TUESDAY 10 WHY NO JOB SCHEME FOR ACID ATTACK VICTIMS, SC ASKS STATES, UTS MARCH, 2026 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard The Supreme Court on Monday sought to know why a scheme for rehabilitation of acid attack victims through govt jobs has not been formulated HADI MURDER B’DESH WORKING TO GET SUSPECTS Bangladesh’s police chief said efforts are being made with India to arrange the handover of two suspects in the killing of a Bangladeshi political activist PAGE 9 The BIG PAY ALLOWANCE IF JOBS CAN’T BE GIVEN: SC A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS  NEW DELHI 33.1cr 50% 18% 1.6cr Household LPG consumers in India Imports make up Commercial LPG usage constitutes  J8.00 The court said if logistical issues arise in providing such employment, the state governments could formulate a policy to pay subsistence allowance to the victims. The court was hearing a plea by Shaheen Malik, an acid attack survivor, seeking appropriate directions to states to implement proper measures for the well-being of acid attack survivors. PAGES 12  PIPED GAS RESTAURANTS HIT While no restriction has been put on piped gas supply as of now, analysts warn some disruption is likely if the war lingers on With commercial cylinders in short supply, Bangalore Hotels Association said restaurants in the city will remain shut from today Piped natural gas LPG SHOCKER PICTURE active connections of total domestic LPG consumption of total LPG sold domestic connections OMCs told to meet household demand first; several states report shortage R A K E S H K U M A R @ New Delhi AMID fears of an imminent shortage of cooking gas due to import disruptions triggered by the ongoing Iran-Israel war, the Union petroleum ministry on Monday directed stateowned oil marketing companies (OMCs) to prioritise supply of LPG cylinders to domestic consumers over commercial users. The ministry also increased the waiting period for refills from 21 days to 25 days to prevent hoarding and black marketing. “All public sector OMCs shall ensure that LPG so procured is supplied/marketed solely to consumers of domestic LPG only,” the Union petroleum ministry said in an order. The government also directed all oil refineries and petrochemical complexes in India to utilise propane and butane streams to produce only LPG, instead of using them for other petrochemical products. The move comes at a time when India’s LPG imports have been affected due to supply disruptions in West Asia amid the ongoing conflict in the region. India imports more than 50% of its LPG requirements, with around 80% of the imports $119 Oil breaches $100-mark for 1st time in 4 years Crude oil prices on Monday crossed the $100-mark for the first time in four years with Brent crude touching an intraday high of $119 per barrel before cooling to $102.1 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate also soared to touch $119.48 per barrel but fell back closer to $100 | P10 coming from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. Last week, the government directed OMCs to ramp up LPG production. With supplies from the Gulf region impacted, the government is now diversifying its import sources. According to a petroleum ministry official, India is already in talks with countries including Australia, Norway and Algeria to secure additional LPG supplies. New Delhi recently signed contracts to import around 2.2 million tonnes per annum of LPG from the US, accounting for nearly 10% of the country’s total annual LPG imports. Supplies under these contracts began in January 2026. Meanwhile, several states in- cluding Bihar, Maharashtra and Punjab have reported shortages of LPG and fuel. However, the government has clarified that petrol pumps and gas stations are functioning normally and there is no fuel shortage in the country . The decision to prioritise domestic LPG supply has, however, set alarm bells ringing among businesses. Several industry bodies have written to the government seeking urgent intervention. The National Restaurant Association of India on Monday warned that any disruption in commercial LPG cylinder supply could lead to widespread closure of restaurants. The Bengaluru Hotels Association also said that many restaurants in the city may not be able to operate from Wednesday due to shortage of commercial LPG. After industry bodies expressed concerns, the petroleum ministry stepped in to clarify that imported LPG for non-domestic use will be supplied to essential sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions. As for the shortage faced by restaurants and hotels, a panel of three OMC directors will review requests for LPG cylinders from them. Khamenei’s son chosen successor Iran named the hard-line Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his late father as supreme leader, a decision that is likely to annoy the US | P7 4-day week in Pakistan Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif announced work from home for 50% of the staff, a four-day working week, big cut in govt spend, and ban on state dinners and iftars | P9 Indian focus on peace, diplomacy safeguarding national interest: EAM J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi BRIEFING Parliament on the situation in West Asia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said India is in favour of peace and urges a return to dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict. “India is in favour of peace and urges a return to dialogue and diplomacy. We advocate de-escalation, restraint and ensuring the safety of civilians,” he said. In his suo motu address to both houses of Parliament, Jaishankar said, India’s response to the conflict is guided by three core principles—peace and a return to dialogue and diplomacy the well-being and security of , the Indian community in the Gulf, and safeguarding India’s national interests. There are almost one crore Indian citizens who live and work across the Gulf, including thousands in Iran. The region is key to India’s energy security The Gulf . is also a major trade partner, accounting for $200 billion annually, he said. “The well-being and security of the Indian community in the region is our overriding priority We will . continue to work with the governments of the region towards that end,” he said, adding “our national interest, including energy security and trade flows, will always be paramount.” Jaishankar’s address was met with strong protests from the Opposition demanding a full-fledged debate in both Houses on the situation in West Asia. HC stays ‘erroneous’ remarks against CBI U D AYA N K I S H O R E @ New Delhi THE Delhi High Court on Monday stayed the adverse observations made by a trial court against the CBI and its investigating officer in its verdict discharging 23 accused, including Arvind Kejriwal, in the excise policy case. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said that several observations made by the trial court appear “erroneous” and needed consideration. The judge also directed the trial court to postpone its hearing in the related money laundering case until the HC decides on the CBI’s revision plea. The judge passed the directions while hearing the CBI’s plea. She also issued notices to Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, K Kavitha, and others on the CBI plea, directing them to file their replies by March 16, when the court will further hear the matter. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, on behalf of the CBI, claimed that the trial court order discharging Kejriwal and Sisodia was “perverse” and “turned the criminal law on its head”. Mehta claimed that the trial court passed “an order of acquittal” in favour of Kejriwal, Sisodia and others “without a trial”. P3 Most parties in Bengal for 1-2 phase of polls, ECI told S U B H E N D U M A I T I @ Kolkata April 26, 1936—March 09, 2026 PANIKKAR RESHAPED MODERN INDIAN HISTORY K N Panikkar stands alongside the generation that transformed modern Indian history from political narrative to social history; from nationalist teleology to structural analysis, writes Rajan Gurukkal | P6 ALMOST all political parties in West Bengal on Monday suggested to the Election Commission of India that the upcoming assembly polls in the state be held in one or two phases. The full bench of the ECI met representatives of political parties separately at a private hotel in Kolkata’s New Town as part of its review of the preparations for the polls that are likely in April. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accompanied by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, met representatives of the TMC, BJP, Minister claims CEC asked him to shut up TMC minister Chandrima Bhattacharya alleged the CEC didn’t want to hear their objections. “He told me ‘shut up’ when I wanted to convey grievances on voter deletion CPI(M), Congress and AAP, among others. The ruling Trinamool Congress and CPM expressed concerns about ‘unbearable’ harassments faced by common citizens during SIR hearings and categorising more than 60 lakh voters as ‘under adjudica- tion’ status. The TMC delegation, comprising ministers Firhad Hakim and Chandrima Bhattacharya and Rajeev Kumar (retired DGP), urged the ECI not to conduct the poll without addressing the discrepancies in the voters’ lists. However, the BJP was noncommittal on the issue of SIR but demanded that polls be held in one to three phases and in a peaceful environment. “We sought the active deployment of 400 companies Central forces already present in the state,” they later told reporters. Officials said the excise department was asked to ensure production and distribution of intoxicants do not increase in the run-up to the polls. The RBI was asked to ensure cash is not used to influence voters. Minor among 7 arrested in Uttam Nagar Holi clash case EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi HERO’S HOMECOMING India opener Sanju Samson waves to fans on his arrival at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Monday, a day after winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Brought into the XI in the second half of the WC, Samson emerged as the Player of the tournament, contributing crucial knocks in last three games | BP DEEPU | P11 No-confidence motion Woman held for acid attack on husband’s ‘girlfriend’ against CEC coming EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Gurugram P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi IN signs of heightening friction between the Opposition and the Election Commission of India (ECI), several parties are mulling a notice to move a motion seeking ouster of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, sources said on Monday . The issue was discussed on Monday at an INDIA bloc meeting chaired by Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, said a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader who also pointed out that West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is currently holding an indefi- nite dharna against lakhs of names being deleted in the ongoing poll roll revision in the state. “The CEC has degraded the great seat he occupies,” the TMC leader said. Congress sources said they would support the notice and that other INDIA bloc parties are on the same page. The notice has been drafted collectively said the leader. , As per rules, signatures of at least 100 MPs from Lok Sabha and at least 50 MPs from Rajya Sabha are required to move the notice. The CEC can only be removed on grounds of proven misbehaviour or incapacity . WHEN Gurugram police received information from the Civil Hospital on Sunday that a 30-year-old woman had been admitted for an alleged case of assault, it appeared to be a straightforward case of domestic violence. The victim had been living in with one Pawan in Sector 72 for four years, who allegedly assaulted her. However, soon the case turned around and became a crime involving acid attack. While at the Civil Hospital, an acid-like substance was thrown at the victim, which burnt her clothes and injured her. The police registered a case of an acid attack at Sector 10A police station and another one related to Wrong suspicion Since the victim had complained of assault by her live-in partner Pawan, the police initially suspected him to be behind the acid attack too. However, investigation revealed that the victim was attacked by another woman. the assault at the Badshahpur police station. The police suspected Pawan of throwing acid on the victim, but further investigations revealed the involvement of another woman in the act. A police team arrested the accused woman on Monday. She has been identified as 25-year-old Sakshi, a resident of Patuhera village in the Rewari district. During preliminary questioning, the police found that Sakshi had a dispute with another woman, who was friendly with her husband, who was also admitted at the same hospital. Sakshi believed that the victim at the hospital was her husband’s friend. The misunderstanding was likely caused by the color of the scarf and clothes that the victim was wearing. The police sources said that under this mistaken identity, Sakshi threw toilet cleaner on the victim. The victim had named Pawan in her complaint, but so far his role has not been found in the acid attack incident, a senior police officer said. The police said its team reached the Civil Hospital after receiving information about the assault and recorded her statement. After the doctors gave her primary treatment, she was referred to PGI, Rohtak. However, she was discharged soon after as her condition stabilised. The accused woman has been arrested and is being questioned by the police. DELHI Police has arrested six more people, including three women, and apprehended another minor in connection with the Uttam Nagar violence in which a 26-year-old man died in a clash between two neighbouring families. So far, 14 people have been arrested and two minors detained in the case. A senior police officer said, “Some people are spreading misleading propaganda on social media. AI-generated videos are being circulated, which are misguiding people.” The accused have been identified as Sayra alias Kali (40), Sarifan (50), Salma (36), Suhail alias Sahil (21), Sameer Chauhan (20), Firoj (22), and Ismile (50). Among the three women, one was involved in the alleged water balloon incident which triggered the fight. “Our investigation is on. Based on the evidence, action will be taken. We have made strong security arrangements in the area,” the officer stated. The incident took place on March 4. The victim’s family claimed that a girl threw a balloon filled with coloured water from the third floor, which burst near a woman, and a few drops of water splashed on her, following which she started fighting. Later, family members from both sides gathered on the street and exchanged blows, wh e re i n t h re e f ro m o n e side and five from the other sustained injuries. During treatment, Tarun Kumar died of his injuries. Tension gripped the area after the incident, and two vehicles were set on fire on Friday .