Friday, August 22, 2025 | Vol. 68 No. 275 | 29 Pages THE FREE PRESS JOURNAL Reg.No MCS/048/2021-23; RNI No. 1541/1957 M.p.c.s office Mumbai. PIN 400001 INDIA EDITION | www.freepressjournal.in ● Leader in E-paper circulation GAMES NATION TVK chief Vijay declares BJP as ideological enemy and accuses DMK of secret ties with Centre. In Russia, EAM boxes US tariffs Ashwin Ahmad Briefs Palghar gas leak kills 4 A gas leak from a nitrogen reaction tank claimed the lives of four workers at the Medley Pharmaceuticals unit at Boisar and left four critically injured. The leak happened during the production of an Albendazole-based medicine. The injured, two of them critical, are undergoing treatment in the ICU of a private hospital in Boisar. Police are investigating the cause of the leak. – Megha Parmar MSCB scam: Rohit in court NCP(SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Thursday appeared before a special court in Mumbai in the alleged Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank scam case, and was released after executing a bond.ED has questioned him twice in the case. SEE CITY ‘BJP won LS polls by fraud’ BJP manipulated the 2024 Lok Sabha polls but the INDIA bloc would not allow it in the Bihar assembly election, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said, as he resumed his Voter Adhikar Yatra. SEE NATION Agencies As 50% tariffs against India threatens bilateral relations, former American ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, urged US President Donald Trump to reverse the "downward spiral" and view Delhi as a “prized free and democratic partner” in countering Beijing. Undoing 25 years of progress in ties with India would amount to a “strategic disaster”, she wrote in an opinion piece for Newsweek, adding that the rise of India does not threaten the free world, unlike “Communist-controlled China.” Haley said, “India must be treated like the prized free and democratic partner that it is – not an adversary like China, which has thus far avoided sanctions for its Russian oil purchases, despite being one of Moscow's largest customers.” “If that disparity does not Russia may boost oil deliveries to India and was interested in developing joint energy projects in the Russian Far East and the Arctic, Lavrov said. Jaishankar calls on Putin Jaishankar met Russian President Putin on Thursday and is understood to have discussed ways to further expand bilateral ties. "Apprised him of my discussions with First DPM Denis Manturov & FM Sergey Lavrov. The preparations for the Annual Leaders Summit are well underway," Jaishankar said on X. "Appreciate his sharing perspectives on the global situation and recent developments on Ukraine." ister said. “Enhancing Indian exports to Russia in sectors like pharma- ceuticals, agriculture, and textiles will certainly help to correct the current imbalance. Steps to ensure a long-term supply of fertilizers were also PM, Macron hold talks on Ukraine war, Gaza Agencies demand a closer look at USIndia relations, the realities of hard power should. Scuttling 25 years of momentum with the only country that can serve as a counterweight to Chinese dominance in Asia would be a strategic disaster,” she said. “Unlike Communist-controlled China, the rise of a democratic India does not threaten the free world. Partnership between the US and India to counter China should be a no-brainer,” she added. 4Contd on | nation US has long benefited from free trade but now uses tariffs as bargain chips. US imposed tariffs of up to 50% on India. China firmly opposes it. Silence only emboldens the bully. China will firmly stand with India. taken up. Indian skilled workers, especially in IT, construction, and engineering, can address the labor needs in Russia and deepen collaboration.” Xu Feihong, China's envoy 4Contd on | nation Recently hundreds of people braved torrential rains to stand in a long queue patiently outside Udipi Vihar hotel in Goregaon (east). There was a powerful incentive for them to wait for hours to get into the modest hotel. The management was offering tea at 07 paise a cup; coffee at 10 paise; misal pav at 10 paise; sheera, upma, idli, medu vada, dosa (sada or PM Narendra Modi on Thursday held a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron focusing on resolution of the conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. Macron was among the EU leaders who accompanied Ukrainian President Zelenskyy during his talks with US President Trump. "Had a very good conversation with my friend President Macron. Exchanged views on efforts for peaceful resolution of conflicts in Ukraine and in West Asia," Modi said on X. In response, Macron said: "We coordinated our positions on the war in Ukraine in order to move towards a just and lasting peace, with strong guarantees for Ukraine and Europe's security." He added: "On trade issues, we agreed to strengthen our economic exchanges.” A panel of ministers from different states on Thursday gave in-principle approval to the Centre's proposal of sweeping GST reforms through rate cuts, but some opposition-ruled states wanted to know the revenue loss from the move and how that would be bridged. The Group of Ministers (GoM), headed by Bihar deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, discussed the Centre's proposal of reducing the number of GST slabs under to two (5% and 18%) from four (5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%). The Centre has also proposed a 40% rate for 5-7 select goods. While the GoM was in favour of rate and slab rejig if it benefited the common man, some members wanted ultraluxury items, like high-end cars, to be subject to an additional levy on top of the special 40% tax. Recommendations of the six-member panel will go to the high-powered GST Council for final decision. The panel has three members from BJPruled states of Bihar, UP and Rajasthan, and an equal number from opposition-ruled states of Karnataka (Congress), Dheeraj Kumar PATNA Restricts first-time cards for 18+ to deter illegal immigrants FPJ News Service plained that an exception would be made for Tea Tribes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who will continue to be eligible for Aadhaar enrolment for another year. This is because Aadhaar coverage among these communities remains at 96 per cent, unlike the state’s general population, where enrolment has already crossed 103 per cent. With the Bihar assembly elections approaching, Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar attempted an outreach to Muslims on Thursday by attending a function of madrasa teachers. Instead, he found himself in the middle of a controversy after allegedly refusing to wear a skull cap offered to him. The incident occurred during the centenary celebrations of the Bihar Madrasa Education Board. Minority Welfare Minister Zama Khan attempted to place a cap on Kumar’s head, but Kumar took it from him and promptly placed it on Khan’s head instead. A video shows Kumar smiling as he returns the gesture, though the act has sparked speculation and criticism. 4Contd on | nation 4Contd on | nation Digjyoti Lahkar GUWAHATI In a move that is bound to spark debate, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday announced that no first-time Aadhaar cards will be issued to individuals above 18 years of age in the state from October onwards. The step, he said, was a precautionary measure to prevent illegal immigrants from securing Indian citizenship documents through Aadhaar enrolment. Sarma clarified that a onemonth window, from September 1 to September 30, will be provided for adults who have yet to apply for Aadhaar. “After that, fresh Aadhaar enrolments for those above 18 will cease,” he told reporters after a Cabinet meeting. The Chief Minister ex- NEW DELHI The SC on Thursday questioned whether courts would remain powerless if a Governor refuses to discharge constitutional duties and sits on bills passed by a legislature for years. A five-judge Constitution Bench led by CJI BR Gavai, along with Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, P S Narasimha and Atul S Chandurkar, was hearing a Presidential reference made under Article 143. The reference seeks clarity on the court’s April ruling that prescribed timelines for the President and Governor to decide on bills, Bar & Bench and Live Law reported. Gavai asked if the court could stay silent in such a situation when judicial review is part of the Constitution’s basic structure. “Suppose a constitutional functionary who is entrusted with certain functions refuses to I have always said that judicial activism should never become judicial terrorism or judicial adventurism. Agencies NEW YORK The FBI has arrested in India Cindy Rodriguez Singh, a Texas woman who was on the US ‘10 Most Wanted Fugitive’ list for allegedly killing her six-year-old son, the agency's director Kash Patel said on Thursday. Nabbed in coordination with Indian authorities and Interpol, Singh, 40, was transported to the US and will be handed over to Texas authorities, officials said. Patel called it the fourth “Top 10 Most Wanted” capture in the last seven months. He credited law enforcement partners in Texas, the US Justice Department, and Indian authorities for their cooperation. A reward of up to $250,000 had been announced for information leading to Singh’s arrest. Authorities in Texas began investigating in March 2023 after Singh’s son, Noel Rodriguez-Alvarez, who had special needs and several health issues -- including a developmental disorder, social disorder, bone density problems, and chronic Chai at 07 paise, misal pav at 10. The owner of the Goregaon (east) hotel was offering items at prices that his father used to charge when he opened it masala), batata wada, puri bhaji, jalebi and mix pakoda - all at 12 paise a plate each and rice plate comprising patal bhaji, tendli chana, rice, dal, 4 puris and fried papad at 50 paise. The hotel owner Ravi Shetty said these were the prices at which his father, the late Sundar Shetty, sold the items when he started the hotel in 1962. Sundar Shetty moved into Mumbai from his hometown Udipi in Karnataka in 1947 and worked his way up in an Udipi hotel. He had this burning ambition to start his own hotel and the rest, as they say, is history. Udipi Vihar started attracting crowds in droves because of the quality of its items and the reasonable price. Now the hotel is going in for redevelopment and as a tribute to their father Ravi Shetty and his brothers offered the food items at 1962 rates on August 18. Customers could hardly believe when they heard about this offer and rushed to the hotel. 4Contd on | nation 4Contd on | nation Delhi gets new top cop after CM attack Senior IPS officer Satish Golcha was appointed the 26th Commissioner of Delhi Police on Thursday, succeeding SBK Singh, who held the post for just 21 days. The appointment comes day after an attack on Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a public hearing at her Civil Lines office on Wednesday. The officials, however, said that the Dharmasthala probe seeks to clear web of ‘true lies’ Vinay Madhava Gowda BENGALURU 4Contd on | nation as intervention by the PM or the President, exist. “Every problem in this country may not have a solution here (in court),” he submitted, adding that the separation of powers must be a two-way street. The reference was made by President Droupadi Murmu after the SC’s April verdict in which Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan ruled that Governors cannot indefinitely delay action under Article 200. 4Contd on | nation FPJ News Service 4Contd on | nation 4Contd on | nation CJI lung disease -- had not been seen since October 2022. During a welfare check, Singh allegedly lied to authorities, claiming her son was in Mexico with his biological father. NEW DELHI Kerala (Left Front) and West Bengal (TMC). "The GoM has decided to accept the two proposals of the Centre," Choudhary said. The proposal of the Centre to remove the 12% and 28% slabs was accepted, and we have given recommendations," he said. UP's Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said said the proposal was in the interest of the common man. "Some states demand that they should be compensated for revenue loss upon implementation of the new rate structure. The revenue loss will be calculated," he said. posting had nothing to do with the attack. On Thursday, CRPF took charge of the CM's security as the Union government accorded 'Z' category VIP security cover to her. The 51-year-old Gupta was earlier being provided a top-level security cover by the Delhi Police. A team of 22-25 armed CRPF commandos will be on the CM's protection duty round the clock. BR Gavai, discharge those functions without any valid reasons, whether the hands of Constitutional Courts would be tied and say that ‘no, we are powerless’?” he said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, argued that such problems cannot always be solved by the judiciary and that the remedy lies in the political process. He said constitutional functionaries, including the Governor, are accountable in their way and that political solutions, such Some oppn-ruled states seek clarity on revenue loss and compensation measures The SIT, probing into allegations against Dharmasthala temple administration of "illegal mass burial" of raped and murdered women, is now digging up the "True Lies" behind the charges. Failing to find anything substantial after excavating over 16 spots shown by the 'masked' complainant, who chose to remain anonymous, SIT has turned its focus on the complainant and the activists supporting him. That include the kingpin of the entire episode, Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi, YouTuber Sameer and Sujatha Bhat, who claimed that her daughter Ananya Bhat went missing from the temple premises and alleged that she had been raped and murdered. The biggest development happened on Thursday morning, when the Brahmavar police in Udipi district arrested Mahesh Shetty Thimarodi, who is leading the activists, protesting against the temple administration into their custody. However, the case was not related to Dharmasthala illegal mass burial, but his derogatory remarks against senior BJP leader BL Santhosh. He was remanded to 14 days in judicial custody, while bail application will be heard on August 24. The Dharmasthala police have also registered a suo motu case against Sameer, who created a sensation through his AI generated video against Dharmasthala temple and its administration. Sameer, who has applied for anticipatory bail in Bengaluru court, is absconding now. Meanwhile, the SIT officials have dug out the personal details of the 'maskman', who hailed from Chikkahalli in Mandya district. They also tracked Raju, who used to work with the maskman in digging graves. FBI nabs in India woman on ‘10 most-wanted’ list Retro treat: 1962 prices, 2025 crowds S Balakrishnan NEW DELHI Agencies NEW DELHI Assam’s Aadhaar Skull cap row SC: COURT’S HANDS TIED war against aliens haunts Nitish IF GUV SITS ON BILLS? Tribute to dad MUMBAI GoM backs GST rejig, Council to take final call WASHINGTON More oil for India NEW DELHI Edit SIR is turning out to be a gift from the EC to the Oppn ‘TREAT INDIA LIKE PRIZED PARTNER’ COMING CLOSER | ‘Perplexed’ by Trump’s action as India’s purchase of US oil up, says Jaishankar, lauds Moscow ties as ‘steadiest’ External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said India was not the biggest importer of Russian oil and admitted that he was "perplexed" by the higher tariff imposed by Washington even though New Delhi's purchase of oil from the US had increased. He emphasised the need to increase bilateral trade in a “balanced and sustainable manner,” which included increasing Indian exports to Russia. Jaishankar, who is in Moscow on a three-day visit, made these remarks at a joint press briefing with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov after their meeting on Thursday. He later called on President Putin. Calling upon Moscow to redress non-tariff barriers and other regulatory impediments, he said Indian goods and services had a ready market in Moscow. India’s “relationship with Russia has been among the steadiest of the major relationships in the world since WWII,” the min- Cinema Injured SRK steals the spotlight at Aryan’s big debut Sports Ministry declares India and Pak will have no bilateral sporting ties even on neutral venues