HYDERABAD l tuesday l june 16, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 16 l LATE CITY EDITION Fake NEET re-test question paper Racket Busted by Gujarat police The Gujarat Police have busted a fraud syndicate that promised students and parents access to NEET retest question papers in return for money Two from Rajasthan in custody used gaming sites to launder money: cops The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police said the accused had created multiple Telegram channels and circulated ads and posts claiming they could provide the RE-NEET question paper. Sumer Singh Meena, a resident of Jaipur, and Akash Meena, resident of Kota, were arrested. However, no question papers or examination materials were recovered ■ ■ The suspects were also running parallel fake investment schemes. The police suspect that the proceeds of the crimes were routed through accounts linked to gaming websites to hide their origin Transactions of about `1.5 crore were found to have been carried out through their various bank accounts linked to the accused | P7 June 21 when the neet re-test would be held CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Transforming India through Modern Infrastructure Saal Vishwas ke, Vikas ke, Jan-Kalyan ke B’desh sore as PM adviser stopped at New Delhi airport J aya n t h j a c o b @ New Delhi A diplomatic row erupted between India and Bangladesh on Monday after Dhaka summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe and conveyed its “deep disappointment” over the stopping in Delhi of Zahed Ur Rahman, adviser on policy and strategy affairs to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. It is learnt that Zahed was stopped by immigration authorities at the Indira Gandhi International Airport for ‘verification’ in the context of some of his previous anti-India statements. Though the authorities subsequently granted him a ‘one-time exemption’ to enter, he had by then decided to return to Dhaka on a night flight via Colombo. The incident triggered a strong reaction in Dhaka, with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman describing it as “unexpected” and “unfortunate”. “It is an unexpected incident, unfortunate,” Khalilur Rahman said and added that the Bangladesh government was taking appropriate steps regarding the matter. The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry also summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe and handed over a formal protest note. Foreign Ministry spokesman Shahidul Karim said that Badhe arrived at the ministry in the afternoon and was formally informed of Bangladesh’s concerns over the episode. Zahed had travelled to New Delhi to lead a Bangladeshi delegation to the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), being hosted by India’s Ministry of External Affairs on June 15 and 16. According to diplomatic sources, Bangladesh had formally informed India in advance about Zahed’s participation. Diplomatic sources said that Zahed had to wait at the airport for nearly two hours while immigration authorities carried out verification procedures. He was eventually cleared for entry under a one-time exemption, but chose not to proceed with his visit. The adviser was travelling on a regular Bangladeshi passport and not on a diplomatic passport, it was learnt. The development comes at a sensitive time in India-Bangladesh relations, which have witnessed occasional strains but showed the intent to repair and strengthen the ties amid political changes in Dhaka and differences over a range of bilateral and regional issues. Zahed is known as a political commentator and critic of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her government. Navy to induct 3new ships Construction of Mega Infrastructure Projects like Atal Setu, Sudarshan Setu, Chenab Rail Bridge and Bogibeel Bridge Zahed Ur Rahman It is an unexpected incident, unfortunate, too Khalilur Rahman, Bangladesh Foreign Minister IORA meet Zahed was travelling to India to attend the 28th Meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of the Indian Ocean Rim Association on June 15–16 in New Delhi It’s a deal Digitally signed by Trump, Vance, Ghalibaf; in-person inking on Friday E x p r e s s N e w s S e r v i c e @ New Delhi New Disha for LNG flow In a major diplomatic breakthrough, US President Donald Trump and Iran announced an agreement intended to end more than three months of conflict in West Asia and reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Digitally signed by Trump, US Vice President J D Vance and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf electronically on Sunday, the framework is expected to be inked in person in Switzerland on Friday . Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the development. “I welcome the understanding reached between the United States and Iran on ending the conflict in West Asia, which has caused serious economic disruption across the world and led to loss of life in many countries,” Modi said in a post on X. He added that India hopes the agreement’s implementation will help restore peace and stability in the region and safeguard “the freedom of navigation and commerce”. In Washington, Trump declared the breakthrough on social media, saying “Ships of the world, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” He A Liquefied Natural Gas carrier, chartered by Petronet LNG, safely transited the Hormuz — the first Indian LNG tanker to cross it since the West Asia war broke over three months ago. It is also one of the first commercial vessels to transit the strait since the announcement of a preliminary ceasefire deal between the US and Iran also said the blockade on Iranian ports would be lifted once the agreement is signed. Iranian state media said Tehran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed the understanding. “The memorandum will be published after signing in Switzerland,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said. However, the deal leaves several contentious issues unresolved. Iran’s nuclear programme remains the most sensitive point of contention. While both sides have agreed in principle that Tehran will not pursue nuclear weapons, details on enrichment limits, stockpile management, and inspection are yet to be finalised. Trump has indicated Iran may The Navy is set to commission 3 new warships — stealth frigate INS Dunagiri, anti-sub warfare shallow water craft INS Agray and survey vessel INS Sanshodhak — at an event in Kolkata | P7 M a n da Rav i n d e r R e d dy @ Hyderabad A+ for Breakfast Milk and idli is served to students of Musheerabad Government Primary School in Hyderabad as part of the breakfast scheme on Monday | SRI LOGANATHAN VELMURUGAN The breakfast scheme kicks off in Telangana, initially covering 1,269 schools, 33 junior colleges and 1.3 lakh students Students expressed delight after breakfast, saying the meal would keep them energised and improve their focus in class Inflation up, new PPI series to capture it kicks in EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ New Delhi IN a major recast of the wholesale and factory gate inflation framework, the government on Monday unveiled a revised series of the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) with 2022-23 as the base year and simultaneously introduced new Producer Price Indices (PPIs). The new WPI series, released by the Office of the Economic Adviser under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, replaces the 2011-12 base year series. The government has also launched the Output PPI, a trial Input PPI for manufacturing, PRODUCER PRICE INDEX Govt introduces PPI data for both goods and services for the first time to better reflect price movement Govt’s move in line with practices adopted by advanced economies and IMF recommendations Base year for both WPI and PPI to be 2022-23, replacing 2011-12 series and Service PPIs covering seven sectors including banking, insurance, railways, telecom and air passenger services. The commerce ministry said WPI and PPI will be published in parallel for five years to allow users, particularly those be allowed low-level enrichment, a departure from his earlier position demanding complete dismantlement of its nuclear infrastructure. Sanctions relief and frozen Iranian assets also remain under negotiation. Iranian officials have demanded access to billions of dollars in blocked funds and a phased lifting of US and UN sanctions. Washington, however, has only committed to discussing potential waivers and a possible reconstruction framework over the next 60 days. While Iran reportedly conditioned the agreement on a halt to Israel-Hezbollah fighting, Israel said its forces would continue operations in Lebanon. Trump criticised recent Israeli strikes in Beirut, saying they were “not appropriate” at a sensitive diplomatic moment.  P9 CM, Gor to attend ‘Trump Avenue’ gala on June 23 Name on watchlist Zahed Ur Rahman’s name appeared on a watchlist during a routine screening, state-run BSS news agency reported. His YouTube channel ‘Zahed’s Take’ is blocked in India CBC 37101/13/0001/2627 164 Vande Bharat Trains making railway travel modern and high-speed PPI to phase out WPI in five years PPI comprises Output, Input, and Service indices comprising 7 sectors Service PPI to cover banking, securities transaction, insurance, management of pension funds, railways, air (passenger) & telecom; remaining sectors in next phase relying on WPI-linked contracts and escalation clauses, to transition to the producer price framework. After this, WPI will be discontinued. As per the new data, WPI inflation surged to 9.7% year-onyear in May 2026 against 8.3% in April, led by a jump in energy prices. Combining the new base and old base WPI, the May print is the highest in 44 months. Fuel inflation rose to 30.3% in May from 24.9% in April, driven by crude oil, natural gas, and mineral fuels (ATF, naphtha, petrol, diesel, etc). The Output PPI (goods) saw a rise similar to that of WPI, at 9.4% in May against 8.1% in April, led by fuel inflation. Under the revised WPI basket, the number of tracked items has increased from 697 to 957. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, along with nuclear electricity, have been included in the basket for the first time. A key road alongside the US Consulate in Cyberabad is set to be renamed Donald Trump Avenue, with sources indicating that the official inauguration is scheduled for June 23. The avenue will be inaugurated at a diplomatic event attended by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor. Revanth first floated the proposal at the USISPF conclave in Delhi last year. Ahead of the Telangana Rising Global Summit 2025, the government announced plans to honour global technology firms for their contribution to Hyderabad’s g rowth as an IT hub. Too many hurdles, state can bear 100% of Metro P-2 cost: CM e x p r e s s n e w s s e r v i c e @ Hyderabad Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday said the state government was prepared to execute Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-2 with 100% equity and urged the Centre to immediately issue a no objection certificate (NOC) for the project. Revanth told reporters at the Secretariat that this was possible by the state government taking a loan from the Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC). Recalling that an MoU had been signed between IRFC, HMRL and L&T for refinancing `13,600 crore linked to the takeover of Metro Phase-1, Revanth said the amount, due for disbursal on June 15, had not been released and alleged that Union Minister G Kishan Reddy was behind the delay . “Kishan met Union Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on May 20 and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on May 21 and asked them, ‘If you grant all approvals so easily , should we shut down the BJP in Telangana?’ With this, the Union government is not disbursing the loan amount,” Revanth claimed. Alleging that Kishan was acting at the behest of BRS leaders K Chandrasekhar Rao and KT Rama Rao because of “collusion politics”, Revanth claimed, “KTR and KCR conspired and Kishan is executing.” Questioning why the Union minister had surrendered to KCR, he added, “We respect Kishan, but we are frustrated with him now.” He alleged that the development of the Warangal airport had slowed after Kishan met Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu and accused him of falsely claiming that the Centre had agreed to bear 50% of the cost of Metro Phase-2.  continued on P4 Today’s matches (Wednesday IST): Group I: France vs Senegal (12.30 am); Iraq vs Norway (3.30 am); Group J: Argentina vs Algeria (6.30 am); Austria vs Jordan (9.30 am). Live on Unite8 Sports and Zee5 Land figures in prohibited list, retired HC judge moves court T G N a i d u @ Hyderabad Retired judge Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili and his brother, Ashok Kumar Shavili, have moved the Telangana High Court challenging the inclusion of their lands in the prohibited properties list under Section 22-A of the Registration Act, 1908. Their petition challenged a November 6, 2025, letter issued by the Rangareddy collector, contending that the action was illegal and violative of the Registration Act and Articles 14 and 300A of the Constitution. The retired judge owns 3 acres and 26 guntas in Survey No.103/45 AA, while his brother owns 1 acre and 4 guntas in Survey No103/45 E at Gubbadi village in Shamshabad mandal. They stated that they purchased the lands in the 1980s, have remained in possession since then and were issued pattadar passbooks recognising their ownership. The petitioners sought quashing of the collector’s pro- ceedings, deletion of their lands from the Section 22-A notification and issuance of pattadar passbooks under the Bhu Bharathi (Record of Rights in Land) Act, 2025. Hearing the matter on Monday, Justice NV Shravan Kumar observed that it primarily concerns the Stamps and Registration department and directed the Registry to place the petition before the appropriate bench, which is expected to hear the case shortly .