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SUNDAY January 19, 2025 DELHI CITY EDITION 26 Pages ₹ 15.00 R.G. Kar rape: ex-police Lit for L...

SUNDAY January 19, 2025 DELHI CITY EDITION 26 Pages ₹ 15.00 R.G. Kar rape: ex-police Lit for Life begins with an ode to books and reading volunteer found guilty Zubeda Hamid Sentencing to take place tomorrow; accused Sanjay Roy was convicted based on 11 pieces of CHENNAI evidence produced by the CBI; court has lived up to the faith placed in it, say victim’s parents Books and reading can change your life, said Abra- f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0 Shiv Sahay Singh ham Verghese, eminent Moyurie Som physician and author, most Shrabana Chatterjee recently, of The Covenant KOLKATA of Water. Dr. Verghese deli- vered the inaugural ad- A Kolkata court on dress at the 13th edition of Saturday found The Hindu Lit for Life, in former civic police Chennai, on Saturday. Abraham Verghese, author; Nirmala Lakshman, Chairperson, The volunteer Sanjay Roy guilty After a nod to his con- Hindu Group; L.V. Navaneeth, CEO, The Hindu Group; and Suresh of the rape and murder of nection with Chennai — he Nambath, Editor, The Hindu, at the inaugural event. R. RAGU an on-duty doctor at the studied at the Madras Med- State-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. Judge Anirban Das of ical College — Dr. Verghese said that if you think about it, while human beings The Hindu launches the Additional District and Sessions Court, Sealdah, have been around for per- haps a million-plus years, Surf & Dive at lit fest pronounced the verdict in the first recorded writing the presence of the ac- script, the Sumerian script The Hindu Bureau hunger for cused. The parents of the on Cuneiform tablets from CHENNAI thoughtful analy- victim were present. The Mesopotamia was from sis and trusted term of the sentence would Keeping peace: Police personnel keep guard outside the Sealdah court where the judgment was being around 5,000 years ago – Shashi Tharoor, MP perspectives. be pronounced on delivered on Saturday. PTI similar writing forms took and writer, launched So, this pro- Monday. place in the Indus Valley The Hindu’s latest duct presents The court said that it saulted the victim and do this, sir. The ones who tion as well. and China. So, he said, product, Surf and meticulously cu- found the accused guilty smothered her to death. have done this, why are Despite the police deny- writing has only been with Dive, a print offering rated long-form on the basis of evidence The victim’s body was they not being held,” he ing permission, a crowd us for about 5,000 years, that gives readers in- reads that offer put forward by the Central recovered from a seminar asked the court. The judge had assembled outside the and printing, in the form of depth coverage clarity, context, Bureau of Investigation room in a hospital on Au- said Roy would get a Sealdah court complex, ea- books began only in the across a range of issues. and a 360-degree perspec- (CBI) and the crime carried gust 9. While Roy was ar- chance to speak on Mon- gerly awaiting the judg- 1400s. “So this a very, very The idea behind Surf & tive on the world. the highest punishment of rested by the Kolkata pol- day, before the sentencing. ment. Junior doctors recent endeavour so to Dive was that in a world a death sentence and the ice, the CBI took over the The parents of the de- among them maintained speak, and yet it’s a won- abuzz with digital distrac- FULL REPORT ON lowest of life case and filed a chargesh- ceased doctor broke down that Roy was not the only derful, magical endea- tions, there is a growing » PAGE 6 imprisonment. eet against him on October after the verdict was pro- person involved in the vour,” he said. The judge said the ac- 7. The chargesheet listed 11 nounced. “You have lived crime. When we read, Dr. cused is being held guilty pieces of evidence con- up to the faith we had The gruesome crime Verghese said, the retina up a novel to read, they cover the one book that under Sections 64 (rape), firming his role in the placed in you,” the victim’s had triggered widespread takes in the image, the would suffer ‘brain atro- would steer their life in a 66 (causing death), and 103 crime, including CCTV father told the judge. protests in Kolkata and the brain recognises and pro- phy’. Quoting Franz Kafka, slightly different way. (1) (murder) of the Bharati- footage that showed him The parents had initially rest of the State with peo- cesses it, and makes a sort who said a book “must be “There are no writers ya Nyaya Sanhita. Reading entering and exiting the accused the police of try- ple hitting the streets for of mental movie for the the axe for the frozen sea without readers,” he re- out the verdict, the judge scene. ing to hush up the crime. months after the incident. reader. He added, jokingly, within us,” he said, he was minded the audience. had mentioned that Roy Roy pleaded innocence In the past few weeks, they that he told his medical thinking of all the young had entered the hospital when the verdict was read had expressed a lack of MIXED RESPONSE students that if they were people at the festival, who CONTINUED ON on August 9, sexually as- out in the court. “I did not faith in the CBI’s investiga- » PAGE 10 not in the habit of picking were perhaps, about to dis- » PAGE 10 Israel-Gaza ceasefire to Taking no chances Lalu hands over Saif Ali Khan knife attack begin today: officials RJD’s reins to son case suspect detained Tejashwi Yadav Agence France-Presse agreed. JERUSALEM His statement came al- most three hours after Is- The ceasefire between Ha- rael had expected to re- The Hindu Bureau mas and Israel will go into ceive the names, which Amit Bhelari RAIPUR/MUMBAI effect on Sunday at 8.30 Hamas was to give to Qa- PATNA a.m. local time, mediator tar. There was no imme- A 30-year-old man was de- Qatar announced on Satur- diate response from Ha- In the run-up to the As- tained in Chhattisgarh’s day, as families of hostages mas or Qatar. sembly election in Bihar, Durg by the Railway Pro- held in Gaza braced for The overnight approval the baton has been official- tection Force (RPF) on Sa- news of loved ones, Pales- of the ceasefire agreement ly handed over to Tejashwi turday in connection with tinians prepared to receive by Israel’s Cabinet, in a Yadav to lead the Rashtriya the knife attack on Bolly- freed detainees, and hu- rare meeting during the Janata Dal (RJD). wood actor Saif Ali Khan at manitarian groups rushed Jewish Sabbath, set off a Mr. Yadav’s stature in- his Mumbai residence ear- to set up a surge of aid. flurry of activity and a creased in the party with lier this week. But Israeli Prime Minis- fresh wave of emotions as the passing of a resolution The suspect, identified ter Benjamin Netanyahu relatives wondered wheth- that equals his power to Tejashwi Yadav as Akash Kanojiya, a Mum- later warned that a cease- er hostages would be re- that of the RJD’s national bai resident, was on a train fire would not go forward turned alive or dead. president, a position occu- “I thank all the leaders that was stopped by the unless Israel received the pied by his father and par- of the party, including La- RPF at the Durg railway names of hostages to be re- MORE REPORTS ON ty chief, Lalu Prasad. luji, for showing trust in station, a police officer leased, as had been » PAGES 14 & 16 Policemen keeping vigil in Srinagar on Saturday ahead of Republic Day celebrations. IMRAN NISSAR The resolution was me and giving me such a said. passed on Saturday during big responsibility. I will dis- Sanjeev Kumar Sinha, the RJD’s national execu- charge my duty with hon- an RPF Inspector, said the tive committee meeting in esty in the upcoming As- Mumbai police had, earlier Third party help mooted to broker Manipur peace Patna, where senior lead- ers of the party, including MPs, MLAs, and MLCs, sembly election in Bihar. The RJD-led grand alliance will surely form the go- in the day, shared a tip-off about the suspect travell- ing on the Jnaneshwari Ex- were present along with vernment in the State,” Mr. press, as well as his photo. Vijaita Singh solution to the issue” and Army existed in harmony. Mr. Prasad, his wife Rabri Yadav said in an interac- “We found him in the NEW DELHI stressed on a larger role by As many as 1,300 recruits Devi, and oldest daughter tion with the media after general coach,” Mr. Sinha the Central government to from the Meitei communi- Misa Bharti. the meeting. told mediapersons. At the first-ever integration tackle the crisis. ty, 350 Nagas and 260 The resolution allows Party sources said the He added that the RPF training organised by the The integration training members from the Kuki-Zo Mr. Yadav, who has already decision had been taken subsequently matched the Assam Rifles for the Mani- was organised in the first community were identi- been calling the shots in keeping in mind Mr. Pra- description of the suspect pur Police last month, re- week of December for fied for the integration the party, to decide, along sad’s declining health. The with the Mumbai police. cruits from all three com- around 1,900 select police programme. with Mr. Prasad, on veteran politician has not “They confirmed that munities — Meitei, Kuki-Zo officials in Manipur on the amendments to the party’s been keeping well for some he was indeed the suspect. and Naga — concurred that directions of Union Home Fake news ticket and symbol. years. He underwent a car- When questioned, he iden- peace in the ethnic vio- Minister Amit Shah. The recruits who were al- Mr. Yadav is currently diac surgery in 2014 and tified himself as Akash Kai- lence-affected State should The need for an integra- ready undergoing training the Leader of the Opposi- subsequently a kidney lash Kanojiya, aged 30, and be brokered by a “neutral tion programme was dis- Big picture: Recruits at integration training stress on a larger role at the Lachit Borphukan tion in the Bihar Legislative transplant in 2022. a resident of Mumbai,” said third party”, a senior go- cussed first at a meeting on by the Central government to tackle the crisis. PTI Police Training Centre is Assembly. He served as the Addressing the media the officer. vernment official told The June 17, 2024, when Mr. Assam for a year were in- Deputy Chief Minister after the meeting, RJD MP Mr. Sinha said a Mumbai Hindu. Shah reviewed the securi- tion of the police on ethnic ing tensions, personnel volved in the programme. when the RJD had formed Manoj Jha said, “The party police team is expected to Most recruits were “dis- ty situation in Manipur. lines. from both the communi- the government with the is fully prepared and the reach Durg around 9 p.m. illusioned with the inabili- One of the issues discussed The meeting highlight- ties who are deployed in CONTINUED ON Janata Dal (United) in 2015 people of Bihar are in the and take the accused into ty of their leaders to find a at the meet was polarisa- ed that despite the ongo- the Assam Rifles and the » PAGE 10 and 2022. mood for change.” custody.  THE HINDU 2 Sunday, January 19, 2025 DELHI ELECTION Delhi Will provide subsidised Kejriwal’s car hit by workers Mohan Singh Bisht: a power, water to tenants: AAP of BJP, claims AAP; Sachdeva heavyweight even the The Hindu Bureau NEW DELHI says ex-CM ‘staging a drama’ BJP could not ignore Samridhi Tewari AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal AAP releases ‘video’ of a stone hurled at its chief’s car; ‘BJP bringing jungle raj here,’ says Atishi; NEW DELHI on Saturday promised to provide 200 units of elec- when faced with questions, Kejriwal sped away in his car, which hit two BJP volunteers: Parvesh Mohan Singh Bisht, a five- tricity and water up to time MLA, could have up- 20,000 litres free of cost to The Hindu Bureau than what the BJP is indulg- set the BJP’s apple cart this tenants if his party is voted NEW DELHI ing in. The BJP must under- Delhi election. The party to power. stand that the public will sensed it too. The Delhi government he Aam Aadmi Par- give a befitting reply to Within hours of drop- already has a scheme that allows tenants to use free electricity of up to 200 un- T ty (AAP) alleged that the car in which party chief and this.” Delhi BJP president Vi- rendra Sachdeva claimed ping his name from Kara- wal Nagar and Mr. Bisht an- nouncing he would contest its a month through pre- former Delhi Chief Minis- that they had voiced appre- as an Independent, the BJP paid meters. When asked ter Arvind Kejriwal was tra- hensions about the former named him on January 12 The Mustafabad MLA has promised to instal solar plants and about it, Mr. Kejriwal said velling while campaigning CM “creating stories of at- as a candidate but from a implement Centre’s schemes in his seat. SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA there were “certain issues” in New Delhi on Saturday tacks on himself”, adding different seat — with the existing scheme, was attacked by members that on Saturday, Mr. Kejri- Mustafabad. basic facilities like water, endured,” said Mr. Bisht. which would be fixed if of the BJP. AAP released a wal “proved us right by After his name was electricity, and housing. He said life is limping AAP gets re-elected. purported video showing a staging a drama”. dropped, Mr. Bisht had is- Since 1998, Mr. Bisht has back to normalcy and Attacking the AAP chief, group of people holding “It is unfortunate that sued a warning to his party never been defeated in Ka- hoped such violence never the BJP and the Congress black flags and one among Kejriwal spread lies about saying, “You have chal- rawal Nagar, except once — occurs in future. termed the announcement them throwing a stone at being attacked to avoid lenged the samaj [Uttarak- in 2015, incidentally by Mr. Stating that he, too, was an “old promise”. f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0 f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0 Mr. Kejriwal’s car as it ap- AAP released a video showing a stone being hurled at party chief questions from the area re- hand community], not Mo- Mishra, then with AAP. In a victim of riots, Mr. Bisht “Many tenants in the ci- proaches them. Arvind Kejriwal’s car in New Delhi. X/@AAMAADMIPARTY sidents. Arvind Kejriwal is han Singh Bisht. The BJP 2020, he defeated promi- said, “In 1984, during the ty come from Purvanchal. The stone hit the car’s so arrogant that he neither will lose at least 8-10 seats nent AAP leader Durgesh aftermath of Indira Gand- Many of them are from roof, and the former CM candidate from New Delhi, one had been detained in wants to answer questions because of this decision, Pathak by a margin of over hi’s assassination, my fami- low-income backgrounds. did not sustain any injury, former BJP MP Parvesh Sa- connection with the inci- from the public nor from including Karawal Nagar, 12,000 votes. ly was forced to flee Shastri Soon, all these people will said a senior police officer. hib Singh, claimed that pe- dent. The AAP chief is ac- the BJP,” added Mr. Burari, Mustafabad and This time, though con- Nagar. I was a teenager get the benefits,” he said. Chief Minister Atishi ople in the area were try- corded Z-plus security, Sachdeva. Gokalpuri.” testing from Mustafabad, then, but I still remember The former Chief Minis- condemned the “attack” ing to “ask questions” to which includes 60 person- Attacking AAP and the Later, he said, “I have the Assembly houses and ter also said he could not and accused Delhi’s prim- the former CM to avoid nel, two escort vehicles, BJP, Delhi Congress chief assured them [BJP] that I segment just shops set on fulfil three promises made ary Opposition party of in- which he sped away in his and armed guards. Devender Yadav said the will contest from Mustafa- adjacent to fire.” ahead of the 2020 Assemb- troducing “jungle raj” vehicle that went on to hit two parties “have become bad and win the seat for home turf Kara- ly poll: cleaning Yamuna, ahead of the February 5 As- two BJP volunteers, one of War of words thirsty for each other’s the party.” The BJP has wal Nagar, he Poll battle providing 24-hour water sembly election. whom suffered a fracture Hitting out at the BJP, se- blood in their hunger for fielded former Aam Aadmi seems equally Mustafabad supply, and developing However, the BJP al- in the leg. nior AAP leader Manish Si- power”, due to which the Party (AAP) MLA Kapil Mis- charged. constituency is world-class roads. He said leged that the AAP chief The police officer added sodia, in a post on X, said, national capital is witness- hra from Karawal Nagar. “My focus likely to face a that he would fulfil them had “lied” about the inci- that no complaint had “There can be no politics ing its “most horrific Speaking to The Hindu, now is on en- four-cornered over the next five years. dent. Mr. Kejriwal’s rival been received and that no more vile and disgraceful phase” yet. Mr. Bisht highlighted his suring solar contest. AAP work for the people of Ka- power for all houses, im- has fielded Adil Ahmad rawal Nagar over five terms plementing all Central go- Khan, a former journalist as a legislator. vernment schemes, and in- and grassroots-level work- Assets war continues as BJP, AAP target Sisodia, Parvesh “In 1998, Karawal Nagar was just a jungle, with peo- ple living in constant fear stalling water treatment plants,” he said. er, while the Congress has chosen Ali Mehdi, the vice president of the Delhi Pra- The Hindu Bureau affidavit. “The loan of ₹1.5 crore Sisodia, he added. nal loan, and the party of goondas and dacoits,” 2020 riots desh Congress Committee. NEW DELHI Delhi BJP president Vi- was pooled by three indivi- In response to the alle- doesn’t bat an eye.” he said while recalling his Both Karawal Nagar and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul rendra Sachdeva on Satur- duals. They gave ₹86 lakh, gations, AAP said in a first stint as MLA. Mustafabad were marred Muslimeen has nominated The Delhi BJP continued day said the loan disclo- ₹58 lakh, and ₹10 lakh as statement, “When Manish ‘BJP’s hypocrisy’ “People wouldn’t leave by the 2020 north-east Del- Tahir Hussain, a former its attack on the assets of sure — in which Mr. Sisodia loans to Mr. Sisodia. Who Sisodia took a loan for his Adding that the BJP must their houses after 6 p.m. hi communal riots. “I saw AAP councillor, as its Aam Aadmi Party leaders, has claimed that he was were those people?” Mr. son’s education, it sparked reveal the sources of Mr. Those returning from work the bodies of children lying candidate. this time questioning a lent ₹1.5 crore by acquain- Sachdeva said. havoc in the BJP, while Par- Singh’s income, the state- were often robbed,” the on roads, bodies floating in According to the 2011 loan disclosure on former tances for his son’s foreign The BJP will approach vesh Sahib Singh declares ment called the claims BJP leader said, adding that drains, people getting census, the constituency Deputy Chief Minister education — could be a the agencies for a probe in- liabilities of ₹63 crore, in- “the real face of BJP’s hy- he focused on tackling the wounded. I can never for- has a 39.5% Muslim popu- Manish Sisodia’s election “potential manipulation”. to the loan received by Mr. cluding ₹55 crore as perso- pocrisy”. crime rate and ensuring get the trauma that people lation. DTC buses reduced, air quality dipped on AAP govt.’s watch: Dikshit Press Trust of India NEW DELHI Congress leader and form- er MP Sandeep Dikshit, who is up against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal from New Delhi seat, attacked the Delhi government on Sa- turday over the reduction in the number of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses, linking it with Sandeep Dikshit the rise in air pollution. The former MP claimed surplus 20-25 lakh people that there were around are opting for private tran- 5,500 DTC buses in the ci- sports, it clearly adds to ty until 2013, when the pollution levels,” he said. Sheila Dikshit-led Congress “I blame the AAP go- government was in power, vernment’s mismanage- and the number has re- ment and dishonesty for duced to around 3,000 the poisonous air in Delhi. now. It is because of their in- “In 2013, 43 lakh people competence that public used to commute on DTC transportation has not buses, but today, only 41 been augmented,” said the lakh people do so. If these Congress leader. Screening of AAP docu-film stopped; Kejriwal slams BJP The Hindu Bureau window system at the Dis- NEW DELHI trict Magistrate’s office. “No such permission was AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal obtained and hence, the on Saturday alleged that screening would have been the Delhi police stopped a a violation of guidelines,” private screening of a doc- he said. The Delhi police umentary exposing the come under the jurisdic- “secrets” and “conspira- tion of the BJP-led Central cies” behind the arrest of government. his party leaders by the Meanwhile, Delhi BJP BJP. He called the move spokesperson Praveen “dictatorial”. Shankar Kapoor said, In response, a senior “Merely showing his self- police officer told The Hin- produced film at a private du that after elections are screening will not establish declared, parties must ap- Mr. Kejriwal’s innocence, ply for permission for such he will need to prove his in- events through a single nocence in a court of law.”  THE HINDU Sunday, January 19, 2025 3 Delhi States Malnourished children get Convicted serial India, Bangladesh farmers Himachal IG convicted in killer who jumped special ration parole held in Delhi clash at international border Kotkhai case Press Trust of India Press Trust of India RANCHI Argument started at Sukhdebpur outpost, where BSF and BGB had differences recently over CHANDIGARH fencing, after Indian farmers accused neighbours on the other side of stealing their crop The Jharkhand govern- Samridhi Tewari we had,” Additional CP A Special CBI court here on ment on Saturday started NEW DELHI (Crime) Sanjay Sain said. Saturday convicted the Hi- the distribution of ‘Shishu He was travelling back Shiv Sahay Singh The BSF statement said, machal Pradesh Inspector Shakti’ packets, an en- Chandrakant Jha, a serial and forth between Delhi KOLKATA “BSF advised Indian farm- General of Police and se- hanced version of the take- killer who jumped parole, and Bihar to avoid arrest ers to stay away from such ven other policemen in the home ration (THR) for se- was traced and arrested, for over a year. armers from the disputes and asked them to custodial death of an ac- verely malnourished chil- dren, with the aim of making the State malnutri- police said on Saturday. Jha, a native of Madhepura in Bihar, was hiding in Ali- Jha migrated to Delhi in 1990 and settled near Azadpur Mandi. Over 13 F bordering areas of West Bengal and Bangladesh clashed on Sa- inform BSF in case of any problemrelated to farming on the border in future. cused in the gang rape and murder of a minor girl in the State’s Kotkhai area in tion-free, an official said. pur, north Delhi. cases are registered against turday at the Sukhdebpur BGB also played a positive 2017. Minister Deepak Birua He was convicted to life him. border outpost in Malda role in controlling the sit- The court of Special and Singhbhum MP Joba imprisonment in February “Jha followed a definite district. This incident oc- uation and immediately Judge Alka Malik will pro- Majhi launched the initia- 2013 for killing three per- pattern where he killed the curred when some Indian took necessary action in its nounce the quantum of tive as a pilot project in sons between 2006 and victims by decapitating farmers, like on normal area to prevent the situa- punishment on January 27. Chakradharpur block of 2007. them. He would then chop days, had gone to their tion from worsening.” The court convicted IG West Singhbhum district. He has been absconding off different body parts fields near their interna- BSF has advised Indian farmers to stay away from disputes with The BSF claimed that In- Zahur Haider Zaidi, the since 2023 when he was and throw them outside tional border. It was at the farmers on the other side. FILE PHOTO dian farmers have been then Deputy Superinten- granted parole. the Tihar jail and various same border outpost that completely pushed back, dent of Police Manoj Joshi, On January 17, Jha was other places around Del- differences between the took a serious turn when As soon as the incident but the presence of some then Sub-Inspector Rajin- nabbed from Old Delhi rail- hi,” Mr. Sain said. Border Security Force farmers from both sides came to the light, BSF and Bangladeshi nationals was der Singh, then Assistant way station while trying to “He used to inform the (BSF) and Border Guard started gathering in large BGB jawans reached the observed within 50-75 S-I Deep Chand Sharma, flee to Bihar. police about the crime and Bangladesh (BGB) had sur- numbers and started abus- spot and brought the situa- metres of the international then Head Constable Mo- “We received a tip-off the places where he had faced over fencing a few ing and pelting stones at tion under control. border to Bangladesh till han Lal, Surat Singh, Rafee about his presence at the thrown the bodies, and days ago. each other,” a press state- late Saturday afternoon Mohammad and then Con- f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0 railway station. As the would also leave a note or “Indian farmers ac- ment issued by the South Videos on TV channels and they were continuous- stable Ranjit Sateta. crowd was huge, we ze- letter challenging the law cused Bangladeshi farmers Bengal Frontier of the BSF The ruckus continued for ly seen trying to dislodge Zaidi and seven others roed in on all trains going enforcement agencies to working in the fields across said. some time but there were the BGB. The statement ad- were arrested in the custo- to Bihar and found him in catch him,” Mr. Sain the border of stealing the Since the area is un- no reports of anyone being ded the BSF and the BGB dial death case of Suraj in one, sporting a long beard. added. crop, due to which an ar- fenced, the farmers from injured. Videos of the unit commandants were July 2017. A 16-year-old girl Though he faked his name Netflix documentary In- gument started between the Indian side moved clashes were also telecast also trying to establish bet- went missing in Kotkhai on and origin, his face dian Predator: The Butcher the farmers of both the along the border outpost by local television ter coordination among July 4, 2017, and her body matched with the photo of Delhi was made on him. countries. The incident without any hindrance. channels. themselves. was found on July 6. More funds for education, health likely in Rajasthan The Hindu Bureau sis on infrastructure deve- ly election and sought their cruit 50,000 medical per- JAIPUR lopment and better educa- suggestions on public wel- sonnel in the near future, tional and healthcare fare schemes and budge- while a fast progress was The pre-budget consulta- facilities in the remote tary support for develop- being made for making Ra- tions of Rajasthan Chief Mi- areas. Besides outlining a ment of weaker sections. jasthan a hub of world- nister Bhajan Lal Sharma comprehensive roadmap “The government expects class medical facilities, he with the stakeholders from for improving the health- their constant support in said. different sectors held here care facilities, Mr. Sharma its endeavours,” he said. For the development of over the week-end have in- said new measures would In his interaction with tribal-dominated areas in dicated at higher alloca- be launched for fast pro- medical experts, the Chief southern Rajasthan, Mr. tions for health and educa- gress of tribal-dominated Minister said the govern- Sharma said the people in tion in the 2025-26 budget. regions. ment had taken several the region were getting the The budget session of the He also interacted with steps during the last one government’s assistance at Assembly will be starting the Bharatiya Janata Party year to improve medical fa- every step, ranging from on January 31. candidates who were de- cilities. basic needs to the oppor- Mr. Sharma laid empha- feated in the 2023 Assemb- There are plans to re- tunities for progress.  THE HINDU 4 Sunday, January 19, 2025 States Delhi INBRIEF 쑽 Modi distributes 65 lakh Haryana Minister Vij says State BJP chief property cards across 12 Badoli should quit States, Union Territories Press Trust of India CHANDIGARH Haryana Minister Anil Vij SVAMITVA scheme will ‘unlock economic activities worth over ₹100 lakh crore’; worst sufferers of on Saturday said State BJP chief Mohan Lal Badoli, property issues were Dalits, backward classes, tribals; previous govts. did nothing to address it: PM Rajnath visits Maha Kumbh, who was booked in a gang rape case, should resign takes holy dip at Sangam The Hindu Bureau had now come on to the from the post to maintain NEW DELHI path of financial security the “sanctity” of the party Mohan Lal Badoli Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on because of the scheme. till he is found innocent. Saturday participated in the Maha Kumbh Mela rime Minister Na- Mr. Badoli and singer Mr. Mittal made videos of in Prayagraj. He offered prayers and performed a Ganga Aarti. Mr. Singh, a native of Uttar Pradesh, was accompanied by BJP Rajya Sabha member P rendra Modi on Sa- turday distributed more than 65 lakh proper- ‘Will add capital’ Speaking on the potential of the scheme once it Rocky Mittal were booked after a woman alleged that she was raped by them in a the act and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident to anyone, the Sudhanshu Trivedi and other party leaders. The ty cards to rural families in achieves its objective of is- hotel in Himachal Pradesh. police had said. Defence Minister began his visit with a holy dip more than 50,000 villages suing property cards in all The police had registered According to the FIR, in the sacred waters of the Triveni Sangam – across 12 States and Union villages, the Prime Minister an FIR against them in Ka- the woman was staying in a confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the Territories under the said it would unlock eco- sauli, Solan district, on De- hotel in Kasauli with her mythological Saraswati. He also performed Centre’s SVAMITVA (Sur- nomic activities worth cember 13, 2024. boss and friend when they rituals at neighbouring holy sites such as Akshaya vey of Villages and Map- more than ₹100 lakh crore met the two her on July 3, Vat, Patalpuri Temple, Saraswati Kund, and ping with Improvised PM Narendra Modi distributes property cards under the SVAMITVA in the coming years and ‘Will prove innocence’ 2023. While Mr. Badoli in- Hanuman Temple. Technology in Village scheme through videoconferencing in New Delhi on Saturday. ANI added that substantial cap- Mr. Vij said Mr. Badoli has troduced himself as a polit- Areas) scheme. He said ru- ital would then be added to already claimed he is inno- ical leader, Mr. Mittal intro- ral digitisation was now putes, facilitate better as- have papers for it. There the country’s economy. cent. “I am confident that duced himself as a singer. f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0 f1ccf833-44c4-4575-b5cd-33fe76bd21c0 “furthering rural empo- sessment of properties and were disputes, properties He also credited the he will prove to be inno- Later, the woman and New BJP chiefs appointed werment by leveraging the power of technology and property tax in rural areas, and allow comprehensive were snatched, and even banks did not provide Bhu-Aadhaar system for empowering rural India, cent in the Himachal Pra- desh police’s investigation. her friend went into a room with the two, who in Arunachal Pradesh, Goa good governance”. village-level planning. loans over it,” Mr. Modi with around 23 crore such But until the police proves promised to help her get a The SVAMITVA scheme “Around 2.24 crore be- said, highlighting that the identification numbers is- him innocent, he should government job and a The BJP on Saturday appointed new State party was launched in 2020 to neficiaries in villages will worst sufferers of these is- sued so far, making it easy resign to maintain ‘pavitra- chance to feature in a mus- chiefs in Arunachal Pradesh and Goa. In the provide ‘Record of Rights’ now have SVAMITVA pro- sues were Dalits, backward to identify land plots. ta (sanctity)’ of the party,” ic video, the FIR said. The Arunachal Pradesh party unit, Kaling Moyong to families owning houses perty cards after 65 lakh classes, and tribals. The beneficiaries who Mr. Vij told mediapersons duo allegedly forced the took over the post from Water Resources Minister in villages through surveys cards are distributed to- “Previous governments received their property in Ambala. woman to drink liquor. Biyuram Wahge. A two-time legislator, Mr. using the latest drone tech- day,” Mr. Modi said, adding should have taken steps to cards on Saturday includ- The Minister on January When she refused, they Moyong had joined the BJP in 2012. Former Goa nology. The Union govern- that the challenge of pro- do something about it, but ed people from the States 15 had said the charges raped her, she alleged in MLA Damodar Naik was declared the next ment said this was to en- perty rights was a global nothing much was done,” of Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, against Mr. Badoli were her complaint. president of the State party unit in the presence hance rural India’s one that even the United the PM added. Himachal Pradesh, Mad- “very serious” and the par- The police said based on of BJP’s central observer Sunil Bansal, Chief economic progress as it Nations has recognised. Just before his address hya Pradesh, Maharashtra, ty high command would the woman’s complaint, Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Minister Shripad would facilitate monetisa- “India was also impact- and the distribution of pro- Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, take note of it. Mr. Badoli the case was registered Naik, outgoing Goa BJP chief Sadanand Shet tion of properties and ena- ed by this challenge. Peo- perty cards, the Prime Mi- Rajasthan, and Uttar Pra- was appointed State BJP against the duo under Sec- Tanavade, and others. The post has been vacant ble institutional credit ple in villages have proper- nister also interacted with desh, and from the Union president in July last year. tions 376D (gang rape) and since Mr. Tanavade’s term ended. Mr. Naik was through bank loans, re- ty worth lakhs of crores (of select beneficiaries of the Territories of Jammu and According to the com- 506 (criminal intimidation) earlier the State BJP general secretary. duce property-related dis- rupees), but they did not scheme. Mr. Modi said they Kashmir and Ladakh. plainant, Mr. Badoli and of the Indian Penal Code. Maharashtra Kerala Governor’s policy address suggests Parandur airport project: Vijay forms panels to safeguard shift in Raj Bhavan-govt. political dynamics to meet protesters tomorrow ancient forts especially regarding the upholding the constitu- The Hindu Bureau Villagers have been NEWS ANALYSIS State’s future finances. tional values of democra- CHENNAI protesting for over Purnima Sah The Governor noted cy, secularism, socialism, 900 days against MUMBAI G. Anand that the government high- and federalism”. He also Facing criticism for not the acquisition THIRUVANANTHAPURAM lighted the fiscal problems broadcast the govern- meeting people nearly a The Mahayuti government plaguing Kerala when the ment’s message that the year after floating a party, of farmland for on Saturday announced New Kerala Governor Ra- 16th Finance Commission administration was com- actor and Tamilaga Vettri Chennai’s second the formation of district-le- jendra Vishwanath Arle- visited. The State govern- mitted to tangibly improv- Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vi- airport project vel committees to safe- kar’s policy address mark- ment requested that the ing people’s lives. jay will meet villagers prot- guard ancient forts in the ing the opening of the Centre take “ameliorative’’ esting against Chennai’s se- Vijay State from encroachment. budget session of the As- Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar measures. “We hope for Focus on govt. approach cond airport project at At the meeting, the TVK State Cultural Affairs Mi- sembly on Friday ap- the best,’’ Mr. Arlekar said. The Governor’s speech re- Parandur on Monday. The party cadre were office-bearers submitted a nister Ashish Shelar said peared to signal an argua- also helped. It kept the pol- The ruling coalition did flected the ruling front’s Though the actor has asked to choose one of the letter seeking permission the decision will not only bly different dynamic in icy address largely devoid not seem to lose sight of socially interventionist ap- been granted permission, three places suggested by for the event. Later, Mr. help in removing existing the Raj Bhavan-LDF go- of politics. The govern- the fact that former Gover- proach to governance. He the Kancheepuram district them, including the indoor Venkatraman told repor- encroachments, but also vernment relationship. ment also appeared to nor Arif Mohammed Khan stressed the government’s police have said the TVK wedding hall at Ekanapu- ters that there was no res- work towards preventing Mr. Arlekar expressed gloss over contentious had kept the government commitment to rehabilitat- leader cannot go around ram, to prevent any unto- triction for the visit, and further encroachments on the State government’s questions that dominated on tenterhooks by object- ing the families displaced villages meeting people, ward incident, the police Mr. Vijay’s route would be forts across the State. concern about experienc- the State’s political narra- ing to some portions of by the Wayanad landslides. and must only meet those said. The party leaders decided on Saturday night The panels should pre- ing “liquidity stress due to tive, including the Centre’s draft policy addresses, in- He also showcased the who will assemble in an in- were asked to ensure that or Sunday. pare a detailed list of en- declining share of Union alleged trespasses on fiscal cluding debatable reflec- State’s achievements in im- door wedding hall. there was no hindrance to The villagers have been croachments and submit it fiscal transfer, tapering of federalism and “infringe- tions about federalism, the proving citizens’ quality of TVK office-bearers, led traffic and members of the protesting for more than to the government by Janu- revenue deficit grants, and ments” on the authority of constitutional bounds of life and significant infras- by treasurer Venkatraman, public. Though senior 900 days against the acqui- ary 31, Mr. Shelar said. cess