FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms Vol. 15 No. 136 | BHOPAL | WEDNESDAY | OCTOBER 29, 2025 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 FREE www.freepressjournal.in Sports Smriti extends lead at top; youngster Pratika breaks into top 30 P.13 Unhappy with govt’s employee data, HC asks for unified chart of depts Chart should show representation of reserved categories Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Hearing a batch of petitions challenging the state’s new promotion policy, the High Court, principal bench of Jabalpur, on Tuesday expressed displeasure at the quantifiable and employee data the government submitted in a sealed envelope, which revealed that in a particular department, all the posts were occupied by the reserved categories.   A division bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf noted that some departments already have a large number of employees from the reserved categories.  The court then directed the state government to submit a unified chart of all departments, showing the current representation of reserved categories in each department. It also stated that this exercise should not merely be a collection of data, but a calculation based on correct rules.  Senior advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan presented the government's case via video conferencing, while Advocate General Prashant Singh appeared in court.  Speaking about the developments, Naresh Kaushik, the advocate of the petitioner, the Samanya PichhdaAlpasankhyak Kalyan Samaj Sanstha (SAPAKS), said, “The HC has directed the state government to re- fp Briefs PATNA INDIA bloc manifesto out The opposition INDIA bloc on Tuesday released its manifesto for the Bihar assembly polls, promising, among other things, a government job to one member of every household, restoration of old pension scheme and 200 units of free power. The 32-page-long 'Bihar ka Tejashwi Pran' (Tejashwi's resolve) released at a crowded press conference in the state capital, was, however, dismissed as "a bundle of lies" by the ruling NDA. Page7 NEW YORK Indian man stabs 2 teens A 28-year-old Indian national allegedly stabbed two teens with a metal fork and slapped a copassenger on board a Chicago to Germany flight, according to American authorities. According to charging documents, Praneeth Kumar Usiripalli allegedly stabbed a 17-year-old male passenger in the shoulder with a metal fork before stabbing another 17-year-old male passenger in the back of the head with the same fork. The second teen suffered a laceration on his head. NEW PROMOTION POLICY HC also says this exercise should not merely be collection of data, but a calculation based on correct rules prepare a unified chart of all departments and present it to the court, showing the current representation of reserved categories in each department. The government has submitted data in a sealed envelope; however, the HC observed that the reserved categories were occupying all the posts in a particular department, and there was no mention of the general category. Wondering how the government will justify that, the court asked it to re-prepare the report.” The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for November 12. ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: BHOPAL UJJAIN MONEY PRESS PUNE INDORE NASHIK Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL On November 1, the state’s Foundation Day, a helicopter will leave the MP capital for Ujjain under the PM Shri Paryatan Heli Sewa. Regular helicopter services will be made Mehli Mistry voted off Tata Trusts IANS Cinema The Family Man S3 release date out P.12 SEVERE STORM | Wind speed touches 110 kmph SC slams MPHC Andhra reels as Cyclone for bail on ‘plant Montha makes landfall trees’ condition Online Report Agencies NEW DELHI NEW DELHI Landfall process of the Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha has commenced as the storm will cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada in the next three to four hours, the India Meteorological Department said. In an X post, IMD wrote, "Latest observations indicate that the Landfall process has commenced. The landfall process will continue for the next 3-4 hours." "It will continue to move north-northwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during the next 3-4 hours as a severe cyclonic A fallen tree blocks a road as Cyclone Montha lashes Machilipatnam; high waves as severe cyclonic storm advances towards Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph," the meteorological department added. Earlier at 6:30 pm, the severe cyclonic storm was about 110 km east of Machilipatnam and 100 km south of Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. IMD said, "The Severe Cyclonic Storm Montha over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 17 kmph during past six hours and lay centered at 1830 hrs IST of today, the October 28, 2025, over the same region, near latitude 16.05degN & longitude Retention of govt houses: Rules amended to bar ineligible staff Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The state cabinet has amended rules 17 and 37 of the Government House Allocation Rule, to tackle the problem of government employees not vacating allotted accommodations after retirement or transfer. Under this, after passing of a certain period, if a government servant does not vacate a government accommodation, then he will have to pay ten times the rent and a penalty available for tourists and pilgrims from the month, said CM Mohan Yadav on Tuesday while reviewing preparations for the Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day at Samatva Bhawan of his official residence.  The speciality of this service is that through the Madhya Pradesh Tourism department, tourists and pilgrims will get lodging and a NEW DELHI The society will not forgive the judiciary if it doesn't take care of doctors and stand for them, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday while reserving its judgement on a plea against non-inclusion of doctors and health workers who lost their lives battling Covid-19 at private clinics, dispensaries and non-recognised hospitals in insurance policies. A bench comprising Justices P S Narasimha and R Mahadevan said the government must ensure that insurance companies settle the valid claims, and added that the assumption that private doctors were working for profit mak- 4Continued on | P8 Govt preparing to take fresh loan of Rs 5,200 cr Our Staff Reporter Electrification of PVTG houses T government residence for six months on general rent. Ahead of the Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day, the state government is gearing up to take a fresh loan of Rs 5,200 crore. It will be the 20th loan to be taken by this government so far. This will increase the state debt to Rs 4.64 lakh crore. Earlier, the government took a loan of Rs 3,000 crore on October 1.  The loan would be taken in two instalments of Rs 2,700 crore and Rs 2,500 crore, respectively. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 he state government has identified 18, 833 houses of extremely backward tribals, called Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) which were left out under the “Electricity for Every Home” scheme. The cabinet has decided to electrify such homes situated in far-flung areas of the state with the help of the Government of India (GoI). The GoI will give 60% share and 40% cost of electrifying such houses will be borne by the state government. As many as 211 houses were identified where electricity could not be supplied through the grid as they were situated too far. Hence a decision has been taken to light up such houses through solar batteries. A sum of around Rs 79 crore has been approved in this regard. of 30 times the rent. As per the new norm, on transfer or retirement, a government servant can occupy a First region include Bhopal, Ujjain, Indore, Mandav and Omkareshwar local transport facility. The helicopter service will be started for three different regions of the state, he said. The first region comprises Bho- Society won’t forgive us: SC on docs’ insurance PTI 82.25degE, about 110 km east of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh), 100 km south of Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), 220km southsouthwest of Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and 460km southwest of Gopalpur (Odisha)." BHOPAL pal, Ujjain, Indore, Mandav, and Omkareshwar. The second region covers Pachmarhi, Tamia of Chhindwara, and Khajuraho, while the third region has Jabalpur, Kanha, Pench, and Panna National Park. All three helicopter services will be started in November itself, he said.   4Continued on | P8 Newborn abandoned on bus by couple Our Staff Reporter INDORE NEW DELHI A rift in the Tata Trusts has intensified as its office holders Venu Srinivasan, Noel Tata, and Vijay Singh have rejected businessman Mehli Mistry's renewal for life trusteeship, a report said on Tuesday. Mistry is likely to explore legal options to get renewal for life trusteeship, NDTV Profit reported, citing sources. Noel Tata chairs the philanthropic trust, while Vijay Singh and Venu Srinivasan act as vice chairmen. The report said that the ouster of Mistry could be challenged based on the October 24 resolution passed by the Tata Trusts, which gives a life term to the present trustees. E-paper Edit SIR still sparks controversy P.6 Preference shareholders cannot file insolvency petition: Supreme Court PM Shri Paryatan Heli Sewa from Nov 1 3 services for three regions MUMBAI ing was not correct. "Society will not forgive us if we don't take care of our doctors and don't stand for them... "You should compel the insurance company to pay if according to you the condition is met that they were on COVID response and they died because of COVID. Merely because they were not in government duty, the assumption that they were making profits and then they were sitting is not correct," the bench observed orally. A newborn was abandoned by an unidentified couple onboard a bus at Sarwate Bus Stand under Chhoti Gwaltoli police station limits on Tuesday. The police registered a case and are examining CCTV footage to identify the couple. Chhoti Gwaltoli police station in-charge Sanju Kamle said that they were informed by the bus driver and conductor that a man and woman had left a 15day-old infant in the bus. After being alerted by the bus staff, the police rescued the boy. The child was sent to the hospital for a health check-up, and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) was informed. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 Top court directs Centre to provide relevant data and information BJP leader shot dead in Katni Police station in-charge removed Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) leader NeeleshRajakwas killed in broad daylight on Tuesday after two unidentified assailants opened fire on him in Kamore town of Katni district, saidthe police. The police station incharge was removed following the incident. As per reports, the deceased was associated with the Bajrang Dal and also with the BJP. Taking cognizance of the PK in trouble over name in 2 poll rolls PATNA/KOLKATA: Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor was on Tuesday served a notice over his name being reportedly registered as a voter in his home state of Bihar as well as adjoining West Bengal. The notice has been issued by the district election office in Bihar's Rohtas, where Kishor has been registered as a voter in Kargahar assembly segment, directing him to respond within three days. Pg7 offgrid Bangkok designer finds peace in Narmada journey FP News Service KASRAWAD Leaving behind the glitter of Bangkok’s fashion world, 50year-old designer Hurra (Hardevi) Tanwani has embarked on a spiritual journey along the sacred Narmada River. Beginning her parikrama from Omkareshwar on Saturday, she reached Navdatodi on Sunday afternoon. Deeply in- spired by Sanatan Dharma, Hardevi says, “Maa Narmada has transformed my life. True happiness lies not in luxury but in simplicity and devotion.” Her family migrated to Thailand after the 1947 Partition but Indian traditions remain central to their lives. “We celebrate all Hindu festivals in Bangkok with full rituals,” she said. Hardevi also runs a Gita Ashram there, where children learn the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and Vedic scriptures. Initially she was travelling alone but later she was joined by Dr Mansi Jadhav, a dentist from Pune. Dr Jadhav remarked that the journey not only brought spiritual awakening but also exposed them to the simplicity and challenges of rural life. Spiritually inclined since the age of ten, Hardevi credits her Jabalpur-based Guruji from Amarkantak for guiding her path. She has worked with global brands including BMW but now dedicates her life to spirituality. “Maa Narmada’s dust has given me the peace I never found in foreign luxuries,” she said emotionally. 4Continued on | P8 The Supreme Court has set aside a Madhya Pradesh High Court order that granted bail to two murder convicts on the condition that they plant ten saplings each. The bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria, in Surajpal Singh Jadon v. Prashant Sikarwar and Others (SLP (Crl) No. 13465/2025), said the Gwalior Bench’s April 29, 2024 order “lacked legal reasoning” and could not “stand the test of law even for a second.” The High Court had suspended the life sentence of two men convicted under Sections 302 (murder) and 341 (wrongful restraint) of the IPC, directing them to plant trees as a “social cause.” The Supreme Court observed that the order neither discussed the evidence nor provided reasons for granting bail. “On granting of suspension, the judge says you do the plantation? What is this?” Justice Kumar remarked during the hearing. The petitioner had challenged the order, calling it “whimsical” and contrary to Section 389(1) of the CrPC, which requires judicial reasoning while suspending a sentence. The counsel argued that equating a murder conviction with a symbolic act like planting trees trivialized justice. The respondents, however, defended the condition as reformative and socially The High Court had suspended the life sentence of two men convicted under Sections 302 (murder) and 341 (wrongful restraint) of the IPC, directing them to plant trees as a “social cause” beneficial, claiming it did not harm the prosecution’s case. Rejecting that argument, the Supreme Court said environmental causes cannot substitute for legal standards in criminal law. It held that the High Court appeared “swayed by considerations alien to criminal jurisprudence.” While quashing the order, the Apex Court refrained from canceling the convicts’ bail and directed the High Court to reconsider the suspension of sentence afresh on merits within six weeks. Justice Kumar quipped, “Operation successful, patient died,” noting that although the flawed order was struck down, the accused’s interim liberty would continue until a fresh decision. ToR of 8th pay panel approved PTI NEW DELHI incident, state BJP president Hemant Khandelwal asked the collector and SP to take appropriate action. He also discussed the issue with chief minister DrMohanYadav. IG Jabalpur, PramodVerma said that NeeleshRajak was going to the market on a motorcycle. Near a bank,two maskedmen opened fire at him from a close range at around 11 AM. As Rajak fell after being hit in the chest, the accused fled from the spot. The incident was captured in the CCTV cameras installed nearby. The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the terms of reference of the 8th Pay Commission, which will benefit 50 lakh central government employees and 69 lakh pensioners and will have implications on the emoluments of the staff of state governments. The recommendations of the Commission, to be headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desi, are likely to be effective from January 1, 2026. The commission will submit its report in 18 months and interim reports as and when they are finalised. 4Continued on | P8 4Continued on | P8 India-Russia to jointly produce civil aircraft PTI NEW DELHI India and Russia have firmed up a joint collaboration to produce a twin-engine narrowbody civilian commuter aircraft for short-haul flights in line with growing strategic ties between the two countries. State-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) signed a pact with Russia's Public Joint Stock Company United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC) in Moscow on Monday for production of SJ-100 aircraft in India. It will be the first such project to produce a passenger aircraft in India. The joint venture was finalised a little more than a month before an expected visit to India by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The SJ-100 was earlier known as the Sukhoi Superjet 100. As on date, over 200 SJ100 aircraft have been pro- duced and are being operated by more than 16 commercial airline operators. The finalisation of the collaboration came almost a decade after both sides explored the possibility of producing the aircraft in India. The HAL has a long-standing partnership with UAC, including for the manufacturing of the Su-30MKI combat jet for the Indian Air Force. "SJ-100 will be the game changer for short-haul connectivity under the UDAN scheme in India. Under this arrangement, HAL will have the rights to manufacture SJ100 aircraft for domestic customers," the Indian aerospace major said. 4Continued on | P8