FRIDAY SPADEX DOCKING: DRIFT BETWEEN SATELLITES ARRESTED, SAYS ISRO 10 Giving an update on the twice-cancelled Spadex docking experiment, Isro on Thursday said it has contained the drift between the two satellites JANUARY, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard WHEN ISRO LAUNCHED THE TWO SATELLITES FOR DOCKING EXPERIMENT X.com/TheMornStandard H O S TA G E D E A L ‘MAY NOT HAPPEN BEFORE JAN 20 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that a Gaza ceasefire may not happen before President Joe Biden hands over to Donald Trump. SPACECRAFT PUT CLOSER TO EACH OTHER A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9  NEW DELHI  J8.00  PAGES 12 4 accused in Nijjar murder case get bail EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi A Canadian court has granted bail to four Indian nationals accused of killing Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. The killing of 45-year-old Nijjar sparked diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, with Ottawa raising suspicions about India’s involvement in the murder, and New Delhi dismissing the allegations as “absurd”. Indian nationals Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh and Amandeep Singh were arrested in May last year and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to murder. They now await trial in the Supreme Court, which will begin next month. The Canadian government had issued a “direct indictment”, transferring the case from Surrey Provincial Court to the British Columbia Supreme Court. This move bypasses a preliminary inquiry , expediting the case to trial Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a wanted Khalistani terrorist in India, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey British Colum, bia, on June 18, 2023. Two months later, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed there was credible evidence of the Indian government’s involvement in Nijjar’s killing, an allegation that India has consistently and vociferously dismissed. The four Indian nationals were arrested in May from various locations across Canada. However, delays in presenting evidence by the prosecution during preliminary hearings drew widespread criticism. Trudeau’s allegations, coupled with the tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats by both countries strained bilateral diplomatic relations. Canada is yet to share any evidence in connection with the case. India had said it was open to an investigation if Canada can provide any evidence or information related to violence that warrants a probe. BIG DROUGHT, WINDS WREAK HAVOC IN LA 1.8L Residents of Los Angeles under evacuation orders | P9 17,234 10,600 1,900 Acres at Palisades consumed by the blaze, 0% contained Acres in Eaton burning. It’s receding in Hollywood Hills PM: World listens to India, land of Buddha, democracy Modi says democracy is ingrained in Indians, urges world leaders to shun war EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bhubaneswar SENDING a clear message to the global community over questions on the state of democracy and freedom in the country Prime Minister , Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted that democracy is an integral part of Indian life. Inaugurating the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention here, Modi said the Indian diaspora across the globe are the greatest symbols of democratic values and ethos. “India is not just the mother of democracy but democracy is a way of life for Indians. Indians naturally embrace diversity and integrate seamlessly into the societies they join, respecting local rules and traditions.” Overseas Indians are testament to this fact as they not only serve their host countries with honesty and sincerity but contribute to their growth, he said. Modi also made a strong pitch for global peace, asserting that the future lies not in Yuddh (war), but in In just 10 years, 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty in India. In just 10 years, India has become the 5th largest economy in the world. The day isn’t far when India will be the third-largest economy — Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas | DEBADATTA MALLICK Buddh (Buddha, messenger of peace). “Odisha, where you are gathered today is a reflection of In, dia’s heritage. When there was a time in the world to expand the empire on the strength of the sword, our emperor Ashoka chose the path of peace here,” he said. Underlining the country’s global rise, Modi said the world today listens to India carefully. “With the spirit of Humanity first, India is expanding its global role. Today In, dia not only asserts its stance strongly but also amplifies the voice of the Global South with full force. When India proposed making the African Union a permanent member of the G20, all members supported it,” he said. Highlighting the incredible speed and scale of development in 21st century India, the prime minister said that 25 crore people have been lifted out of just 10 years and India has risen from the 10th to the fifth largest economy in the world and is well on path to become the third largest economy soon. The prime minister said the world is watching in awe the country’s success and achievements. Every sector in India is advancing to new heights, breaking records in renewable energy aviation, electric , mobility metro networks, and bul, let train projects, he added. P5 1 After BJP claim, Kejriwal says will fight from 1 seat city in numbers man, identified as Abhishek (28), was arrested in connection with the murder of a 30-year-old Narender over long-standing enmity in the Bawana area of Outer North Delhi, police said on Wednesday. I F R A H M U F T I @ New Delhi e if voted to power A day after BJP leader Parvesh Verma told this newspaper that Arvind Kejriwal might not congovernment and private ments, while dismantling key wels in Delhi. Delhi Congressthe New Delhi assembly test from fare schemes initiated during the nt Devender Yadav also tenure of ex-Cm Sheila Dikshit. m at the constituency or may opt for two ruling AAP Congress, which has seen its ment and seats, the AAP share decline on Thursthe BJP-led vote supremo from 24.5% in accusing them of failing 2013 to a mere 4.3% in 2020, is relyday said ing on welfare-driven promises to ess the city’s escalating he would contest from ssues. regain its footing in Delhi politics. one segment. He, didn’t specify air is poisonous, water is Along with the JRY, the party rethe consituency though. nated, and food is adulter- cently launched the ‘Pyaari Didi rious diseases are spread- Yojana’, which promises `2,500 in On Thursday Verma said Kejri, the health system collaps- monthly assistance to women. wal might As the Delhi’s assembly poll people need it the most,” stay away from contestleged. He furtherthe New Delhi seat as heexpecting accused approaches, the contest is was making empty promises ed to be a three-way race between sure of his imminent defeat. “I ng healthcare improve- AAP BJP and Congress. , , think Kejriwal might not contest on this seat. He might change his seat before nomination or he will contest from two seats. He is already scared...” Verma had told. At a press conference on Thursday, Kejriwal said, “I am contesting one seat only.” He was replyA @New Delhi Dikshit, remained in power in Delhi ing to questions on2013 with a vote share Verma’s claims from 1998 to that he consistently in the 40s. from anons, much of the post- would contesting However, the n tends to focus on the party’s fortunes have taken a sharp other seat other than New Delhi. won or lost. However, turn over the past decade. Congress The saw its vote share dip to 24.6% in 2013, vote share of political New Delhi constituency fers a deeper insight followed by a dramatic fall to 9.7% in is a high-profile seat, with the rmance and reflects 2015 and further to just 4.26% in 2020. od of the electorate. former chief decline of Congress has coinThis minister, if named results of Delhi’s as- cided with the meteoric rise of AAP, by his party being locked in a tri, s over the past three led by Arvind Kejriwal. s a significant trend: Formed against the india angular contestin 2012 out ofsons of ratiya Janata Party Against Corruption movement, AAP two former CMs of Delhi. While aged to maintain a first contested elections in 2013, securre, the Congress par- is the sonthe vote and turning the Verma ing 29.5% of of Sahib Singh s steadily dwindled, contest into a three-way race. over the Verma, Congress candidate is the ay to the Aam Aadmi following years, AAP’s support surged, reaching a son of Sheila Dikshit. record 54.3% in eption of the 1993 as- 2015 and 53.57% in 2020. Kejriwal has also accused the where the BJP under , As a result, Congress has been relof madan Lal Khura- filing applications in bulk BJP of egated to a distant third position, emarkable 47.82% of while the political landscape in Delhi ron party’s from different again become a bipolar convote share has once constituencies, invered in the mid-30s. New Delhi, for the delecluding test, with AAP and BJP as the w AAP eAts o Cong votes Cong AAP primary contenders. epaper.morningstandard in MORNING STANDARD: JAN 09, 2025 ‘Distribution of money’: EC ‘Kejriwal may asks poll officer to probe AAP not contest charges against BJP’s Verma interview from New Delhi’ Two-Time mP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma is all geared to take on former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency (formerly Gole market seat), which the BJP has won only once in 1993. The 47-year-old son of former Cm Sahib Singh Verma said that he had already started addressing the issues like sanitation in slum clusters, which incumbent mLA Kejriwal failed to resolve. in an interview with Ifrah Mufti, the BJP candidate spoke about his opponents and challenges. Excerpts: With Kejriwal as the opponent, do you feel that it Inthink will be amay notfight? from New Delhi. an interview toughthis newspaper with contest i Kejriwal published on January before nomination or he He may change his seat 9, BJP candidate from will Delhi from two seats. said Kejriwal is New contestParvesh VermaHe is already scared that’s why suremaking his fake al- hence would pull out hispeople are about big defeat, legations. He is talking of the race from the constituency | EXPRESS about manipulation in electoral rolls and deletion of names of vottion of AAP supporters’ names ers. Last time, the New Delhi constituency had from the electoral roll. 1.46 lakh voters, but Kejriwal thanked INDIA bloc althis time it has 1.05 l a k h vo t e s . he llies liker SP,TTMC and Shiv Sena number of new voters is 21,000, for 61,000 (UBT) while extending support to voters have been reAAP for the elections. However, the moved from the roll. However, kejriwal is Congress, which leads the Opposinot saying anything on tionBy making bloc, is going it alone INDIA wild this. accusations, the AAP chief is just creating a and has so far announced 48 candiground before he leaves just trying dates. an excuse as he the seat orAssembly The 70-memberthis election. to build up will lose will go to polls on February 5. Do you agree with the allegations of manipuCounting votervotes will take place lation in the of list? No. February 8. on The manipulation cannot happen. There are cases of deletion of 5,000 voters. The reason is that in New Delhi, How FREE `2,500/A MONTH FOR WOMEN,AAP’s ELECTRICITY OF60% TO 300 UNITS FOR twoUP are government employees. They keep getting transfers and moving after support surged three years, so this BJP PROMISE? | Kejriwal INDIVIDUALS AND 500 UNITS FOR PLACES OF WORSHIP IN deletion is normal.P4 AAP was formed in 2012 and first contested elections in 2013 e decades Isro said it put the spacecraft in a slow drift course to move closer to each other. Isro had said while making a manoeuvre to reach 225 m between satellites, the drift was found to be more than expected post the non-visibility period, leading to the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) being postponed for the second time on Thursday Some hope as Iran reaches family of slain man in Yemen CANADA COURT ngress, under Sheila DEC 30 Formed in 2012, AAP first contested elections in 2013, securing 29.5% of the vote. Over the following years, can see his defeat clearly which is why he is talk, ing about this manipulation. Do you think Sandeep Dikshit, Congress candidate, in competition this time? Sandeep Dikshit is very much in competition. His mother and former chief minister Sheila Dikshit MUKESH RANJAN & ANUP VERMA Nadda says AAP insulting people from Bihar and UP WITH an AAP delegation led by Arvind Kejriwal meeting the Election Commission (EC) to demand disqualification of the BJP candidate from New Delhi for his alleged role in “distribution of money” among voters, the poll panel has written to the Chief Electoral officer of Delhi “to get the complaint inquired into” and submit an action taken report. After meeting the AAP delegation, also comprising Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Aatishi, the EC said, “The delegation raised certain allegations of violation of Model Code of Conduct against Parvesh Verma, a prospective candidate of BJP They raised allega. tions of additions and deletions in the Electoral Roll of the Assembly Constituency of New Delhi.” Principal Secretary in EC Ajoy Kumar said, “I am directed to request you to get the complaint inquired into, ascertain the actual facts and take immediate appropriate action in accordance with BJP chief J P Nadda accused Kejriwal of insulting people of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, claiming that the former CM referred to them as fake voters. “In fear of his defeat after looting Delhi for the past 10 years, Kejriwal in desperation has resorted to baseless comments against brothers and sisters of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar,” Nadda alleged. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused Kejriwal of insulting people of Purvanchal. | P3 @ New Delhi the provisions of MCC, electoral laws and the extant guidelines of EC. Action Taken Report shall also be sent to the Commission.” Kejriwal said the delegation submitted a memorandum and demanded that Verma be barred from contesting the poll. He accused the former MP of indulging in “distributing money” and asked for a “raid at his house” by agencies. The AAP delegation also demanded action against the District Election Officer and Electoral Registration Officer. MORE REPORTS ON P3 Structures burnt in wildfires that began on Wednesday SC NIXES PLEAS ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a batch of pleas seeking to review its Oct 2023 verdict declining legal sanction to same-sex marriage. THERE appears to be a ray of hope for Nimisha Priya, the Indian nurse on death row in strife-torn Yemen. It is reliably learnt that Iranian officials could contact the family of Talal Abdo Mahdi, her former business partner, for whose murder she has been sentenced to death, to seek pardon by offering blood money . The 37-year-old nurse is currently imprisoned in Sana’a, the Yemeni capital, which is under the control of Iranbacked Houthis. “It’s a relief of sorts. Iran officials could use their good offices with Houthis for the reach-out with family of the victim. Some cash has been arranged for blood money and talks are on to get the family on board to seek pardon, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed,” a source said. It is learnt that using an appropriate intermediary, the equivalent of `30 lakh has been kept ready . “But the process can be anything between long-drawn and easy said the source. ,” A senior Iran official last week had expressed willingness for working on the release of the nurse. Hailing from Kollengode in Kerala’s Palakkad district, she was found guilty of murdering a Yemeni citizen in July 2017 and handed capital punishment by a trial court in 2020. Yemen’s Supreme Judicial Council upheld the verdict in November 2023. Last week, India said it is closely following the developments in the case. PRESS CLUSIVE Nimisha Priya, 37, is jailed in Sana’a Family, supporters cautiously optimistic New Delhi: Nimisha’s family and supporters remain cautiously optimistic. Her lawyer, Subhash Chandran, expressed hope that the Indian government would extend support to secure her. “We know it’s a difficult case, only with government help can we hope for a positive outcome,” he said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government is extending all possible help in the matter. “We are closely following the developments around the sentencing of Nimisha Priya. The government is extending all possible help in the matter,” he said on Friday . Meanwhile, the embassy of the conflict-ridden West Asian country in New Delhi said that the capital punishment handed to Nimisha Priya by a Yemeni court has not been ratified by President Rashad al-Alimi. CONG-AAP TUSSLE DEEPENS DISARRAY IN INDIA BLOC Now, Omar says disband INDIA bloc J&K CM Omar Abdullah suggested that the INDIA bloc alliance should be disbanded if its purpose was limited only to 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Abdullah’s remarks came after INDIA bloc allies — RJD, SP, TMC, Shiv Sena (UBT) — extended support for AAP. Fissures during winter session of Parliament Congress, which sees itself as the fulcrum of Opposition unity, has been facing isolation ever since most of the allies backed Mamata Banerjee’s proposal to take charge of the alliance. The fissures in the alliance were clear during winter session of Parliament. P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi AS the public spat between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) — key players of opposition INDIA bloc — intensifies in the run-up to the Delhi assembly elections, the internal rift within the coalition appears to be deepening. Knives were out on Thursday after National Conference (NC) chief and J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah suggested that the INDIA bloc be disbanded if its purpose was limited to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. His remarks came after other INDIA bloc partners – the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Samajwadi party (SP), Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Uddhav Thackarey’s Shiv Sena (UBT) — extended support for AAP, which is seeking a third consecutive term in Delhi. An acrimonious war of words between AAP leaders and Congress veteran Ajay Maken put the coalition on shaky ground. The AAP even threatened to ask INDIA bloc members to expel Congress if it fails to take action against Maken for brand- ing them as ‘anti nationals’. TMC MP Derek O’Brien extended support, saying: “We have your back, AAP With 37 .” and 29 seats respectively in the Lok Sabha, the SP and TMC play a crucial role in the bloc. Abdullah joined in, questioning the lack of co-ordination among the allies and sought clarity on its future. His statement appeared to deepen the chill in the Congress-NC ties after the assembly elections. “ U n f o r t u n a t e l y, n o INDIA alliance meeting is being organised so there is no clarity... They should wind up the alliance in case it was just for the Parliament polls,” he said. The Congress’ Bihar ally and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav aired similar views. “In the Lok Sabha election, the main motto of the INDIA bloc was to defeat the BJP So, it is not un. natural for the Congress and AAP to have differences,” he said. Yadav’s response seems to be an ominous signal for the Congress on seat-sharing ahead of the Bihar polls, scheduled for October-November 2025. EXPRESS READ Cold morning in city, GRAP-III again back Pak-backed arms racket busted by Punjab Police The city on Thursday woke up to shallow fog, with residents shivering due to the persistent cold wave conditions. The minimum temperature was recorded at 5oC, while the maximum is likely to settle at 21oC, said IMD. Meanwhile, GRAP-III curbs are back. P4 The Punjab Police have busted a Pakistan-backed weapon smuggling racket operated by one Manjot Singh from Dubai with the arrest of one its operatives, DGP Gaurav Yadav said on Thursday. The police also recovered three sophisticated pistols along with four cartridges and a scooter.