FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 16 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA LC | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR | SPORTS NATION Participatory Policing Sabarimala gold heist: SIT arrests former Devaswom Commissioner Page 8 Page 6 EDITORIAL PAGE BRIEFLY SC seeks ECI’s reply on petitions challenging SIR: SCIENCE COP30: The world faces a defining climate crossroad Page 14 England eye first Ashes Test win in Australia since 2011 Page 16 Hunt down culprits behind blast, Shah to security agencies ATUL KRISHNA/DEEPSHIKHA VERMA New Delhi, 11 November T New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a response from the Election Commission of India (ECI) on petitions questioning the constitutional validity of its 27 October notification directing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, among other States. The petitions contend that the exercise infringes Articles 14, 19, 21, 325, and 326 of the Constitution. While issuing notice, the apex court granted the ECI two weeks’ time to submit its response and posted the hearing for 26 November 2025. Page 4 Wednesday, 12 November 2025 he National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday took over the investigation into the explosion near the Red Fort in the national capital, while the death toll in the incident rose to 13. Police sources claimed it was a ‘fidayeen attack’ and was planned by those associated with the Jaish-e-Mohammed. They said the car was driven by Dr Umar Mohammad, who planned the attack along with two of his associates. Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a review meeting with senior officials from security agencies in the wake of the incident, during which he instructed them to hunt down each and every culprit behind the incident. Mr Shah also took stock of the security scenario in the aftermath of the car bomb blast. The case was officially handed over to the NIA at Amit Shah chairs a review meeting on the Delhi car blast with senior officials, in New Delhi on Tuesday. AGENCIES the direction of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). “The death toll in the incident has risen to 13,” a Delhi Police official said. “The development follows the emergence of links between the Delhi blast and a recently busted terror module in Faridabad on November 9. The investigation had so far been a joint effort by the Delhi Police Special Cell, district police, and the Jammu and Kashmir police,” an investigation official said on condition of anonymity. Delhi Police registered an FIR invoking stringent sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act related to terrorist acts and their punishment, along with the Explosive Substances Act. Charges of murder and attempt to murder have also been included. “A significant part of the probe has focused on tracing the movements of the suspects through the city's CCTV network. Nearly 200 police personnel examined footage from multiple routes, including from the Badarpur Border to the Sunehri Masjid near Red Fort, and from Outer Ring Road to Kashmere Gate. This digital dragnet has led investigators to question approximately 13 individuals who have come under suspicion,” another official said. Meanwhile, sources claimed Umar planned the attack in panic after the arrests made in Faridabad by the J&K Police. Along with his associates, he placed a detonator in the car and carried out this terror act. ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil) was used in the attack. According to police sources, the investigation has revealed a chain of ownership for the car, which was initially sold by a man named Salman to another individual, Devender, in March 2025. The car then changed hands from Devender to a person named Aamir on 29 October. It was subsequently passed on to Dr. Umar Mohammad, with a man called Tariq also being privy to this exchange. Both Aamir and Tariq are currently being questioned by the Delhi Police team as the probe continues. ‘Expedite stalled recruitment in healthcare services’ 12 killed, 36 injured in suicide blast in Islamabad: Islamabad: At least 12 people were killed and 36 were injured on Tuesday in a suicide blast outside the district and sessions court building in Islamabad’s G-11 area, according to officials. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, while briefing the media outside the court, said that the suicide blast had occurred at 12:39 p.m, carried out by a lone attacker. Mr Naqvi said an investigation was on and identifying the attacker was a top priority. He appeared to link the incident with the bomb blast a day earlier in New Delhi, stating: “We are not taking this blast as just another one.” He said its timing and the federal capital being targeted “has a lot of messages”. Page 11 • More reports: Pgs 3,4,7 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 11 November Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also holds the health portfolio, today emphasised the need to streamline security at state-run hospitals ~ particularly at SSKM ~ and expedite stalled recruitment processes to ensure progress in public healthcare services. Miss Banerjee raised the issue of hospital security while addressing a gathering at Swasthya Bhavan during the inauguration of mobile health clinics (ambulances on wheels). She directed the concerned officials to strengthen security measures and take appropriate action. Miss Banerjee said: “There are some vacant zones within the hospital where movement is minimal and access is time-consuming due to their location. These are the areas where security must be enhanced to prevent any untoward incidents.” Addressing the delays in recruitment within the health sector, Miss Banerjee instructed State Health Secretary Narayan Swarup Nigam to take urgent steps to eliminate bureaucratic red tape that has stalled appointments across various departments. She urged acceleration of the recruitment process to ensure continued improvement in healthcare delivery. Expanding on the matter, the Chief Minister stated that she refrains from interfering in the work of officials entrusted with the responsibility of managing health services in the state. Speaking on the launch of 210 mobile health clinics at Swasthya Bhavan, Miss Banerjee described the initiative as part of a broader effort to bring healthcare services directly to the doorsteps of citizens. USA coming closer to seal trade deal with India, likely with cut in tariffs, hints Trump Exit polls predict big win for NDA in Bihar STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi/Patna, 11 November New Delhi, 11 November The United States is coming closer to sealing a trade deal with India, said President Donald Trump adding that at some point, the USA would bring down the tariffs on India. Donald Trump’s remarks came during the swearing-in ceremony of Sergio Gor as the Ambassador to India. “We're making a deal with India. Much different than we had. Right now they don't love me but they will love us again. We're getting a fair deal. They're very good negotiators so Sergio you will have to take a look at that. I think we're pretty close to doing a deal that is good for everybody,” the US President said. He also said the US would lower tariffs “at some point”. "Well, right now, the tariffs are very high on India because of the Russian oil, and they've stopped doing the Russian oil. It's been reduced very substantially. Yeah, we're going to be bringing the tariffs down. At some point, we're going to be bringing them down." Recently, India’s Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had said the discussions on the proposed India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement ( BTA) a re p ro g re s s i n g smoothly but many sensitive and serious issues remain to be resolved. “Talks are going on very well. There are many sensitive issues, many serious issues, so naturally, it takes some time,” the minister added. India and the USA faced headwinds in trade relations since US President Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods effective 1 August. A few days later, he imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff, taking the total to 50 per cent, citing India’s continued imports of Russian oil. These tariffs came into effect on 27 August. In mid-September, a US delegation led by Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch, held “positive and forward-looking” discussions with Indian officials in New Delhi. NIKHIL VYAS/IMRAN MOJIB Exit polls telecast by different private TV channels, on Tuesday evening, predicted a big win for the ruling NDA in the Bihar Assembly elections after the completion of the second and final phase of voting in which over 68.75 per cent turnout was recorded. Most of the exit polls suggested that the NDA will get 130 to 160 seats out of 243 Assembly seats while the Mahagathbandhan (INDIA bloc) may win around 70 to 100 seats. The magic figure in the state Assembly is 122 seats. The Bihar Assembly polls saw the main contest between the ruling NDA and RJD-led Mahagathbandhan. Poll strategist Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party also contested all seats in the state but does not seem to have made any impact. According to a People Pulse poll survey, the NDA may get 133-159 seats, the Mahagathbandhan will secure around 75-101 seats, while Jan Suraaj Party may win 0-5 seats, and others may get 2-8 seats. As per the Dainik Bhaskar exit poll, the NDA may get 145-160 seats, the Mahagath- Nithari killings: SC acquits Surendra Koli in last pending case, orders immediate release PARMOD KUMAR New Delhi, 11 November The Supreme Court on Tuesday acquitted Surendra Koli (photo, centre), the main accused in the 2006 Nithari serial killings, and set aside his conviction in the last remaining case linked to the gruesome episode that had once shaken the nation. A Bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, Justice Surya Kant, and Justice Vikram Nath directed Koli’s release forthwith, provided he is not wanted in any other matter. Delivering the order, Justice Vikram Nath said: “The curative petition is allowed. The petitioner is acquitted of the charges. The petitioner shall be released forthwith.” With this verdict, the top court has nullified Koli’s final conviction in the Nithari cases. He had already been acquitted in twelve other cases, leaving this as the only one still pending against him. The Court allowed Koli’s curative petition challenging the Supreme Court’s 2011 judgment, which had upheld his conviction and sentence in one of the Nithari murder cases. The petition cited that the very same evidence used to convict him earlier had subsequently been disbelieved in multiple other cases, leading to his acquittal in those trials. This ruling effectively brings closure to all criminal proceedings against Koli. In July 2024, the apex court had dismissed appeals filed by the CBI, the Uttar Pradesh government, and victims’ families against the Allahabad High Court’s decision acquitting Koli and his employer Moninder Singh Pandher in several other Nithari cases. The Allahabad High Court, in its 16 October 2023 judgment, had overturned the trial court’s September 2010 verdict that sentenced both Koli and Pandher to death. The High Court had acquitted Koli in twelve cases and Pandher in two, observing that the prosecution’s evidence was insufficient to sustain their convictions. The CBI had originally registered 16 cases against Koli and Pandher relating to the abduction, rape, and murder of several girls and young women in Noida’s Nithari village during 2005–2006. The case first came to light in December 2006, when human remains were found in a drain behind Pandher’s residence, horrifying the country and leading to widespread outrage. Koli, who worked as Pandher’s domestic help, was charged in all 16 cases for offences including murder, abduction, rape, and destruction of evidence, while Pandher was named in six. bandhan may secure 73-91 seats, while the Jan Suraaj Party is unlikely to open its account, with other parties and independents expected to win 5-10 seats. Matrize exit poll has predicted a massive victory for the NDA, giving it between 147 and 167 seats. It has also projected that the Mahagathbandan may win between 70 and 90 seats. According to the DVC Research polls survey, the NDA is projected to win 137-152 seats, Mahagathbandhan will win 83-98 seats while Jan Suraaj Party may win 2-4 seats, with others securing 4-8 seats. The P-MARQ poll predicted that the NDA may get between 142 and 162 seats and that the Mahagathbandhan may win 80-98. P-MARQ has also projected that Prashant Kishor's party may win at least one seat. People's Insight's survey has predicted 133-148 seats for the NDA, 87-102 seats for Mahagathbandhan, 0-2 seats for Jan Suraaj Party and 3-6 seats for independent candidates. Earlier, the second phase of the Bihar Assembly elections concluded peacefully on Tuesday with a record voter turnout of 68.75 per cent. The 65.08 per cent voter (Turn to Page 13) Veteran actor Dharmendra ‘recovering & responding to treatment,’ says family AGENCIES Mumbai, 11 November Veteran actor Dharmendra, who was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai on Monday, is ‘recovering and responding to treatment’, his family said on Tuesday, amid reports circulating of his demise. “Sir is recovering and responding to treatment. Let’s all pray for his good health and long life,” a statement issued by the PR team of actor and Dharmendra’s son, Sunny Deol, said on Tuesday afternon. Earlier, the team issued a clarification stating that Dharmendra continues to remain stable. They also urged everyone to refrain from spreading unverified information about the actor’s health. In an official statement, the team had stated: “Mr. Dharmendra is stable and under observation. Further comments and updates will be shared as available. Kindly don’t indulge in spreading false rumours regarding his health. Request everyone to pray for his speedy recovery and respect the family’s right to privacy.” False reports about Dharmendra’s death began circulating on social media late last night. Several celebrities and political leaders fell prey to the rumours and shared condolence messages online. However, the veteran actor’s family intervened to put an end to the rumours. Veteran actor and Dharmendra’s wife, Hema Malini, took to social media to strongly condemn the misinformation, calling it “unforgivable” and “highly irresponsible,” while urging media outlets to respect the family’s privacy. Dharmendra’s daughter Esha Deol also shared a statement, assuring everyone that her father is stable and recovering well. Hema Malini wrote: “What is happening is unforgivable! How can responsible channels spread false news about a person who is responding to treatment and is recovering? This is being extremely disrespectful and irresponsible. Please give due respect to the family and its need for privacy.”