WEDNESDAY 16 APRIL 2025 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 Pages 16 |` 5.00 | LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR TROUBLE NOT YET OVER FOR SIDDARAMAIAH P6 P8 SENSEX 76,734.89 p1,577.63 WEATHER Partly cloudy sky . Possibility of rain or thundershower in some areas. Maximum and Minimum Temperature most likely to be around 34˚C and 25˚C respectively. RAINFALL: 0.0 mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 82% NIFTY 23,328.55 p500.00 ` vs $ 85.76 TEMPERATURE SUN SETS 17:57 hrs MOON SETS 06:20 hrs New Moon on 28 April THUMBNAILS STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 15 APRIL People perform 'Nati' folk dance on the occasion of the 78th Himachal Day, at Dhalpur Ground in Kullu on Tuesday. nANI Two held for Murshidabad murders: Two persons have been arrested so far in connection with the murder of Hargobindo Das and his son Chandan Das, at Samserganj in Murshidabad district of West Bengal last week amid protests against the recent amendments to the 1995 Waqf Act. Confirming the arrests, the Additional Director General of Police (South Bengal), Supratim Sarkar, said that one of the two suspects had been arrested from Birbhum district, while the other was held from Suti area in Murshidabad. The two are cousins, Mr Sarkar said. (Page 3) I n fresh trouble for the NehruGandhi family, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday filed a charge sheet against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi and their close confidant Sam Pitroda in the Associated Journals Limited (National Herald) case and also questioned businessman Robert Vadra in a Haryana land deal linked money-laundering case. A Special Court has fixed 25 April for hearing arguments on taking cognisance of the prosecution complaint. The prosecution complaint STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 15 APRIL has been filed under Sections 44 and 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, for the offence of money laundering, as defined under Section 3, read with Section 70, and punishable under Section 4 of the PMLA, 2002. Special Judge Vishal Gogne stated that as per the submission of the counsel representing the ED, the predicate offence ~ recorded under complaint case No. 18/2019 ~ includes charges under Sections 403, 406, and 420, read with Section 120(B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, and is currently under trial at the Rouse Avenue Courts in New Delhi. The court observed that under Section 44(1)(c) of the PMLA, the nership in 2020, the leaders noted the expansion of the Green Strategic Partnership in various fields which have created favourable conditions for Danish investments in India to contribute to green transition. The leaders also discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest. PM Modi said he was looking forward to the 3rd IndiaNordic Summit scheduled to be held later this year in Norway, and his meeting with Prime Minister Frederiksen at that time. Denmark is also the only country in the world with which India has a Green Strategic Partnership. Both leaders had cochaired a Virtual Summit between India and Denmark in September 2020 and launched a Green Strategic Partnership between the two countries that envisioned cooperation in the field of environment/water and circular economy and sustainable urban development including Smart Cities. Ms Frederiksen has in the past hailed Prime Minister Modi as "an inspiration for the rest of the world" for having set some very ambitious targets when it comes to providing clean water and renewable energy to millions Retail inflation in March dips to nearly six-year low of 3.34 per cent NEW DELHI, 15 APRIL Retail inflation in March dipped marginally to a nearly six-year low of 3.34 per cent amid decline in prices of vegetables SILVER `99,800 GOLD `95,955.00 predicate offence must be tried in the same court that has taken cognisance of the money laundering offence under Section 3 of the PMLA. The court further noted that both offences ~ the predicate offence and the PMLA offence ~ must be adjudicated in the same jurisdiction. The complaint in the National Herald case was filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, their associated companies, and other individuals. The move came days after the probe agency had begun to take possession of the tainted properties of the Associated Journals Limited (AJL) in compliance with Section 8, 2002 and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering (Taking Possession of Attached or Frozen Properties Confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2013. Moreover, the ED also questioned Robert Vadra, husband of Congress Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in a money- laundering case linked to a land deal in Haryana’s Shikohpur. The probe is about a land deal of February 2008 where a company linked to Vadra ~ Skylight Hospitality Pvt Ltd ~ purchased a piece of 3.5 acre land in Shikohpur in Gurugram from a firm named Onkareshwar Properties at a price of Rs 7.5 crore. It is alleged that the mutation of this land was done within hours. The Haryana Police had filed a case in this deal in 2018. Prime Minister discusses expansion of Green Strategic Partnership, global developments with Danish counterpart STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE P16 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 64.39 Apex court raps Allahabad High Court for saying rape survivor ‘invited trouble’ ED also questions Robert Vadra in money laundering case linked to a Haryana land deal Min. 44% Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Tuesday discussed various aspects of bilateral relations as well as global developments during a telephonic conversation. “Glad to speak with PM Mette Frederiksen today. Reaffirmed our strong support for the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership and enhancing cooperation across sectors for the benefit of our people. We also discussed regional and global developments of mutual interest,” PM Modi said in a post on X after the phone call. Recalling high-level exchanges between both countries ever since the launch of the Green Strategic Part- DC EYE HOME VICTORY AGAINST RAJASTHAN P10 Sonia, Rahul named in ED charge sheet Max: 34.2˚C (-1.5) Min: 24.0˚C (-1.6) SUN RISES 05:17 hrs MOON RISES 20:03 hrs TRUMP FREEZES $2.2 BN IN GRANTS TO HARVARD UNYIELDING RESOLVE and protein-rich items. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) based inflation was 3.61 per cent in February and 4.85 per cent in March last year. The significant decline in headline inflation and food inflation during March is mainly attributed to decline in inflation of vegetables, eggs, pulses & products, meat & fish, cereals & cereal products and milk & milk products. The year-onyear inflation rate based on the All India Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) for March is 2.69 per cent (Provisional). Corresponding inflation rates for rural and urban are 2.82 per cent and 2.48 per cent, respectively. A sharp decline in headline and food inflation in the rural sector was observed in March 2025. The headline inflation is 3.25 per cent (provisional) in March 2025 while the same was 3.79 per cent in February 2025. In a separate development, the government also said the wholesale price inflation in March eased to 2.05 per cent against 2.38 per cent in February. of households. PM Modi has also spotlighted the role that Danish expertise and Danish technology can play in the scale and speed at which India wants to move forward. During his visit to Copenhagen in May 2022, PM Modi had appreciated Frederiksen's warmth and respect for Indians and emphasised that both countries can work together in finding innovative solutions for green growth. He had lauded the positive role played by the Indian community in Denmark and also highlighted India's economic potential, inviting more India-Denmark collaborations. Last year, PM Modi was amongst the first world leaders to express his concern after the attack on Ms Frederiksen in Copenhagen. Cong slams move, says it will not be silenced STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 15 APRIL The Congress slammed the BJP-led NDA government after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a charge sheet against its leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in connection with the National Herald case, calling it vendetta politics and intimidation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The party also said it will not be silenced. Congress general secretary in-charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh asserted that seizing the assets of the National Herald is a state-sponsored crime masquerading as the rule of law. Attacking the Prime Minister and Home Minister, he wrote on X: “Filing chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and some others is nothing but the politics of vendetta and intimidation by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister gone completely berserk.” “The INC and its leadership will not be silenced. Satyameva Jayate,” added Mr Ramesh. AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 15 APRIL The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed its concern over a bail order of Allahabad High Court where it had observed that the victim "herself had invited trouble" and was also responsible for the alleged rape committed on her by the accused. “There is another order now by another judge. Yes, bail can be granted. But what is this discussion that 'she herself invited trouble, etc'. One has to be careful when saying such things,” remarked a bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and A.G. Masih as it dealt with the matter where it had suo motu (on its own motion) stayed another Allahabad High Court judgment holding that grabbing a girl’s breasts and breaking her pyjama string was not enough for charge of attempt to rape. In a controversial order, Allahabad High Court has granted bail to a rape accused, observing that the complainant "herself invited trouble" by agreeing to go to the applicant's house after getting drunk. The Justice Gavai-led India to witness above-normal rainfall this monsoon season AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 15 APRIL India will witness "abovenormal cumulative" rainfall this monsoon, except in some areas over Northwest India, the India Meteorological Department said on Tuesday, ruling out the possibility of El Nino conditions during the entire season. “India is likely to see above-normal rainfall in the four-month monsoon season (June to September) with cumulative rainfall estimated at 105 per cent of the longperiod average of 87 cm,” India Meteorological Department (IMD) chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra told a press conference here. “The forecast indicates that neutral El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions are likely to continue during the monsoon season" he added. "The southwest monsoon seasonal (June to September) rainfall over the country as a whole during 2025 is most likely to be above normal ( >104% of the Long Period Average (LPA). Quantitatively, the seasonal rainfall over the country as a whole is likely to be 105% of LPA with a model error of ± 5%,” said IMD in a press release. The IMD said it sees most parts of the country would receive normal to abovenormal monsoon, which falls in the range of 96-105 per cent of the Long Period Average. The weather agency also forecast neutral Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions during the southwest monsoon season. India, USA likely to ink first tranche of trade pact before Fall deadline AGENCIES NEW DELHI, 15 APRIL India and the USA are working to sign the first tranche of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) to bring down tariffs before the agreed timeline of the fall of 2025 as the the terms of reference for the pact have already been finalised. “India and US Bilateral Trade Agreement BTA terms of reference have been finalised when the US team was here. The first tranche negotiations will start virtually on the various chapters within this week, and the talks in the physical mode may start at the end of the month,” Additional Secretary, Commerce, Rajesh Agarwal said on Tuesday. “India has decided to go for a path of trade liberalisation with the USA,” Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal told journalists. He said both India and the USA would benefit if the trade deal is wrapped up before the Fall of 2025. “When we said we want to do a first tranche of BTA with the USA by fall, that doesn't mean we can't do it before fall. If we end up doing the BTA before fall, then it will be good for both India and the USA,” he added. If both the countries come to an agreement on reducing tariffs, it would lead to higher trade for USA and India. The 90-day pause is not country specific, it is for everyone. US President Donald Trump paused the implementation of steeper duties for several nations, including India, on 9 April. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told journalists last week that "very good negotiations" with the USA were underway. He said that India presents a compelling case to the United States for a bilateral trade deal, given the outlook on growth and demography. “Looking at the growth, India offers in the next 25-30 years with a large, aspirational, young population who will add to the demand for goods and services, we believe India will be a compelling case to enter into a good agreement with the US," Mr Goyal said at a press conference. Bench said that it will hear the suo motu matter, including the plea of the victim’s mother, after four weeks. Staying the impugned part of the Allahabad HC judgment, the apex court, on 26 March, said that the observations depicted a total lack of sensitivity and an inhumane approach on the part of the author of the judgment. “We have perused the said judgment and order dated 17.03.2025. We are at pains to say that some of the observations made in the impugned order and particularly in paragraphs 21, 24, and 26 depict a total lack of sensitivity on the part of the author of the judgment,” it said. “But since the observations appearing in paragraphs 21, 24, and 26 are totally unknown to the canons of law and depict a total insensitive and inhuman approach, we are inclined to stay the said observations," it added. The Supreme Court has registered a suo motu case titled ‘In Re: Order dated 17.03.2025 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad in Criminal Revision No. 1449/2024 and ancillary issues’ following a letter from senior advocate Shobha Gupta, who urged the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to take cognisance of the observations made by a single-judge Bench of the Allahabad High Court while modifying a summoning order. SC to hear pleas against Waqf Amendment Act today NEW DELHI, 15 APRIL The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Wednesday a clutch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. According to the cause list published on the website of the apex court, a bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna and comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan, will take up the matter for hearing on 16 April. Multiple petitions have been filed before the top court challenging the constitutional validity of the recent amendments introduced in the Waqf Act, 1995. On the other hand, several BJP-ruled states, including Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Assam and Uttarakhand, have approached the Supreme Court seeking to defend the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Similarly, the Hindu Sena filed an intervention application before the apex court supporting the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. India slams Pakistan: India on Tuesday criticised Pakistan for making "motivated and baseless comments" on the Waqf AmendmentAct,citingPakistan's "own abysmal record" when it comes to protecting the rights of minorities. “We strongly rejectthemotivatedandbaseless comments made by Pakistan on the Waqf Amendment Act enacted by the Parliament of India. Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on a matter that is internal to India," said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs in response to media queries regarding comments made by Pakistan on the Waqf Amendment Act. AGENCIES