03042025-TT-01.qxd 4/2/2025 11:25 PM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 145 NO. 91 | 14 PAGES | ~6.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881  HIMACHAL PRADESH CHAKRAVARTHY SLIPS TO 3RD SPOT IN ICC T2O RANKINGS SPORT /thetribunechd ISRAEL PLANS TO SEIZE ‘LARGE AREAS’ OF GAZA WORLD KATHUA ANTI-TERROR OPERATION ENTERS DAY 12 J&K PM MODI HEADS TO THAILAND FOR 2-DAY VISIT BACK PAGE thursday | 3 april 2025 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com LOK SABHA ERUPTS DURING MARATHON DEBATE ON CONTENTIOUS LEGISLATION Waqf Bill won’t meddle in religion, says Shah as Oppn terms it unconstitutional Animesh Singh and Ujwal Jalali Tribune News Service New Delhi, April 2 Putting up a stout defence for the Waqf Amendment Bill-2025, Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said in the Lok Sabha that due to vote bank politics, fear was being spread that the legislation would infringe on the religious freedom of the Muslim community and properties which were donated by them. The Opposition termed the Bill unconstitutional and a bid to disenfranchise minorities and divide society. During a discussion on the contentious Bill, which was earlier in the day brought to the Lower House for passage by Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Shah said non-Muslims in the Waqf council and boards were meant purely for ensuring that the administration of properties was in accordance with stated aims. Shah said the government had no intention of interfering in Muslims’ religious matters. He underlined that Waqf Home Minister Amit Shah speaks during a discussion on the Waqf Bill in the Lok Sabha. PTI CAN’T ALLOW PEOPLE FROM OTHER FAITHS ON WAQF BOARD: MUSLIMS BILL FACES BACKLASH IN VALLEY; BJP DEFENDS MOVE BILL WILL BENEFIT ENCROACHERS, ALLEGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS REPORTS INSIDE was a type of charitable institution where a person donated his property for social, religious or public welfare purposes, without the right to take it back. Presenting a long list of Army foils intrusion bid by Pak soldiers in J&K Poonch sector Arjun Sharma Jammu, April 2 The Indian Army foiled an attempted intrusion by Pakistani soldiers in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch and responded swiftly to the manoeuvers from the other side of the border on Tuesday. While there was no official statement on the incident yesterday, the Army on Wednesday said that after a mine blast close to the LoC, Pakistani soldiers opened unprovoked fire violating the ceasefire that was “responded effectively”. However, sources informed that the Pakistani soldiers, who are believed to be helping a group of terrorists infiltrate across the Line of Control (LoC), also tried to intrude into the Indian side. Jammu-based Defence PRO Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said, “On April 1, a mine blast occurred in Krishna Ghati sector while the Pakistan army was patrolling along the LoC. This was followed by unprovoked firing and ceasefire violation by Pakistan army. Our troops responded effectively. The Indian Army continues to dominate the LoC. The situation is under control.” It has been learnt that mortar shells were also used by both sides to target each other’s posts. There was no report of casualty on the Indian side. As there are multiple mines planted near the LoC to thwart infiltration bids by terrorists, a mine went off presumably when a Pakistani soldier or a terrorist stepped on it. This attracted the attention of the Indian troops. Sensing trouble, the Pakistani troops who had come close to the LoC opened fire in an attempt to escape back TRUCE VIOLATED ■ Sources informed that Pak- istani soldiers are believed to be helping a group of terrorists infiltrate across the Line of Control (LoC) ■ As there are multiple mines planted near the LoC to thwart infiltration bids by terrorists, a mine went off presumably when a Pakistani soldier or a terrorist stepped on it ■ This attracted the attention of the Indian troops. Sensing trouble, the Pakistani troops who had come close to the LoC opened fire in an attempt to escape back to their side to their side. Reports suggested that at least two Pakistani soldiers were killed in the mine explosion, however there was no official confirmation to this. The area has a thick forest cover and it sometimes become difficult to check the movement by ultras till they cross the border fence. The incident comes amid heightened security in the region along the LoC and International Border (IB) due to reports that terrorists might try to enter the Indian side. On February 21, India and Pakistan military held a flag meeting along the LoC in Poonch district in an effort to de-escalate tension after several incidents of cross-border firing and an IED attack. The brigade-commander level flag meeting, lasting 75 minutes, had taken place in the Chakkan-Da-Bagh crossing point area with both sides highlighting the need to maintain peace along the borders. The ceasefire violations along the borders of Jammu and Kashmir have been rare since the two countries renewed an agreement on continued on page 8 Cong’s Imran Pratapgarhi protests outside Parliament as Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia passes by. PTI properties that, he said, were given for Waqf, the Home Minister said, “You cannot donate someone else’s property. You donate something which is yours.” He cited examples of court rulings and referred to a case where the Karnataka High Court had to stop “grabbing” of 602 sq km by the Waqf Board. “Properties in Lutyens’ zone (Delhi) went to Waqf, and they started taking over government land... In Tamil Nadu, a 400-year-old temple property was declared Waqf’s. Land for a five-star establishment was given to Waqf for Rs 12,000 a month... Several properties belonging to different religions were declared as Waqf property, including Chandra Shekhar Azad Park in Prayagraj,” he said. The amended Waqf Bill, he said, would be instrumental in stopping this. “This Bill will protect property…it will bring transparency,” he said. Shah said the new legislation might not have been necessary had the Waqf (Amendment) Act not been passed in 2013 — when the Congress-led UPA II was in power — just months before the Lok Sabha elections the following year. Earlier, while piloting the Bill, Rijiju had said a case going on since 1970 in Delhi involved several properties, including the old Parliament building. “The Delhi Waqf Board had claimed these properties. The case was in court but then the UPA denotified 123 continued on page 8 Coalition politics at play, govt accepts 3 TDP amendments Animesh Singh Tribune News Service New Delhi, April 2 Even as the Opposition and Muslim bodies have roiled the government for bringing the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025, calling it a move to divide the Muslim community, the Centre — bowing to coalition pressure — has quietly accepted at least three amendments in the legislation suggested by key ally TDP . These have been incorporated in the amendment Bill presented in the Lok Sabha by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday after these were first included in the report of the joint parliamentary panel which had scrutinised the legislation. It was headed by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal. Sources privy to developments told The Tribune that the TDP has suggested three amendments to ensure the “welfare of Muslims”. One crucial amendment ensures the prospective application of the ‘Waqf by user’ clause. This means that all existing Waqf properties registered under this provision will remain protected, even without a Waqf deed. EXPLAINER BILL CHANGES THE 1995 LAW The Waqf Act of 1954 was the first post-Independence legislation introduced to manage Waqf properties and to ensure incomes generated from these were used for intended charitable purposes. The law was amended in 1959, 1964, 1969, 1984 and 1995. The new Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 changes the 1995 law. INSIDE By ensuring this amendment, the TDP safeguarded the interests of the Muslim community and ensured that their properties remain intact. In section 2 of the principal Act, after the proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely: “Provided further that nothing in this Act shall, notwithstanding any judgment, decree or order of any court, apply to a trust established before or after the commencement of this Act or statutorily regulated by any statutory provision pertaining to public charities, by Haryana raises electricity rates by 20-30 paise Pilot missing as jet crashes in Gujarat Jamnagar: A Jaguar fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed at a village near Jamnagar IAF station in Gujarat on Wednesday night while on a training mission with one of the pilots ejecting safely, police officials said. The second pilot was missing after the crash, they said. — PTI Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 2 Electricity in Haryana will now cost more as the power regulator has revised the tariff from April 1. In its order issued late on Tuesday, the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) announced that the power rates would increase for both domestic and industrial categories from 20 to 30 paise per unit (kWh). The tariff for domestic consumers has been hiked by 20 paise per kWh. In a slab of 0 to 50 units, the rate has now been revised from Rs 2 per kWh to Rs 2.20 per kWh. In the 51-100 unit slab, the rate has been increased from Rs 2.50 per kWh to Rs 2.70 per kWh. Consumers with consumption of over 100 units a month (in the slab of 0-150 units) will pay Rs 2.95 per kWh, up from Rs 2.75. To support farmers, the minimum monthly charges for the agriculture category having metered connection have been reduced from Rs 200 per BHP per year to Rs 180/144 per BHP per year, as per the load. INSIDE a Muslim for purpose similar to a Waqf under any law for the time being in force.” It also suggested that state Waqf authorities should be strengthened regarding resolution of disputes over wrongful claims by Waqf Boards. In this regard, the TDP is learnt to have suggested an amendment that the District Collector should be replaced with a designated officer above the rank of Collector to handle such disputes. This amendment will empower state governments to appoint a higher-ranking officer, ensuring a more robust and fair resolution process, sources said. If any question arises as to whether any such property is a government property, “the state government may, by notification, designate an officer above the rank of Collector (hereinafter referred to as the designated officer), who shall conduct an inquiry as per law” and determine whether such property is a government property or not and submit his report to the state government, provided that such property shall not continued on page 8 HC imposes ~25K costonAnilAmbani An anti-drug campaign is launched by Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal in Ludhiana. ASHWANI DHIMAN Drug drivesby Punjab Guv, CM — Aday apart On eve of Kataria’s Gurdaspur yatra, Kejri & Mann start campaign in Ludhiana Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 2 On the eve of the launch of a padyatra by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, a walk against drugs (Yudh Nashian Virudh) was flagged off by Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Ludhiana today. The Governor will start the padyatra from near Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, Dera KEEP OFF DRUGS As your elder brother and as someone of your father’s age, I beg youth not to fall into the drug trap. Stay away from drugs or you will ruin your future. Arvind Kejriwal, AAP CONVENER ❝ Baba Nanak, in Gurdaspur district on April 3. It will culminate on April 8 at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar. Kataria will walk through villages of Gurdaspur and Amritsar during these six days. Meanwhile, scores of students, including members of the National Cadet Corps and the National Service Scheme, today marched from Aarti Chowk to Ghumar Mandi Chowk carrying placards against drugs. Kejriwal, along with party leader Manish Sisodia, arrived on the stage and waved at the crowd. Mann followed them later. Mann and Kejriwal addressed the students and administered an oath before flagging off the walk against drugs. Mann issued a warning to drug peddlers saying that the government won’t allow them to ruin the lives of others. He said they would face bulldozer action. Kejriwal tried to strike a chord with the students by addressing them as his own continued on page 8 Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has imposed a cost of ~25,000 on industrialist Anil Ambani for seeking an urgent hearing of his petition challenging a notice issued to him by the Income Tax Department in April 2022, noting it as an “artificial urgency”. — PTI Infant succumbs to bird flu in Andhra narasaraopeta: A two-year-old girl from Andhra Pradesh succumbed to bird flu recently, an official said on Wednesday. The Pune-based National Institute of Virology confirmed that she had contracted bird flu. “The girl died while undergoing treatment at AIIMS-Mangalagiri,” the official said. — PTI CBI fabricated evidence against Justice Nirmal Yadav, says court Ramkrishan Upadhyay Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 2 A Chandigarh court has said the CBI fabricated evidence against former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Nirmal Yadav in the 2008 cash-at-judge’s-door case. Releasing its detailed 90page judgment today, the court of Special Judge (CBI) Alka Malik, which had acquitted Justice Yadav and four other accused on March 29, said the probe agency used a “highly aggrieved person”, then Haryana Additional District and Sessions Judge RK Jain, to “weave a case against her”. It said Justice Yadav had rejected an appeal by Jain on March 11, 2008. The judgment highlighted that the CBI case relief heavily on Jain’s statement. “The court has no hesitation in saying the CBI picked up a person who was highly aggrieved by a ruling of Justice Yadav, which went against his interests. His testimony was used to weave a case against her,” HIGHLY AGGRIEVED PERSON USED The CBI picked up a person who was highly aggrieved by a ruling of Justice Yadav and used his testimony to weave a case against her. His statements were based on assumptions, hypothesis and falsehood. CBI court ❝ Justice (Retd) Nirmal Yadav the court remarked. Special Judge Malik noted that it would have been high- c m y b ly appreciable for a premier investigating agency like the CBI to stick to its earlier stance of filing a closure report in the matter rather than “fabricating a highly untrustworthy evidence in the form of Jain’s (prosecution witness 26) testimony”. “His statements were based on assumptions, presumptions, hypothesis and falsehood,” the court said. The court pointed out that the corruption case was registered on August 16, 2008, more than five months after Justice Yadav had ruled against Jain’s appeal. “It would have been immature and imprudent on the part of even a layman to accept the contention that a sitting judge of the high court will receive illegal gratification or undue advantage in a matter decided five months earlier,” the court said. Jain testified that after getting a favourable judgment from the high court, one of the accused, late Sanjiv Bansal, got an affidavit from him for not pursuing the matter in the Supreme Court, the CBI court said. continued on page 8