FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLII No. 57 | INDORE | TUESDAY | AUGUST 5, 2025 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in Nation BJP slams ‘China Guru’ Rahul P.7 ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: INDORE WORLD Netanyahu urges Red Cross to help secure aid for hostages UJJAIN PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit Crime and Punishment P.6 Cinema SRK’s reply .. and Tharoor's vocabulary P.14 EDGE-OF-GLORY | India clinch Oval epic in narrowest-ever Test win by 6 runs SIRAJ SEALS THRILLER BANKE BIHARI TEMPLE CORRIDOR ORDINANCE UNJUSTIFIED: What was the hurry: SC asks UP govt; may put nod on hold India hits back at Trump’s tariff threat Says Krishna was the first ediator known to world PTI NEW DELHI Says both US, EU continuing their trade relations with Russia PTI NEW DELHI Mohammed Siraj celebrates taking the wicket of England’s Gus Atkinson during the fifth day of the fifth Test at The Oval cricket ground in London on Monday PTI Agencies LONDON In a heart-stopping finale to the five-match Test series at The Oval, Team India edged past England by just six runs, recording their narrowestever Test win by runs — fp Briefs NEW DELHI Philippines Prez arrives Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr arrived in New Delhi on Monday on his first State Visit to India. Union Minister of State for External Affairs (MoS) Pabitra Margherita welcomed him at the airport. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal extended a warm welcome to Ferdinand R Marcos Jr and stated that this visit will further strengthen ties between India and Philippines. breaking a 21-year-old record set against Australia in 2004. Needing 374 to win, England were cruising at 317/4 with centurions Joe Root (105 off 152) and Harry Brook (111 off 98) commanding the chase. But as pressure NEW DELHI Drop in PM10 concentration A total of 103 Indian cities, as part of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), have shown a reduction in particulate matter PM10 concentration in 2024-25, the government informed the Parliament on Monday. Launched in 2019 to tackle air pollution across India, NCAP focusses on 131 "non-attainment" cities and Million Plus Cities in 24 states. was 13 (vs Australia, 2004, Wankhede). This victory is not only India’s tightest in terms of runs, but also marks their first-ever win in the 5th Test of an overseas series — a cherry on top of a pulsating series now drawn 2-2. (Detail on Sports Page) Poora khol diye Pasha Asaduddin Owaisi, Hyderabad MP Govt tables bill to unlock metro regions Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The Madhya Pradesh Metropolitan Region Planning and Development Bill 2025 was tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday, laying the groundwork for development of Bhopal and Indore regions as metropolitan cities to boost economic activity. The bill proposes formation of a Metropolitan Region, Metropolitan Planning Committee and Metropolitan Re- ABETMENT TO SUICIDE CASE In larger public MOSCOW interest: HC ‘Be careful with stays scientist’s nuke rhetoric’ conviction The Kremlin on Monday emphasised Russia's responsible stance on nuclear issues, cautioning against escalating nuclear rhetoric after US President Donald Trump announced the redeployment of two American nuclear submarines, citing "provocative remarks" by Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council, TASS reported. mounted on Day 5, Mohammed Siraj (5/104) and Prasidh Krishna (4/126) engineered a dramatic collapse, bundling England out for 367 — just six agonising runs short. The previous record for India’s narrowest win by runs PTI NAINITAL The Uttarakhand High Court has stayed the conviction and five-year rigorous imprisonment of a vaccine scientist who was found guilty of abetting his wife's suicide. Granting relief to the scientist, Akash Yadav, who has done PhD in biotechnology from IIT Kharagpur, the single bench of Justice Ravindra Maithani said suspending his conviction was in the larger public interest. The court observed that the convict was a scientist actively engaged in vaccine research and development and due to his conviction, he was unable to perform his duties. It also said that the scientist's research holds critical value for the society at large. 4Continued on | P8 Urban sprawl needs control: Min While tabling the bill, Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said the act is essential to address challenges of unplanned urban growth around big cities due to rapid urbanisation. Development without planning is creating pressure on infrastructure in major urban centres. This act will help bring structure to that growth, he said gion Development Authority (MRDA). It outlines detailed procedures for land acquisition, authority constitution and infrastructure planning. Under the proposed law, land earmarked under any Metropolitan Development and Investment Scheme, City Development Scheme or Region Development Scheme will be deemed essential for public utility, bringing it under the purview of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Metropolitan regions » Bhopal Metropolitan Region will comprise areas of Bhopal, Sehore, Raisen, Vidisha and Biora (Rajgarh) » Indore Metropolitan Region will comprise areas of Indore, Dewas, Ujjain, Dhar and Shajapur. Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. 4Continued on | P8 Rape case: Top court orders fresh probe against Cong MLA Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday directed for a fresh investigation into the rape case filed against Deputy Leader of Opposition and Congress MLA from Ater constituency in Bhind Hemant Katare. The apex court also clarified that a DIG-rank officer of the Bhopal range would supervise the investigation. Katare will not be arrested for the time being, provided he fully cooperates with the in- SC was hearing a petition filed by the MP government challenging HC’s December 2, 2024 directive vestigation, according to the court order. The Supreme Court issued the order while hearing a petition filed by the Madhya Pradesh government challenging the high court’s December 2, 2024 directive. That earlier ruling had granted interim protection from arrest to Katare, provided he cooperated with the investigation. Senior advocate Gagan Gupta appeared in court on behalf of Hemant Katare. After hearing both sides, the court said that considering the seriousness of the allegations, the reinvestigation must be carried out under the supervision of a senior police officer of DIG rank from the Bhopal range to ensure impartiality. 4Continued on | P8 In a setback to the Uttar Pradesh government, the Supreme Court on Monday said it would keep in abeyance its May 15 nod to the ambitious scheme to develop the Shri Banke Bihari Temple Corridor at Vrindavan in Mathura for the benefit of devotees as main stakeholders were not heard. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi deprecated the approach of the state government in moving the court in "clandestine manner" and questioned the hurry for enacting an ordinance Uttar Pradesh Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025 to take over the management of the ancient temple. The top court said it would appoint a committee headed by a retired high court or district judge to manage the affairs of the temple in the 4Continued on | P8 Govt seeks more time from SC on OBC quota, 87:13 hiring formula Next hearing on August 12 Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Madhya Pradesh government on Monday sought more time from the Supreme Court in two crucial matters: the implementation of 27 per cent OBC reservation and lifting of interim stay on 87:13 recruitment formula in state services. In the previous hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had argued in favour of the state's position. However, he did not appear this time. Instead, Advocate General of MP High Court Prashant Singh, along with senior advocate KM Nataraj, represented the state and requested additional time. The Supreme Court granted the request, scheduling the next hearing for August 12. The court was hearing two linked issues: the validity of 87:13 formula in recruit- Shibu Soren breathes his last at 81 PTI RANCHI/NEW DELHI JMM founder Shibu Soren, the veteran tribal leader who played a key role in Jharkhand's creation, breathed his last on Monday. He was 81. Shibu Soren was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Delhi for over a month for kidney-related problems. "Respected Dishom Guruji has left us all... I have become 'shunya' (zero) today," Hemant Soren posted on X. The Jharkhand Assembly was adjourned sine die, while the state government declared a three-day state mourning following the former CM's demise. Condolences came pouring former Jharkhand chief minister will be brought to Ranchi from Delhi around 5.30 pm on Monday, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) said.His body will be taken to his native village in Ramgarh district on Tuesday and his last rites will be performed there, the party said. in from across the country. The mortal remains of the 4Continued on | P8 offgrid Paan, tobacco spitting on the rise in UK Online Report LONDON A video showing tobacco and paan spitting stains on the streets of London has gone viral. According to reports, these stains have been spotted in areas stretching from Rayners Lane to North Harrow. The video shows dustbins, pavements and roads splat- tered with deep red marks. Residents of the Rayners Lane district claim that these stains have increased, es- pecially outside stores and eateries that sell paan and chewing tobacco products. According to Harrow Online, people have also filed a petition against a newlyopened paan shop in North Harrow. They have expressed concerns that the shop might lead to more paan chewing and spitting in the area. After the video showing India on Monday mounted an unusually sharp counterattack on the US and the European Union for their "unjustified and unreasonable" targeting of New Delhi for its procurement of Russian crude oil. New Delhi's response came hours after US President Donald Trump asserted that Washington will substantially raise tariffs on goods from India over its energy ties with Russia. Firmly rejecting the criticism, India pointed out the double standards in targeting it on the issue and said both the US and the EU are continuing their trade relations with Russia. "Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. The Europe-Russia trade includes not just energy, but also fertilizers, mining products, red stains on the streets circulated on social media, several people blamed migrants, particularly from the Indian community, for the situation. One person commented, "Gujaratis, Punjabis, Goans all menace in the UK. Trump needs to take over the UK soon." 4Continued on | P8 The court was hearing two linked issues: the validity of 87:13 formula in recruitments and implementation of 27% reservation for OBCs ments and pending implementation of 27 per cent reservation for OBCs. Candidates affected by interim stay, which put 13 per cent of seats on hold, had filed an application urging the court to vacate the stay. The application specifically sought to cancel the interim order dated May 4, 2022. Senior advocate Rameshwar Thakur, appearing for the affected candidates, said the matter has seen multiple delays. He said that in the earlier hearing, the Solicitor General had supported the 27 per cent quota, but in the latest session, the state's representation instead sought more time. chemicals, iron and steel, and machinery and transport equipment, the MEA said in a late-evening statement. "Where the US is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilizers as well as chemicals," it added. "In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security," the MEA said. It said India has been "targeted" by the US and the EU for importing oil from Russia after the commencement of the Ukraine conflict. In fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict, it said. 4Continued on | P8 Fresh posting for five IAS officers Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The state government has announced a fresh round of postings for five IAS officers on Tuesday, filling key administrative roles across departments. Manish Singh, a 1977 batch officer who was awaiting appointment, has been posted as Principal Secretary in the Department of Technical Education, Skill Development and Employment. G V Rashmi of the 2005 batch, who was also waiting for posting, has been appointed as Secretary in Women and Child Development Department. Abhilash Mishra, who served as Additional Commissioner of Indore Municipal Corporation, has been transferred as Commissioner of Ujjain Municipal Corporation. Anurag Saxena, currently Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Seed and Farm Development Corporation, has been shifted to the post of Additional Managing Director in Madhya Pradesh State Agriculture Marketing Board. 4Continued on | P8 True Indian won’t say this: SC raps Rahul over China land grab claim Stays proceedings against LoP PTI NEW DELHI If you are a true Indian, you wouldn't say such a thing, the Supreme Court on Monday said as it censured Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his alleged derogatory remarks about the Indian Army during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. The top court, however, stayed the proceedings initiated in the matter against Gandhi before a Lucknow court. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and the complainant in the case. "You are leader of opposition. Why don't you say things in Parliament, why do you have to say it on social media?" the bench asked. The top court continued, "How do you get to know that 2,000 sq km of Indian territory has been occupied by Chinese? Were you there? Do you have any credible material?" The bench further asked, "Why do you make these statements without having any material? If you are a true Indian, you won't say such a thing." Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Gandhi, submitted if the leader of opposition cannot raise issues, it would be an unfortunate situation. 4Continued on | P8