FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI EDITORIAL Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia ignite fires, wound 73 Demographic Deadline Page 10 New Delhi: Former Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta, a retired IAS officer who served as the capital’s top bureaucrat during the preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, died by suicide at his residence in Sector 82, Noida, police said on Tuesday. The 74-year-old 1975-batch IAS officer was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his flat on 6 September, according to reports citing police officials. The incident came to light after his wife, who was visiting their son in Dehradun, became concerned when Mehta stopped responding to her calls. After being alerted, local police reached the apartment and broke open the door to gain entry. Mehta was found inside the flat and was declared dead. Police reportedly recovered a purported suicide note from the residence. BJP juggles caste equations ahead of 2027 UP polls New Delhi, 8 September The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it was considering examining building safety issues on a pan-India basis in the wake of the Satya Niketan building collapse in Delhi that claimed seven lives, and indicated that it may transfer to itself the related proceedings pending before the Delhi High Court. A bench comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice R. Mahadevan said it already had “something in mind” to address the issue beyond Delhi and would take up the matter on Thursday. “We already have something in mind. It has to be on a pan-India basis. We may get it (petition before Delhi High Court) transferred here. We will take it the day` after tomorrow,” the bench said. The issue arose when court-appointed amicus curiae and senior advocate Ajit Kumar Sinha mentioned a plea seeking urgent directions for inspection and safety audits of private paying guest (PG) accommodations, hostels and other student housing facilities across Delhi. Referring to the 6 September incident, Sinha described it as a “very serious issue” and informed the bench that inspections being carried out pursuant to the court's earlier directions were nearing completion, with the last inspection scheduled for Tuesday (8 September) afternoon. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta pointed out that Page 12 Page 4 ‘Jhooth Ki Goonj’, ‘Naraz Fufa’: PM Modi takes swipe at Rahul NIKHIL VYAS Vadodara, 8 September P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched an all- out attack on previous Congress-led governments over delays in infrastructure projects, saying that the “Naraz Fufa” (angry uncle) will now question the results of the Dedicated Freight Corridor for truck drivers. The Prime Minister was speaking at the 'Namo for Viksit Bharat' programme in Vadodara, Gujarat, , where he laid foundation stones for, inaugurated and dedicated development projects worth more than Rs 35,000 crore to the nation. PM Modi dedicated to the nation three sections of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, covering 326 route kilometres and developed at a cost of more than Rs 20,700 Delhi building collapse: SC mulls pan-India building safety scrutiny STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Tilottama Sen ready to shine at Asian Games NATION Page 6 Former Delhi Chief Secretary dies by suicide at Noida home: Wednesday, 09 September 2026 SPORTS WORLD BRIEFLY | proceedings concerning the Satya Niketan collapse were already pending before the Delhi High Court and suggested that the Supreme Court could transfer the case to itself. The building at Satya Niketan, near Delhi University's South Campus, was being used as a boys' PG accommodation and reportedly collapsed while repair work was underway, killing at least seven occupants. The matter was mentioned before the bench headed by Justice Amanullah is already dealing with broader issues concerning illegal construction and unsafe buildings in Delhi-NCR. In July, the Supreme Court had expressed concern over civic authorities' failure to act against unauthorised and potentially unsafe structures while dealing with issues arising from the Saket building collapse and the Malviya Nagar hotel fire. It had directed a time-bound ground survey of Saket, Malviya Nagar and Lajpat Nagar by a team comprising IIT Delhi professors, Municipal Corporation of Delhi officials and the amicus curiae, besides seeking action-taken reports from the authorities. The court had also warned that officials could be held personally responsible for failure to act against building violations. The Delhi High Court, meanwhile, had on Monday ordered a high-level inquiry by the MCD into the Satya Niketan collapse, including whether the building had valid construction permissions and whether any officials were responsible for lapses. crore. These include the New Sanand (N)-New Makarpura, New Umbergaon-New Saphale and New Saphale-New JNPT sections. With the commissioning of these sections, the Dedicated Freight Corridor network will stand fully operational across its entire length. The dedicated freight infrastructure will further strengthen the country’s logistics ecosystem by improving multimodal connectivity, reducing transit time and facilitating seamless movement of cargo across different regions. Addressing a huge gathering at the programme, which included mostly youngsters, the Prime Minister lashed out at those who would question the benefit of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC). Hitting out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi without directly taking his name, PM Modi said, "Now, that Naraz Fufa (angry uncle) of ours is going to shout, asking what will happen to the truck drivers, where the trucks will go, and what will become of them." "Well, that uncle has found something to do now," the Prime Minister said. "Those who spread the 'Jhooth Ki Goonj' (“echo of lies”) can be found at every crossroads, but India’s youth walk with the roar of truth, move with the roar of truth, and live for the roar of truth. Our young companions are seeing how today the government is working with focus in every sector - solar, wind, hydro, nuclear,” PM Modi said. “Since 2014 until now, India has manufactured nearly 50,000 modern railway coaches. The previous government couldn't build 50,000 toilets in 10 years,” Mr Modi said. He stated that Dedicated Freight Corridors are the lifeline of a fast-developing India and have transformed India's transportation sector. “This Dedicated Freight Corridor stands as a testament to how the country's work culture has transformed over the past 12 years,” PM Modi remarked. PM Modi stated that the idea for this Dedicated Freight Corridor began in 2004, but until 2014, files just kept shuttling back and forth. "After 2014, with your blessings, when I reached Delhi, and as soon as we arrived there, we began accelerating this. The work on the 2,800 km Dedicated Freight Corridor has been completed today, as promised," he said. He stated that India’s transformation is accelerating because of this modern freight network. “Previously, passenger trains and freight trains ran on the same tracks. That is, both travel and transport were slow. But the Dedicated Freight Corridor has changed the situation," he said. Modi, Putin to discuss defence, economic, nuclear cooperation Manipur musician’s death: 8 accused held, Rijiju stresses strict punishment STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 8 September Eight persons including a minor, have been arrested/ apprehended in connection with the death of a musician from Manipur, C Vikram Singh, who was allegedly assaulted in South East Delhi on Monday, and later succumbed to his injuries. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed distress regarding the incident, and told reporters that he had spoken to the senior police officials regarding the matter, and the accused persons, who worked as food delivery agents at nearby eateries, have been apprehended. Mr Rijiju said that he has been told that a strong charge sheet will be filed in the matter within 8-9 days, so that the accused persons are given the appropriate punishment without delay. The minister emphasized that it was crucial that they get the punishment, that should be strict, so that people also realise that such incidents would not be taken lightly at any cost. The minister said that whenever there is an incident involving people from the North-Eastern region, the police take swift action, as there is a dedicated unit, the Special Police Unit for North Eastern Region (SPUNER). He said that Vikram Singh's mortal remains will be taken to Manipur, adding that the police have met the deceased's family, and all support is being extended. According to the police’s initial enquiries, the deceased, Eiffel Tower reopens after protest over no-women edict STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 8 September The Eiffel Tower has reopened after staff walked out over the removal of women staff during a weekend visit by a Hindu religious delegation. The operating company that runs the Paris landmark, SETE, acknowledged that the group had requested the Saturday visit be organised to limit “interactions with women” and said “these conditions should not have been accepted.” It said the landmark would reopen on Tuesday following a meeting the previous day between staff and management over the incident, which has also drawn criticism from French politicians. The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) group subsequently apologised for “any pain or inconvenience caused” by their visit. Eiffel Tower staff said in a statement that they condemned “professional instructions that led to female employees being sidelined, replaced and made invisible because of their sex” during the visit by the delegation. The staff said some women were asked to leave their posts and withdraw to other areas. In some posts they were replaced by men. “And all female employees were instructed not to go through or cross certain areas while the delegation was present,” the staff said. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said an investigation would be launched “as soon as possible”. In a post on social media, he said he was aware of the employees’ anger and agreed their dissatisfaction was legitimate. (Representational image) a music teacher, had objected to the loud noise made by the delivery boys and dhaba staff in front of his residence at Kilokari Village. When Singh came downstairs and objected, he was allegedly assaulted with fists and blows. The injured Singh was subsequently taken to a hospital by his son for medical treatment, and succumbed to his injuries. The police are investigating the matter from all angles. Singh’s wife Joshna (photo, in the middle) said that the family is grateful for the concern and support that has come from people across the country. She has urged the authorities to ensure a fair and impartial probe. A candle march was also taken out by people, including those from the North-East and many others, seeking justice for the deceased. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 8 September The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and bilateral defence, strategic, economic and nuclear cooperation will be high on the agenda when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russia President Vladimir Putin meet in New Delhi on Friday on the margins of the BRICS Summit to be held this weekend. In a video conference with Indian journalists from Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia welcomes India’s willingness to contribute to efforts aimed at finding a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict. “In a couple of days, President Putin will begin his India visit. You know that our two leaders are in a very close personal contact. They are very pragmatic in their relationship, and they are as sincere as to be able to discuss in a very open and constructive way the most sensitive issues of our agenda and our bilateral relations. Of course, it opens additional horizons for our cooperation,” he said. Mr Peskov said Russia is awaiting negotiations with India on setting up new nuclear power plants, adding that the sale of Su-57 fighter aircraft to India is also on the agenda. He said Russia will welcome any efforts by India to resolve the Ukraine conflict through peaceful means and Moscow is in sync with New Delhi on ways to end it. Mr Peskov said Russia has no doubt that the BRICS Summit will be successful and that Moscow is doing its best to contribute to further development of BRICS cooperation in key areas. NIA files charges against six Ukrainians, one US national in terror training camp case STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 8 September The NIA on Tuesday filed a charge sheet in the Rouse Avenue court against 6 Ukrainians and one US national in a case lodged by the NIA in March 2026. The agency had registered the case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA). However, in the charge sheet, the section related to UAPA has not been invoked. Investigation in this regard is ongoing. The NIA may file a supplementary charge if an offence is made out under UAPA, the Special Public Prosecutor for the NIA said. The NIA has invoked Sections 21 and 23 of the Foreigners Act, which are compoundable offences at the level of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). The NIA filed the charge sheet before the special NIA judge Prashant Sharma. The court has listed the charge sheet for consideration on 1 October. The seven were arrested for training ethnic armed groups in Myanmar inimical to India's national security. These accused were in custody for around 180 days after their arrest in March 2026 The seven included Matthew Aaron van Dyke, a US citizen, arrested from Kolkata airport, Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim, and Kaminskyi Viktor, all Ukraine nationals. They were arrested for allegedly supporting ethnic war groups in Myanmar by supplying weapons, terrorist hardware and training them.