FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. 15 No. 82 | BHOPAL | FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 | Pages 16 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 www.freepressjournal.in Sports Mahanaryaman pads up for grassroots cricket P.15 fp Briefs NEW DELHI Infant mortality rate hits 25 Infant mortality rate (IMR) in the country has touched a record low of 25, a sharp dip of 37.5 per cent from 40 in 2013, according to the Sample Registration System report for 2023 issued by the Registrar General of India. IMR is a key public health indicator defined as number of deaths of children per 1,000 live births under one year -the lower the number the better the health accessibility. See Nation NEW DELHI India, Singapore strengthen ties India and Singapore on Thursday unveiled a roadmap to expand their comprehensive strategic partnership including by deepening trade and ensuring better market access with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong signalling firm resolve to jointly navigate the global trade disruptions caused by Washington's tariff tussle. NEW DELHI Dhawan appears before ED Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan on Thursday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in an alleged illegal betting app-linked money laundering case, official sources said. He entered the office of the federal probe agency in central Delhi around 11 am. The agency recorded his statement under the PMLA. BHOPAL The I-T raid against the Bhopal-based Science House Group (SHG), involved in healthcare and diagnostics,  and associated persons,entered its third day on Thursday. Investigating officers have stumbled upon incriminating documents suggesting alleged bogus bil- EDITIONS: BHOPAL UJJAIN WORLD PUNE INDORE NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit GST: Reform that serves all 10 Cinema Stars unite for Punjab P.14 NIRF RANKINGS-2025 | DAVV crashes out of its long-held 101-150 band; IIT Indore, AIIMS Bhopal lone bright spots; IIM Indore stays at 8th Not a single MP varsity in top-150 Atul Gautam Institution INDORE Overall category IIT Indore 33 IISER, Bhopal 78 Research Institution IIT Indore 27 Engineering IIT Indore 16 MANIT, Bhopal 72 IITM Gwalior No Rank Management IIM Indore 8 IIITM Gwalior 85 Pharmacy IES Bhopal No Rank Medical AIIMS Bhopal 31 Law NLIU Bhopal 21 Architect SPA Bhopal 12 MANIT, Bhopal 17 State Public Unvi DAVV, Indore 50 Madhya Pradesh’s performance in the Indian Higher Education Rankings-2025, released by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) on Thursday, paints a grim picture. Once considered a potential top-100 contender, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) has crashed out of its long-held band, slipping from 101–150 to the 151–200 rank bracket — a decline after nearly four years of stability. This free fall has dented hopes that DAVV could one day stand among India’s leading universities.   Its only consolation came in the State Public University category, where it moved up by a token step from 50th to 49th rank. Other universities in the state, including Jiwaji Vishwavidyalya--  which is a Grade A++ accredited varsity – were never in the race for top 100 institutions. The face-saving performances this year came from IIT Indore and AIIMS Bhopal, which bucked the state’s downward trend. IIT Indore surged four places to claim the 12th rank in engineering, while also jumping from 33rd to 27th overall and 27th to 24th in research institutions. AIIMS Bhopal too made a mark, rising six places from 31st to 25th rank in the medical category. Elsewhere, the story was one of decline. MANIT Bhopal dropped from 72nd to 81st rank in engineering, while National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal, slipped from 21st to 25th. Only IIM Indore stood firm, retaining its 8th place in the fiercely competitive management category. 4Continued on | P8 2024 2025 27 75 24 12 81 96 8 93 95 25 25 Online Report Accused tried to frame his rival in fake case Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL A man who had threatened a magistrate posted in Rewa district, asking her to pay Rs 500 crore, was arrested from Prayagraj, police said on Thursday. To note, on September 2, Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Mohini Bhadauria, posted at Teonthar court (near the Uttar Pradesh border), got a letter sent through speed post, seeking extortion amount of Rs 500 crore and threatening of dire consequences in case it was not paid. The matter was reported to the Suhagi police. Suhagi police station incharge Pawan Shukla said the sender identified himself as a notorious dacoit and threatened to eliminate Bhadauria if she did not pay Rs 500 crore.  Based on the complaint, the Suhagi police registered a case under section 308 (extortion) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Shukla said that the sender wanted the money to be delivered personally by the magistrate in Baraga in UP’s Banda district. Police sources said the sender was identified as one Sandeep Singh, a resident of Lohgara under Bara police station in Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh, adding he claimed to be part of dacoit Hanuman’s gang. The amount was clearly written in the letter in figures and in words, so that no confusion should not occur, the police said. The cops swung into action and with the help of technical surveillance, they reached Bara village and arrested the accused Sandeep Singh. 4Continued on | P8 Gupta owns properties worth Rs 200cr in Delhi, factory abroad RAT-BITE INCIDENT Rahul slams govt over two infant deaths in Indore hosp Our Staff Reporter INDORE/BHOPAL The death of two newborns after rat bites in Indore’s Maharaja Yeshwantrao (MY) Hospital has triggered nationwide outrage, with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi terming the incident as “shocking and unacceptable and claim it as outright murder.” In a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)led government, Rahul said such negligence exposed the collapse of the public healthcare system. 4Continued on | P8 NCPCR issues notice on Indore rat bite deaths clearer once it issues an official statement. BHOPAL: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Thursday issued a notice to the Indore collector on the death of two newborns due to rat bites in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital (MYH). The collector has been instructed to submit an action taken report within three days. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 BHOPAL: I-T raids on the suppliers of medicines and medical equipment have blown the lid off their properties. According to sources, Rajesh Gupta, who also came under the I-T scanner, purchased several properties. Gupta purchased a house worth Rs 140 crore in a colony in Delhi and a plot of land worth Rs 40 crore in Noida. Gupta also set up a pharmaceuticals factory abroad. Besides, he made several investments in other businesses. 4Continued on | P8 ling and tax evasion of around Rs 250 crore. So far, the department has remained tightlipped, and the picture will get US President Donald Trump's administration has moved the Supreme Court to challenge a federal appeals court ruling that decreed most of his sweeping tariffs illegal. In the court papers, the Trump ad- Kshatriya community honours Bhind collector amid political tensions FP News Service BHIND District collector Sanjeev Shrivastava was honoured by Kshatriya community representatives in a ceremony held in his chamber on Thursday. The group presented him with a shawl, a traditional safa (Turban), and a sword while Vedic mantras were chanted. Shrivastava accepted the honours, calling the sword a ‘symbol of strength’ and stating there was no- thing wrong with the symbolic gesture. The development comes shortly after a public dispute between collector and Bhind MLA, Narendra Singh Kushwah, leading to speculation that the community is divided over the conflict. Supporters of the collector praised the ceremony as a sign of his connectivity and improved administrative work in the district. The honour has become a major topic of discussion throughout the collectorate. ministration has argued that the tariffs are "a crucial aspect of our push for peace" in Ukraine. "The President recently authorised IEEPA tariffs against India for purchasing Russian energy products, to deal with a preexisting national emergency regarding Russia's war in Ukraine, as a 4Continued on | P8 ‘GST reforms double dhamaka of happiness’ Agencies NEW DELHI 11 17 49 Man held for Rs 500cr ‘India tariffs vital for Ukraine peace’ Trump links tariffs to ‘Colonial tactics’ ransom threat to ending war in plea Rewa magistrate Rs 250 cr bogus billing, tax evasion under investigation Our Staff Reporter iii QUALITY @ VALUE ‘Trump’s tariffs threaten vital relationship with India’ DAY 3 OF I-T RAID ON SCIENCE HOUSE GROUP Rs 2 cr recovered so far, amount expected to rise ESTD-1983 Russian President Vladimir Putin has reprimanded his US counterpart Donald Trump for attempting to exert colonial-era pressure tactics on leaders of "powerful economies" like India and China, saying that is not the way to deal with the "partners". Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the upcoming GST reforms mark a significant step in making India self-reliant, calling them the "next-generation" of changes required to strengthen the economy and ease compliance for citizens and a "double dhamaka" of happiness before this Diwali and Chhath Puja. Announcing the implementation date, PM Modi said the simplified GST regime will take effect on September 22, the first day of Navratri. Reiterating his Independence Day address, the Prime Minister said, "Without timely changes, we cannot give our country its rightful place in today's global situation. I had said from the Red Fort on 15 August this time that it is crucial to undertake next-generation reforms to make India self-reliant. I had also promised the countrymen that there would be a double dhamaka of happiness before this Diwali and Chhath Puja..." "Now GST has become even simpler... On 22 September, which is the first day of Navratri, the next gen reform will be implemented as all these things are definitely related to the 'Matrishakti'," he added. 4Continued on | P8