SATURDAY 29 MARCH 2025 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 SINCE 1818 Pages 16 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR PUTIN CLAIMS U.S. PUSH FOR GREENLAND ROOTED IN HISTORY P9 P6 SENSEX 77,414.92q191.51 WEATHER Generally clear. Hazy in the evening. Maximum and minimum temperatures likely to be around 38°C and 26°C respectively. RAINFALL: NIL RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 69% Min. 39% TEMPERATURE Max: 38.2˚C SUN RISES 05:32 hrs MOON RISES 05:15 hrs Min: 26.3˚C SUN SETS 17:50 hrs MOON SETS 17:49 hrs New Moon on 29 March THUMBNAILS Devotees offer prayers on the last Friday of the month of Ramadan at the Jama Masjid, in Delhi on Friday. n SNS SC asks Chief Justice of Allahabad HC not to assign judicial work to Justice Verma: The Supreme Court asked the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court not to assign any judicial work to Justice Yashwant Varma, when, upon transfer, he assumes charge as a Judge of the Allahabad High Court. His transfer comes amid allegations of the recovery of unaccounted cash from his official residence in New Delhi. NIFTY 23,519.35q72.60 IPL 2025: MUMBAI INDIANS, GUJARAT TITANS BATTLE FOR FIRST WIN ‘WATER, BY NATURE, IS DIVINE’ P10 KERALA HC DISMISSES PLEAS SEEKING PROBE AGAINST CM, DAUGHTER ` vs $ 85.49 SILVER 1,14,000 GOLD 91,655.00 SC says no to restrictions to ‘trample’ free speech P16 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 73.18q0.16 At least 150 killed as 7.7 magnitude earthquake shakes Myanmar, Thailand Top court quashes FIR against Cong MP Imran Pratapgarhi over poem “ PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 28 MARCH Free expression of thoughts and views by individuals or group of individuals is an integral part of a healthy civilised society. Without freedom of expression of thoughts and views, it is impossible to lead a dignified life guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution. - SC S tressing on the importance of protecting the freedom of thought, views and speech and stating that there could be no “fanciful and oppressive” restriction to “trample” the free speech, the Supreme Court on Thursday quashed the criminal proceedings initiated by Gujarat police against Congress Rajya Sabha member Imran Pratapgarhi over a social media post with a poem 'Ae khoon ke pyase baat suno' playing in the background. Holding that no offence is made out against Congress Rajya Sabha member Imran Pratapgarhi, a bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan in a judgment said: “Free expression of thoughts and views by individuals or group of individuals is an integral part of a healthy civilised society. Without freedom of expression of thoughts and views, it is impossible to lead a dignified life guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution.” In a censure of the Gujarat police for the way it acted in the case, the top court said: “When an offence punishable under Section 196 of BNS is alleged, the effect of the spoken or written words will have to be considered based on standards of reasonable, strong-minded, firm and courageous individuals and not based on the standards of people with weak and oscillating minds.” It further said: “The police officers must abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals…” and “… the police officers being citizens, are bound to abide by the Constitution. They are bound to honour and uphold freedom of speech and expression conferred on all citizens.” Section 196 of BNS provides for punishment for promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc , and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony. Holding that no offence is made out against Congress Rajya Sabha member Imran Pratapgarhi , the top court set aside the 17 January 2025 order of the Gujarat High Court refusing to quash the FIR. The top court also set aside the FIR and the further pro- ceedings based on it. Taking a dim view of the way police acted in the matter, Justice Oka, pronouncing the judgment, said: “75 years into our republic, we cannot be seen to be so shaky on our fundamentals that mere recital of a poem or for that matter, any form of art or entertainment, such as, stand-up comedy, can be alleged to lead to animosity or hatred amongst different communities. Subscribing to such a view would stifle all legitimate expressions of view in the public domain which is so fundamental to a free society.” Noting that the High Court did not give any relief to the appellant Imran Pratapgarhi while holding that the investigation was at a nascent stage, the top court said: “There is no absolute rule that when the investigation is at a nascent stage, the High Court cannot exercise its jurisdiction to quash an offence by exercising its jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India or under Section 482 of the CrPC equivalent to Section 528 of the BNSS.” and injuries are expected to rise,” Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said. Myanmar’s government said blood was in high demand in the hardest-hit areas. Near Bangkok’s popular Chatuchak market, a 33story building under construction, with a crane on top, crumpled into a cloud of dust (photo). At least three people were killed in the building collapse and 90 were missing, according to Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. In Mandalay, the earthquake reportedly brought down multiple buildings, including the Ma Soe Yane monastery, one of the largest in the city, and damaged the former royal palace. Christian Aid said its partners and colleagues on the ground reported that a dam burst AGENCIES BANGKOK, 28 MARCH A powerful earthquake rocked Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand on Friday, destroying buildings, a bridge and a dam. At least 144 people were killed in Myanmar, where photos and video from two hard-hit cities showed extensive damage. At least eight died in the Thai capital, where a high-rise under construction collapsed. The 7.7 magnitude quake, with an epicentre near Mandalay, Myanmar ‘s second largest city, struck at midday and was followed by a strong 6.4 magnitude aftershock. The head of Myanmar’s military government said in a televised speech on Friday evening that at least 144 people were killed and 730 others were injured. “The death toll in the city, causing water levels to rise in the lowland areas in the area. In the Sagaing region just southwest of the city, a 90-year-old bridge collapsed, and some sections of the highway connecting Mandalay and Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, were also damaged. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured Myanmar and Thailand of India's full support, stating: “Concerned by the situation in the wake of the earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Praying for the safety and well-being of everyone. India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, asked our authorities to be on standby. Also asked the MEA to remain in touch with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand.” Hurr y! Before price hike o w.e.f. April, 2025 1 00 000.00 1 00 000.00 `1 00 000.00 # ROYA MOTORS (AUTO CARRIAGE PVT. 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