24102025-TT-01.qxd 10/23/2025 11:05 PM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 145 NO. 293 | 12 PAGES | ~6.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881  HIMACHAL PRADESH TRUMP NOT IN FAVOUR OF ISRAEL ANNEXING WEST BANK: VANCE WORLD /thetribunechd RAJYA SABHA POLLS FOR 4 SEATS TODAY; PDP, CONG BACK NC J&K MINISTRY OKAYS ~79K-CR 90% OF GAGANYAAN WORK COMPLETE, SAYS DEFENCE DEALS FOR NEW ISRO CHAIRMAN NATION WARSHIPS BACK PAGE friday | 24 october 2025 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com No bilateral with Trump as Modi to skip ASEAN meet India faces threat as US sanctions 2 Russian oil firms KEDARNATH PORTALS SHUT Will join summit virtually | Jaishankar to represent India Ujwal Jalali Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 23 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not travel to Kuala Lumpur for the 47th ASEAN Summit later this week and will instead join the proceedings virtually. The decision, announced by the Prime Minister after a phone conversation with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, has sparked intense speculation in both diplomatic and political circles. “Had a warm conversation with my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia. Congratulated him on Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship and conveyed best wishes for the success of the upcoming summits. Look forward to joining the ASEAN-India Summit virtually and to further deepening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Modi posted on X. Bankcustomerscan opt for 4 nominees Narendra Modi PM AVOIDING MEETING US PRESIDENT: CONG Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that the PM was avoiding potential embarrassment in meeting Trump. “The PM may well be recalling old Bollywood number Bachke rehna re baba, bachke rehna re,” Ramesh posted on X. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the summit in person, officials said. With Modi opting for a virtual presence, prospects of a possible bilater- al meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines now stand ruled out. “The East Asia Summit will provide an opportunity to deliberate on the challenges to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and also exchange views on regional and international developments,” the Ministry of External Affairs said. In his post, Anwar Ibrahim said Modi had informed him of his decision to attend the summit virtually due to the ongoing Diwali celebrations in India. “I respect his decision and extended my greetings for a happy Diwali to him and the people of India,” Anwar said, adding that Malaysia remained committed to strengthening ASEAN–India cooperation “towards a more peaceful and prosperous region”. However, political observers say domestic continued on page 8 CHANDIGARH: The CBI on Thursday carried out another round of searches at the residence of suspended Punjab DIG (Ropar Range) Harcharan Singh Bhullar, who was arrested on bribery charges last week. The searches were videographed and conducted in the presence of Bhullar’s family members. INSIDE One killed, 17 hurt in twinLudhianablasts LUDHIANA: One person was killed and five others were injured in a blast at the Verka milk plant on the LudhianaFerozepur road here during the repair of a boiler, the police said. Meanwhile, 12 persons were injured in a blast at a house in Indira Colony following an explosion in illegally stored powder for making firecrackers. — TNS Tribune News Service Devotees gather to attend the door closure ceremony at the Kedarnath Dham in Rudraprayag. PTI Centre moves to appoint new CJI Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 23 With barely a month left for the retirement of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, the Centre on Thursday initiated the process for the appointment of his successor. The government has formally Justice Surya Kant next in line after Justice Gavai written to CJI Gavai, who is due to retire on November 23 on attaining the age of 65, to name his successor, sources said. According to the memorandum of procedure on the Dipak Mishra T Vikassheel Insaan Party chief Mukesh Sahani presents a bouquet to Bihar Assembly Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav in Patna. ANI HE Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) on Thursday declared Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav as its CM candidate for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. It also announced Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) founder Mukesh Sahani as Deputy CM face of the Opposition INDIA bloc, with another candidate to be announced later. Citing ex-Punjab DGP’s ‘influence’ , Hry seeks CBI probe into son’s death Bhartesh Singh Thakur Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 23 The Haryana Government has written to the Centre recommending an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the death of former Punjab DGP Mohammad Mustafa’s son Aqil Akhtar on October 16. Aqil (35) was found dead under mysterious circumstances at the family’s house in Mansa Devi Complex in Panchkula. Following a complaint by Shamshudeen Chaudhary, a resident of Malerkotla (Punjab), on October 17, the Panchkula police filed an FIR on October 20 against Mustafa, his SIT CALLS FOR RECORDS FROM PATIALA REHAB The special investigation team (SIT) probing the death of Aqil Akhtar visited a de-addiction centre in Patiala on Thursday to collect the details of the medical history and treatment of the deceased. The SIT has sought admission records, doctors’ notes, medication and progress reports to assess his condition. wife and former Punjab minister Razia Sultana, daughter and Aqil’s wife for murder and criminal conspiracy. Sources said one of the reasons for referring the case to the CBI was “significant political and bureaucratic influence of the accused, which may impact the perception about objectivity and independence of the ongoing investigation”. “Given the nature of the allegations and the sensitivity involved, the probe must be conducted by an independent central agency to ensure public confidence,” said a senior government officer. Another reason cited was that the case involved “examination of digital forensic evidence, social media content, call detail records and possible links across multiple state jurisdictions”. “These aspects may be better handled by an agency with specialised expertise and national jurisdiction,” said the officer. continued on page 8 Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot, who is also the senior observer for the Bihar polls, made the announcement at a joint press conference in Patna, which was attended by all coalition partners of the bloc. “I have talked to everyone, and we have agreed to make Tejashwi Yadav as the CM face,” Gehlot said, adding, “Tejashwi Yadav has a long political career ahead of him, Ruchika M Khanna AMRITSAR WORST-HIT Tribune News Service A Kapurthala farmer shows his flood-submerged fields. FILE in August and due to the Beas changing its course following nearly 55 breaches in its embankments. According to the data available with The Tribune, the maximum land was washed away in Amritsar (1,515 acres), Ferozepur (1,101 acres), Gurdaspur (544 acres), Nawanshahr (539 acres), Kapurthala (376 The maximum land was washed away in Amritsar (1,515 acres), followed by Ferozepur (1,101 acres), Gurdaspur (544 acres), Nawanshahr (539 acres), Kapurthala (376 acres), Ludhiana (264 acres), Fazilka (244 acres), Mohali (208 acres), Pathankot (118 acres) and Jalandhar (100 acres) acres), Ludhiana (264 acres), Fazilka (244 acres), Mohali (208 acres), Pathankot (118 acres) and Jalandhar (100 acres). In Tarn Taran, Patiala, Hoshiarpur and Moga, the and he will get the approval of the people.” The decision to project Tejashwi as the CM candidate is seen as a significant boost for the Mahagathbandhan, especially among youth and backward caste voters. However, rumblings were evident in the Congress over Rahul Gandhi’s absence from the alliance’s poster at continued on page 8 edit: betting on Tejashwi BIHAR BATTLE Illegal immigrant trucker from India kills 3 in US crash New York, October 23 A 21-year-old Indian-origin truck driver has been accused of causing a semi-truck crash while driving under the influence of drugs, killing three people in California earlier this week, according to a media report. Jashanpreet Singh, an illegal immigrant, allegedly rammed his truck into slowmoving traffic in Southern California on Tuesday, Fox News reported on Wednesday. At least three persons were killed and several others injured. The report said Singh never hit the brakes of his truck before slamming into the traffic. It also said tests confirmed impairment. He has continued on page 8 Over 5,300 acres washed away in floods in 15 Punjab dists Chandigarh, October 23 Over 5,300 acres of land, spread across 15 of the 23 districts in Punjab, has been washed away in the recent floods that ravaged the state in August-September. The data regarding the total land washed away — 5,307 acres — was revealed after the government completed the special girdawari of the floodaffected areas in the state. The land got washed away due to the heavy flow of water in the Ravi, Beas and the Sutlej (after its confluence with the Beas at Harike) appointment and transfer of Supreme Court and High Court judges, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court considered fit to hold the office should be appointed as the CJI. CJI Gavai is expected to recommend Justice Surya Kant — the senior-most judge of the Supreme continued on page 8 Tejashwi INDIA bloc’s CM face, VIP’s Mukesh dy NEW DELHI: Beginning next month, a bank customer can opt for up to four nominees in account to ensure uniformity and efficiency in claim settlement. Depositors may opt for either simultaneous or successive nominations, as per their preference. With regard to nomination for articles in safe custody and safety lockers, only successive nominations are permitted. INSIDE FreshCBIsearchesat Bhullar’s residence Ajay Banerjee land washed away is less than 100 acres each. Most of the land that has been washed away was privately owned. Over the years, as the rivers meandered and changed their course, which revenue officials claim could be about 100 ft in a decade, the exposed land was first encroached upon and later allotted to people by successive governments. Also, for the past many decades, part of the village land has been inside what was once the riverbed. In Tarn Taran district, part of the land of some 50-odd villages continued on page 8 c m y b New Delhi, October 23 India’s crude oil purchase from Russia faces an imminent threat after US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on two of the biggest Russian oil companies — Rosneft and Lukoil. The cut-off date for buying crude from the two companies is November 21. This comes less than week after the UK imposed sanctions of these two companies. Sources in New Delhi said after the sanctions on the two companies, there was a dilemma over sourcing Russian crude oil. The fresh sanctions pose two-pronged obstacles for India — one, how to pay these Russian companies for the oil after the cut-off date as no bank will allow payment fearing sanctions and second, India and its oil companies could face secondary sanctions from the US if the import continues. India imports around two million barrels of crude daily from Russia and its main suppliers are Rosneft and Lukoil. The sources said an option for further import would be possible if the crude oil was offered by Russia through a company that was not sanctioned. Earlier this year, the UK and the US sanctioned Russian energy companies Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas. India already faces a 50 per cent tariff on goods exported to the US. Half of this tariff is reciprocal and the other half punitive for buying crude oil BLOW TO RELIANCE Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd, India’s biggest buyer of discounted Russian oil, plans to scale back imports, sources said. Operating the world’s largest single-site refining complex at Jamnagar in Gujarat, Reliance purchased about half of the 1.8 million barrels per day of discounted Russian crude shipped to India. OIL PRICES SURGE 5% Oil prices rose nearly 5% after the US imposed sanctions on major Russian suppliers Rosneft and Lukoil over the Ukraine war, extending gains from the previous session. Brent crude futures were up $2.98, or 4.8%, at $65.57 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up $3.01, or 5.2%, at $61.51. from Russia. Indian oil importers could curtail imports of Russian oil to ensure they are in compliance with the US sanctions. India has become the biggest buyer of Russian oil, sold at a fixed discounted rate after western nations shunned purchases and imposed sanctions on Moscow. Through the fresh sanctions, unveiled by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the US made it clear that Washington DC stood ready to take action to stop Russia’s ability to continue with the conflict with Ukraine. “Given President (Vladimir) Putin’s refusal to end this senseless war, the Treasury is sanctioning Russia’s two largest oil companies that continued on page 8