THURSDAY 09 OCTOBER, 2025 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard SUSUMU KITAGAWA Kyoto University Japan X.com/TheMornStandard RICHARD ROBSON Unicersity of Melbourne, Australia TRIO WINS CHEMISTRY NOBEL FOR WORK ON METAL-ORGANIC FRAMEWORK GA Z A’S F U T U R E TOP OFFICIALS JOIN ISRAEL-HAMAS TALKS Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M Yaghi developed metal– organic frameworks that helps combat air pollution and climate change Trump’s top adviser for the Middle East and other senior officials joined the third day of peace talks in an Egyptian resort on Wednesday. NEW FORM OF MOLECULAR ARCHITECTURE A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9  NEW DELHI  J8.00  PAGES 12 UK-born Robson used copper ions to create a crystal full of tiny cavities, like a porous diamond in 1989. Later, Japan’s Kitagawa and American-Jordanian Yaghi strengthened the method. Between 1992 & 2003, they developed stable, flexible metal–organic frameworks that could store and release gases and be customised for various purposes | P9 India-UK summit; date with Taliban: Big day for diplomacy today CHARMER STARMER AT YASH RAJ STUDIO Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani during inauguration of Phase 1 of Navi Mumbai International Airport on Wednesday | PTI US hand? PM attacks Cong over 26/11 reply S U D H I R S U R YA W A N S H I @ Mumbai PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday attacked the Congress, demanding that it disclose which foreign power intervened and stopped India from taking military action against Pakistan in the aftermath of the 26/11 attacks. Modi alleged that after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the military was ready to respond, but a foreign hand intervened and prevented Indian response. His comments came days after Congress leader P Chidambaram, who was the Union home minister in Congress-led UPA government of that time, claimed in a podcast that he had been in favour of military action against Pakistan, but the Manmohan Singhled government went for diplomatic action under pressure from world powers. “A Congress leader, who has also been Union home minister, has said a country prevented India’s military retaliation post-26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. The party should clarify,” Modi said, speaking at a function after the opening of the first phase of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, Mumbai metro’s Aqua Line and other projects in Mumbai. During the podcast, Chidambaram said: “Condoleeza Rice, who was then US Secretary of State, flew in two or three days after I took over, to meet me and the Prime Minister. And to say, please don’t react.” Modi’s comments also come as Opposition claims the US forced India’s hand during Operation Sindoor. Modi accused the Congress of weakening the fight against terrorism when in power and said today’s India is very different. “Today’s India goes to the home of the rival country and takes action and revenge. Operations like Operation Sindhoor are taking place. It shows the power of India and a sign of changed India,” Modi said. The nation has the right to know who stopped a military retaliation — PM Narendra Modi AF ACTING FM TO MEET JAISHANKAR British Prime Minister Keir Starmer began his two-day visit to India on Wednesday by describing the recently signed India-UK Free Trade Agreement as the “best secured trade deal in British history. He vowed to fast-track its implementation “as soon as humanly possible” upon his arrival in Mumbai, a day ahead of his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the same city at 10 am. Starmer is leading a delegation of 125 business leaders and university vice chancellors. He also indulged in cultural diplomacy, visiting the Yash Raj Films Studios, meeting actor Rani Mukherji (pic) and announcing, “Bollywood is back in Britain, and it’s bringing jobs, investment, and opportunity.” Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India from Thursday marks a carefully calibrated shift in New Delhi’s approach to the Taliban regime. Though India has yet to formally recognise the Taliban govt, the visit signals a pragmatic thaw that can lead to a “cautious reset” in relations. His meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and possibly National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is aimed at strengthening the channels of communication. He will also undergo a medical check-up during his time in India. FULL REPORT ON P7 FULL REPORT ON P7 TN regulator slaps notice on Sresan K A V I TA B A J E L I - D AT T, S I N D U J A JANE AND ANURAAG SINGH @ New Delhi/ Chennai/ Bhopal THE Centre has pointed fingers at the Tamil Nadu Food and Drug Administration (TNFDA) for not yet cancelling the licence of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Coldrif cough syrup, linked to the deaths of at least 20 children in Madhya Pradesh. According to sources in the Union health ministry, the TNFDA was directed by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to cancel the licence of the pharma company based in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, on October 4. “The TNFDA is yet to PIC: MARTIN LOUIS Cough syrup unit was to be shut after Dec Ranganathan, 75, has been running the Kanchi unit at its rented location (pic) since 2013. The owner of the building said Ranganathan had not paid rent for the last six months. Ranganathan was planning to stop the production of cough syrups after December because of advanced age, sources said cancel the license of the company despite CDSCO recommendations,” sources told this newspaper. However, Tamil Nadu State Drug Control Department on Wednesday initiated criminal proceedings against G Ranganathan, proprietor cum manufacturing chemist of Sresan Pharmaceuticals. A special investigation team (SIT) from Madhya Pradesh arrived in Chennai and held dis- cussions with the Tamil Nadu State Drug Controller. Ranganathan, who has been in the pharma manufacturing field for over 40 years, is absconding. The SIT lodged a police complaint against Ranganathan, sources said. Since Sresan is already shut, the department’s show cause notice was pasted on the doors of the unit in Kanchipuram and on Ranganathan’s residence in Chennai. The notice gives Ranganathan time till October 12 to submit his response. Possibly on October 13, formal orders to cancel Sresan’s licence would be issued. Its current licence is valid till December this year, officials said. CONTINUED ON P5 Sohrabuddin encounter: CBI accepts acquittal of all BJP mulls permanent national Woman attacks husband commission for denotified tribes with hot oil, chilli powder S U D H I R S U R YA W A N S H I @ Mumbai THE BJP is in favour of the proposal seeking establishment of a nationallevel permanent Commission for the welfare of thousands of denotified, nomadic and seminomadic tribes, and a decision is likely to be taken after leaders of the BJP’s OBC Morcha meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Speaking to this newspaper, K Laxman, president of OBC Morcha, said the BJP is committed to the empowerment of denotified communities, many of whom were previously classified under OBC categories. “The OBC Morcha has received many requests for bringing several denotified communities into the mainstream of development. The Morcha sup- THE Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday informed the Bombay High Court that it would not challenge the acquittal of all 22 accused in the alleged fake encounter case of g angster Sohrabuddin Shaikh in 2005. A special CBI court had in December 2018 acquitted all the accused in the case, noting the prosecution had failed to establish a strong case to prove conspiracy to kill Shaikh, his wife Kausar Bi, and aide Tulsiram Prajapati. Shaikh’s brothers Rubabuddin and Nayabuddin Shaikh moved the Bombay High Court in 2019 against the acquittal, claiming the trial was flawed as the statements of witnesses were not accurately recorded. On Wednesday, a bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad heard the appeal filed by Shaikh’s brothers. Representing CBI, Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh told the bench that the agency would not be filing any appeal against the special court’s judgment. “We (CBI) have accepted the acquittal judgment,” Singh told the bench. Sohrabuddin and his wife were killed in November 2005 in Ahmedabad in an alleged encounter. Prajapati, suspected to be a key witness, was also allegedly killed later. The CBI charge sheet filed in 2010 had several high-profile names, including then Gujarat home minister Amit Shah. OMAR M YAGHI Unicersity of California, Berkely, USA MARITAL DISPUTE RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR @ New Delhi ports the need for a nationallevel permanent constitutional commission for the welfare of the country’s thousands of denotified tribes, similar to other national constitutional commissions,” Laxman said. According to sources, there are around 22 crore people belonging to various denotified tribes, semi-nomadic tribes, and nomadic tribes who keep migrating from one part of the coun- ‘CRIMINAL TRIBE’ TAG DURING BRITISH ERA During British rule, many of these tribes were labelled as ‘criminal tribes’ under the Criminal Tribes Act due to their resistance to Colonial exploitation in forested areas. This Act was repealed in 1952 after India gained Independence and these groups were subsequently ‘de-notified’ try to another throughout the year. “They are often seen selling handmade goods by the roadside, perfor ming rope tricks, and engaging in other activities to earn their livelihood,” an official remarked, adding many are excluded from housing, ration, and other welfare schemes. Laxman said a separate census of denotified communities needs to be conducted alongside the upcoming national census. The OBC Morcha would soon seek a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to press for the demands. “A separate census on denotified tribes will help ascertain their latest numbers and status,” Laxman said, adding that bringing them into a more stable and economically empowered life would contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth. N I T I N R A W AT @ New Delhi A woman has been charged with scalding her husband by pouring hot oil over him and sprinkling chili powder while he was peacefully asleep in their rented accommodation in south Delhi’s Ambedkar Nagar. On the intervening night of October 1 and 2, Dinesh Kumar, who works with a pharma company, had his dinner and went to bed. His wife Sadhna, and their 8-yearold daughter were also sleeping nearby police said. , At around 3.15 am, he suddenly awoke to excruciating pain. To his horror, he found hot oil over his body and Sadhana standing with chili powder, which she sprinkled on him. Kumar’s cries for help were heard by their landlord Nathuram who rushed upstairs and infor med the victim’s brother-in-law Ramsagar. Ramsagar rushed Kumar to Madan Mohan Malviya hospital, from where he was referred to Safdarjung hospital. DCP (south) Ankit Chauhan said that they received from Madan Mohan Malviya hospital regarding a burn injury case. Police reached the hospital, where Kumar was found admitted with burn injuries. An MLC stated that the patient had been burnt by hot oil allegedly poured by his wife. He was subsequently referred to Safdarjung Hospital for further treatment. Marital dispute is said to be the reason behind the attack, sources said. A case has been registered against the accused under sections 118(2) and 124(1) of the BNS and further investigation is underway . STUDY FINDINGS Changing soil profile after Punjab floods raises fertility worries H A R P R E E T B A J W A @ Chandigarh RECENT floods have left thick layers of red sand and silt across large areas of Punjab, changing the soil profile and raising concerns about the fertility of farmland ahead of the rabi season. The deposits, carried from the Himalayan foothills, have mixed with native soil and formed a dense layer that prevents water from seeping in and restricts root growth. Deposits from Himalayan foothills prevent water from seeping in | PTI These facts emerged from a study by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) covering Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, Kapurthala, and Patiala. “While mineral-rich silt from the Himalayan foothills has added nutrients, it has disturbed native soil profiles. Since sand is devoid of nutrients, fertility and yield may suffer. Restoring balance is critical,” said PAU Vice-Chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal. He added that wheat sowing, which be- gins in three weeks, may be delayed in affected areas. Organic carbon was above 0.75% in most samples, but soils with heavy sand showed reduced levels. Phosphorus and potassium levels fluctuated, while micronutrients were unusually high. PAU advised using farmyard manure, poultry manure, or green manure to restore soil texture. It also recommended fer tiliser doses, including a 2% urea spray 40-50 days after sowing. Rajeev Sikka, head of soil science, said about 5,000 acres were affected with 4-5 feet of sand deposits. Removing one foot of sand from an acre would require 350 trolleys. Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Research Director, warned that compaction could form a hardpan, blocking water and root growth, and recommended deep tillage and thorough mixing of silt and clay to prevent this. Makhan Singh Bhullar urged farmers not to burn paddy straw, but to incorporate it into the soil. City firms told to pay 0.1% stamp duty on share issuance A N U P V E R M A @ New Delhi THE Delhi revenue department clarifies that a 0.1% stamp duty on share issuance by Delhibased companies is imposed under Schedule IA of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, according to officials. Also, the stamp collector of the Delhi government has directed depositories NSDL and CDSL not to collect the stamp duty applicable to Delhi for the issuance of shares. A process has been made available through the Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd (SHCIL) portal for paying stamp duty on share certificates, with the stamp collector’s office issuing certificates confirming payment. “Under Schedule IA of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, with certain amendments specific to the NCT of Delhi, and in accordance with Section 3 of the Act, Article 19 prescribes a stamp duty rate of 0.1 per cent of the value of shares,” a recent circular said. Companies with a registered office in the NCT of Delhi must pay stamp duty on the issuance of shares at 0.1 per cent of the value of shares as applicable to the NCT of Delhi, officials said. All listed and unlisted companies with registered offices in Delhi must apply for adjudication of stamp duty for issuance of shares, irrespective of whether such certificates or documents are executed in physical or digital (DEMAT) form. Officials noted that National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) and Central Depository Service Limited (CDSL) currently charge a rate of 0.005 percent for share issuance. In the letter to NSDL and CDSL last month, the stamp collector stated that CDSL had failed to submit any letter or order in which the Delhi government authorised them to collect stamp duty at the rate of 0.005 percent on its behalf. EXPRESS READ Zubeen’s DSP cousin arrested, suspended Sandipan Garg, an Assam Police Service officer and cousin of Zubeen Garg, was arrested by the SIT of the Assam Police and suspended in connection with the music icon’s death. Sandipan deposed before investigators at the CID office, Assam every day over the last 5 days. He was held shortly after he arrived there on Wednesday at 10:30 am. | P8 6 held for gang-raping 15-year-old in Gujarat Six men have been arrested for gang-raping a 15-year-old girl over three days in Mehsana district. Her ordeal began on October 4 and continued till October 6. Upon returning home on Monday, she revealed the horrific details on Tuesday night. Visnagar Police registered cases under abduction, rape, and POCSO Act provisions and arrested all the six accused. 2 para commandos go missing in J&K’s forest Two para commandos of the Army have gone missing since Tuesday in the dense Gadool forest area of Anantnag district in J&K during an anti-militancy operation. Acting on inputs, the Army had launched a search operation in the Gadool in Kokernag about three days to four days ago. The missing commandos were a part of the operation. | P8