06072025-TTB-01.qxd 7/6/2025 12:04 AM Page 1 123 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 145 NO. 185 | 20 PAGES | ~7.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881  HARYANA MANN GOVT TO BRING ANTI-SACRILEGE LAW IN SPL SESSION PUNJAB /thetribunechd FIVE BUSES ON WAY TO AMARNATH CAMP COLLIDE, 36 HURT J&K TAKING A LOOK INTO PM MODI, ARGENTINE PREZ DALAI LAMA’S LIFE AS AGREE TO DIVERSIFY TRADE HE TURNS 90 SPECTRUM BASKET BACK PAGE sunday | 6 july 2025 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com 4 dead, many feared trapped in J’khand coal mine collapse RAMGARH: Four persons were killed and several others feared trapped after a portion of an abandoned coal mine Central Coalfields Ltd collapsed during “illegal” mining in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh. The incident occurred in the early hours at the Karma area. Four bodies have been recovered and many are trapped, the police said. BACK PAGE Patna bizman shot dead, 7 years after son gunned down PATNA: Prominent Biharbased businessman Gopal Khemka was shot dead outside his residence in Patna by a bike-borne assailant, seven years after miscreants had gunned down his son in Hajipur. A bullet and a cartridge have been recovered from the spot. INSIDE At 37.4°C, Srinagar sees hottest July day in 7 decades SRINAGAR: Srinagar experienced the hottest July day in over seven decades on Saturday as heatwave continued across Kashmir. The maximum temperature in the city reached 37.4 degrees Celsius, 7.8 degrees above the seasonal average. This temperature marks the third highest ever recorded in the city and the highest since 1953. INSIDE In Maha reunion, Raj & Uddhav Nirav Modi’s brother arrested share stage at rally after 20 yrs in US for ~13,000-cr PNB fraud Hit out at Mahayuti govt over attempt to impose Hindi in Maharashtra Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 5 Estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray united on Saturday after a political separation of 20 years at a public rally in Mumbai, with the junior sibling hitting out at the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra over trying to impose the controversial three-language formula. “What Bal Thackeray could not do, what many others could not do, Devendra Fadnavis did — brought us together,” said Raj Thackeray on stage. “You may have power in the Vidhan Bhawan, we have power on the roads,” he said. The cousins addressed a rally titled “Awaj Marathicha” (Voice of the Marathi), jointly organised by the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), marking the first time since 2005 that the two estranged leaders shared a stage. The ruling Mahayuti coalition’s recent rollback of a controversial policy mandating Hindi as a third language in Maharashtra’s primary schools served as the trigger for this show of unity by the Thackeray cousins. Both Uddhav (64) and Raj (57) had strongly opposed the proposal, and the rally is being positioned as a “victo- CAPT-IVATING WHAT BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER ■ The last time Raj and Uddhav appeared together in public was during the Malvan Assembly byelection campaign in 2005 ■ At that time, the Shiv Sena was still a united entity under the presence of Bal Thackeray ■ Ruling Mahayuti coalition’s rollback of a policy mandating Hindi as a third language in Maharashtra’s primary schools trigger behind show of unity ‘NO DEBATE ON MARATHI’ People should be able to speak Marathi, no debate on this. If somebody does drama, they must be slapped. However, there is no need to hit people randomly. Raj Thackeray, MNS CHIEF DESPERATE BID: BJP ❝ Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray (left) and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray at a rally in Mumbai on Saturday. PTI BJP leaders in Maharashtra said Uddhav and Raj Thackeray's rally in Mumbai was a “desperate attempt” to revive their political fortunes and recover lost ground ahead of the civic polls, adding the event was more like a “family reunion”. ry” for Marathi linguistic identity. “Where did you get this three-language formula from? This came only from the Centre. Today, in the high court and the Supreme Court, everything is in English. It is the estranged cousins coming together for a cultural protest — politically crucial. “Hindi is just a 200-year-old language. Try putting your hands on Mumbai or Maharashtra, you continued on page 6 not there in any other state. Why only in Maharashtra? When Maharashtra awakens, you see what happens,” Raj said. With the BMC elections approaching, the move is being seen as more than just to India. Investigations by the ED and the CBI revealed New Delhi, July 5 that Nehal played a key role Fugitive diamantaire Nirav in concealing and transferModi’s younger brother ring large sums of illicit Nehal Modi has been arrested funds through a web of shell by the US authorities follow- companies and overseas ing extradition requests from transactions in violation of the Enforcement Directorate Indian laws, the officials said. (ED) and the Central Bureau Nehal has been named as of Investigation (CBI), offi- an accused in separate cials said on Saturday. chargesheets filed by both Arrested on Friday, Nehal’s agencies. In the ED extradition proceedings were chargesheet, he has been based on two charges charged with destruc— one count of money tion of evidence and laundering under Sec“intentionally” assisttion 3 of the Prevention ing Nirav in his of Money Laundering alleged illegal acts. Act and one count of After the fraud came criminal conspiracy to light, Nehal allegedunder Sections 120B ly took away dia(criminal conspiracy) monds worth $6 milNehal Modi and 201 (disappearlion and 150 boxes of ance of evidence) of the IPC. pearls from Hong Kong, and The next hearing in the mat- AED 3.5 million in cash and 50 ter is scheduled for July 17, kg of gold (along with co-conduring which Nehal (46), a Bel- spirator Mihir Bhansali) from gian national, may seek bail, a Dubai, according to the invesmove expected to be contested tigation. He allegedly by US prosecutors, the offi- destroyed digital evidences cials said. Nehal is an accused pertaining to Nirav’s case in in the alleged Rs 13,000 crore Dubai. He allegedly intimidatPunjab National Bank (PNB) ed the witnesses and sent fraud—one of the biggest bank- them to Cairo where their ing scams—reportedly orches- passports were seized at his trated by him, Nirav and their instance, said sources. uncle Mehul Choksi. The witnesses were allegedBorn and raised in Bel- ly forced to sign false docugium’s Antwerp, Nehal is ments in Cairo at Nehal’s wanted for allegedly launder- instance and in one case, he ing proceeds of crime on offered a witness Rs 20 lakh in behalf of Nirav, who is lodged lieu of false testimony before in a London prison and is fac- the judicial authorities of ing extradition proceedings Europe, the probe revealed. Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 5 A Delhi court on Saturday declared wanted London-based arms middleman Sanjay Bhandari (63) a “fugitive economic offender” (FEO). The order, which came on a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), allows the agency to confiscate his assets worth crores of rupees. The court Sanjay Bhandari ruled that while the extradition attempt of Indian agencies (for Bhandari) might have failed — a UK court earlier this year discharged him from extradition proceedings — it didn’t make him “angel or immune from the prosecution for the violation of Indian laws”. It said the FEO tag was another way of “making one come back to India to face trial by coercing him to return by attachment, confiscation of the properties” and “disentitling such fugitive economic offenders from putting forward or defending any civil claim”. Deciding ED’s request under the FEO filed in 2019, special judge Sanjeev Aggarwal said in continued on page 6 Takht Patna Sahib declares Sukhbir ‘tankhaiya’ Negotiating from strength: for disobedience, Akal Takht overturns decision Goyal on trade deal with US Top Sikh temporal body instead punishes 3 of five Bihar high priests Neeraj Bagga TUSSLE OVER AUTHORITY Tribune News Service Skipper Shubman Gill’s sublime form continued as he smashed 161, his third century of the series, on day four of the second Test against England at Edgbaston on Saturday. He surpassed Sunil Gavaskar’s record of 344 runs, most by an Indian in a Test match. AP/PTI Amritsar, July 5 Takht Sri Patna Sahib in Bihar on Saturday pronounced Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) for failing to appear before it and ignoring its directions, a decision that was overturned in the evening by Akal Takht, the highest temporal body of Sikhism. The five high priests at Takht Sri Patna Sahib had accused Sukhbir of interfering in the organisation’s internal affairs and failing to appear before them despite ■ Akal Takht says Gurmat tradi- tion recognised it as the final authority on religious matters ■ Condemns Takht Patna Sahib edicts as unauthorised and contrary to the Sikh tradition ■ Takht Sri Patna Sahib had accused Sukhbir of undermining its autonomy being given three opportunities, including a 20-day extension on the request of SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami. This, they said, “compelled them to issue the ‘tankhaiya’ edict”. However, Akal Takht reject- ed the pronouncement and instead declared three of the five Takht Sri Patna Sahib high priests ‘tankhaiya’, directing them to clarify their position within 15 days. The Akal Takht decision followed a meeting convened by officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and attended by four other high priests—Giani Rajdeep Singh, Giani Sultan Singh, Giani Kewal Singh and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Baba Tek Singh. A resolution passed during the meeting reaffirmed that while all the five Takhts were sacred and revered by Sikhs globally, the Gurmat tradition recognised Akal Takht as the final authority on religious matters. The resolution condemned the Takht Sri Patna Sahib edicts as “unauthorised and contrary to the continued on page 6 Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 5 With the Congress criticising the BJP-led NDA government over the proposed trade deal with the US, Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said India “negotiates from a position of strength and doesn’t operate under external deadlines”. He also accused the Congress of having “negotiated and signed agreements that were not in the national interests” during the UPA government’s tenure. The remarks came after Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi targeted PM Narendra Modi over Pak open to handing over men of concern: Bilawal Hope to live beyond 130, says Dalai Lama on b’day eve Tribune News Service McLeodganj, July 5 A day before his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama left the Tibetan community in suspense over the much-anticipated announcement regarding his reincarnation. Instead, during a long life prayer ceremony held in his honour by the Central Tibetan Administration, including his cabinet ministers, members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile and senior religious leaders, the Tibetan spiritual leader expressed his aspiration to live beyond 130 years. The two-day religious prayer ceremony for his long life began at Tsuglagkhang, the main Tibetan temple in McLeodganj, on Saturday morning. The ceremony was led and presided over by Sakya Gongma Trichen Rin- New Delhi, July 5 Pakistan’s former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said his country has no objection to extraditing “individuals of concern” to India as a confidencebuilding measure as long as New Delhi shows willingness to cooperate in the process. The Pakistan politician put the onus on India for the inability of his country to extradite terrorists — Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed and Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar. Prosecuting the two for cross-border terrorism in India was difficult due to “non-compliance” from Delhi, Bilawal claimed. India, he said, was refusing to Fugitive economic offender tag for arms middleman Sanjay Bhandari Says India must cooperate, claims Azhar is in Af comply with certain basic elements required for the conviction to take place. “It’s important…to present evidence in courts, for people to come over from India to testify, to put up with whatever counter-accusations there will be.” “If India is willing to cooperate in that process, I am sure there will be no hurdle in extraditing any individual of concern,” he said. Bilawal expressed concern over India’s vow to pursue terrorists, calling it a “new abnormal”. This does not serve the interests of Pakistan, nor of India, he said. Bilawal, however, made a startling claim — and continued on page 6 PTI Kulwinder Sandhu Tribune News Service believe have Tibetan ❝ Sofar,IIhopetoIliveforservedtheBuddhadharmaandthe130. people quite well. another 30 or 40 years — even over — The Dalai Lama poche, accompanied by Tibetan religious leaders and representatives from major spiritual traditions of Tibet. Addressing a gathering that also included Hollywood vet- Today’s issue is of 20 pages, including six-page Spectrum. eran actor Richard Gere and Indian dignitaries such as Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and MP Tapir Gao, the Dalai Lama said, “So today here we have gods, representatives of gods, and human beings gathering for my long life and offering prayers sincerely.” Reflecting on his lifelong devotion to Avalokiteshvara, the Dalai Lama said even as a child, he felt a deep and unmistakable spiritual bond with the bodhisattva of compassion. “So far, I believe I have served the Buddha dharma and the Tibetan people quite well,” he said, adding, “I hope to live for another 30 or 40 years — even over 130.” Recalling historical encounters, he spoke of meeting both Mao Zedong, who dismissed religion as “poison,” and India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. continued on page 6 TRUMP READIES ‘TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT’ OFFER President Trump has signed letters to 12 countries outlining tariff levels they would face, with the "take it or leave it" offers to be sent out on Monday. He declined to name the countries. Several nations, including India, have so far failed to finalise a trade deal with the US. INSIDE the Indo-US trade deal, alleging that the PM would “meekly bow” to the tariff deadline set by the Trump administration. “India doesn’t negotiate under deadlines. We negotiate keeping national interest in mind and national interests are paramount in all our continued on page 6 ADR moves SC against Bihar voter roll revision Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, July 5 Apprehending potential disenfranchisement of nearly three crore voters, the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) on Saturday moved the Supreme Court question- NGO warns of mass exclusion of voters ing the Election Commission’s decision to conduct a special intensive revision of electoral rolls (SIR) in Bihar, which is set to go to the polls in October-November. The EC had announced on June 24 its decision to carry out the SIR in Bihar — the first such exercise since 2003 continued on page 6