TUESDAY 03 SEPTEMBER 2024 www.thestatesman.com Pages 12 |` 5.00|LC X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR GENERAL STRIKE IN ISRAEL OVER 6 HOSTAGES FOUND DEAD IN GAZA P10 P3 SENSEX 82,559.84 NIFTY 25,278.70 WEATHER GENERALLY CLOUDY SKY. LIGHT TO MODERATE RAIN/THUNDERSHOWERS. THE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM TEMPERATURES WOULD BE AROUND 34 AND 26 DEGREES CELSIUS RESPECTIVELY. RAINFALL: 023.0 Mm RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 100 % ` vs $ 83.90 GOLD 73,685 Min: 26.2 °C (0) SUN SETS 18:40 hrs MOON SETS 18:57 hrs A huge crowd of devotees gather to take a dip in river Ganga on the occasion of Somvati Amavasya, in Haridwar on Monday. n ANI AAP MLA Amanatullah arrested by ED in alleged money laundering matter: In a setback to the Aam Aadmi Party, their MLA from the Okhla Assembly constituency Amanatullah Khan was arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Monday in an ongoing alleged money laundering probe, sources said. The anti- money laundering agency knocked Khan's doors early on Monday morning and conducted searches. The case filed by the ED is based on FIRs by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) related to alleged irregularities in the Waqf Board when the AAP leader was in- charge (chairman) of the same, and the other one filed by the Delhi Anti Corruption Branch. It was back in 2016, Khan and other unknown persons were booked by the CBI. (P2) BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 76.25 CBI arrests former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh PM to leave for Brunei, Singapore; maritime security high on agenda NEW DELHI, 2 SEPTEMBER T aking a dig at the Opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the BJP is the only political party that is following the democratic process. PM Modi, who launched the Bharatiya Janata Party’s national membership campaign 'Sangathan Parva, Sadasyata Abhiyan 2024' at the party headquarters here, said: "This is the only political party in India that is following the democratic process while expanding its work, and continues to improve to live up to the expectations of the people." "Several generations have invested their lives into this party, then today the party has made its place in the hearts of the people," the Prime Minister said. He said from the days of Bharatiya Jana Sangh till now, "we have made all possible efforts to bring a new political culture in the country." "Another round of 'Sadasyata Abhiyan' is beginning today. From Bharatiya Jana Sangh till now, we have made all possible efforts to bring a new political culture in the country. The organisation or political party through which people give power, that unit, that organisation, that party... if it doesn't follow democratic values, if internal democracy doesn't live in it, then a situation arises which is faced by several other political parties today," PM Modi said. PM Modi received his BJP STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 2 SEPTEMBER membership renewal certificate from party president JP Nadda at the 'Sangathan Parva, Sadasyata Abhiyan 2024' here. PM Modi became the first member of the BJP for the campaign by giving a missed call to 8800002024, followed by receiving an SMS from the party to complete his membership registration. The launch marked the beginning of BJP’s 'Sangathan Parva, Sadasyata Abhiyan 2024' aimed at expanding its membership nationwide. PM Modi, who launched the BJP's 2024 membership drive by renewing his membership, said the membership drive and the organisational structure that will be established during this period will coincide with the implementation of 33 per cent reservation in Legislative Assemblies and Parliament. "If this 33 per cent reservation for women is to be introduced during this time, then in my membership drive, can we include all those individuals who can help my party ensure that the maximum number of women are elected as MLAs and MPs, thus making this crucial decision a success?" he said. "This very membership drive isn't just a ritual. It's an expansion of our family...It isn't a game of numbers. It doesn't matter the numbers we achieve. This membership drive is an ideological and emotional movement," he added. The Prime Minister recalled his early days in the party and said he painted Lotus on the walls and always had faith that Lotus will bloom in people's hearts. Supreme Court to frame guidelines on bulldozer practice PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 2 SEPTEMBER court, however, made it clear that it would not protect any illegal structure obstructing public roads. Stating that the demolition of properties should be done as per the law, the top court assured that it would resolve the issue and posted the matter for hearing on September 17. Appearing for the Central government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said no property belonging to a person can be bulldozed merely because someone is involved in some criminal case or convicted and this can only be done under the provisions of the municipal laws. The top court was hearing petitions questioning the illegal demolition of residential and commercial properties using bulldozers. Describing it as an extralegal punishment by the state authorities, an application said that the increasing culture of illegal demolitions in the country is vic- timising minorities and the marginalised sections of society. The application says that such illegal demolitions are becoming a norm and creating a harrowing precedent for the people. The petitioner sought a direction from the authorities that no action should be taken against the residential or commercial property of any accused in any criminal proceedings as an extralegal punishment. The plea also sought that any demolition exercise must strictly be carried out in accordance with the law. The petitioner further sought strict action to be taken against officials who have participated in an illegal exercise of demolition of properties of accused persons without following the due process of law. Revanth urges PM to declare T’gana floods national calamity STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE HYDERABAD, 2 SEPTEMBER Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy has appealed to Prime Narendra Modi to declare the floods in the state as a national calamity and allocate Rs 2,000 crore immediately for relief work after heavy rain claimed 16 lives in the state since yesterday and caused large scale damage to crops and property including to train tracks and roads between Hyderabad and Vijayawada. He also invited the Prime Minister to inspect the devastation caused by unprecedented rain which was roughly estimated to be about Rs 5000 crore. As the state government increased the ex-gratia amount to the kin of the deceased to Rs5 lakh from Rs 4 lakh the BRS demanded it should be raised to Rs 25 lakh as promised by Reddy when Congress was in the SILVER 86,900 ‘Only BJP is following democratic process’ NIKHIL VYAS THUMBNAILS The Supreme Court, on Monday, came down heavily on bulldozer justice – demolition of the houses of the accused persons – and said the properties of the accused can't be demolished even if he is convicted. Questioning the practice of demolishing the houses of the accused using bulldozers, which has come to be described as ‘bulldozer justice’, a bench of Justice B R Gavai and Justice K V Viswanathan said they would frame guidelines to be applicable across the country and asked the parties to the case to give their suggestions. While taking a firm position against the authorities demolishing the houses of the accused persons, the P12 PM urges the BJP members to make border villages a stronghold of the party Min. 71 % TEMPERATURE Max: 33.6 °C (-1) SUN RISES 06:01 hrs MOON RISES 06:53 hrs NITESH KUMAR CLINCHES PARALYMPIC GOLD 'RULE OF LAW' HAS CHANGED UP’S PERCEPTION: CM YOGI P9 ‘BJP IN TOUCH WITH PDP FOR POSSIBLE ELECTORAL TIE-UP’ Opposition. The chief minister today visited Nalgonda and Khammam districts to visit the flood affected areas after his government received flak for inadequate rescue operations. With IMD predicting heavy rain tomorrow the state was bracing up for another deluge as every waterbody was filled to the brim. Telangana government today also released Rs five crore each to district collectors of four flood affected districts of Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mahabubabad and Suryapet from its contingency fund. The chief minister directed the officials to submit a comprehensive flood damage report to the Centre. Khammam remains one of the worst affected districts as the Manneru river overflowed and flooded the city, leaving the residents marooned on roof tops. The chief minister said he had briefed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi about the floods in Khammam and Nalgonda. The chief minister also decided to set up Telangana Disaster Response Force to tackle disasters effectively. He urged Union minister G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay to secure central funds worth Rs2000 crore for the state for immediate relief and rehabilitation. Railway services were hampered and many trains were cancelled for the second day due to damage to the tracks, and washing away of gravel. Damaged tracks between Intakanne and Kesamudaram were being restored at least on one side to resume train services. In Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu continued his visit to flood affected areas of Vijaywada on the second day. He travelled on an earth mover in the flood waters to reach out to the people. Availability of power boats which the state government had asked from Centre expedited rescue efforts of stranded people. He inspected Krishna Lanka and Jakkampudi and other lowlying areas as Krishna River which is in full spate almost reached above the Prakasham barrage. Naidu was currently camping in his caravan after remaining till 3am on Sunday at the collector office overseeing relief. Residents of Singh Nagar area overrun by the flood waters of Budameru canal complained that phones were not working and there was no supply of water. Opposition leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also inspected the flood affected areas. AP CMO described this as “the biggest floods in the history of 121 years with 11.36 cusecs of flood water” discharged from the barrage. PM will embark on an official visit to Brunei and Singapore from September 3-5 to deepen ties with these two Southeast Asian nations as part of India's 'Act East' policy. Maritime security is expected to figure prominently during the PM's talks. This will be the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian PM to Brunei. The visit coincides with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Brunei. “India and Brunei engage in diverse areas of cooperation, including defence, trade and investment, energy, space technology, and health amongst others. Approximately 14,000 Indians live in Brunei, including doctors and teachers,” Mr Jaideep Mazumdar, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs said at a media briefing today. PM will hold talks with Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and other leaders on a range of issues. From Brunei, the PM will leave for Singapore where a discussion on maritime security will be high on the agenda of the two sides. Mr Mazumdar said India and Singapore share views on maritime security and safety. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 2 SEPTEMBER The Central bureau of Investigation (CBI) today arrested Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital after 15 days’ interrogation, allegedly in connection with financial irregularities, which the central agency is probing. The arrest of Mr Ghosh was made after 26 days since the brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital took place. His arrest became apparent after the CBI officers were seen escorting Mr Ghosh in a car towards its city office at Nizam Palace from the CGO complex in Salt Lake, in the late evening. Speculation of his impending arrest started growing after security at Nizam Palace was suddenly increased. Till date, he had been interrogated by the CBI in connection with this alleged complicity in corruption charges, which the former deputy superintendent of R G Kar Akhtar Ali had raised.The CBI, which was investigating the alleged corruption charges levelled by Mr Ali, had for the last few days collected evidence in the form of various documents from the hospital authorities, visited the mortuary of the hospital and also interrogated the current MSVP Saptarshi Chatterjee. He was also put through a polygraph test. Earlier today, the Enforcement Directorate, which has started a probe into alleged money laundering charges, today quizzed former R G Kar employee Akhtar Ali allegedly in connection with money laundering charges. On hearing the news of the arrest, the agitating junior doctors, who were staging sit-in near Lalbazar, erupted in joy but demanded that he must be suspended now by the state government. Bengal Assembly set to table anti-rape law today STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 2 SEPTEMBER A Bill that proposes stringent anti-rape law will be placed in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly tomorrow. The step has been taken following the alleged rapemurder of a trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on 9 August. The ruling Trinamul Congress, having an overwhelming majority in the House, will have no difficulty in getting the Bill passed. It will be then sent to the Governor for his assent. The Governor has also spoken to the Union law minister on whether he should give his assent to the Bill or not, it is learnt. It is for the first time in the country when a state government has proposed to bring a Bill on strict anti- rape law. The unfortunate incident at R G Kar medical College and Hospital took place on 9 August. The city police arrested the main accused within 24 hours. On 14 August, the Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI inquiry, which was later upheld by the Supreme Court. CM Mamata Banerjee took part in a procession demanding capital punishment of the accused.