FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms Vol. XLII No. 47 | INDORE | FRIDAY | JULY 25, 2025 | Pages 16 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 FREE www.freepressjournal.in Sports Toe fracture ends Rishabh’s heroic return tour P.14 ED searches 35 locations; Anil Ambani group downplays link Ashish Singh MUMBAI The ED on Thursday conducted searches at over 35 locations in Mumbai linked to entities of the Reliance Anil Ambani Group (RAAGA) companies, as part of its probe into alleged money laundering involving over Rs 24,000 crore, officials confirmed. The searches, conducted under Section 17 of the PMLA, are focused on senior executives associated with RAAGA. The ED is examining financial transactions involving more than 50 companies and 25 individuals. The Mumbai residence of industrialist Anil Ambani has not been covered in the operation, sources clarified. The group (Reliance Anil Ambani) has distanced itself from the ongoing probe. In an official statement, the group clarified that Ambani had resigned from the board of RCom in 2019 and currently holds no board position in either RCom or Reliance Home Finance Ltd (RHFL). “RCom and RHFL are not part of the current Reliance Group led by Anil Ambani. RCom has been undergoing Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 for over six years. 4Continued on | P8 fp Briefs BHOPAL Tyagi to be new DRM Pankaj Tyagi has been appointed new Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Bhopal. He will succeed Devashish Tripathi. NEW DELHI Indo-Pak clash on cards The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is poised to officially announce the UAE as the host nation for the upcoming Asia Cup T20 2026, with India playing a central role in organizing the high-stakes continental event. According to ACC sources, India will play all its matches in Dubai, and while scheduling is still under discussion, the tournament is set for mid-September, with a tight window before India's Test series against the West Indies. BANGKOK Thai, Cambodian forces clash Thai and Cambodian soldiers clashed in several areas along their border Thursday in a major escalation of their conflict that left at least 11 people dead, mostly civilians. The two sides fired small arms, artillery and rockets, and Thailand also called in airstrikes. Thai villagers could be seen on video fleeing their homes to seek shelter as the clashes began in the morning. ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE MONEY UJJAIN PRESS PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit Thaw in India, China ties P.6 ‘Transformational milestone’ Cinema Actors injured on shoot P.16 Youths to get Rs 5K for job-oriented industries: CM India, UK in landmark Free Trade Agreement n Doubling of bilateral trade to $120 billion by 2030 n Unprecedented access into each other’s markets n Duty free access to 99% of Indian exports n Adoption is expected only by mid-2026 Trump asks tech giants to stop hiring from India Agencies WASHINGTON DC Looking ahead Ashwin Ahmad NEW DELHI Prime Minister Modi signed the long-awaited FTA - officially known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement - with his British counterpart Keir Starmer in London on Thursday. Government officials stated negotiations for the agreement that began three years ago would see a doubling of bilateral trade to $120 billion by 2030 and also unprecedented access into each other’s markets Speaking at a joint press conference with Starmer, PM Modi stated today marked a “historic day in our bilateral agreements.” Describing the agreement as a “blueprint for our shared prosperity,” he said the trade deal also had global ramifications. “Agreements reached between two democracies and two of the world's major economies will lend support to global stability and prosperity,” he said. he two prime ministers announced the strategic roadmap for India-UK relations through the India-UK Vision 2035 document. The document, which outlines deeper partnerships in trade, technology, defence, climate and education over the next decade. The document states both PMs will meet regularly to provide strategic direction and oversight while its implementation will be reviewed annually by the External Affairs Minister of India and the Foreign Secretary of UK. T The FTA will see a drop in tariffs from both nations. Figures released by the Commerce Ministry stated that the agreement has ensured duty free access to 99% of Indian exports unlocking $23 bn in opportunities for labour intensive sectors. Taking to X, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal wrote that “this agreement is a big win for farmers, ensuring duty-free exports on nearly 95% of agricultural products, while fisherfolk gain from Zero Duty on 99% of marine exports, boosting their incomes.” The minister added that the deal would have a transformative impact on manufacturing-intensive sectors like engineering goods, electronics, pharma, chemicals, food processing, and plastics,” while providing Indian consumers high-quality goods at competitive prices. From the UK’s side, the FTA is also being seen as a win. A British government statement stated that the FTA ensured that India’s tariffs on UK goods have fallen from 15% to 3%. Tariffs on individual goods such as whisky have been slashed from 150% to 75% with immediate effect that drops to 40% after 10 years. 4Continued on | P8 TRUMP CROPS UP: Asked whether US President Donald Trump figured in the talks, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had this to say. "With regard to discussions related to the United States, we are in the United Kingdom. We were discussing an FTA agreement between India and the UK. The focus was on that. Naturally, the overall environment of global trade was referred to, but I would like to emphasise that even more it underlines the significance of the India-UK FTA." Report on OBC before caste census The government will present a study report to the court for giving 27% in jobs Nitendra Sharma BHOPAL The state government is preparing a report on the OBC before the beginning of the caste census. The government will present a report on the number of OBC people, their financial status, and their social condition to the 30-day leave for Central staff to take care of elderly parents PTI NEW DELHI The service rules allow 30 days' leave to Central government employees, which can be availed for any personal reason including that of taking care of elderly parents, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The minister was asked whether there is any provision for government employees to avail leave to take care of their elderly parents. 4Continued on | P8 Amended bill to be brought to the House The government is getting ready to bring the amended bill to the House for giving 27% of reservation in jobs. The bill will be brought to the House after the commission submits the study report. The Congress government led by Kamal Nath brought the bill to the House to give 27% reservation to the OBC. But the bill did not consist of any study or survey report. Now, the government is preparing to bring a bill to the House on a strong foundation. Supreme Court, which is hearing a petition on the 27% quota in jobs to be given to the people of this category. The report will be prepared through the OBC Welfare Commission. Former minister Ramkrishna Kusmaria will preside over the commission, and Musam Bisen will be its member. The commission will submit a report on the OBC in the state. 4Continued on | P8 Wheelchair-bound teacher seeks euthanasia after years of pain Our Staff Reporter INDORE In a heart-wrenching appeal, Kumari Chandrakanta Jethani, a dedicated government school teacher from Indore, made a poignant appeal to President Draupadi Murmu, requesting euthanasia to end her suffering. Despite suffering from paralysis and spending long hours in excruciating pain Chandrakanta is currently working as a teacher at a government school near Raoji Bazar police station in Indore, where she continues to inspire her students and community with her unwavering dedication to teaching, teaching children while sitting on a wheelchair for about 8 hours a day. In her letter to the President, Chandrakanta cited the unbearable pain and her desire to end her life with dignity. This courageous yet heartbreaking decision highlights the challenges faced by individuals with severe physical disabilities and the need for comprehensive support systems. Despite her own struggles, Chandrakanta's dedication to teaching and her students serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Chandrakanta's request for euthanasia is currently pending consideration by the President and relevant authorities. 4Continued on | P8 HC seeks report over affiliation of paramedical colleges Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar BJP sources on Thursday made it clear that the party had no intention of yielding the post of Vice-President, vacant after the sudden resignation by Jagdeep Dhankhar, to any of its NDA allies and would like to see one of its own leaders, who believes in the party’s ideology, occupy the second highest constitutional post in the country. The party sources spoke up The decision on the new Vice-President will be taken after PM Modi’s return from his foreign tour next week on the matter as there was speculation that the post may next go to either Janata Dal United leader and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar or his party colleague and union minister Ram Nath Thakur. The buzz got louder as Thakur also met BJP president J.P, Nadda on Wednesday. However, the BJP has cleared the air around the subject and stated that it was a routine meeting and that the decision on the new VicePresident would only be taken following PM Narendra Modi’s return from his visit to the UK and the Maldives next week. On why the names of Kumar and Thakur figured prominently in the media recently, the party sources said it was Our Staff Reporter Our Staff Reporter INDORE High Court, principal bench of Jabalpur, on Thursday has sought inspection report from the state government over paramedical colleges’ affiliation. HC has continued its stay regarding irregularities in recognition and admission of paramedical colleges. The HC had stayed the order of the state government which allowed the Paramedical Council to distribute recognition for academic sessions (2023-24 and 2024-25) with retrospective effect. During the hearing of the PIL filed by the Law Students Association in the nursing case, an application was submitted by the petitioner recently and the HC was informed that like nursing, irregularities are being noticed in recognition of paramedical colleges as well. The MP Paramedical Council is distributing recognition of academic sessions 2023-24 and 2024-25 with retrospective effect without getting affiliation from Madhya Pradesh Medical University, Jabalpur. Government and private paramedical colleges are illegally admitting students and the Paramedical Council is now distributing recognition to paramedical colleges in buildings which have been declared unsuitable by the CBI under the investigation of nursing scam. A scam of Rs 100 crore pertaining to fake registries of properties, involving staff of the registration department and the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), surfaced here on Thursday. Collector Asheesh Singh has issued instructions to lodge an FIR in the case, so that criminal proceedings can be initiated.  Earlier, following a complaint from a plot holder, the collector conducted a confidential probe in December 2024. As per reports, the collector had received a complaint in August-September last year from one Hastimal Chouksey, who lives in Mumbai. Chouksey comes to the city once every year to  pay most likely because Bihar is headed for Assembly elections. Meanwhile, Dhankar’s surprise announcement to leave the post is now being linked to his decision to accept an Opposition notice for impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma from whose official residence in New Delhi a large pile of burnt notes was recovered on March 15 following a fire call. 4Continued on | P8 Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL CM Mohan Yadav has said for encouraging youths in employment-oriented industries, Rs 5k will be provided as incentive. He was addressing the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony of 6 new industrial units with an investment of Rs 416 crore in Acharpura Industrial Area near Bhopal on Thursday. He said that Acharpura will emerge as a special industrial centre. He also laid the foundation stone of Acharpura Industrial Area Extension Phase-3 (Village Hajjampur), which will be developed in an area of 31.21 hectares. He said that along with Bhoomi Pujan of new industries, the state government is also distributing letters of intent for land allotment to young entrepreneurs. He said that within a week, the police post in Acharpura will start function- D efence minister Rajnath Singh will lay the foundation stone of a rail coach manufacturing unit in Raisen with an investment of Rs 1800 crore on August 10. Preparations are being made for the foundation stone laying of a state-of-theart rail coach factory in village Umaria of Gauharganj tehsil of Raisen district. Around 1,575 people will get direct and indirect employment. The process of acquisition is being done to connect the government land allotted to the unit with the railway line. ing. He directed the IG (Police) present in the programme to deploy women police personnel at this post. He said that in terms of economy, India was ranked 15th in the world in 2014, now India is moving towards the third position. He said that 20 years ago, per capita income was Rs 11k in MP, which has now become Rs 1.52 lakh. All eligible Ladli Behna beneficiaries will be given Rs 1500 every month after Diwali. It is the month of Sawan, they will also be given shagun amount. The amount will be increased year after year and it will be increased to Rs 3k by the year 2028. Rs 100 cr fake registry scam unearthed, FIR to be lodged BHOPAL Next Vice-President will be our own: BJP NEW DELHI US President Donald Trump has called for eschewing "radical globalism" pursued by some of the country's firms, including tech giants like Google, Meta and Microsoft, among others, to "stop building factories" and "hiring workers" from countries including India. "For too long, much of our tech industry pursued a radical globalism that left millions of Americans feeling distrustful and betrayed. And you know that," Trump said. "Many of our largest tech companies have reaped the blessings of American freedom while building their factories in China, hiring workers in India, and slashing profits in Ireland. You know that. All the while dismissing and even censoring their fellow citizens right here at home," Trump said ahead of unveiling his administration's "AI Action Plan." He said this in his address to the All-In Podcast and Hill & Valley Forum AI Summit in Washington, DC on Wednesday (local time) Washington, DC. he investigation has revealed that 8 to 10 more fake registries have been executed. A record keeper of the registration department has been suspended. The registration department has been instructed to lodge an FIR so that the criminal proceeding can be started Asheesh Singh, Indore collector T taxes to the IMC. When he came to pay the tax last year, he was told that the plot located in Shiv Vilas Palace Colony in Zone 3 of the IMC was not in his name. He was shocked and complained to the collector, IMC commissioner and the registration department. The collector assigned the task of investigating the matter to senior district registrar Deepak Sharma. The investigation revealed that there was a  fake registry of this plot in the record room and on the basis of this fake registry, the plot was trans- NHRC flags police bias in DJ Yaseen sex abuse case 4Continued on | P8 Temple defaced in Melbourne Agencies MELBOURNE senior police officials. He said the accused deliberately targeted Hindu girls by luring them to parties, supplying drugs and then raping and filming them to blackmail them into continued sexual exploitation. Kanungo also alleged that several girls were pressured to convert to Islam and were kept as sex slaves. A Hindu temple and two Asian-run restaurants in Melbourne were defaced with racist graffiti earlier this week, triggering deep concern and outrage among community members in Australia. The Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Boronia was found vandalised with redpainted racial slurs on Monday, Australia Today said. The same hateful messages were also painted on two nearby Asian-run restaurants on Boronia Road the same day. Victoria Police confirmed that four linked incidents are under investigation, including graffiti on a healing centre on Mountain Highway, the temple, and the two restaurants. A police spokesperson said, “There is absolutely no place at all in our society for hate-based and racist behaviour.” One of the slurs sprayed on the temple read, "Go Home Brown C**t," according to the Australia Today report. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 Cops trace wider sex racket as case deepens Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The investigation into DJ Yaseen, already booked for drugging and sexually exploiting multiple girls, has taken a troubling turn as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised serious concern about possible police bias and protection. Bhopal Police have recovered 20 obscene videos from Yaseen’s mobile phone, allegedly showing young school and college girls being abused after being addicted to drugs. NHRC member Priyank Kanungo, in a post on X, alleged that a fair and impartial investigation is unlikely due to Yaseen’s family’s close ties with ferred to another person in IMC revenue records.  It also came to light that when there were complaints of garbage being spread on this plot, the inspector went there but he did not find out that it was vacant for years. In this case, two FIRs were lodged a few months back. Senior district registrar Dr. Amarendra Naidu said that in this case, a record keeper of the registration department Mardan Rawat had been suspended.  Photo of family members of Drug peddler Yaseen, who is police custody, with police officials.