THURSDAY GRAVE MATTER AS 103 MASSACRED IN IRAN TO HONOUR SLAIN GENERAL 04 Two explosions minutes apart on Wednesday in Iran targeted a commemoration for a slain general killed 103 persons, wounding 141 others JANUARY, 2024 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard twitter.com/TheMornStandard WARSHIP CHINA NAVAL HAT-TRICK China’s third aircraft carrier Fujian is gearing up for sea trials, official said. PAGE 9 EXPLOSIONS NEAR SOLEIMANI’S BURIAL SITE A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS  NEW DELHI   J8.00 No one has claimed responsibility for the blasts in Kerman, about 820 km from Tehran. People had gathered in Kerman to mark the fourth death anniversary of General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard’s elite Quds Force. Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq in January 2020. Wednesday’s blasts occurred near his grave site in Kerman PAGES 12 ADANI GETS SC’S VOTE OF CONFIDENCE No ground to transfer Sebi’s probe against conglomerate to SIT S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y @ New Delhi IN a major relief to the Adani Group, the Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a batch of pleas seeking a court-monitored probe into allegations of stock-price manipulation and other irregularities levelled by US-based short-seller Hindenburg against the group. In its 46-page verdict, the SC said there were no grounds to transfer the probe from Sebi to a special investigation team. It also directed the stock markets regulator to complete its ongoing investigation into the allegations within three months. Hindenburg had in its report released in January 2023 alleged that the Adani Group had been manipulating stock prices of its group firms. Following this, the share value of various Adani firms plunged. In September, another report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project claimed that the Adani Group used offshore shell companies to invest in its own stocks. The three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud observed that the petit i o n e r s re l i e d s o l e ly o n unverified third-party claims and newspaper reports, which did not inspire confidence in the court’s mind to interfere in the regulator’s probe. “A report by a third-party organization without any attempt to verify the authenticity of its allegations cannot be regarded as conclusive proof,” it said. The bench, also comprising Regulator to complete probe within 3 months ‘ALLEGATIONS AGAINST PANEL UNFOUNDED’ D Y Chandrachud, Chief Justice of India The bench rejected allegations of conflict of interest levelled against some members of the court-appointed expert panel. It also cautioned against filing petitions that lack adequate research and rely on unverified and unrelated material judges J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said: “The petitioners cannot assert that an unsubstantiated report in the newspapers should have credence over an investigation by a statutory regulator whose investigation has not been cast into doubt on the basis of cogent material or evidence.” The bench said while it can transfer an investigation to an Special Investigation Team (SIT) or the CBI, it is done only in extraordinary circumstances when there is a glaring, deliberate inaction by the competent authority . It noted that the court has already exercised its extraordinary powers by setting up an Expert Committee to investigate whether there has been a regulatory failure. INDIA knows how to hurt our religious sentiments, says PM A R U N M @ Thrissur PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lit into the Left and the Congress governments in Kerala for hindering the state’s development, adding people have understood that only a BJP government can bring progress. Launching a broadside against the opposition bloc, Modi said: “INDIA alliance knows only one thing: to hurt our religious sentiments. They are turning our celebrations, and our festivals into a mode of corruption. We are all witnessing political games in the Thrissur Pooram,” the prime minister charged. Alleging that the Kerala government is using temples and festivals as a means to loot devotees, Modi said the lack of facilities at Sabarimala put the pilgrims to hardship. He was speaking at Sthree Shakthi Modikkoppam (Women Power with PM Modi), an event organised by the BJP-affiliated Mahila Morcha in Ker- EXPRESS READ 16L cyber attack on G-20 portal: Officials Over 16 lakh cyber-attack attempts targeted the G20 summit’s portal within 25 minutes of its launch during India’s presidency. Indian cybersecurity experts successfully thwarted these global attacks. I4C CEO Rajesh Kumar announced that all attacks on the G20 website were neutralized, ensuring cyber safety. Ukraine minister dials Jaishankar Less than a week after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar returned from Moscow, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called him on Wednesday. “My first call in 2024 has been with Jaishankar to discuss UkrainianIndian relations,” Kuleba said. He added that they spoke about cooperation on the peace formula. P7 IndiGo flight makes emergency landing An Indigo flight, scheduled for Delhi, made an emergency landing at Patna’s Jaya Prakash Narayan Airport due to wheel issues on Wednesday. Departing 40 minutes late, the issue was detected post-takeoff. The 187 passengers remained safe as the pilot secured permission for an urgent landing. Technical teams are investigating. The INDIA alliance is turning our celebrations and festivals into a mode of corruption — Narendra Modi Mahila Morcha members garlanding PM Narendra Modi in Thrissur | T P SOORAJ ala’s Thrissur. Modi said the Congress and the LDF differ only in names; their ideologies are the same. “They only focus on corruption, crime and family politics,” Modi said. “Now, they have formed the INDIA alliance and declared that their ideologies are the same. People have now understood this and realised that the development of Kerala is only possible through the BJP,” Modi said. Casting a spell over thousands who thronged the Swaraj Round and Thekkinkadu Maidan in Thrissur, Modi practically kick-started the BJP’s camp a i g n i n Ke r a l a fo r t h e upcoming Lok Sabha election. Employing the BJP’s catchword for the election, ‘Modi’s guarantee’ (he repeated it 17 times in his speech), the prime minister listed out various schemes implemented by his government for women, and lashed out at both the Congress and the CPM. BJP’s poll strategy of banking on Modi’s charisma and the party’s resolve to make a strong electoral impact in the state were on full display at the event. As the prime minister entered the venue, thousands of women showered saffron and yellow marigold petals on his path. MODEL SHOT DEAD IN GURUGRAM HOTEL, OWNER KEY SUSPECT tel reception on January 2 and proceeding towards room A 27-year-old Gurugram-based number 111. “The police have model in a relationship with a started investigating the matslain gangster was allegedly ter with several teams from the shot dead in a hotel, a police of- Crime Branch conducting raids ficer said on Wednesday . in Punjab and other areas to reAccording to the police offic- cover the body A case of mur. er, the victim, Divya Pahuja, der has been registered against was allegedly killed by AbAbhijeet and others based hijeet Singh, the owner on the complaint filed by of the hotel City Point Divya’s family,” said a where she was staying, senior police officer. and his associates While Abhijeet has Hemraj and Om Prabeen apprehended, his kash, on Tuesday . two associates are on “Both Hemraj and the run. During quesCCTV Om Prakash worked in tioning, he said that Difootage Abhijeet’s hotel,” the vya had some of his obAs per CCTV officer said. Abhijeet jectionable pictures, allegedly killed the footage of the and she was extorting hotel, the woman and then paid money from him. his associates `10 lakh accused could On Tuesday night, be seen to dispose of her body . Abhijit told Divya to dragging the As per CCTV footage delete his objectionable body of the of the hotel, accessed pictures from her mowoman, by this newspaper, the bile phone, but when wrapped in a accused could be seen she refused to share bedsheet, in dragging the body of her mobile password the corridor the woman, wrapped in and delete the images, a bedsheet, in the corhe shot her dead. ridor of the hotel. Meanwhile, Divya’s family has The police have accessed a alleged that her murder was video in which the accused conspired by slain gangster could be seen fleeing the crime Sandeep Gadoli’s family memspot in a blue BMW car, carry- bers, along with Abhijeet ing Divya’s body in the boot. Singh. Gadoli was killed in an Another CCTV footage shows encounter in Mumbai in FebruAbhijeet, the woman, and an- ary 2016. He was also “suspectother person arriving at the ho- ed” of being a police informer. UJ WA L JA L A L I @ New Delhi “To expect the Court to monitor the investigation indefinitely even after the committee has , submitted its report and Sebi has completed its investigation in 22 out of 24 enquiries is not warranted,” it added. The SC also sought a probe into whether the loss suffered by Indian investors due to the conduct of the Hindenburg Research in taking short positions violated law. “Sebi and the investigative agencies of the Union Government shall probe into whether the loss suffered by Indian investors due to the conduct of Hindenburg Research and any other entities in taking short positions involved any infraction of the law and if so, suitable action shall be taken,” the verdict said. SIRAJ’S 6, SA’S 55 It was a bizarre start to the second Test match between India and South Africa at the Newlands in Johannesburg on Wednesday. First the hosts were bowled out for just 55 runs, their lowest since readmission into international cricket; then India after comfortably reaching 153 for four lost six wickets for 0 run. A look... SIRAJ SHINES BRIGHT 23 WICKETS IN A DAY 6/0 Known for the extra bounce and assistance for pacers, Newlands, yet again, provided an entertaining day of Test. As many as 23 wickets fell on a pitch that has some lateral movement, and at times, the ball lifted chest high. Only Virat Kohli IT IS THE FIRST TIME A TEAM LOST SIX WICKETS WITHOUT ADDING ANY RUN ON THE BOARD Mohammed Siraj broke into the Test team ready to take charge, but had blown hot and cold in recent overseas tours. Centurion was one such example. On Wednesday though, all he touched turned gold. The scramble seam, outswinger, inswinger, leg-cutter, bouncer, whatever he bowled resulted in a wicket as Siraj took six for just 15 runs, his best figures in Test cricket COLLAPSE Both India and South Africa went in with one less batting option and that, at some level, meant the lower-order spent little time in the middle. If South Africa lost their last four wickets for ten runs, India went further. The visitors went from 153/4 to 153 all out in a span of 11 deliveries shortly after tea FULL COVERAGE: P11 MAMA KA GHAR FORMER MP CM IN BHOPAL Renames his house in bid to strike emotional chord with his supporters. “The address has changed,” Shivraj Singh Chouhan says. “Kahin na kahin koi bada uddeshya hoga, kayi baar Raj Tilak hote hote Vanvas ho jata hai,” he says. P9 ED SUMMONS Kejriwal skips 3rd summons, calls it ‘opaque, arbitrary’ A N U P V E R M A @ New Delhi SKIPPING the Enforcement Directorate’s third summons, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused the agency of being opaque and arbitrary and asked if they were issued to tarnish his reputation. In response to the summons to appear before it in person on Wednesday, the AAP convenor shot off a letter to the agency, condemning the move as m o t iv a t e d a n d made for vexatious considerations. “It is a matter of concern that despite my comprehensive response(s) bringing to your notice critical dimensions and legal objections involved in issuing summons to me to appear ‘in person’ in your purported exercise of powers under Section 50 of PMLA, you have chosen not to respond. Therefore, I reiterate that the summons are motivated and issued for vexatious considerations,” he wrote, adding it appears to be a fishing expedition. He said it is unclear in what capacity he is being summoned, that is, as a witness or a suspect in the case. Kejriwal further wrote that the summons appear to be in the nature of “fishing and roving enquiry” as it does not specify whether he is being summoned as an individual or in the official capacity as CM of Delhi or as AAP’s national convenor. Reminding the ED officials of the objections he had raised earlier, he said, “It is not discernible as to how, why and under what circumstances has your office sought my appearance only in person when the Act itself provides for appearance through authorised agents. What is the compelling necessity that your office has chosen to call me m person without specifying any reason or necessity thereof ?”. Terming the summons a “political” vendetta, Delhi minister Atishi said the central agency did not respond to Kejriwal’s repeated written requests seeking clarity on the motive of questioning. Won’t quit, says Soren; ED heat on those close to him M U K E S H R A N J A N @ Ranchi AMID speculation on Hemant Soren rolling the dice for Plan B if the Enforcement Directorate were to arrest him in a land scam case, the Jharkhand chief minister told his legislative party meeting on Wednesday that he had no intention to resign. The speculation on Plan B was that Soren was grooming his wife Kalpana to step into his shoes if the ED arrests him and he had to resign. When senior party legislator Sarfaraz Ahmed vacated his safe Gandey constituency just a few days ago, it was seen as an attempt to let her enter the assembly by winning the seat. However, Soren described it as a figment of the BJP’s imagination. Be that as it may state BJP president Babulal , Marandi wrote to Governor C P Radhakrishnan requesting him to stop a non-MLA (Kalpana) MLAs from taking oath as chief minister if Soren reconfident signs. Citing several court judgments, Marandi MLAs exuded said there can be no by-election at Gandey confidence since less than one year of the fifth Jharkhand that Soren will Vidhan Sabha’s tenure is left. complete his As for the MLAs, they said they were all unitterm. “Soren is ed and would not let any conspiracy succeed. our CM and The brave talk notwithstanding, the ED seemed will remain in to be running rings around Soren as it raided future also,” 12 locations belonging to those close to the CM said Congress — including his press advisor Abhishek PrasMLA Pradeep ad ‘Pintu’ — in Ranchi and Rajasthan in a monYadav ey laundering case related to illegal mining. Besides, multiple premises of IAS officer and Sahibganj DC Ramnivas Yadav, architect Vinod Kumar, Khudaniya Brothers (Sahibganj), former Bihar MLA Pappu Yadav (Deoghar), DSP Rajendra Dubey (Hazaribagh), constable Awdhesh Kumar, and Abhay Saraogi (Kolkata). IMPATIENCE RULES Parents on edge as nursery draw of lots begins I F R A H M U F T I @ New Delhi PARENTS in the national capital are getting impatient: Private schools set in process the “draw of lots” for nursery admissions on Thursday, days ahead of the gover nment timeline. Parents have reportedly received messages from at least half a dozen schools in their respective areas. What these schools want is clear: have a direct interaction with the school of your choice. A case in point is Salwan Public School in Mayur Vihar, which has taken a proactive approach by informing parents about the draw of lots. This draw, the school, would involve applicants who fall within a certain range of points -- from 85 to 40 -- and is scheduled for January 4 at 9:30 a.m. The school has meticulously organized this event, including specifying entry points for parents and advising them to bring necessary documents, such as the registration form. Moreover, the school has implemented a systematic ap p ro a ch by categorizing the arrival time of applicants based on the points scored. S i m i l a r l y, o t h e r schools in the region, like Somerville School and Evergreen Public School in Vasundhara Enclave, are also aligning with this trend by announcing their selected students’ lists today This collective move by the . schools has set a new precedent in the admissions process. However, the rush by private schools to conduct the admission process has introduced an element of confusion for parents. They can now secure a seat in these schools by paying a non-refundable fee or wait for the official list that the Delhi government is set to release on January 12. The move is made even more complex by the government notification, which had spelled out a different timeline intended to provide parents with a clearer understanding. So, while schools’ measures reflect a dynamic approach to admissions, they also present a challenging scenario for parents navigating the complexities of admission of their children.