THURSDAY 02 JULY, 2026 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard INDIGO LAUNCHES ‘LITE FARE’ FOR FLYERS WITH ONLY CABIN BAGGAGE X.com/TheMornStandard PEACE DEAL IndiGo has introduced an entry level lite fare for passengers travelling on both domestic and international flights with only cabin baggage The US and Iran began indirect talks with mediators in Doha on Wednesday in a push to advance negotiations and quell tensions in West Asia. Lite fare can be availed when booking tickets directly with the airline including the website, mobile application and contact centre. The low fare option will be applicable across both domestic and international, non-stop routes for both adult and child passengers, the airline said in a statement. It will be available only for economy class passengers DOHA TALKS GATHER PACE Available when booking directly with airline A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9 MEXICO BREAK KNOCKOUT CURSE Mbappe show in NYNJ At the rate Les Bleus are going, the others may as well stop bothering right now. Against Sweden, they dazzled with Kylian Mbappe adding two more goals to his tally. He’s now level with Lionel Messi with six. Michael Olise also sparkled with two more assists NEW DELHI   J8.00 In front of a heaving Azteca, Mexico were all over Ecuador like a rash and scored the goals to take them to the last 16. It was their first knockout win at the World Cup in 40 years and the residents emptied out on to the streets to celebrate the landmark. With them playing the last 16 game also at the Azteca, there’s promise of more glory Kane and able England survive Congo Harry Kane scored two second-half goals to help England rally for a 2-1 win over DR Congo and a spot in the round of 16 on Wednesday. England’s all-time leading scorer and captain helped team to evade one of the biggest upsets in World Cup after trailing in first half  PAGES 12 Bill to axe arrested CM may be back PA R V E Z S U LTA N @ New Delhi THE Centre has sent a showcause notice to the Delhi Gymkhana Club asking why it should not be evicted from the premises. The Land and Development Office has issued the notice under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. The club has till July 7 to respond and appear in person the same day at 2.30 pm. “In case you fail to appear on the said date and time, the case will be decided ex parte,” the notice issued by the estate officer says. The notice also requires the club to depute a person or representative “capable of answering all material questions connected with the matter, along with the evidence which you intend to produce in support of the cause shown”. The notice states that the club’s occupation of the 27.3acre property on Safdarjung Road became “unauthorised” after the expiry of its lease on May 22. It adds that valuable government land in the national capital cannot be permitted to remain under unauthorised occupation, contrary to the larger public interest. The development comes after the Centre informed the Delhi High Court on May 26 that it would not take forcible possession of the premises by June 5, despite maintaining that the land was required for “strengthening and securing defence infrastructure”. Officials said the eviction proceedings had been initiated in accordance with the law and that the club had been given an opportunity to appear before the estate officer and make their submissions. The sprawling club is located adjacent to the Prime Minister’s residence, making it one of the city’s most strategically situated institutional properties. EXPRESS READ TN moves SC against ban on cow slaughter The Tamil Nadu government has moved the apex court against a Madras HC order imposing a blanket ban on cow slaughter. In its plea, the state said the order violated the Animal Preservation Act, which permits slaughter of cows aged over 10 years and unfit for work/breeding. 38 wards account for 80% TB burden in city As many as 38 wards across 11 districts in Delhi account for more than 80% of the city’s high-risk TB burden, officials said after a review meeting of the city government and Health Minister JP Nadda on Wednesday. Officials said Delhi has screened 28.83 lakh people for the disease. P3 Tunnel to link Dwarka E-way with Vasant Kunj approved E X P R E SS N E WS S E R V I C E @ New Delhi FROM Delhi’s gridlocked roads to the freight routes linking Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, commuters and businesses got a `14,114.81-crore infrastructure boost on Wednesd ay. T h e U n i o n C ab i n e t approved a six-lane tunnel connecting the Dwarka Expressway with south Delhi and a new access-controlled highway linking industrial Kanpur with mineral-rich Kabrai. Together, the projects promise faster travel, smoother logistics and stronger regional connectivity . The projects were cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by PM Narendra Modi. Briefing reporters after the meeting, I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the projects are aimed at easing congestion, improving logistics and accelerating regional economic growth. Delhi’s share of the package is a `6,969.67-crore project to build an 8.1-km six-lane tunnel on NH-148AE. It will connect the Shivmurti Interchange on SIX-LANE TUNNEL AT `6,970 CR 8.1 Total length KM To connect Shivmurti Interchange on Dwarka E-way with Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj Commuters from Gurugram, Dwarka, IGIA and west to south Delhi to benefit To integrate with proposed elevated AIIMS-Mahipalpur corridor, providing direct link to Barapullah elevated road To provide better access to East Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida in NCR 3.14-km underground tunnel, approach ramps, elevated stretches; 1.8-km elevated road on Nelson Mandela Marg the Dwarka Expressway (NH248BB) with Nelson Mandela Marg in Vasant Kunj. The project will be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). The tunnel is expected to provide seamless connectivity for commuters travelling from Gurugram, Dwarka, IGIA and west Delhi to south Delhi. It will also integrate with the proposed elevated ROAD ACCIDENT CASES SC FIRMS UP ITR YARDSTICK FOR COMPENSATION S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y @ New Delhi IN an attempt to bring uniformity in motor accident compensation cases, the Supreme Court on Wednesday framed guidelines for determining annual income of the deceased or injured claimants based on their income tax returns (ITR). “ITRs are statutory records and carry a presumption of correctness. In case of salaried individuals, income does not fluctuate significantly making the latest ITR the most accu, rate reflection. For self-employed persons, earnings vary so , a three-year average ensures a realistic assessment,” said a two-judge bench of justices Sanjay Karol and N Kotiswar Singh. The bench observed that while no straitjacket formula can be fixed for computing income under the Motor Vehicles Act, a distinction must be drawn — in these accidental claims cases — between the salaried employees and self-employed Factoring in persons when relying on ITRs for promotion compensation. The verdict came on an appeal by an In cases where a insurance firm challenging a high court promotion or pay order that had fixed the deceased’s in- revision had come by picking the highest ITR from the taken place last five years. Disapproving the method, shortly before the the bench said selecting the highest re- accident and was turn in isolation would result in inflated not reflected in the ITR, courts awards and unfairly burden insurers. The court further said tribunals could could consider deviate from ITRs if a particular year re- promotion letters flected exceptional income due to one- and other records time gains or abnormal losses. Where ITRs are not filed, it said, courts may rely on Form 26AS, bank statements or salary slips, but must record reasons for doing so. The bench also said fluctuation in income of selfemployed victims needs to be factored in. It could arise from the nature of the business, growth pattern and impact of death on the business and its potential growth. The court directed its registry to circulate the guidelines to all Motor Accident Claims Tribunals and high courts across the country to ensure uniform application in pending and future matters. AIIMS-Mahipalpur corridor, creating a direct link to the Barapullah elevated road and improving access to east Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida. To minimise the environmental impact, the tunnel will pass beneath the ecologically sensitive Southern Ridge Forest using tunnel boring machines (TBMs), avoiding largescale surface disruption. The project includes a 3.14km underground tunnel, approach ramps, elevated stretches and at-g rade roads. It provides for a 1.8-km elevated road along Nelson Mandela Marg, a new flyover towards Mahipalpur and an elevated Uturn to decongest the busy Mahipalpur-Chhatarpur junction. It is estimated that the project will generate about 7.54 lakh man-days of direct employment and nearly 9.8 lakh mandays of indirect employment. The Cabinet also approved a `7,145.14-crore project to build a 117.7-km four-lane access-controlled greenfield highway between Kanpur and Kabrai. CONTINUED ON P4 Re-NEET had 2 lakh fewer candidates than first exam Controversial Constitution Amendment Bill may figure in the Monsoon session R A J E S H K U M A R T H A K U R @ New Delhi TODAY’S MATCHES: Spain vs Austria: 12.30 AM*, Portugal vs Croatia 4.30 AM*, Switzerland vs Algeria 8.30 AM* ( IST Friday) Gymkhana Club gets July 7 deadline in eviction case 2,100 FLIGHTS OPERATED DAILY BY INDIGO, WHICH IS INDIA’S LARGEST AIRLINE Legislative priority Apart from the bill to disqualify PMs, CMs and ministers, the govt is expected to accord priority to a limited number of other bills during the Monsoon Session, including the Women’s Reservation Bill, indicating a focused legislative agenda on major policy initiatives Opposition boycott Members of main Opposition parties like the Congress, Trinamool Congress, SP, DMK and the Left boycotted the panel. However, the NCP (Sharad Pawar), AIMIM and other fencesitters such as the BJD, YSRCP and SAD participated in the committee THE contentious 130th Constitution Amendment Bill on disqualifying prime ministers and chief ministers could be back in Parliament as its vetting by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is about to be over. The government is said to be keen on piloting the bill that was first introduced last year, for possible passage in the forthcoming Monsoon Session. The session is expected from July 20 but not later than July 27. As per the proposed amendment, offices of the PM and CMs would automatically fall vacant if the incumbent remains in judicial custody for more than 30 days without bail. The government maintains that the measure is intended to strengthen accountability and reinforce public confidence in the holders of high constitutional offices. Opposition parties, however, have expressed serious reservations, arguing that the proposal could have far-reaching constitutional and political consequences, particularly in cases where judicial proceedings remain unresolved. They have also questioned its compatibility with established constitutional principles, particularly the presumption of innocence till proved guilty . The bill was referred to a 31-member JPC chaired by former IAS officer-turnedpolitician and BJP MP Aprajita Sarangi. The panel is expected to finalise its report before the Monsoon Session. Led by the Congress, the Opposition boycotted the JPC, contending that participation would serve no meaningful purpose. The ruling NDA, however, rejected those objections and defended the JPC’s functioning, arguing that the bill was the need of hour. The bill is now expected to be tabled in the Lok Sabha. Sources indicated that it figures prominently in the legislative agenda for the upcoming session. S L A L I T H A @ New Delhi MORE than two lakh students who took the May 3 NEET-UG did not appear for the subsequent retest held on June 21, according to the National Testing Agency’s initial estimates. A total of 22,05,035 candidates appeared for the first exam, while the retest had about 20 lakh candidates, a 9% dip. The National Testing Agency (NTA) officials said the exact figures are being compiled. At least 21 students took their lives in the period between the first test and the re-test. Experts in the field of education pointed to the mental trauma of the paper leak and a lack of trust in the examination process owing to the leak. Sources at the NTA, however, cited changed circumstances or practical reasons. “A good number of aspirants also take up the JEE examination (decider for engineering colleges) and the JEE-Advanced for admission into IITs. If they did well in it, they could have decided to give up on the medical dreams,” an NTA source said. A few aspirants also apply to institutions abroad and could have decided to opt out, as studying abroad is viewed by most Indians as prestigious. Another source said that after the answer keys of the original exam were released on May 6, some aspirants may have felt they are just not cut out for this kind of strenuous exam. P7 Horror at B’luru IT firm’s daycare centre as toddlers tortured, 5 booked EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bengaluru IN a horrific incident, toddlers were allegedly subjected to physical abuse at a daycare centre located inside an IT company campus in HAL police limits. The caregivers allegedly placed children inside a washing machine, sprayed water into their mouths using toilet jet sprays, and locked them inside a washroom as punishment for crying. According to the FIR registered at HAL police station on June 29, based on a complaint filed by an official of the District Child Protection Unit, Bengaluru East, the incident occurred at Society General Staff being questioned, videos analysed: Police Police registered an FIR against the daycare in-charge and four caregivers under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act. Police are questioning the accused women and verifying the authenticity of the videos, when the incidents occurred, and how many children were subjected to similar abuse Baby Care, a daycare facility operating on the Capgemini Technology Services India campus in Brookefield, where employees of the IT company leave their children during working hours. The complaint stated that the Child Helpline received videos showing children being subjected to mental and physical abuse by daycare caregivers Manjula, Vijayalakshmi, Bhavani, Sindhu and Bindu. It is alleged that whenever the children cried or created a disturbance, the caregivers intimidated them by placing them inside a front loading washing machine, making them sit inside a Western-style toilet commode, forcefully spraying water into their mouths using the health faucet, locking them inside bathrooms, and subjecting them to other forms of physical abuse. According to the videos, more than 15 toddlers aged between two and four years were present at the daycare. `1.95L CR HIGHER IMPORT REVENUE BUOYS JUNE GST NUMBERS GST collections rose 14% year-on-year to `1.95 lakh crore in June on the back of higher tax mop-up from imports as well as domestic supplies. GST revenues were over `1.94 lakh crore in May this year and `1.71 lakh crore in June 2025 | P10 Haryana IPS officer held in `3 cr bribery case EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Chandigarh/New Delhi THE CBI has arrested a serving IPS officer of Haryana cadre for seeking a `3-crore bribe in order to manage and tamper the federal agency probe into `5,000 crore counterfeit medicine racket in Puducherry . The officer, identified as Deepak Gahlawat, a 2012-batch IPS officer of Haryana cadre currently serving as a Regional Director with Directorate General of Civil Aviation, was held a month after CBI nabbed men, including a Delhi Police inspector, on charges of accepting a Puducherry counterfeit medicine racket case Deepak Gahlawat, a 2012-batch IPS officer of Haryana cadre currently serving with DGCA, was arrested a month after CBI held a Delhi Police inspector on charges of accepting a bribe of `1 crore in order to manage and tamper the federal agency probe into `5,000 crore counterfeit medicine racket in Puducherry. bribe of `1 crore. The CBI alleged Gahlawat told N Raja alias Valliappan alias Rajasekhar, the main accused in the case, that he could secure relief in the CBI probe through his contacts within the agency, and sought `3 crore in exchange. “During investigation, it was disclosed that the IPS officer had demanded illegal gratification claiming that he could exercise his personal influence and obtain relief for private persons in the cases being investigated by CBI in relation to sale of counterfeit drugs in Puducherry a CBI spokesperson ,” said in a statement. The CBI said that it questioned him sev- eral times. “He was thereafter arrested,” the agency said. The CBI registered an FIR on June 8 against Raja, Delhi Police Crime Branch inspector Pradeep Kumar Singh and an alleged intermediary identified as Rajkumar alias Madhanraj. The FIR also named unidentified public servants and private individuals. The counterfeit medicine operation was uncovered following raids by Puducherry police and the state’s crime branch last year, which led to the seizure of large stocks of spurious drugs and raw materials. Raja was held in December.