24102025-TTB-01.qxd 10/24/2025 12:15 AM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 145 NO. 293 | 12 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 HARYANA 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. With this, the prospects of the PM’s possible bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump on the summit sidelines now stand ruled out. 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 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. ASEAN-India Summit virtually and to further deepening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Modi posted on X. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the summit in person, officials said. “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 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. Vikassheel Insaan Party chief Mukesh Sahani presents a bouquet to Bihar Assembly Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav in Patna. ANI 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 MOST LAND VANISHED IN AMRITSAR Tribune News Service Amritsar 1,515 acres Mohali 208 acres Ferozepur 1,101 acres Pathankot 118 acres Gurdaspur 544 acres Jalandhar 100 acres Nawanshahr 539 acres Tarn Taran <100 acres Kapurthala 376 acres Patiala <100 acres Ludhiana 264 acres Hoshiarpur <100 acres Fazilka 244 acres Moga <100 acres <
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