kottayam l tuesday l june 16, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l 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 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 ■ June 21 used gaming sites to launder money: cops 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 H1.5 crore were found to have been carried out through their various bank accounts linked to the accused | P7 ■ 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 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 returned 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. 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 Formal signing of US-Iran peace framework in Switzerland on Friday 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, a vital global energy artery that was paralysed during the war. The deal, expected to be signed in Switzerland on Friday, is an interim framework that could pave the way for a broader settlement. 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 disr uption 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,” noting that “deliberations on remaining issues” must continue constructively . In Washington, Trump declared the breakthrough on social media, 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 saying “Ships of the world, start your engines. Let the oil flow!” He 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 be allowed lowlevel 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. 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 Self-enumeration phase from today The 15-day facility will be available from June 16 to June 30 through the Census portal, allowing residents to directly submit details of their households | P4 Chief Minister V D Satheesan travels in a KSRTC ordinary bus after inaugurating the Priyadarshini free travel scheme for women and transgender persons at Thampanoor Bus Terminal on Monday | Albin Mathew Free travel rolls out The UDF government officially rolled out its flagship ‘Priyadarshini’ free travel scheme for women and transgender persons on Monday. Inaugurating the scheme, Chief Minister V D Satheesan expressed “immense joy” for having fulfilled a promise he made to the people. P4 global game Migratory patterns and colonial history — Story of 2026 World Cup S w a r o o p s w a m i n at h a n 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 Luca, Zinedine’s son, is with Algeria team at the World Cup | AFP The migratory patterns are also visible in other ways; out of the 1,248 players, 289 will not play for the country of their birth. It’s here that first-timers like Curacao and Cabo Verde have improvised. They have tapped into the links between Curacao and The Netherlands. Of the 26 members, only Tahith Wholesale inflation up, new PPI series to capture it kicks in 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 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 E XPR E SS N E WS S E RVIC E @ New Delhi Name on watchlist CENSUS 2027 THE story of the 2026 World Cup is also a story of migration, the history of colonialism and how some of the countries used their network of scouts to tap into their diaspora across the world. On Tuesday night, France will play Senegal. Out of the 26 members in the African team, 10 of them were born in France with some of them making competitive club debuts for sides across France before opting for Senegal, the country of their parents or grandparents. Algeria, who will face holders Argentina a few hours later, have as many as 13 who were born in France. That party includes one of the most famous surnames in world football, Luca Zidane, Zinedine’s son. New Disha for LNG flow E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ New Delhi Chong was born there (the rest were all born in Netherlands). Cape Verde also tapped into their vast scouting networks in Portugal (three), Netherlands (six) and France (three). One of their players, Roberto Lopes, was approached by the Cape Verdean federation on LinkedIn. Lopes, born in Ireland, didn’t speak enough Portuguese so he had ignored the original message. It was only nine months later, following another approach, that he responded after using translation software. Roberto, whose father hails from Cape Verde, has since been capped 44 times. ‘Zero’ tickets Eligible KSRTC buses — sporting ‘Priyadarshini’ stickers pasted on the front and sides — have begun dispensing ‘Zero Tickets’ to eligible beneficiaries. The free travel benefit currently applies to KSRTC’s Ordinary, City Ordinary, Limited Stop Ordinary, Point-to-Point, Gramavandi, Fair Stage Limited Stop and Town-toTown Limited Stop services. This is no ordinary bus ride; it marks the start of a journey that upholds the selfrespect of women in Kerala and guides them towards selfreliance and financial security V D Satheesan 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, 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 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% yearon-year 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. CPM suspends Padmakumar over Sabarimala row E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ P’thitta In a decision that appears to balance disciplinary action with political caution, the CPM on Monday suspended senior leader and former Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president A Padmakumar amid widespread speculation that the leadership was preparing for the harshest action against him in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft controversy . Over the past several weeks, pressure has been mounting within the party, particularly from a section of Pathanamthitta district committee members, for the expulsion of Padmakumar, who was jailed for nearly three-and-ahalf months in the sensational case. The issue had also become politically sensitive following criticism that the CPM had delayed action against him despite mounting allegations and public scrutiny . Announcing the decision, CPM district secretary Raju Abraham said the Pathanamthitta district committee, in the presence of senior leaders T M Thomas Isaac and Saji Cherian, has approved Padmakumar’s suspension. Isaac said the party had examined Padmakumar’s reply to an earlier show-cause notice and found it unsatisfactory “Based on that as. sessment, the committee decided to suspend him from the party and issue a detailed chargesheet letter seeking further clarification. It will also take into account the findings of the special investigation team (SIT) once its report and charges are available,” Isaac told reporters after the meeting. He said Padmakumar has been suspended from all party positions. Clarifying that the suspension was an interim disciplinary measure, Isaac said: “A detailed note seeking explanations on specific allegations will be issued and further action will be decided based on his response.” “If the allegations are found to be serious, stronger action, including expulsion from the party, remains a possibility,” ● More on P4 Isaac said. E X P R E S S R EA D Shigella death toll rises to five Virtual queue system at Guruvayur NATPAC flags safety risks Kozhikode: A seven-year-old boy from Malappuram died at Kozhikode MCH due to Shigella infection on Monday. Meanwhile, the postmortem report of a 43-year-old man from Thrissur district has revealed that Shigella was the cause of his death. With this, the death toll has touched five this year in state. P5 Guruvayur: A virtual queue system will be introduced on a trial basis at Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple to provide devotees with a smoother darshan experience, Devaswom Minister K Muraleedharan said. The objective is to efficiently manage the increasing crowd of devotees and reduce waiting time. P4 T’Puram: Even as six-lane NH 66 promises to transform mobility across Kerala, the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) has raised a red flag over emerging safety risks on upgraded corridor, warning that state’s road users are yet to adapt to a highspeed, multi-lane highway environment. P5