FRIDAY DELHI HC ORDERS SPICEJET TO PAY `380 CR DUES TO KALANITHI MARAN 02 The ruling originates from a long legal fight between ex-promoter Maran & current chairman Ajay Singh over contractual obligations JUNE, 2023 facebook.com/TheMorningStandard Maran had transferred his 58.46% stake in the airline to Singh in Feb 2015. In return, Maran and his Kal Airways were to get stock warrants and convertible redeemable preference shares. However, SpiceJet did not execute these and Maran moved court. The HC also noted the airline also failed to comply with a February 2023 SC order to pay Maran J75 cr towards interest within 3 months twitter.com/TheMornStandard PA K I STA N IMRAN’S PTI FACES MORE CRACKDOWN Party prez Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, a close aide to ex-PM, was arrested on Thursday PAGE 9 September 5 ‘Airline failed to comply with SC order’ epaper.morningstandard.in A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS  NEW DELHI  J8.00 PAGES 12  THE NEXT DATE OF HEARING OF THE CASE IN THE DELHI HIGH COURT Spicejet seeks time to clear dues ■ Maran’s counsel said the interest liability has risen from J362 cr to J380 cr ■ SpiceJet argued in the HC that it has paid the principal amount of J578 cr as per the arbitral award and only the interest is pending. Also, it has moved SC seeking three months’ time to pay the remaining amount ■ However, the HC ordered the entire outstanding dues be paid forthwith | P10 Shah announces judicial, CBI probes, peace panel PM Narendra Modi and Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ launch a power project | PTI India & Nepal agree to sort out boundary dispute Y E S H I S E L I @ New Delhi PRIME Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting Nepalese counterpart Pushpakamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on Thursday agreed to resolve the prickly boundary dispute under the spirit of friendship in their wide-ranging talks here. Both sides also signed several major pacts, including increasing India’s import of power to as much as 10,000 MW within the next 10 years. At present, the country imports just 450 MW from Nepal. India also gave regional cooperation a fillip by agreeing to the first trilateral power trade from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid. Dwelling on the boundary issue after the talks, Prachanda said, “I urge prime minister Modi ji to resolve the boundary matter through the established bilateral diplomatic mechanism.... India has stood by Nepal as per their neighbourhood first policy and we also hope that the border issue is resolved politically and diplomatically between our countries.” Ties between the two countries had nosedived in 2020 after Nepal published a new political map showing three regions — Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipulekh — in Uttarakhand as part of their land. Modi reiterated that borders should not become barriers between India and Nepal and that the partnership should be superhit in the future. The agreements and MoUs signed by both sides revolved around improving rail connectivity, power purchase agreements, hydro-electric power, petroleum infrastructure, cross-border payment systems and trade and investment. There was also a live handing over of a section of a rail line, the inaugural run of a cargo train from India’s Bathnaha to Nepal Customs Yard Yard — newly constructed rail link under Indian grant — and the inauguration of inte g rated checkposts at Nepalgunj (Nepal) and Rupaidiha (India). Slew of confidence building measures for relief, rehab in Manipur Rajiv Singh replaces P Doungel as new Manipur police chief P R A S A N TA M A Z U M D A R @ Guwahati UNION home minister Amit Shah on Thursday announced a CBI probe into criminal cases and the general conspiracy behind the Manipur ethnic violence, while a judicial panel, headed by a retired high court chief justice, would examine the reasons behind the flare up and those responsible for it. Addressing a press conference in Imphal, Shah further announced that the Centre would form a peace committee under the chairpersonship of Manipur governor Anusuiya Uikey with representatives from both the warr i n g M e i t e i a n d Ku k i communities. “Of all the cases registered (with the police), five have been identified to register a general case of conspiracy A special CBI . team will probe these six cases under the Centre’s monitoring,” Shah said. He assured neutrality in investigation and punishment to the culprits. Shah said that a unified command would be set up under the chairmanship of Manipur’s security advisor Kuldiep Singh, for better coordination among various security agencies deployed in the state. The hime minister said visited Imphal, Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi and met people Union home minister Amit Shah (R) addresses a press meet in Imphal | PTI Senior IPS officer Rajiv Singh has been appointed as Manipur’s director general of police with immediate effect. He replaces P Doungel, a 1987-batch IPS officer who has been transferred to the post of OSD (Home). The Centre had sent Singh, a 1993-batch IPS officer of the Tripura cadre, to Manipur two days ago on intercadre deputation for three years. The appointment comes nearly a month after ethnic violence broke out in Manipur. from both sides and their representatives. He also met the state’s cabinet ministers, women leaders and intellectuals of both communities, Olympians, sportspersons and leaders of 11 political parties and discussed ways to restore peace and normalcy . He announced that the families of those who lost their lives would get `5 lakh each from the Centre and the state government. Besides, a relief and rehabilitation package has been finalised for the injured and those whose properties were damaged, which the home ministry would disclose on Friday . “Thirty metric tons of rice are being sent to the state additionally We are arranging LPG, petrol . and vegetables. The items (rice and vegetables) will be available in fair price shops. Some camps will also be opened for the purpose. Fifteen petrol pumps will remain open 24X7,” Shah said. Essential commodities will be brought via trains. “There is a problem of doctors on the side of Kuki brothers. So, the Centre has decided to form eight medical teams with 20 doctors,” Shah said. He said the teams would work in Moreh, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, all of them Kuki-majority. If the Meitei-majority Imphal valley faced any problem, doctors would be brought in from Assam. “We are going to arrange virtual proceedings of the High Court in Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi and temporary chopper service from these three places. The fare would be `2,000 per person,” the home minister added. Stalin backs ‘good friend’ Kejriwal on ordinance E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Chennai Rape-accused Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal finally resigns A N U K U R U V I L L A @ Kochi BISHOP Franco Mulakkal, who had faced allegations of raping a nun, has stepped down as the head of Jalandhar diocese. Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, has accepted the bishop’s resignation, said a statement by the Apostolic Nunciature in New Delhi. Bishop Franco, who was acquitted of the rape charges by a Kottayam trial court in January 2022, was asked to step down following a “divisive situation” over the matter in the diocese of Jalandhar, it said. The statement, however, clarified that the move was not the result of any disciplinary action. “It was not as a disciplinary measure imposed upon him but a pro bono Ecclesiae, especially for the good of the diocese which needs a new bishop,” said the Apostolic Nunciature. In the statement, the Nunciature specified that the Holy See respected the verdict of the Kottayam court, acquitting Bishop Franco of the allegations concerning him as well as the appeal against the acquittal, which has been admitted by the Kerala High Court. His present status will be as Bishop Emeritus of Jalandhar. However, it doesn’t imply canonical restrictions on his ministry said the statement. , Bishop Franco expressed his happiness over the Holy See accepting his resignation, which, according to him, was tendered following various discussions with his superiors in the church. “I thank everyone who stood with me during the trials and tribulations that I underwent,” said the bishop. TAMIL NADU Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday accused the Centre of trying to precipitate a crisis in non-BJP ruled states and said that the DMK would strongly oppose the central ordinance to exercise control over administrative services in the national capital. After meeting Delhi CM and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann at his Alwarpet residence in Chennai on Thursday, Statin said, “The Centre is creating a crisis for the Aam Aadmi Party and is preventing duly elected govern- Arvind Kejriwal and M K Stalin in Chennai ‘Centre trying to create crisis for non-BJP govts’ “Centre is trying to precipitate a crisis in non-BJP ruled states. Chief Ministers of non-BJP ruled states and all political leaders should extend their support for opposing the ordinance,” Stalin said Maneka seeks justice for wrestlers as khaps up ante against WFI chief E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ New Delhi A day after BJP’s Lok Sabha MP from Maharashtra, Pritam Munde came out in support of the protesting wrestlers, another party MP Maneka Gandhi joined her colleague in demanding justice for the grapplers in their fight against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment charges. “I am sure they will get justice at the end of it,” Gandhi told the media in Srinagar. On Tuesday, top wrestlers such as Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat went to Haridwar along with their supporters to throw their medals into the Ganga. However, they relented after khaps and farm leaders sought five days’ time to address their grievances. Delhi Police has filed two FIRs against Singh. While the first FIR relates to allegations by a minor wrestler and has been registered under the POCSO Act, the second is related to outraging modesty . Meanwhile, a Mahapanchayat of Khaps that met in Muzaffarnagar in UP on Thursday ments from functioning independently. The Supreme Court ordered in favour of the AAP government, but the centre has brought the ordinance. The DMK will strongly oppose it.” Stalin described Kejriwal as his “good friend” and said the discussion between them was fruitful. “Chief Ministers of nonBJP ruled states and all political leaders should extend their support to oppose the ordinance,” I belong to BJP, but BJP is not my party: Pankaja Former Maharashtra minister and BJP national secretary Pankaja Munde on Thursday said that she belongs to the BJP but the party doesn’t belong to her. Pankaja’s statement came a day after her sister and BJP MP Pritam Munde backed the protesting wrestlers. decided to meet President Droupadi Murmu. “Our representative will meet the President and the government side. Khap and these women (protesting wrestlers) won’t be defeated,” said Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesman Rakesh Tikait. Tikat said the final decision on the wrestlers’ protest would be taken at a meeting in Haryana’s Kurukshetra on Friday . The Delhi Police has beefed up security at borders following Samyukta Kisan Morcha’s call for a nationwide protest. The SKM in a memorandum to President Murmu on Thursday urged him to allow wrestlers to continue their protest at Jantar Mantar. EXPRESS READ We take responsibility for Kuno cheetah deaths: Govt After the death of three cheetahs and as many cubs at the Kuno National Park in MP in three months, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said that “we take responsibility for whatever happened.” But he asserted that the translocation project will be a major success. “It’s an international project and we had anticipated mortality. One of the cheetahs was unwell before it even came to India,” said Yadav. the DMK chief said. The AAP chief has been reaching out to leaders of non-BJP parties to garner support against the ordinance and to defeat the bill to be introduced in Parliament to replace the ordinance. Stalin said opposing the ordinance would demonstrate the unity of the opposition. Addressing reporters along with his Delhi and Punjab counterparts, the CM recalled his close association with Arvind Kejriwal and their collaboration during his visit to a model school in Delhi and the inauguration of ‘Pudhumai Penn’ scheme. STANFORD UNIV MEET Rahul: First to be given max defamation sentence P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi SENIOR Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said he was perhaps the first person to be awarded the maximum sentence for defamation, adding his disqualification from Parliament gave him a huge opportunity to serve the people. Rahul, who is on a six-day visit to the US, was addressing Indian students at Stanford University in California. “Probably I am the first person to be given , the first maximum sentence on defamation and maximum sentence to get disqualified. I didn’t imagine that something like this was possible,” he said. “But then it has actually given me a huge opportunity a much bigger , opportunity than I would have had in Parliament.” The former Congress president was disqualified as Lok Sabha MP on March 24 after being sentenced to two years in jail for his Modi surname slur during an election speech in Kolar. “I don’t think when I joined politics in 2004, I ever imagined what I see going on now in the country. I never imagined something like this is possible,” he said. Talking about the rocky Sino-Indian ties, he said China has occupied some of Indian territories but India cannot be pushed around. “It’s tough right now. They’ve occupied some of our territory It’s not too easy a relationship.” . Responding to a query on the ties with Russia, he said he was on the same page as the Centre. “We have certain dependencies on Russia. So, I would have a similar stance as the Government of India.... We will have better relationships with some people, evolving relationships with others,” he said. IRAN EXECUTIONS IN MAY HIGHEST SINCE 2015 A rights body said at least 307 people have been executed in 2023, a rise of more than 75% compared to the previous year | P9 Liquor scam accused to turn approver E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ New Delhi CONSIDERING the plea of Hyderabad-based businessman P Sarath Chandra Reddy , a Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday allowed him to turn approver in the Enforcement Directorate case related to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy scam. Former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia is also an accused in the case. The court granted pardon to Reddy in the case, in which he was arrested in December 2022. Reddy is the head of Hyderabad-based Aurobindo Pharma and is engaged in the liquor business, the ED said. Special Judge M K Nagpal, dealing with CBI and ED cases related to the alleged scam, said on Thursday that Reddy was granted pardon by an order passed on May 29. The court made the decision on an application moved by Reddy, who said, “I am ready to make true disclosure vo l u n t a r i l y a b o u t t h e case and want to be an approver in the case.” Reddy was recently granted bail by the Delhi High Court on medical grounds. SCIENCE, DEMOCRACY CHAPTERS SNIPPED Uproar as NCERT cuts Class 10 book to size K A V I TA B A J E L I - D AT T @ New Delhi CLASS 10 students will no longer be taught critical scientific topics such as the periodic table of elements, sources of energy, environmental sustainability and also key chapters on democracy as the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has dropped these ‘to reduce the content load on students in view of Covid-19’, drawing widespread criticism. The omission is part of the NCERT’s ‘rationalisation’ of CBSE textbooks from Class 6 to 12 to reduce students’ burden. Earlier, its decision to remove the theory of evolution from the Class 10 science text- book had led to a furore as hundreds of scientists, teachers, and educators wrote raised concerns about the key chapter being dropped. In the latest cut, the NCERT deleted complete chapters on democracy and diversity, popular struggles and movements, and political parties from Democratic Politics Book 2 for Class 10 students. It has also removed some images from the chapter titled Gender, Religion, and Caste. Terming the development ‘shocking’, for mer NCERT chief Krishna Kumar said: “How things are going now, it is really sad.” Kumar was NCERT chief from 2000 to 2010 and spearheaded the NCERT’s last major syllabus overhaul. Gautam Menon, professor of physics and biology at Ashoka University, said: “The organisation of the periodic ta- Periodic table remains part of Class 11 syllabus Even though the Class 10 Chemistry textbook has dropped the entire chapter that introduces students to the Periodic Table — which is considered the most important concept in chemistry — the topic remains part of the syllabus for Class 11 ble is the basis of the properties of every element we might encounter. Its removal provides a stark example of how an illconceived syllabus, reflected in textbooks, can leave students with a vastly diminished understanding of the world.” According to a recent article in Nature, changes in the syllabus will affect some 134 million 11-18-year-olds in India. “Anybody who’s trying to teach biology without dealing with evolution is not teaching biology as we currently understand it,” the article said. NCERT director Dinesh Prasad Saklani said the Council will soon issue a statemeent after discussing the matter with the school education secretary .