BHUBANESWAR  MONDAY  MARCH 24, 2025  `9.00  PAGES 12  LATE CITY EDITION ISRAEL ARMY STEPS UP GROUND OFFENSIVE IN GAZA STRIP Israel’s army pressed ground operations across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, urging Palestinians to flee an offensive in Hamas-ruled Rafah city PALESTINIAN TOLL IN GAZA’S WAR PASSES 50,000 ‘ISRAEL’S PLANS VIOLATE GLOBAL LAWS’ More than 50,000 Palestinians have officially been declared to have been killed in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the territory’s Health Ministry said on Sunday, even as new Israeli airstrikes killed at least 26 Palestinians overnight, including a top Hamas political leader and several women and children | P9 ■ ■ Israel’s Cabinet approved a proposal to set up a new directorate for advancing “voluntary departure” of Palestinians in line with Donald Trump’s proposal to depopulate Gaza Palestinians say they don’t want to leave, and rights groups say Israel’s proposal amounts violation of international law 13 NEW SETTLEMENTS IN THE OCCUPIED WEST BANK TO BE CREATED BY ISRAEL 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 Reservation based on religion is against Constitution: Hosabale Do not dispose of phone or tamper with data, HC CJ tells judge Varma S H E K H A R S I N G H @ New Delhi DELHI High Court Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya has instructed Justice Yashwant Varma not to dispose of his mobile phone(s) or delete, modify, or tamper with any conversations, messages, or data. The directive conveyed through a formal letter dated March 21 follows an order from Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, emphasising the need to preserve evidence. In a subsequent letter addressed to the CJI, Chief Justice Upadhyaya said he had requested the Delhi Police commissioner to furnish call detail records (CDR) and internet protocol detail records (IPDR) of Justice Varma’s mobile phone for the past six months. “The call detail records have Justice Yashwant Varma been received and are being forwarded in a pen drive along with this letter. As for the IPDR, the same shall be provided as soon as it is received from the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, or the relevant mobile service provider,” the letter stated. The letter stated that a formal request had been made to the DCP (Security) to obtain details of personal security officers and security personnel stationed at Justice Var ma’s SUNRISERS’ Smashing Start KISHAN MAKES A STATEMENT Kishan makes his SRH debut with a ton as his team beats RR. A look... After being sidelined from the Indian setup, Ishan Kishan, for his new IPL team, smashed an unbeaten 47ball 106 helping Sunrisers Hyderabad to 286/6. His first IPL century played a part in Rajasthan Royals falling short by 44 runs RECORDS TUMBLE IN HYD In what is one of the flattest grounds of the IPL, bowlers were taken for a ride in Hyderabad on Sunday. Jofra Archer’s 0/76 became the most expensive spell in the history of IPL as four bowlers across sides went over 50 runs NOOR NAILS IT AT CHEPAUK One of the most anticipated combinations this season, Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad showed why he is going to be lethal for Chennai Super Kings as he took 4/18 in four overs against Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. His spell helped CSK beat MI by four wickets EXPRESS READ Rajeev Chandrasekhar to be new Kerala BJP chief Pope Francis back home after 5 weeks in hospital T’Puram: The BJP has selected former Union minister and businessman Rajeev Chandrasekhar to lead its Kerala unit. The decision was finalised during a meeting chaired by BJP central observer Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi on Saturday | P5 Vatican City : A frail Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after a five-week hospitalization for life-threatening double pneumonia, and he made a surprise stop at his favorite basilica on the way home before two months of recovery | P9 RARE FIND ASI finds 110 megaliths near dam in Kerala PA R V E Z S U LTA N @ New Delhi THE Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has stumbled upon a cluster of over 110 megaliths (large stones used to build structures and monuments) near the Malampuzha dam in Palakkad, Kerala, during a recent exploration expedition. According to ASI officials, the discovery could offer more insights into ancient civilisations and their practices. Megaliths indicate significant burial sites, ritualistic areas, or places of cultural importance. Megalithic structures were built using large, rough stones without mortar or cement. Such chambers were common during Neolithic and Bronze Ages. The presence of ancient burial chambers suggests there could be a large organised settlement at the site and it The site near Malampuzha dam where the could shed more light megalithic structures were found | ASI on the region’s history . “Recent explorations near the Malampuzha Dam in Palakkad, Kerala, has led to a discovery of megalithic structures spread across island-like mounds. The team of ASI surveyed the area and came across more than 110 megaliths spreading across 45 hectares of land,” the ASI posted on X. The ASI said most of the burials are of ‘cist’ variety — both single and multiple chambered — stone circles, urns, dolmens, and dolmenoids. “These structures are primarily constructed with massive granite slabs and boulders, some also incorporate laterite stones,” it added. Cist graves are small stone-built coffin-like boxes used to hold dead bodies. Megaliths are found across India. Most notable sites include Brahmagiri in Karnataka and Adichanallur in Tamil Nadu. residence over the last six months. Once received, these records would be duly submitted. The developments come in the wake of a fire that broke out at Justice Varma’s residence on Tughlaq Road on the night of March 14, leading to the discovery of currency notes in a storeroom inside the judge’s official residence. Justice Varma, on his part, has dismissed the allegations and termed them “a conspiracy to tarnish” his reputation. In a written response to Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya on March 22, Justice Varma stated, “... No cash was ever placed in that storeroom either by me or any of my family members. The suggestion that one would store cash in a commonly-used storeroom verges on the incredible and incredulous.” RSS general secretary says it is only allowed for backward classes within a religion D EVA RA J B H I R E H A L L I & RA J ES H K U M A R T H A K U R @ B’luru / New Delhi AMID the controversy over the Karnataka government’s decision to introduce a 4% reservation for Muslims in government contracts and projects, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said on Sunday that the move is untenable as the Constitution does not allow religion-based quota. “Reservation based on religion is not possible; it is possible only for backward classes within a religion,” he said. On the Karnataka government’s decision to bring in a quota for Muslim contractors, Hosabale said such attempts were made earlier by Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, but those were futile as high courts set aside the decisions. “Religion-based reservation is not accepted in the Constitution authored by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Anybody doing it is going against the architect of our Constitution,” he added. The remarks by Hosabale, who holds the second-highest position in the Sangh hierarchy were made in , Bengaluru after the conclusion HDK TO CLEAR JDS STAND TODAY Janata Dal (Secular), an NDA ally, is reportedly in a Catch-22 situation as to whether to support Karnataka’s 4% quota or not. Sources said Union minister and JDS state president H D Kumaraswamy will make the party’s stand clear in New Delhi on Monday. “It is likely that JDS will support the BJP on the quota bill,” said a party leader Hailstorm-hit locals hurl stones at mins’ vehicles E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Baripada IRATE villagers on Sunday hurled stones at the convoy of Revenue minister Suresh Pujari and Housing and Urban Development minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra who were visiting Mayurbhanj district to take stock of the damage caused by hailstorm in Bisoi and Bangiriposi blocks a few days back. The convoy came under attack after Mahapatra saw Pujari off at the temporary helipad in Bangiriposi and was returning in his vehicle. While window panes of Pujari’s vehicle were damaged in the stone pelting, Mahapatra escaped unhurt. However, a police constable, Rudra Charan Sahu, suffered head injury and was admitted to Bangiriposi community health centre. Sources said after assessing the hailstorm-induced damage in several areas, both the ministers returned to the helipad where Pujari got down. Mahapatra, the MLA of Morada in Mayurbhanj, was returning with the convoy when stones were hurled at the vehicles near a railway levelcrossing. The locals alleged that the two ministers did not visit their vil- of the the three-day annual Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, which serves as the highest decision-making body of the RSS. On the demand of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal to remove the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Maharashtra, he regretted that Aurangzeb who was against the ethos of Indian culture is being idolised. “Aurangzeb’s brother Ministers Suresh Pujari & KC Mahapatra listening to the affected people on Sunday | EXPRESS lage to assess the damage caused by the hailstorm. Bangiriposi IIC Birendra Senapati said police are investigating the incident and strict action will be taken against those involved in it. Earlier in the day, Pujari and Mahapatra accompanied by Forest and Environment minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia visited the hailstormhit areas and assessed the damage. Speaking to mediapersons, the Revenue minister said crops and houses suffered extensive damage due to the hailstorm. The district collector has been directed to set up free kitchen and distribute polythene sheets to the CONTINUED ON P5 affected people. Dara Shikoh was not made an icon. Are we going to move forward by idolising someone who has gone against the ethos of India or are we going to go with those who worked according to the traditions of this land? Aurangazeb doesn’t sit well here, but his brother does,” he said. On the Karnataka government’s resolution pressing the Centre to allocate grants for Scheduled Castes / Tribes in proportion to their population, he said any move for the betterment of society is welcome. Responding to a question on whether the RSS considers the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya as its achievement, he said the shrine is the achievement of the Hindu society as a whole. Nigerian man held from New Delhi after woman ends life over sextortion E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Cuttack THE Commissionerate Police has arrested a Nigerian national for allegedly blackmailing and extorting money from a woman of the city, who, unable to bear the humiliation, died by suicide on March 1. The accused, 31-year-old Djedje Raymond alias Chijioke John Okoye was nabbed from New Delhi on Friday Police said Okoye had . been staying in the national capital since 2020. He was brought to Cuttack on Sunday to be produced in the court here. Briefing mediapersons, DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo said the suicide note left by the victim, a 37-year-old, revealed she took the drastic step after being repeatedly blackmailed and threatened to pay money by some unknown person(s) on WhatsApp. Basing on the complaint lodged by her family, the cyber cell of Cuttack Urban Police District started its investigation. The cops ascertained that the WhatsApp numbers used to contact the victim were international, and got in touch with the telecom service provider to get their details. Subsequently, the IP address was traced to New Delhi and a special police team reached the city and nabbed CONTINUED ON P5 the accused from Palam Colony there. The accused will be taken on remand for further investigation to ascertain whether he was operating alone or working as part of a larger cyber crime syndicate Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo, DCP