thrissur l tuesday l september 08, 2026 l `10.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION LPG refill booking gap cut to 25 days for domestic consumers The Centre has directed oil marketing companies to revise inter-refill booking interval for domestic LPG consumers in rural areas to 25 days Move follows dip in refill backlog U.S. now largest supplier of lpg The earlier interval for refill booking for rural consumers was 45 days. Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said on Monday that the decision follows an improvement in LPG supply situation and a reduction in refill backlog. He shared a copy of the letter issued by Petroleum Ministry to OMCs to immediately implement the decision ■ ■ Owing to the West Asia situation, LPG was the worst-hit fuel as India imports nearly 60% of its domestic requirement, with around 90% of those imports sourced from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait Recently, India significantly diversified its LPG imports, with the United States emerging as the country’s largest supplier 63,810 tonnes is india’s daily lpg production CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Defence ministry TV anchor booked, case against Basil put on ice clears purchases worth L1.1 lakh cr EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Kozhikode Forces to get advanced choppers, radars; Su-30MKI fighter jets to get major upgrades J A V A R I A R A N A @ New Delhi THE defence ministry on Monday cleared military hardware purchases worth `1.1 lakh crore for the Army, Navy and Air Force. Approximately 98% of the procurement by value will come from Indian industry . The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh gave the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), or inprinciple administrative approvals, for the defence acquisitions. For the Air Force, the DAC cleared “various proposals to enhance the war-fighting capability of fighters, transports and helicopters”. Sources said these include the overhaul of 40 Su-30MKIs by Hindustan Aeronautics, twice the number the PSU had earlier proposed. IAF operates around 260 Su-30MKIs, its mainstay fighter fleet. The DAC had earlier cleared the overhaul of Su-30 aero-engine aggregates. The approval seeks to address a gap in the IAF’s long-range beyond-visual-range capability with Operation Sindoor underscoring the , requirement. The overhaul covers modifications to allow the Sukhois to fire the RVV-BD, the export version of Russia’s R-37M missile. Weighing 510 kg and carrying a 60-kg warhead, the missile has a range of 200 km and is designed to engage AWACS aircraft, aerial refuellers and other high-value airborne assets. For the Navy, the DAC cleared the design, development and subsequent procurement of a marine gas turbine in the 24-28 MW class, with the ministry saying the propulsion system “will reduce dependency on foreign vendors”. India currently imports turbines for several frontline destroyers and frigates. The Navy will also get Arudhra radars, which “will replace the existing Air Route Surveillance Radars at various Naval Air Stations”. Developed by the DRDO, Arudhra is a four-dimensional active phased-array radar with an instrumented range of 400 km whichis able to detect a two-square-metre target at up to 300 km. The Army stands to get more HAL-built advanced light helicopters, or Dhruv, to “execute complex missions across all terrains and operational situations”. A `8,073 crore deal for 34 ALH Mk-III was signed with HAL in March 2024. Police on Monday booked a television anchor on a complaint alleging that her remarks during a channel debate were hateful and insulting to Islam. The move came even as the home department directed cops not to rush proceedings in the case registered on her complaint against Abdulla Basil, a leader of the Salafi organisation Wisdom Youth. Kochi City cyber police registered a case against Big TV anchor Aparna Kurup on a complaint filed by Abdul Hakim, a Kasaragod native. However, police have been instruct- DAC accorded Acceptance of Necessity to various acquisition proposals at an estimated cost of `1,10,000 cr Defence ministry CBRN recce vehicles The Army is set to get Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear recce vehicles, high mobility vehicles, self-propelled mechanical mine layers, advanced light helicopters, and trawl tanks Acceptance of Necessity AoN is the first step in defence acquisition. The process involves tech evaluation, trials as well as negotiations. Big acquisitions will require more govt approvals ed to hold proceedings in both cases arising from the panel discussion anchored by Aparna on Sunni Muslim leader Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar’s controversial remarks on women’s public life. An FIR was registered against Basil on Saturday on Aparna’s complaint alleging that she was facing an avalanche of cyberattack following his social media post criticising the panel discussion. The complaint against Aparna alleged that her introductory statement during the discussion was derogatory and hurt religious sentiments. Aparna and the channel had earlier tendered an apology . Support for Basil Leaders of Wisdom Islamic organisation had described anchor Aparna Kurup’s remarks as an insult to Islam and its followers. They also questioned whether there was a conspiracy behind the case against Basil, noting that it was registered after the anchor and the channel had apologised. Meanwhile, many UDF leaders, including Muslim Youth League state general secretary and Koduvally MLA P K Firos and Youth Congress leader Rejil Makkutty, demanded that the case against Basil be withdrawn. Firos said no such cas- Moving From co-operation to co-creation US market open for Indian space startups, says envoy Sergio Gor PA D M I N I D H R U V A R A J & B O S K Y K H A N N A @ Bengaluru US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Monday said that the American market is open for Indian space startups as the two countries move towards ‘co-creation’ from ‘cooperation’ and data-sharing. Stressing that NASA and ISRO will work together on the Moon Base Programme, he said: “Make no mistake: we are going back to the Moon, and we want India by our side.” Gor said the US-India space relationship is moving towards joint technology development, investment in startups and future space missions. “We are no longer just sharing data; we are co-designing instruments, co-funding startups, and co-authoring the future of human discovery he ,” said, referring to discussions between the two countries on expanding their civil space partnership. Pixxel raises $100 mn Bengaluru-based planetaryinfrastructure company Pixxel on Monday announced the close of its $100-million Series C funding round, marking the single-largest funding round organised by a spacetechnology company in India. The round brings Pixxel’s total funding to $195 million “The American market is open to you. Our investors are watching. Our ecosystems welcome you. We are here to help you make that leap,” he said while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Bengaluru Space Expo. India’s space sector reforms have ignited a commercial awakening. Innovators like Pixxel and GalaxEye are redefin- ing Earth observation. Digantara is leading the way in space situational awareness. Bellatrix is propelling space forward. Pioneers like Skyroot and Agnikul are building next-generation launch capabilities, he said. He said the US wants to build a direct commercial corridor between American industry and Indian innovators. “The US and India are working together on multiple sectors and at unthinkable working levels.” Gor’s remarks come as India seeks to expand the role of private firms in its space programme. The government opened the sector to greater private participation in 2020, and companies have since increasingly entered rocket manufacturing, satellite development and spaceb a s e d services. es will be registered as long as IUML is in power. “We will not support anyone who uses communal language. But neither will we allow anyone to be implicated for exposing those who indulge in communalism,” he said. Leaders of the Wisdom Islamic organisation had described the anchor’s remarks as an insult to Islam and its followers. They also questioned whether there was a conspiracy behind the case against Basil, noting that it was registered after the anchor and the channel had apologised. Meanwhile, it is learnt that the home department has asked the police to act on a petition filed by Basil against exMuslim activist Arif Hussein. SC judge shoots off 4th letter to CJI Surya Kant S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y @New Delhi THE internal war in higher judiciary has intensified with Supreme Court’s Justice Sandeep Mehta writing his fourth consecutive letter to Chief Justice Surya Kant against Rajasthan High Court’s acting Chief Just i c e S a n j e ev Prakash Sharma, levelling fresh charges of interfering in an internal judicial enquiry and misconducts. Justice Sanjeev Quoting CJI Prakash Sharma Kant’s remark that judges should not try to “hit sixes” before retirement, Justice Mehta in his fourth letter on August 30 wrote in a reference, “Justice Sharma seems to be possessed of a licence to hit sixes ever since he took over as Acting Chief Justice.” According to sources in the Supreme Court registry, the said internal judicial enquiry relates to allegations that a Owner of deadly Delhi hostel nabbed in Rajasthan; 5 officials suspended I f rah M u f ti & U d ayan K ishore @ New Delhi Candlelight vigil People light candles and pray during a day of mourning for those killed in the August 26 floods in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Monday. The death toll from the devastating flash floods surged to 1,356 on Monday as more bodies were recovered from the affected areas. At least 4,994 people remain missing | AP/PTI A day after seven persons were killed when a multi-storey paying guest accommodation collapsed in Satya Niketan, its alleged owner Hariram Gupta was arrested in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, on Monday. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court ordered a one-week audit of PGs and hostels across the city . Gupta, the 81-year-old retired Indian Air Force Sergeant, was apprehended by Delhi Police teams following a case registered against him for culpable homicide and negligence in maintaining the structure and endangering the safety of others. A lookout notice had also PG-owner Hariram Gupta (left) with his son after their arrest on Monday | X been issued against Gupta. Gupta, a long-time resident of Gurugram, allegedly owns several properties and a hardware shop. Police said the collapsed property was registered in the name of his 75-year-old wife, Ur mila Gupta, while Gupta and their 52-year-old son, Mahesh Gupta, were managing and running the premises. Gupta reportedly had electricity connections for two floors of the building in his name, police said. Police also arrested his son and his wife. Police are now searching for the PG operators and the labour contractor. Their roles in the construction and operation of the premises will be examined and action taken accordingly . Meanwhile, the MCD suspended five officials of its South Zone, including Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar and four building department officials, with immediate effect, with disciplinary proceedings pending against them. Since the 1900s Thalassery’s Maliyakkal family continues to defy curbs on Muslim women L akshmi Athira @Kannur At a time when restrictions on Muslim women are once again at the centre of debate, the Maliyakkal family in Thalassery offers a striking contrast. For decades, it has challenged conservative social norms within the Muslim community . As early as the 1900s, the family members have encouraged their girls to pursue formal English education, screened films at home when cinema was considered taboo and organised gatherings of relatives where men and women of all ages sang, danced and celebrated together. And despite at- tempts by religious leaders to issue fatwas, they have preserved their liberal outlook. The Maliyakkal family has a century-old tradition of following a liberal lifestyle without being bound by religious re- ‘Scholars trying to confine women’ Amina said religious scholars like Kanthapuram Usthad are still living in the dark ages. “The world has changed and women have become empowered. It is the scholars who need to open their eyes. They are trying to confine women to the kitchen,” said Amina. strictions, one of its members, Jabir Maliyakkal, told TNIE. “Our great grand uncle, Kunjumayan, sent his three daughters, Amina Hashim, Aisha Rowf and Alima Abutty for for, mal education in the 1900s. Since then, our family has opposed religious restrictions. Religious scholars used to call him ‘Kafir Kunjumayan’ for sending his daughters to school,” Jabir said.  ● More on P5 Members of Maliyakkal family in Thalassery The complaint was sent to the chief minister and state police chief on August 12, alleging that Hussein insulted Basil’s mother in a social media post. The complaint was forwarded to the Chakkarakkal police station but no action was taken until now. Meanwhile, IUML state president Panakkad Syed Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal cautioned against forces waiting to exploit the situation. “The discussions going on now have dented the cultural heritage that has been built through struggles. Insulting comments and hate talks in social media will not help anyone,” he said in a Facebook post.  (With inputs from T’Puram & Kochi) High Court judicial officer displayed indecent photographs of a lady judicial officer on his phone. A committee was formed, but Justice Sharma allegedly interfered and leaked confidential proceedings. “Justice Sharma has made direct intervention in the enquiry proceedings, hampering the independence of the committee...” Justice Mehta wrote. He alleged that the committee, comprising three female Justice Sandeep judges of the Mehta Rajasthan High Court, recorded the minutes and refused to proceed with the enquiry . Justice Mehta had earlier also written similar letters on August 2, 10 and 17 accusing Justice Sharma of serious misconduct and of “maladministration, malpractices, nepotism and favouritism.” Justice Sharma, however, termed the allegations as baseless and proceeded on leave. E x p r e s s Re a d Double murder: Police tracing Bengal man Palakkad: The probe into the recovery of body parts believed to be those of a woman and a girl child from Bhavani river in Attappadi on Sunday has taken a crucial turn, with cops suspecting the involvement of the woman’s partner, a West Bengal native, in the crime. A special investigation team has intensified efforts to trace the suspect, who is believed to have fled the state | P3 20 dead in Bihar floods, Ganga begins to recede Patna: At least 20 people have died and more than 22 lakh people have been affected by floods in 12 Bihar districts, even as the Ganga began receding on Monday. However, the flood situation remains critical. Saran reported five deaths, followed by Patna with four, Bhojpur three, Bhagalpur two, and Begusarai, Purnea, Lakhisarai and Jamui one each | P8 New AI tech to connect courts and prisons T’Puram: In a bid to make the virtual production of prisoners and under-trials before courts hassle-free, the prisons department will replace its dated video-conference facility with a new system that has integrated audio and video features. The AI-enabled system does not require exclusive studios and can be used in limited spaces | P5