Saturday, July 26, 2025 | Vol. 68 No. 252 | 38 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 JD(U)-BJP ‘conspiring' to get Tejashwi Yadav ‘murdered’, says Rabri Devi Joe Root overtakes Ponting to become second highest run scorer in Test history at Old Trafford Cinema Hulk Hogan’s iconic roles beyond wrestling Edit Centres of learning turning into centres of sexual assault JUSTICE VARMA | Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju clears the air In Male, Modi affirms IMPEACHMENT MOTION TO ‘neighbourhood first’ BE MOVED IN LOK SABHA Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar NEW DELHI The Centre on Friday said that the impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma, in whose official residence a huge pile of burnt notes was recovered following a fire call in March this year, would be initiated in the Lok Sabha where 145 MPs had signed for the motion. The Opposition had initiated a move in the Rajya Sabha by submitting a notice of impeachment with 65 signatures on Monday to then Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, an announcement on which by him in the House is seen by some as a reason behind his suddent resignation as Vice-President. As speculation was rife on which House would initiate the proceedings, Parliamentary Af- We shouldn’t remain in any doubt, proceedings to remove Justice Yashwant Varma will begin in Lok Sabha. ...On Justice Yashwant Varma, we had clearly said that if there is corruption in the judiciary on that matter, we all should work together and move a motion together Kiren Rijiju, Parliamentary Affairs Minister fairs Minister Kiren Rijiju cleared the air by announcing after a Business Advisory Committee meeting of the LS that, “We shouldn’t remain in any doubt, proceedings to remove Justice Yashwant Varma will begin in Lok Sabha.” He added that all the parties would move unitedly on the Justice Yashwant Varma issue. “'On Justice Yashwant Varma, we had clearly said that if there is corruption in the judiciary on that matter, we all should work together and move a motion together..” But not giving a timeline, he added that other matters would be taken after the discussion on Operation Sindoor. Mahua: 56L infiltrators? What was MHA doing? Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar Deadlock ends, Op Sindoor debate Monday NEW DELHI Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Friday launched a blistering attack on the Narendra Modi government, demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the Election Commission’s (EC) revelation that 56 lakh names were being struck off Bihar’s electoral rolls as part of its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Speaking to reporters at the steps of Parliament, Moitra questioned how such a large number of allegedly ineligible voters had managed to find their way onto the rolls. “If the Central government believes that 56 lakh people have infiltrated Bihar, what was the Home Ministry doing all this while?” she asked pointedly. The EC had released the data on Wednesday, listing 56 lakh deletions which include 20 lakh deceased individuals, 28 lakh voters who had migrated to other states, 7 lakh people registered in multiple locations, and 1 lakh voters who were uncontactable. The data has sparked a political storm, with Opposition parties questioning both its accuracy and the mo- Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar NEW DELHI tives behind the exercise. Moitra alleged that the EC was acting as an extension of the ruling BJP, rather than functioning as an independent constitutional body. “Never before in India’s history have we witnessed such a sweeping deletion of names. The Chief Election Commissioner speaks more like a BJP spokesperson than a neutral official,” she charged. She also raised concerns over the sudden escalation in numbers, pointing out that the figure for untraceable voters had jumped from 11,000 to over 1 lakh within 24 hours. “This raises serious doubts about the transparency and intent behind the entire exercise,” Moitra said. 4Contd on | nation 4See also | nation The impasse in Parliament over discussions on Operation Sindoor and related international developments appears to be nearing an end. A meeting of the Lok Sabha’s Business Advisory Committee (BAC) on Friday decided that the matter will be taken up for debate in the Lower House on Monday. Earlier this week, the BAC had allocated 16 hours for the discussion. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced, “Today, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla convened the BAC meeting, and it was reiterated that we are ready for a discussion on Operation Sindoor. It has now been decided that there will be a special discussion on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor on Monday, July 28.” 4Contd on | nation Govt clarifies Op Sindoor situation n a written response to the query in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said India and Pakistan agreed on May 10 for a "cessation of firing and military activity as a result of direct contact between the DGMOs of both nations. This contact was initiated by the Pakistani side". Between April 22 when the Pahalgam terrorist attack happened and May 10, there were a "number of diplomatic conversations with various countries at different levels, including with the United States," the minister I said. "With specific regard to the US, it was conveyed to Vice President J D Vance on May 9 that India would 'appropriately respond' if Pakistan launched a major attack. The issue of our trade discussions did not come up in the context of conversations pertaining to the conflict," he added. As regards any proposal for third-party mediation, "our long standing position remains that any outstanding issue with Pakistan will be discussed only bilaterally. This has been made clear to all nations, including by the PM to the US President", he said. Incidentally, the issue of the Opposition submitting a notice of impeachment to Dhankhar and his announcement of having received one with 63 signatures had not gone down well with the Centre as it had already collected 145 signatures to move the motion in the LS. Meanwhile, it is learnt that the LS Speaker, in concurrence with the RS, will upon formal submission of the “removal motion” form a three-member committee comprising a sitting Supreme Court judge, a High Court judge and a noted jurist to probe the charges against Justice Varma. Impeachment of the judge would only be proceeded with in case sufficient reasons are found in the report to proceed against the judge. Sources said the impeachment notice given by the Opposition in RS would be junked, since there was no need for withdrawal as it was never adopted by the House. The Centre is also learnt to have obtained the signatures of some Opposition MPs on the impeachment notice moved in LS. Rijiju said the government has spoken to some leaders. Rahul owns mistake on caste census delay Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar Ashwin Ahmad NEW DELHI Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome at Velana International Airport in Male on Friday, marking the second leg of his foreign tour following a high-level meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the UK to finalise the contours of a Free Trade Agreement. Accompanied by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Modi was received at the airport by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu in a symbolic gesture of goodwill. The visit, which lasts till Saturday, comes at the personal invitation of President Muizzu, who is hosting his first official state guest since assuming office in November 2023. “Deeply touched by the gesture of President Muizzu to In a dramatic turn of events, Rani Kapur, mother of late billionaire industrialist Sunjay Kapur and former mother-in-law of actress Karishma Kapoor, has publicly challenged the official narrative surrounding her son’s sudden death in London last month, calling it “far more troubling” than a simple cardiac arrest. Sunjay Kapur, chairman of automotive tech giant Sona Comstar, reportedly died of a heart attack while playing polo on June 12. But his mother — a former chairperson of the Sona Group and widow of Dr Surinder Kapur — alleges the death is being “misrepresented” and that crucial facts are being concealed. Speaking through senior advocate Vaibhav Gaggar, Rani Kapur has urged the Board of Directors to cancel the company’s 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for July 25. “She was coerced into signing certain documents under duress shortly after her son’s passing,” Gaggar said, calling the circumstances “deeply suspicious.” In a detailed letter to the board and shareholders, Kapur claimed she had been kept in the dark about key developments. “Despite repeated requests, no official account of the incident has been shared,” she wrote, adding that she had also been denied access to financial 4Contd on | nation PTI NEW DELHI NEW DELHI Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday called for a national caste survey based on the model followed in Telangana, calling it a “milestone for social justice in the country.” Speaking at the “Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan” organised by the Congress, Gandhi said that while the party had done good work on issues related to Dalits, tribals, and women, such as the Land Acquisition Bill, MNREGA, Right to Food, the Tribal Bill, and the Niyamgiri struggle, it had fallen short when it came to the OBC community. “One shortcoming remained in the Congress party and my work,” he said. “I didn’t protect the OBC community the way I BLOCKED: 25 SLEAZY OTT PLATFORMS FPJ News Service NEW DELHI In a major crackdown on objectionable digital content, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has ordered the blocking of 25 over-the-top (OTT) platforms for allegedly publishing obscene, vulgar, and pornographic material. The order was issued on July 23, 2025, following consultations with several government departments and civil society groups. The platforms include wellknown names like Ullu, ALTT, Big Shots App, Desiflix, and NeonX VIP. 4Contd on | nation should have. The reason is that I didn’t deeply understand the OBC issues at that time.” He added that the problems of Dalits are more visible and easier to understand, while those of OBCs often remain hidden. “If I had known about your issues and problems at that time, I would have conducted a caste-based census right then. That was my mistake, which I am going to correct,” he said. 4Contd on | nation Vice Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Narmadeshwar Tiwari, on Friday highlighted the impact of India’s recent Operation Sindoor, stating that fewer than 50 weapons were enough to bring an adversary to the negotiating table. He called the operation an important example for future military study. Speaking during an interactive session at a seminar organised by the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS) and the College of Air Warfare, Air Marshal Tiwari emphasised the cost-effectiveness of air power. “There is no greater example... what we did in Operation Sindoor,” he said. “Fewer than 50 weapons can bring an adversary records and board-level communications. The timing of the AGM — which includes resolutions proposing new board appointments — has also come under fire. Kapur alleged that individuals are falsely claiming to represent the Kapur family in order to influence corporate succession. “I have nominated no one, nor given consent to anyone to represent me,” she clarified. 4Contd on | nation There is no greater example... what we did in Operation Sindoor... Fewer than 50 weapons can bring an adversary to a talking table. Air Marshal Narmadeshwar Tiwari Vice Chief of Air Staff to a talking table.” He added that the role of manned aircraft continues to be significant. “If you work out unmanned versus manned systems, I think manned still has a huge advantage and will remain for some time,” he said. The seminar, held in New Delhi, also saw the presence of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, former Air Force chiefs, and defence attachés from various countries. Addressing the seminar at Subroto Park, General Chauhan confirmed that Operation Sindoor is “still ongoing” and said India’s military preparedness must remain high at all times. 4Contd on | nation France to recognise Palestine, first in G7 Roshan Bourget Be a patriot, focus on local issues, HC advises CPI(M) PARIS French President Emmanuel Macron said that France will formally establish diplomatic relations with the State of Palestine in September, when it will convene its annual General Assembly session at the United Nations. If Macron’s plan succeeds, France would be the first UN Security Council permanent member as well as the first of G7 nations  to take this action - a step widely categorised as a historical diplomatic change in Middle Eastern peace initiatives. “True to its long-standing tradition of advocating a strong and durable Middle East peace, I have decided that France must recognise the State of Palestine,” Presi- Urvi Mahajani MUMBAI dent Emmanuel Macron declared in a social media post on Thursday. France will further co-chair, with Saudi Arabia, a high-level international conference on peace as a way of reviving a twostate solution. A ministerial meeting will take place on 28 and 29 July in New York, preceded by a summit of heads of state. 4Contd on | nation Sunjay Kapur’s mom alleges foul play in his death FPJ News Service India, the initiation of talks towards a Free Trade Agreement, and a push for UPI adoption across the Maldives to bolster tourism and retail. “To speed up our shared investment, we will soon finalise the Bilateral Investment Treaty. Talks on the Free Trade Agreement have also begun,” Modi said at a joint press briefing. Pak threshold for talks: ‘Less than 50 weapons’ offgrid MUMBAI come to the airport to welcome me. I am confident that India–Maldives friendship will scale new heights of progress in the times to come,” Modi tweeted upon arrival. Following a ceremonial reception, the two leaders held one-on-one and delegationlevel talks. Key announcements followed the discussions, including the extension of a ₹4,850 crore Line of Credit by The Bombay HC on Friday dismissed a petition filed by the CPI(M), challenging the Mumbai Police’s refusal to grant permission for a protest at Azad Maidan against the alleged genocide in Gaza. Instead of focusing on issues thousands of miles away, the party should focus 4Contd on | nation FPJ SAYS: The HC’s suggestion to take up local issues and not ones relevant thousands of miles away is unfortunate. It is for political parties to decide what issues to focus on. If the proposed protest had the potential of creating a law and order problem then the rejection of the CPI(M) petition is understandable. But there is nothing to indicate that this was the case. The Centre itself is doing a lot to aid Palestinians in Gaza. GOVERNOR'S INACTION ON BILLS SC ALLOWS KERALA TO WITHDRAW PLEAS Online Report NEW DELHI Rani Kapur questions son’s ‘cardiac arrest’, seeks Sona Comstra AGM deferment amid claims of coercion and concealment. Sona Comstra rubbishes her allegations. on problems affecting India, it observed. “Our country has enough issues. I am sorry to say, you are all short-sighted. You are looking at issues in Gaza and Palestine. Look at your own country. Be patriots. This is not patriotism,” a bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad said. The SC on Friday allowed Kerala government to withdraw the two petitions filed by it in 2023 against the Governor over the delay in granting assent to the bills passed by the assembly. A bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice AS Chandurkar passed the order rejecting the objections raised by the Centre to the State's bid to withdraw the matters. Today, Senior Advocate KK Venugopal, for the State, reiterated his submission that the State wanted to simply withdraw the petitions. Live Law reports that the Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta suggested that the State's petitions could be tagged along with the President's reference on the issue of timelines for Governors to act on Bills, which is now before a Constitution Bench. 4Contd on | nation