Saturday, November 29, 2025 | Vol. 69 No. 47 | 37 Pages INTERNATIONAL JAGUAR DAY 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 NATION Rahul Gandhi questions PM, seeks debate in Parliament on Delhi pollution GAMES Global Sports Pickleball League co-founder Shashank Khaitan feels the sport has grown enormously Cinema Check out our verdict on film and OTT releases Edit Indian youth is going through a severe mental health crisis CALIBRATED STEP | Top court says results of all local bodies in Maharashtra where quota exceeds 50% will remain subject to the outcome of the writ petitions. Hearing on January 21 SC green lights local body polls FPJ News Service NEW DELHI The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the upcoming local body elections in Maharashtra to go ahead as scheduled, but made it clear that the results in all bodies where the reservation limit has crossed 50% will be subject to the final outcome of ongoing litigation. The Court also restrained the Maharash- India ranks third in Asia Power Index tra State Election Commission (SEC) from notifying any new reservation that exceeds the 50% cap. A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said that elections could proceed, but the legality of the fresh OBC reservation matrix introduced by the State, based on findings of the Banthia Commission, will be examined by a larger Bench. The matter has now been referred to a three-judge Bench and will be heard on January 21, 2026, Live Law and Bar & Bench report. The Court’s directions pave the way for long-pending local body elections in Maharashtra, stalled since 2021, to finally take place, but leave the future of the contested OBC quota structure dependent on the threejudge Bench’s decision in January. Senior Advocate Balbir Singh, appearing for the SEC, informed the Court that the election process had already begun in 246 Municipal Councils and 42 Nagar Panchayats where voting is scheduled for December 2. Of these, 40 Municipal Councils and 17 Nagar Panchayats have reservations exceeding the permitted 50% limit. The SEC also told the Court that elections to 29 Municipal Corporations, 32 Zilla Panchayats and 346 Panchayat Samitis are yet to be notified. Taking note of this, the Court directed that already notified elections may continue, but the results of all local bodies where reservation exceeds 50% will remain subject to the outcome of the writ petitions. The Bench also permitted the SEC to notify elections for the remaining ‘Unity paves path to Viksit Bharat’ FPJ News Service UDUPI/GOA PTI India has reached “major power” status on the Asia Power Index-2025 on the back of economic growth and military capability based on its performance in Operation Sindoor, Australia-based think tank Lowy Institute said on Friday. However, there are still gaps between India’s ambition and the reality of continued limits on its influence, particularly relative to China, it said. The annual Asia Power Index measures resources and influence to rank the relative power of states in Asia. India was ranked among middle powers in the Asia Power Index-2024 with a comprehensive power score of 38.1, which increased marginally to 40 points to reach the threshold of a “major power”. India is ranked third on the index after the US (80.5 points) and China (73.7 points). Japan ranks fourth with 38.8 points. 4Contd on | nation 4Contd on | nation One held for Kapil Sharma café shootings Army outlines hop, step & jump strategy ‘Third World’ migrants face Trump wrath PTI WASHINGTON PM Modi on Friday unveiled a 77-foot-tall bronze statue of Lord Ram (left) in Goa and participated in ‘Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana’ event in Udupi, Karantaka. ECONOMY SURGES 8.2% IN Q2FY26: India’s economic momentum strengthened markedly in the September quarter, with GDP expanding by 8.2%—the fastest pace in six quarters—powered by robust consumer demand and a resurgent manufacturing sector, even as global trade uncertainties persisted. According to government data released on Friday, real GDP in Q2 FY26 is estimated at Rs 48.63 lakh crore, up from Rs 44.94 lakh crore a year earlier. Nominal GDP rose 8.7% to Rs 85.25 lakh crore. Manufacturing posted a striking 9.1% growth. SEE MONEY NEW DELHI PTI The Delhi Police has arrested an alleged key conspirator in the firing incident at comedian Kapil Sharma's restaurant, Kap's Cafe, in Canada on August 7, an official said on Friday. Bandhu Maan Singh Sekhon (left) -- an India and Canada-based 28-year-old handler for the Goldy Dhillon gang -- was apprehended from Punjab's Ludhiana during a late-night operation on November 25, police said. 4Contd on | nation Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan and Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Thursday outlined a detailed three-phase transformation plan to prepare the force for future conflicts amid a “fractured” global order. Speaking at the opening day of the Chanakya Defence Dialogue in Delhi Cantonment, Gen Dwivedi recalled the Army's earlier-announced ‘Decade of Transformation’ roadmap for 2023-2032 and expanded it into a long-term three-step trajectory. He said phase one, the ‘hop’, has already set the agenda for the force’s journey up to 2032. Phase two, a 2037 vision, will be a “five-year consolidated period” step building on gains from the first phase. Phase three, the ‘jump’, carries a 2047 vision to graduate into an “integrated future-ready force design”. He said this path has been strengthened by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declaring 2025 as the “Year of Reforms”, adding that Operation Sindoor proved how “years of reforms and readiness translated into decisive outcomes”. US President Trump on Friday said he will “permanently pause” migration from all “third world” countries and deport foreign nationals who are a “security risk”, as his administration intensified its crackdown on immigration. The announcement came after US Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died of her injuries and US Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, was left in critical condition. The accused shooter, 29-yearold Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national, had arrived in the US through Operation Allies Welcome — a Biden-era programme for Afghans fleeing the country after Taliban takeover in 2021. 4Contd on | nation 4Contd on | nation ‘Appalled’ SC frees jailed woman FPJ News Service NEW DELHI The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the immediate release of a woman who had been sent to jail by a Faridabad sessions court for changing her lawyer multiple times during her pending appeal in a chequebounce case. Calling the lower court’s conduct “appalling and shocking”, the top court said she could not be kept in custody when her sentence had already been suspended. The woman had been convicted along with her mother Delhi aid for Putin visit on Dec 4-5, storm-hit many deals on anvil Sri Lanka Ashwin Ahmad Can burn midnight oil: CJI CJI Surya Kant on Friday said ensuring justice for poor litigants is his top priority and he can sit till midnight in the court for them. The observations were made by the CJI, who was sitting alongside Justice Joymalya Bagchi, while dismissing a plea filed by a person named Tilak Singh Dangi against the Centre and others."No luxury litigation in my court," Kant said, adding that such cases are pursued by wealthy litigants. "I am here for smallest... poorest litigant in the last row. If needed, I will sit here till midnight for them." in cheque bounce proceedings after two cheques, one for Rs 7 lakh and another for Rs 5.02 lakh, issued by her mother were dishonoured. She later NEW DELHI NEW DELHI Agencies NEW DELHI 4Contd on | nation 4See also | city Agencies PM Modi on Friday said that the path to a Viksit Bharat (developed India) goes through the unity of people, stressing that India is currently witnessing a cultural renaissance. Speaking at two separate events in Goa and Karnataka, the Prime Minister underlined the importance of cultural revival, national security, and citizen participation in nation-building. Addressing a gathering in Udupi, Karnataka, Modi urged people to take “nine oaths” for building a developed nation. He asked citizens to commit themselves to water conservation, saving rivers, planting trees, improving the life of at least one poor person, promoting organic farming, adopting a healthy lifestyle by using millets and reducing edible oil consumption, practising yoga daily, and preserving ancient manuscripts. He also called on people to visit at least 25 places connected to India’s cultural heritage. NEW DELHI bodies, but with a clear condition that reservations must not cross 50% in any of them. This condition too will remain subject to the final decision in the case. The Bench noted that two Municipal Corporations are also reported to have breached the cap. filed an appeal, which has been pending for over eight years. Despite the long delay, the appellate court cancelled her bail after observing that she had changed counsel more than six times. The SC said such an approach was unacceptable, noting that if her lawyer was not assisting the court, the proper step would have been to appoint an amicus curiae or allow her time to make alternate arrangements. “It’s appalling and shocking to note that appellate court having insisted for appearance of the appellant on every date of hearing, particularly in the backdrop of suspension of sentence already passed,” it said. 4Contd on | nation India on Friday launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance to cyclone-battered Sri Lanka, with PM Narendra Modi assuring Colombo that New Delhi stands ready to provide more help as the situation evolves. Cyclone Ditwah has triggered severe flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka. According to Sri Lankan authorities, at least 56 people have died, while 21–25 remain missing, as heavy rainfall continues to batter several regions. The country’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said 43,991 people from 12,313 families have been affected nationwide. Several houses have been damaged, with four destroyed and hundreds partially affected. Two Indian naval ships, aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and stealth frigate INS Udaygiri, transported the first tranche of relief material to Colombo. 4Contd on | nation President Putin is set to visit New Delhi for the India-Russia annual summit next week on December 4 and 5. It will see the Russian president hold talks with Prime Minister Modi, the first after the two met in Tianjin for the SCO summit in end-August. The meeting will be seen as a symbolic victory for the Russian leader. Given the outstanding ICC warrant against him, Putin was unable to attend the recent G-20 meeting in South Africa. However, India is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, and therefore the annual summit, which is the 23rd India-Russia annual summit, will go ahead as planned.  MEA said, “During the visit, President Putin will hold talks with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji  will also receive President Putin and host a banquet in his honour.” It added. “The forthcoming State Visit will provide an opportunity for the leadership of India and Russia to review progress in bilateral relations, set the vision for strengthening the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,’ and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.” Kremlin released a statement which stated that all aspects of the “special and privileged partnership” would be discussed. This was confirmed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar when he met his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for talks in Moscow earlier this month. Jaishankar had confirmed that a number of bilateral agreements would be announced along with some new initiatives and projects.  4Contd on | nation