07022026-TTC-01.qxd 2/7/2026 12:29 AM Page 1 c m y b 13 GOVT TO INVEST HEAVILY ON BORDER SECURITY: SHAH J&K /thetribunechd CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 146 NO. 37 | 22 PAGES | ~7.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 saturday | 7 february 2026 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com SOORYA B GLORY INDIA BASK IN LIFT THEIR 6TH ICC U-19 WORLD CUP with100-run win over England ATTING prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s swashbuckling 175 off 80 powered India to a record-extending sixth ICC Under-19 World Cup title with a 100-run victory over England in the final at Harare on Friday. The 14-year-old finished his hundred in 55 balls, fastest in an U-19 WC final, and went on to reach 150 in 71 balls as India piled up 411/9. In reply, England were bowled out for 311. India had earlier won titles in 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018 and 2022. OMAN MEDIATES INDIRECT US-IRAN N-TALKS WORLD RBI keeps key rate unchanged at 175 5.25%, loan EMIs to remain same VAIBHAV SOORYAVANSHI OFF 80 BALLS Revises GDP growth to 7.4%, projects inflation at 2.1% for current fiscal Mumbai, February 6 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent on Friday as inflation remained at manageable levels, and growth concerns eased following trade agreements with the US and the European Union. The decision means there will be no immediate change in EMIs or lending rates for home loan borrowers. Cumulative repo rate cuts of 125 basis points since February 2025 have already benefited borrowers in the form of lower EMIs. ~25K RELIEF TO DIGITAL FRAUD-HIT The RBI has said banking customers will receive compensation of up to ~25,000 for a fraudulent digital transaction. The compensation will be paid even in cases where the customer ends up sharing the OTP with fraudsters. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra at a press conference in Mumbai. REUTERS The RBI’s six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted unanimously to keep the repo rate at 5.25 per cent. The RBI retained its neutral policy stance, signalling rates will stay low for some time. US President Donald Trump earlier this week announced a cut in tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from 50 per cent, easing a key pressure point on India’s economy and markets. Announcing the decisions of the MPC, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said external headwinds had intensified, but the successful completion of the trade deal with the US augured well for the economy. “Amidst heightened geopolitical tensions and elevated uncertainty, the Indian economy is in a good spot with strong growth and low inflation. Inflation remains below continued on page 7 COURTESY: BCCI Netflix takes down film AAP leader shot dead outside Jalandhar gurdwara teaser after row erupts Multiple shots fired from close range| Oppn slams govt for ‘complete collapse’ of law & order Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 6 Hindi film “Ghooskhor Pandat” sparked a row on Friday over its title with leaders and social media users calling it casteist, prompting filmmaker Neeraj Pandey and lead star Manoj Bajpayee to issue a clarification, saying the intention was not to cause hurt and they were withdrawing all publicity material related to the movie. The film, which portrays Bajpayee as a corrupt cop, was announced on Tuesday dur- Tribune News Service No intent to hurt anyone: Ghooskhor Pandatmakers ing a Netflix event in Mumbai. After the film’s teaser was unveiled, the title triggered an outrage on social media with many users saying it portrays a particular community in bad light. Citing concerns over offensive and disrespectful material, the BJP said in a post on X that the government had directed the OTT platform to take down the promotional content for the film. continued on page 7 CCTV footage of an assailant opening fire at AAP leader Lucky Oberoi outside a gurdwara in the Model Town area of Jalandhar on Friday. PTI c m y b Jalandhar, February 6 Aam Aadmi Party leader Satwinderpal Singh (41), alias Lucky Oberoi, was shot dead by two assailants riding an Activa outside a gurdwara in Jalandhar's Model Town on Thursday morning, prompting the Opposition to target the Bhagwant Mann government over the law and order situation in Punjab. Oberoi was attacked around 7.30 am as soon as he stepped out of Gurdwara Singh Sabha and sat inside his Thar. He was a regular visitor to the MURDERED OVER COLLEGE POLITICS? LUCKY OBEROI Hours after Lucky Oberoi’s murder, several Facebook posts surfaced pointing to a dispute over the appointment of a student wing president at Lyallpur Khalsa College in Jalandhar. Oberoi reportedly managed to get his aide appointed to the post. USbased gangster Joga Pholriwal claimed he was killed over the college presidentship. shrine and the attackers were likely familiar with his daily routine, the police said. The murder was captured on CCTV cameras. The footage shows one of the assailants walking up to Oberoi’s vehi- cle and firing multiple shots from close range in his chest and head. Both attackers were wearing black hoodies and had their faces continued on page 7 edit: punjab problem UPSIRclaimsperiod pushed,listonApr10 NEW DELHI: The final electoral rolls of Uttar Pradesh will now be published on April 10 instead of March 6, the EC said. In a letter to the state CEO, the poll panel on Thursday said it had considered his request and decided to revise the schedule of the ongoing SIR of the poll rolls in the state. The deadline for filing claims and objections has also been extended by a month to March 6. INSIDE SC:Explainrationale behindNEET-PGmerit NEW DELHI: Expressing surprise over unusual reduction in qualifying cut-off percentiles for various categories for admission to NEET-PG 2025-26, the SC on Friday directed Centre to explain the rationale behind the move. “We were stunned to see why this method was adopted. These are all regular doctors… This is about standards,” it said. INSIDE Meghalayacoalmine blasttollmountsto25 SHILLONG: The death toll in the explosion in an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills mounted to 25 on Friday following the recovery of seven more bodies. The explosion occurred on Thursday at the mine in the Thangsku area, prompting the authorities to begin search and rescue operations involving multiple agencies. Eighteen bodies were found on Thursday. — PTI