FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. 15 No. 179 | BHOPAL | THURSDAY | DECEMBER 11, 2025 | Pages 16 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. mpeng/2010/35815 www.freepressjournal.in Sports KOHLI CLOSES IN ON NO 1 ODI RANKING P.14 Amazon to invest $35bn in India by 2030 IANS NEW DELHI 4Continued on | P8 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: BHOPAL MONEY Talks raise hopes of an imminent India–US trade breakthrough UJJAIN PUNE INDORE NASHIK NEW DELHI In a fierce attack on the Opposition during a Lok Sabha debate on election reforms, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday accused rival parties of raising objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to protect “avaidh ghuspathiye (illegal immigrants)” and keep them on voter lists. He said the Opposition feared losing elections now that “corrupt practices” had been curbed. Intervening in the discussion, Shah said the NDA Rahul Gandhi challenged Amit Shah in Lok Sabha to debate his “vote chori’’ charges, prompting sharp retorts from the Home Minister. Heated exchanges erupted as both leaders traded accusations during the debate on election reforms. OPPN WALKOUT SONIA REMARK Opposition MPs staged a walkout during Shah’s reply on electoral reforms, prompting sharp attacks from Shah, who accused them of backing infiltrators. Shah’s reference to a Delhi court notice to Sonia Gandhi over alleged early voter enrolment triggered chaos in Lok Sabha, with Congress accusing him of misleading the House. Netanyahu calls PM Modi, briefs on West Asia PTI/NEW DELHI BHOPAL Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations. Netanyahu called Modi and shared views on the situation in West Asia. "PM Modi reaffirmed India's support for efforts towards a just and durable peace in the region, including early implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan," a statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said. The state government granted rights of sanction for Simhastha-related works to Mayor in Council (MiC) and President in Council on Wednesday. These powers are provided under Municipal Corporation’s rule 251 and Nagar PalikaParishad/Nagar Parishad rules 237 and 239. If Mayor in Council or President in Council does not approve a sanction proposal within a month of it being tabled, the Commissioner, Urban Administration and Development, may grant the necessary permission. Separ- government would persist with its policy of detecting, deleting and deporting illegal immigrants “no matter how many times the Opposition stages walkouts”. He alleged the Opposition wanted to “normalise and formalise” such individuals by adding them to electoral rolls. Shah cited three instances of alleged “vote chori” involving Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. He claimed Nehru becoming prime minister in 1947 despite fewer proposers. 4Continued on | P8 Simhastha powers given to MiC, President Our Staff Reporter SC: Only writ petitions can challenge Lok Adalat orders Four bomb squad cops killed in Sagar Our Staff Reporter Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL BHOPAL The Supreme Court has set aside Madhya Pradesh High Court orders that had refused to entertain a writ petition challenging a Lok Adalat decree arising from a disputed property transaction in Jabalpur. The Court held that a Lok Adalat award, which is treated as a decree under Legal Services Authorities Act, can be challenged only before High Court under Articles 226 and 227, and not through execution proceedings or any ordinary civil remedy. The bench clarified that executing courts have no jurisdiction to annul or reopen a Lok Adalat award, and objections filed to prevent dispossession cannot be termed an “alternative remedy.” Four constables of a bomb detection and disposal squad were killed and another officer was seriously injured in a head-on collision in Sagar early Wednesday morning, police said. The injured constable was airlifted to Bhopal. Bandri police station incharge Sumer Jagat said the accident occurred around 4 am on National Highway-44 between Bandri and Malthone. The police vehicle returning from Balaghat and heading to Morena rammed into a container truck parked on wrong side of the highway. 4Continued on | P8 UMC funding powers: Commissioner can approve up to Rs 10cr; Mayor Rs10–20 cr; Mayor-in-Council above Rs 20 crore ate financial powers have been issued to authorities of Ujjain Municipal Corporation (UMC). The government has empowered UMC Commissioner with financial authority up to Rs 10 crore. The Mayor, UMC, can sanction from Rs 10 crore to Rs 20 crore, while Mayor in Council can approve works costing more than Rs 20 crore. E-paper Cinema Gaurav Khanna reveals personal side P.16 OPPN RAISING SIR ISSUE TO SHIELD GHUSPATHIYE: SHAH SHAH-RAGA CLASH MUMBAI Edit Challenge, not obstruct, SIR P.6 POLLS DEBATE| Home minister says Cong losing due to leadership not EVMs PTI US e-commerce major Amazon on Wednesday announced plans to invest more than $35 billion across its India businesses through 2030. The company said the investment will be spread across three key pillars — AI-driven digitisation, export growth and job creation — along with business expansion. “These investments align with India’s national priorities and will focus on expanding AI capabilities, strengthening logistics infrastructure, supporting small businesses and generating employment,” the company stated at its annual MSME summit, Smbhav. Amit Agarwal, Senior VP, Emerging Markets, said Amazon’s 15-year journey in India has supported the vision of an Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat. The company has built digital and physical infrastructure for small businesses, created millions of jobs and expanded global reach for Made-in-India products. ESTD-1983 DGP restricts night travel DGP Kailash Makwana has instructed police units across the state to avoid night travelling whenever possible. The directive comes after a tragic accident in Sagar on Wednesday, in which four police personnel died and one was airlifted to New Delhi for better treatment. 4Continued on | P8 The impact crushed the vehicle, killing four personnel on the spot. 4Continued on | P8 CM MOURNS LOSS CM Mohan Yadav condoled the deaths, saying in a post on X that four policemen returning from an anti-Naxal operation were killed in a horrific road accident in Sagar district. UNESCO lists Diwali as global heritage PTI/ NEW DELHI India clinches Jr WC bronze CHENNAI: India delivered a breathtaking final-quarter turnaround to claim the bronze medal at the FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2025, defeating Argentina 4–2 on Wednesday. (Detail on Sports Page) Deepavali, the festival of lights, was on Wednesday inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, sparking celebrations at the Red Fort, where the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee is underway. Chants of “Jai Hind” and traditional performances marked the historic announcement, as visuals of Deepavali lit up the venue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the development, saying it would enhance the festival’s global appeal. Responding to UNESCO’s post, he said people in India and around the world were thrilled. Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat delivered India’s official statement and called Deepavali a timeless festival celebrated across continents. With this, India now has 16 elements on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list, including Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja and Garba. Shekhawat said the inscription honours values of renewal, peace and the triumph of good. 4Continued on | P8