Friday, February 20, 2026 | Vol. 69 No. 117 | 32 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 l E-paper edition is not a replica of the print edition NATION Youth detained in Kota for threatening to shoot Rahul Gandhi, 25 other Congress MPs GAMES Cinema Director Anubhav Sinha explores justice through Assi India all-rounder Shivam Dube is rapidly enhancing his credentials as a premier power-hitter Edit Controlled leadership: The BJP now follows Congress SC questions pre-poll freebies FPJ News Service NEW DELHI The Supreme Court on Thursday made strong oral remarks against the growing culture of “freebies” announced by States, especially ahead of elections, warning that indiscriminate largesse could hamper the country’s long-term economic development. “We will be hampering the development of the nation if we keep on distributing state largesse,” the Court observed, questioning the sustainability and fairness of blanket welfare schemes. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi was hearing a writ petition filed by Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL), which has Is it in the public interest that... the State is absorbing all these? Because of freebies, the entire country is already... we are not talking of Tamil Nadu in particular. We are talking of pan-India. What kind of culture are we developing? challenged Rule 23 of the Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2024, Live Law and Bar & Bench report. During the hearing, the Bench raised broader concerns over free electricity, cash transfers and other subsidies, particularly those announced just before elections. CJI Kant questioned whether it was in public interest for States to absorb costs such as electricity bills without distinguishing between those who can afford to pay and those who cannot. “Is it in the public interest that... the State is absorbing all these? Because of freebies, the entire country is already... we are not talking of Tamil Nadu in particular. We are talking of pan-India. What kind of culture are we developing?” he asked. He stressed that while a wel- Our worry is that the states are running in deficit and still giving all these kinds of distributing people money. From where that money is coming? Why shouldn't it be dedicated for development purposes? fare State has a duty to support the marginalised, benefits must be properly targeted. “It is understandable that, as a welfare state, you want to provide relief to the marginalised. But without drawing any distinction between those who can afford and those who cannot afford, if you start giving, will it not amount to a sort of appeasing policy?” the CJI said. The Court noted that several States are running revenue deficits while continuing to expand welfare schemes. “Our worry is that the states are running in deficit and still giving all these kinds of distributing people money. From where that money is coming? Why shouldn't it be dedicated for development purposes?” CJI Kant asked. 4Contd on | nation Is it not your obligation to spend that amount for the development of the overall public, to develop roads, hospitals, and schools. Instead of that, you keep on distributing food, clothes, and people enjoy everything at the time of elections. What is happening in this country? 9 AAIB probe reports missing AAIB record Established: 2012 Total cases investigated: 240 Cases investigated (2023–2025): 42 Investigations completed: 10 MANAV VISION | PM explains M stands for ‘moral and ethical systems’, A for ‘accountable governance’, N for ‘national sovereignty’, A for ‘accessible’, and V for ‘valid and legitimate’ HANDS ACROSS AI UNIVERSE Preliminary reports submitted: 22 Interim reports submitted: 3 Missing reports: 9 Dhairya Gajara MUMBAI A review of official records from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has revealed a serious lapse in transparency and compliance, with nine aviation investigations initiated between 2023 and 2025 missing from the bureau’s public database. The agency is also grappling with delays, having completed investigations in only 23% of the cases during the last three years. An audit of AAIB’s records by The Free Press Journal found that the bureau has failed to publish even preliminary, interim, or final reports in nine cases, raising concerns about accountability and aviation safety oversight. The missing documentation relates to incidents ranging from aircraft accidents to serious technical occurrences. Under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13 and India’s Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, investigators are required to release a preliminary report within 30 days and a final report within 12 months. However, AAIB’s public database shows no filings for several cases within this period. 4Contd on | nation Delhi adds voice to UN motion on West Bank Ashwin Ahmad NEW DELHI Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar NEW DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stressed that Artificial Intelligence was a shared resource for the welfare of humanity and therefore its ethical use through creation of a trusted global data framework, transparent ‘glass box’ safety rules and embedding of human values was of utmost importance. Speaking at the Leaders’ Plenary Session of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, Modi exuded confidence that the event would play a crucial role in building a human‑centric and sensitive global AI ecosystem. He said history has shown that humanity has always turned dis- ruptions into opportunities, and the modern-day challenges provide a moment to transform disruption into humanity’s greatest opportunity. During his address, the Prime Minister presented his MANAV vision for AI. He explained that M stands for “moral and ethical systems”, A for “accountable governance”, N for “national sovereignty”, A Ex-prince Andrew held Agencies LONDON Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former British prince, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office after a probe into allegations that he shared sensitive information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement, Thames Valley Police said: “We have today arrested a man in his 60s from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. The man remains in police custody at this time.” It added: “We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance. Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be EPSTEIN LINK Taken into custody on his birthday for alleged misconduct in public office taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court.” Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.” Dal Babu, a former Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent, told BBC News that pressure had been “growing and growing” in recent weeks. He said that by arresting Andrew, officers would be able “to access computer equipment, files, photographs, any other evidence”. He added that police “can carry out searches of any premises he owns or occupies, or any other premises he controls, so there may well be searches in other areas as well”. Policing commentator Danny Shaw told BBC Radio 5 Live that the maximum time a suspect can be held is 96 hours, which would require multiple extensions from senior police officers and a Magistrates’ Court. 4Contd on | nation 4See also | world for “accessible”, and V for “valid and legitimate”. He said this framework could serve as an important link for the welfare of humanity in the AI-driven world of the 21st century. Referring to the COVID-19 global pandemic, Modi said it showed how even the impossible becomes possible when nations work together. He noted that while technology in the past has created divisions, AI must remain accessible and within everyone’s reach. The Prime Minister said that alongside ethical use, AI governance must address the aspirations and priorities of the Global South.“The ethical norms for AI must also be unlimited, and AI companies carry a major responsibility to focus not only on profit but also on purpose, and underscored the need for strong ethical commitments.” Pointing out that AI is already influencing human learning, intelligence and emotions, Modi said AI training must respect data sovereignty and follow the principle of “garbage in, garbage out”. 4Contd on | nation 4See also | money India’s move to add its voice to the joint statement criticising Israel’s actions in the West Bank is not a surprise. Initially, Indian media outlets had reported that New Delhi had seemingly refused to join 85 other nations criticising Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank. Diplomats counter this by saying there was no way India could have avoided not signing the document, as the language used in the joint statement echoes what is India’s official stance on Palestine. The document expresses its “rejection of all measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem. Such measures violate international law, undermine the ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region, run counter to the Comprehensive Plan, and jeopardize the prospect of reaching a peace agreement ending the conflict.” The language used echoes India’s official position on the Palestinian cause. Repeated MEA statements have stated. 4Contd on | nation Bill Gates ducks AI summit? Anil Ambani tells SC FPJ News Service MUMBAI Or was he disinvited? Government sources earlier indicated an invitation extended to Gates months ago had been withdrawn after his name surfaced in recently released Epsteinrelated records Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates will not deliver the keynote address he was earlier scheduled to give at the India AI Impact Summit, his foundation confirmed on Thursday, amid controversy linked to his name appearing in documents connected to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Gates Foundation did not cite specific reasons but said the decision was taken to ensure the summit’s focus remained on artificial intelligence and development priorities. “After careful consideration, and to ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit’s key priorities, Mr Gates will not be delivering his keynote address,” it said on X. It added that Ankur Vora, Presi- dent of its Africa and India Offices, would represent the foundation and address the gathering instead. Government sources had earlier indicated that an invitation extended to Gates months ago had been withdrawn after his name surfaced in recently released Epstein-related records, which caused discomfort among organisers. Confusion prevailed earlier this week when Gates’s participation appeared uncertain. On Feb 17, government sources said he would not attend. However, the Gates Foundation initially contradicted that claim, stating he would Scan & Watch participate. 4Continued on | P16 he won’t flee India Agencies NEW DELHI Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani has filed an undertaking before the Supreme Court assuring that he will not leave India without its prior permission and will fully cooperate with ongoing investigations into the alleged Rs 40,000 crore banking and corporate fraud involving the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG). In an affidavit submitted to the apex court, Ambani said he was not a flight risk and had no intention of evading the legal process. “I state on oath that I have not left India since July 2025, since the inception of the present investigations, and presently have no plan or intention to travel outside India,” he said. He further undertook that if any need for foreign travel arose, he would seek prior permission from the court. Ambani also emphasised his cooperation with investigative agencies. “I, with utmost bona fide, have been fully cooperating with the investigating agencies in connection with the ongoing investigations and continue to extend complete cooperation,” the affidavit stated. 4Contd on | nation offgrid SC sets May 5-12 for final CAA hearings PTI NEW DELHI The Supreme Court on Thursday said it will commence the final hearing on over 200 petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) from May 5, and conclude the proceeding on May 12. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalaya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi issued procedural di- rections regarding the final hearings on the pleas, which have been pending since 20192020. The bench said it will hear the petitioners, including the lead petitioner, the Indian Union of Muslim League (IUML), for one-and-a-half days, while the Centre will be granted a day to advance its arguments. The CJI said the bench would conclude the hearing on May 12. 4Contd on | nation Umpire dies after bee attack, many players hurt Biswajeet Banerjee LUCKNOW A senior cricket umpire died, and several players and officials were injured after a swarm of bees attacked people during a match at the Rahul Sapru ground in Shuklaganj on Wednesday afternoon. The deceased was identified as 65-year-old Manik Gupta, a resident of Philkhana. He had been associated with the Kanpur Cricket Association for nearly 30 years as a panel umpire. On Wednesday, he was of- ficiating a match in the first Sunil Tiwari Memorial Under13 Cricket League at the Rahul Sapru ground. According to witnesses, after completing his on-field duties, Gupta moved to the B ground where another match was in progress. He told fellow umpires that they would leave together after the match and sat near the boundary. Shortly afterwards, a swarm of bees descended on the ground, stinging several players and the scorer and triggering panic. Seeing the bees approach, Seeing the swarm of bees approach, Gupta tried to run, but fell. Witnesses said more than 50 bees attacked him and continued stinging him for around 10 minutes Gupta tried to run but fell. Witnesses said more than 50 bees attacked him and continued stinging him for around 10 minutes. Due to his age and a pre-existing heart condition, his health deteriorated rapidly. Former Ranji player Rahul Sapru rushed Gupta in his car to the hospitals in Shuklaganj. However, private hospitals declined to admit him after providing preliminary treatment. He was later taken towards Hallet Hospital in Kanpur by officials of the Kanpur Cricket Association, but he died on the way. Doctors declared him dead on arrival. The family declined a post-mortem examination. At least 10 people, including players and officials, were taken to a nursing home in Kanpur for treatment after sustaining bee stings. Their condition is reported to be stable. Eyewitness and fellow umpire Sunil Kumar Nishad said around 40 to 45 people were present at the ground, including players from Kanpur and Lucknow. He said a banyan tree along the boundary wall had a beehive and bees had been hovering since morning. 4Contd on | nation