore (block assistant). The state government has modified the land pooling scheme brought for the acquisition of plots for Simhastha in Ujjain. The Urban Development Department issued an order modifying the scheme on Wednesday. The government had two options: either to revoke or to modify the scheme numbers 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the Ujjain Development Authority. By modifying the scheme, the government has opened the door for the acquisition of land for the construction of roads and for developing social infrastructure. In this way, it also freed the lands from the shackle of the scheme for special needs. In the order, it has been said Agencies BHOPAL/BALAGHAT Naib tehsildar, BLOs STATE GOVT MODIFIES attacked in Ratlam LAND POOLING SCHEME RATLAM Tech Shankar among 7 Maoists killed President of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) Kamal Singh Anjana said his organisation had clearly written to the government that it should withdraw the Land Pooling Act meant for acquiring plots in the Simhastha area. The BKS also said the gazette notification of the Act should be withdrawn, and Simhastha should be organised the way it had been previously held. The cases registered against the farmers should be withdrawn. But the government is trying to confuse the issue in the name of modification of the Act, he said, adding that if it is not completely withdrawn, the BKS will return to the path of agitation. CM pays tribute Expressing grief, the Chief Minister said, “Today, Inspector Ashish Sharma of Madhya Pradesh Hawk Force laid his life in an encounter with Naxals. I pay my humble tribute to the martyr and my condolences are with bereaved family. During a joint anti-Naxal operation by Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra teams in Rajnandgaon forests, Sharma displayed exceptional bravery and courage.” with Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra police. The team recovered three weapons, INSAS rifle, self-loading rifle (SLR), and 303 rifle, along with other items belonging to Naxals. 4Continued on | P8 A day after top Maoist leader Madvi Hidma was killed, seven more Maoists were gunned down on Wednesday in an encounter in Alluri Sitharama Raju district, Andhra Pradesh. Those killed include: n Metturi Joga Rao alias Tech Shankar – key IED expert n Jyothi alias Saritha – former guard commander to ex-chief Nambala Kesava Rao n Suresh alias Ramesh – operative earlier stationed in Jagargunda n Lokesh alias Ganesh – former Jagargonda area militia commander n Sainu alias Vasu – former deputy commander in Jagargonda n Anitha – Jagargonda cadre n Shammi – Jagargonda cadre African woman held with Rs 15L cocaine Officials believe she came to Indore to deliver drugs Our Staff Reporter INDORE An African woman, who came from Mumbai to Indore, has been arrested by the Narcotics Wing of the state police with cocaine worth Rs 15 lakh, officials said on Wednesday. DIG (Narcotics) Mahesh Chand Jain said that the team arrested 25-year-old Linda Anaba, a woman from the African country Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), after receiving a tip-off. She was caught with 31 grams of cocaine powder, and a case has been registered against her under the relevant section of the NDPS Act. The value of the seized drugs is Rs 15 lakh in the international Linda market. A preliminary investigation revealed that the woman was residing in the Nalasopara area of Mumbai on a student visa. Her passport and visa details are also being checked. The Narcotics Wing is investigating who gave her the drug and to whom she was planning to supply it in the city. It was believed that more accused would be arrested in connection with the same. a special compensation will be given to the farmers to be taken for building roads and social infrastructure. The farmers were opposing the land pooling scheme. The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) was staging sit-ins against it. Keeping the farmers protests in mind, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav held talks with the representatives of the BKS and announced on Monday that the scheme would be re- voked. Afterwards, the officials of the Urban Development Department were mulling over the decision that the government could take on the scheme. If the scheme were cancelled, the government would have acquired land under the Land Acquisition Act of the Revenue Department for building roads and other works. Nitish Kumar resigns, set to take oath again as Bihar CM Delhi Court sends Anmol Bishnoi to 11-day NIA custody Trump-MBS bromance ends in billion-$ def & investment push IANS/ PATNA AGENCIES/ NEW DELHI 4Continued on | P8 ‘Quiet, Quiet Piggy’ Agencies WASHINGTON Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resigned on Wednesday and immediately staked claim to form the next NDA government. He submitted his resignation to Governor Arif Mohammad Khan at Raj Bhavan and presented a list of 202 supporting MLAs, after which he was invited to form the government. Earlier, Kumar was unanimously elected leader of the NDA legislative party in the Central Hall of the Bihar Assembly and also chosen as leader in the JD(U) legislative party meeting. Both will take oath as Deputy Chief Ministers. A Delhi court on Wednesday sent Anmol Bishnoi, accused in several high-profile crimes including the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, to 11 days of NIA custody. The agency produced him before Patiala House Court amid heavy security after his deportation from the US. Special Judge Prashant Sharma granted the custody after the NIA sought 15 days, citing the need to probe funding sources, the syndicate’s network, and his escape route from India. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar being garlanded by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP leader Samrat Choudhary and others during a meeting of newly elected MLAs of the NDA in Patna on Wednesday In the BJP camp, Samrat Chaudhary was elected legislative party leader and Vijay Kumar Sinha deputy leader. US President Donald Trump hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday, marking the prince’s first visit since US intelligence linked him to the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The meeting was marked by an unusually warm display of camaraderie — handshakes, back pats, red-carpet ceremony, military flyovers and a lavish state dinner attended by global business leaders, including Elon Musk, Jensen Huang and Tim Cook. offgrid China ran fake Rafale campaign: US report Agencies THE REPORT WASHINGTON, DC A new US assessment has alleged that China launched a coordinated disinformation campaign after the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict to undermine the sale of French Rafale fighter jets and promote its J-35 aircraft. According to the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission report, Beijing used “fake social media accounts” to circulate AI-gen- n In Nov–Dec 2024, both nations conducted threeweek Warrior-VIII counterterrorism drills. n In Feb 2025, the Chinese Navy joined Pakistan’s multinational AMAN naval exercises. n In June 2025, China reportedly offered Pakiserated images claiming to show Rafale crash debris de- tan 40 J-35 fifth-generation fighter jets, KJ-500 aircraft and ballistic missile defence systems. n The same month, Pakistan announced a 20% hike in its defence budget, bringing total planned spending to USD 9 billion, despite an overall national budget reduction. stroyed by Chinese weaponry. The report further states that Chinese diplomats persuaded Indonesia to pause an ongoing Rafale purchase, boosting Beijing’s influence over regional defence procurement. The assessment also highlights a notable rise in ChinaPakistan defence cooperation through late 2024 and 2025. The report coincided with remarks by US President Donald Trump, who again claimed credit for preventing wars during his presidency — including one between India and Pakistan. Speaking dur- ing a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump reiterated that he “stopped eight wars,” asserting that India-Pakistan tensions were resolved through his intervention in the Oval Office. Trump has repeatedly claimed he used trade tariffs to stop major escalation after India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation for the April Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people — a claim India has publicly rejected. 4Continued on | P8 Trump brushed aside questions on Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, calling Khashoggi “extremely controversial” and insisting the crown prince knew “nothing about it.” When questioned, Prince Mohammed said the killing was a “huge mistake” and claimed Saudi Arabia had taken corrective actions. 4Continued on | P8 A comment by former US President Donald Trump has gone viral after he called Bloomberg White House correspondent Catherine Lucey “Quiet. Quiet, piggy,” when she asked a follow-up question about Jeffrey Epstein emails during an Air Force One media interaction. The remark initially drew limited attention but later triggered widespread criticism online, with detractors accusing Trump of using sexist language to silence a female journalist. First indigenous CRISPR gene therapy launched IANS NEW DELHI India on Wednesday launched its first homegrown CRISPRbased gene therapy, marking a major scientific and public health breakthrough. The therapy, named BIRSA 101 after tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda, aims to treat Sickle Cell Disease — a genetic disorder prevalent especially among India’s tribal communities. Launched by Union Min- ister Dr. Jitendra Singh, the technology is described as a “precise genetic surgery” capable of curing the disease and potentially treating other hereditary disorders. SICKLE CELL The innovation, developed by CSIR-IGIB, positions India among a select group of nations with advanced gene-editing capabilities. 4Continued on | P8