Vol. 67 No. 197 | SATURDAY | MAY 18, 2024 | 35 Pages | `5 & for Pune `6 only Quality at Value www.freepressjournal.in MEMBER: AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATION JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2023 EDITIONS: MUMBAI*, Pune, Nashik, Konkan, Indore, Bhopal, E-paper REVIEWS THIS WEEK Check out our verdict on films and OTT releases EDIT HOARDINGS: WHERE DOES THE BUCK STOP? FOREX RESERVES SURGE FOR 2ND STRAIGHT WEEK India's forex kitty rose by $2.56 bn to $644.15 bn CONG AGENDA MAOWADI: MODI Warns if Congress starts implementing its manifesto, the country would soon become bankrupt ing, adding, the alliance would bring the wheels of development in Mumbai to a halt. Once again, he dubbed the Shiv Sena-UBT as ‘nakli (fake)’ and being full of traitors who had ditched voters and betrayed the ideology of Bal Thackeray He pointed . out that the ‘nakli’ Shiv Sena had joined hands with those parties who had opposed the CAA and supported the attackers who had unleashed terror in Mumbai (26/11). “Bal Thackeray’s soul would have been in torment, seeing the ‘nakli’ Shiv Sena form the government. Uddhav went with people who used bad words for Ram Mandir and with those who had enjoyed a feast after the bomb blasts in Mumbai. Uddhav is sitting with the Congress, which has always insulted Veer Savarkar.” Modi also challenged Sharad Pawar to exact a promise from Rahul Gandhi that henceforth, the latter would not use bad words against Savarkar. He alleged that the ‘INDI Alliance’ was praising Kasab and speaking Pakistan’s language by questioning the surgical strikes and insulting martyrs. People would not tolerate those who had ditched them, in order to form the government in Maharashtra, he added. CONTD. ON CITY KALPESH MHAMUNKAR / MUMBAI Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed the Congress manifesto as a ‘Maowadi’ (Maoist) mani-festo, warning that if the Congress were to start implementing its manifesto, the country would soon become bankrupt. He was addressing a mega rally of the ruling Mahayuti at Shivaji Park, Dadar, on Friday the , penultimate day of campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for May 20 in the Mumbai metropolitan region. Earlier in the day he visited , Chaityabhoomi, the Veer Savarkar Memorial and the Bal Thackeray memorial, all within a stone’s throw of the rally venue. He further went on to say that the INDIA bloc was eyeing the gold in temples and the mangalsutras of women. Further, it was planning to introduce inheritance tax, which would make it impossible for people to inherit the wealth of their parents, he said, further alleging that the alliance would share people’s wealth with those who did ‘vote jihad’. He warned that the opposition’s motives were dangerous. “This election is a fight to save their existence. They can go to any lengths to win the election,” he told the gather- BULLETIN LIVID CROWD SETS SCHOOL ON FIRE A mob set a school on fire in Patna on Friday after a four-year-old student was found dead on the campus. The family of the boy approached the school when the child did not come home from school. The authorities, in turn, denied that the child was there. However, the body of the boy was found on the school campus at night, even as family members frantically searched for him everywhere. Angry family members and locals gathered outside the school on Friday morning and set the building on fire. D IRECTIVE ON HC LAND: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Maharashtra government to try and hand over by the end of September the first tranche of land for construction of a new Bombay High Court building, asserting that the state authorities need not wait till the end of the year to hand over the entire land. N O RELIEF TO SOREN: The Supreme Court told former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday that it needs to prima facie satisfy itself before granting interim bail to him in a money-laundering case linked to an alleged land scam for campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls. “Before granting interim bail, we need to satisfy ourselves. Let the ED file its reply on the question of interim bail. We will take up the matter next week. This is the shortest time we can give,” the bench said and listed the matter before a vacation bench on May 21. E MERGENCY LANDING: A Bengaluru-bound Air India flight from Delhi made an emergency landing at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Friday, sources said. They said that the Air India flight, AI 807, which had taken off from Delhi at around 6 pm with 175 passengers, turned back and landed in Delhi after a fire in its air conditioning unit. No casualties have been reported. T AJ GETS A RIVAL: A new white marble structure in Agra that took 104 years to build is daily drawing hordes of spiritually inclined tourists. 0 Sunrise : 06:03 am Sunset : 07:07 pm ‘De-Modination’ June 4: Uddhav DHAIRYA GAJARA/ MUMBAI Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray claimed that the country would witness ‘De-Modination (Modi-free India)’ on June 4, just as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had implemented demonetisation. He was speaking at a mega rally of the INDIA bloc at the MMRDA Ground, Bandra-Kurla Complex, on Friday Delhi Chief Minister . Arvind Kejriwal, who was also present, said, should the haratiya Janata Party win again, Modi would arrest Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, to block any opposition in future elections. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi was addressing a public gathering at Shivaji Park in Dadar, the INDIA bloc alliance had organised a mega rally at the BKC. The Parivartan Sabha was aimed at a united campaign for all six candidates of the MahaVikas Aghadi contesting from the six Lok Sabha constituencies of Mumbai. The Parivartan Sabha was attended by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, the Indian National Congress president, Mallikarjun Kharge, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar. Leaders of other parties of the opposition alliance, like the Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejaswi Yadav, had shared video messages requesting people to support INDIA candidates. Claiming the alliance’s gathering as that of the original Shiv Sena and NCP Ud, dhav Thackeray attacked PM Modi’s rally in Mumbai, dubbing it a “rally of traitors, fake and rented people”. CONTD. ON CITY MODI WILL LIVE ONLY FOR PEOPLE: In ‘Viksit Bharat’, Mumbai will play an important role. ‘Viksit Bharat’ is my guarantee to you and your children – for which Modi will work 24x7. Modi will live only for the people. THE FP 0 35 c. 30 c. BMC had ticked risky hoardings URVI MAHAJANI / MUMBAI The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had, in March, flagged the issue of gigantic hoardings put up on land belonging to the Railways which could “endanger the lives of public and/or damage public property” within municipal limits. The civic body had filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court pointing out the threat posed by such huge hoarding to the lives of citizens, two months before the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse that claimed 16 lives and injured more than 70 persons. The issue was first brought up before the Bombay High Court in 2017, wherein the Railways and others sought that the court declare that BMC permission was not needed when hoardings were put up on land belonging to the Railways. A bench of Justices B R Gavai (now an SC judge) and Sandeep Shinde (now retired) ruled in favour of the Railways and said that relevant sections of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act would not be applicable to the hoardings erected by the Railways. The corporation took the issue to the apex court. In March, the BMC filed an additional affidavit pointing out that the railway authorities were granting permission to put up CONTD. ON NATION Political hit job, says AAP ECI NOTICE TO 89-yr-old murdered GANGOPADHYAY in Malad POLL NUGGETS ■ Swati sees U-turn after an AAP leader admitted to a ‘condemnable incident’ ■ CCTV footage of CM’s residence muddies waters further GAURAV VIVEK BHATNAGAR NEW DELHI The Swati Maliwal assault saga assumed a political colour on Friday with allegations flying thick and fast. AAP leader Atishi initiated the exchange by charging that it was at the behest of the BJP that the AAP Rajya Sabha MP had levelled false allegations of assault against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s personal assistant Bibhav Kumar. The back and forth allegations emanated even as for- mer DCW chief Maliwal recorded her statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure before a magistrate in which she accused Kejriwal’s PA of assaulting her at the CM’s residence on May 13. In another development, which dovetailed the recording of the testimony a team of Delhi police , went to Kumar’s residence but he was not present. The police believe that he was on a campaign tour with Kejriwal. While Kumar’s arrest now looks imminent, the role of SC RESERVES VERDICT ON KEJRIWAL ARREST ONLINE REPORT / NEW DELHI The Supreme Court on Friday reserved its verdict on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's petition challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi Excise Policy case, reports Bar and Bench. A Bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta today went through the written records of the case and asked the ED to submit a chart to show what new evidence had emerged after former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia's arrest to justify its decision to arrest Kejriwal. "Arguments heard. Judgment reserved," it said. The court clarified that Kejriwal would be at liberty to apply for bail in the mean- time. At present, he is out on interim bail till June 1 to enable him to campaign for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The Delhi High Court had earlier rejected Kejriwal’s plea against his arrest, leading to the present appeal before the apex court. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, argued on Friday that the material being cited by ED now to defend Kejriwal's arrest was not present during his arrest. CONTD. ON NATION Kejriwal in the entire case has also come under the scanner. ATISHI’S ATTACK: The AAP defence by Atishi went off the tangent on Friday and became a shrill attack on the BJP She also contradicted the . stand of her own party colleague and MP Sanjay Singh, who had said a day after the May 13 episode that there had been a “condemnable incident” at the CM’s residence and that Kumar had “misbehaved” with Maliwal for which the party would take “strict CONTD. ON NATION action”. ED’S LIQUOR SCAM CHARGESHEET NO 8 NAMES AAP, KEJRI OUR BUREAU / NEW DELHI T he Enforcement Directorate on Friday filed a supplementary chargesheet in the Rouse Avenue Court here in which it named Aam Aadmi Party and its convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal as accused in the Delhi liquor policy case. This is the seventh supplementary chargesheet to be filed by ED, which had filed the main chargesheet on November 25, 2022. Earlier in the day, the central agency had also submitted in the CONTD. ON NATION F ollowing Trinamool Congress (TMC)’s complaint, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday issued show cause notice to former Justice and BJP candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay over his comments about Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. TMC, in its complaint, mentioned that Gangopadhyay during his election campaign, said, “Mamata , Banerjee, how much are you being sold for? Your rate is 10 lakhs, why? Because you're getting your make-up done by Keya Seth? Mamata Banerjee, is she even a woman? I keep wondering sometimes.” Terming the comment as ‘bad taste’ and violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC), the poll panel has asked Gangopadhyay to respond by May 20. The Election Commission also mentioned that if Gangopadhyay fails to respond within the stipulated time, then the poll panel will take action against him. Aritra Singha/Kolkata Oppn will run bulldozer over temple, says Modi BISWAJEET BANERJEE BARABANKI P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday claimed that the Congress and the SP would "run a bulldozer" over Ram temple if elected to power and suggested that opposition leaders should take a tutorial from UP CM Yogi Adityanath on appropriate use of bulldozers. Speaking at a rally in Barabanki Modi stat, ed that the INDIA bloc wants to create instability in the country and is collapsing "like a pack of cards" as the elections progress. He further asserted that his government is set to score a hat-trick and sought the blessings of the people of Barabanki and Mohanlalganj. Main aapko apna beta saup rahi hoon am handing (I over my son to you)," said Sonia Gandhi in response to a huge round of applause in Raebareli - a seat she represented five times. She had turned up as the star campaigner for her son Rahul Gandhi. Jaisa aapne mujhe apna maana, waise hi Rahul lo apna maan kar rakhna hai. Ye Rahul aap ko niraash nahi karenge (The way you treated me as yours, now treat Rahul the same way. He will not disappoint you)," she underscored. LAST WORD MEGHA KUCHIK / MUMBAI The murder of an 89-year-old woman by an unknown person has come to light in Malad. The name of the deceased is Shantabai Kurade, and her decomposed body was found at her residence. The Malad police have registered a case of murder and are looking for the killer who may have fled. A preliminary investigation has revealed that the murder may have accrued due to a financial dispute. According to the police, Shantabai lived in room number eight of Subhash De Chawl, Malad. She used to earn her living by begging. No movement was reported from her house for two days. This roused the suspicion of the local residents who, in turn, informed the Malad police. Initial reports indicate that she had been hit on the head and her ribs were also damaged. The police has sent her body to Siddharth Hospital in Goregaon for an autopsy. The Malad police registered a case of murder based on the complaint of her grandson Rajesh Shinde. The search is on for the killer who possibly fled after the murder, and the police suspect that the assailant may have known her. TAILPIECE Feelers to Gautam Gambhir for head coach’s post Kanhaiya attacked for FPJ NEWS SERVICE / MUMBAI The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly approached former Indian cricket team batsman Gautam Gambhir as a potential successor to Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the national side, as per a report by ESPNCricinfo. It's been indicated that Gambhir, presently serving as the mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing IPL 2024 season, is among the candidates being considered for this prestigious role. Sources suggest that BCCI has initiated discussions with him to gauge his interest in the position, with further deliberations anticipated post the culmination of KKR's campaign in IPL 2024. Reports further indicate that Dravid has communicated his decision not to reapply for the position, with the application deadline set until May 27. While Gambhir's coaching experience at the domestic level is limited, he previously served as the mentor for IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants in 2022 and 2023 before joining KKR for the 2024 season. Notably under his guid, ance, LSG made it to the playoffs twice, and he replicated this achievement with KKR in the current season. Renowned for his stellar performances, Gambhir was a pivotal member of the Indian cricket team that clinched the T20 World Cup in 2007 and the ODI World Cup in 2011. His standout contributions in the finals of both tournaments are etched in cricketing history . As per the job adverti-sement issued by BCCI, the tenure for the new head coach is slated to commence from July 2024, extending until December 2027. The incoming coach is expected to assume responsibilities immediately following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024, marking the end of Rahul Dravid's tenure. In addition to Gautam Gambhir, speculations have also linked the names of Justin Langer, Stephen Fleming, and VVS Laxman to the coveted role. JNU ‘Azadi’ slogans FPJ NEWS SERVICE / NEW DELHI K anhaiya Kumar, the Congress Lok Sabha candidate from North East Delhi, was assaulted by seven to eight people, who threw black ink on him while he was campaigning in the national capital. Two of the alleged attackers have also released videos of the incident that took place in East Delhi on Friday saying , they had thrashed the Congress leader as he had raised slogans about breaking up the country and had spoken against the Indian Army This . was with reference to the alleged slogans raised at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in 2016, when Kumar was the JNU Students’ Union president. Chhaya Gaurav Sharma, the Aam Aadmi Party councillor from Brahmapuri, said she and Kumar were leaving the party's office in Kartar Nagar when seven to eight people garlanded Kumar, threw ink on him and then thrashed him. CONTD. ON NATION