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 ■ ■ BHUBANESWAR  WEDNESDAY  MAY 28, 2025  `9.00  PAGES 12  LATE CITY EDITION At least 65 people, including four children, suffered injuries on Monday evening when a 53-year-old white British man ploughed into Liverpool victory parade | P9 ‘Shocking’: HC on jailing of ‘Maoists’ loot explosives-laden truck in Sundargarh student over Sindoor post P R A S A N J E E T S A R K A R & A S I S H M E H TA @ Rourkela/Bhubaneswar Grants bail, says such ‘radical’ reactions by state will only radicalise young people S U D H I R S U R YA W A N S H I @ Mumbai REFORM YOUNG MINDS The Bombay High Court observed that educational institutions’ responsibility is not limited to imparting academic education. Institutes should also help students learn from mistakes and reform, the bench added NATIONAL INTEREST SAFE HC rejected the college’s argument that the student’s anti-national sentiments posed a risk to campus community, saying mere critical social media posts cannot weaken national interest THE Bombay High Court on Tuesday ordered the immediate release of a 19-year-old engineering student arrested for sharing an Instagram post on Operation Sindoor and slammed the Maharashtra government and state police for their ‘radical reaction’ to a critical comment. While granting bail, a bench of justices Gauri Godse and Somasekhar Sundaresan said it was “absolutely shocking” that the student was treated like a hardcore criminal even after she apologised and deleted the social media post. “It is shocking that an FIR was lodged against her on May 9 without even considering the fact that she had deleted the post and even apologised,” the court said, while observing that the girl’s act of sharing the post can only be termed as “act of indiscretion” by a young student. “How can the state arrest a student like this? Does the state want students to stop expressing their opinions? Such a radical reaction will further radicalise the person,” the court observed. The bench also pulled up the college authorities for rusticating the student without giving her an opportunity to give an explanation. “How can you rusticate? Did you call upon an explanation? What is the purpose of an educational institution? Is it only to educate academically? You need to reform a student or make a student into a criminal?” Justice Godse told the counsel appearing for the college. The court suspended the rustication order. Noting that the student missed some of her exams while in custody, it issued directions to permit her to appear for the remaining papers. As for the papers missed, the student can make appropriate representations before the authorities. During the hearing, the court enquired about the girl’s mental and emotional status and directed the police to provide protection to the student. “Give her a separate classroom for writing exams,” the bench told the college. The allegation against the girl was that her social media post caused tension between two groups and posed threat to public peace. In her plea, the student said she shared a post without any ill intent and deleted it immediately after receiving a barrage of threats. UNIDENTIFIED persons suspected to be Maoist operatives looted a truckload of explosives from a remote and forested area located about 90 km from Rourkela, in Sundargarh district, on Tuesday . The area where the loot took place connects to Saranda forests in the adjacent West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, considered the hotbed of Maoists. The explosive-laden truck, sources said, was on its way to Banko area un- der K Balang police limits, where a stone quarry is located. Around eight armed persons hijacked the truck at around 10 am and drove it to the nearby forest where the explosive packets were unloaded. The consignment was supposed to be delivered at the quarry . As per preliminary information, the truck was carrying about 150 packets of gelatin sticks of Prime make. DIG (western range) Brijesh Kumar Rai said that the truck was intercepted near Banko and forcibly taken a kilometre inside the forest. Once there, the explosives were unloaded in presence of another 10-15 persons who then vanished into dense forests carrying the packets. So far, no FIR has been received in connection with the incident, and further details are awaited, Rai said. Asked about involvement of Maoists, the DIG said police are trying to ascertain the identity of those behind the incident. A search operation has been launched, he added. “Role of Maoists has not been ruled out,” he said. Sundargarh SP Pratyush Diwaker, who also is in-charge of Rourkela po- lice district, did not divulge any details and said investigation is underway . While there has been intense antiMaoist operation in West Singhbhum district, the Sundargarh side of the border under Rourkela police district has not seen any movement in the recent years. From the modus operandi and precision of action, sources pointed out that it appeared to be a handiwork of the Maoists. In the event these explosive packets reaching the hands of the Maoists, it may have devastating impact since the left wing ultras are battling for existence in Jharkhand. Above-normal rains, Bunked class? You could lose US visa fewer heatwave days J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi J I T E N D R A C H O U B E Y @ New Delhi THE Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday updated its monsoon forecast to above-normal rainfall for the whole season from June to September. The average seasonal rainfall across the country is likely to be 106% of the Long Period Average (LPA) with a model error of ±4%. Rainfall between 96% and 104% of the 50-year average of 87 cm is considered normal. As for the flow of monsoon, it is intense in different parts of the west and southern regions, and is way ahead of schedule. But scientists say the movement of the monsoon could slow down after three days, opening up the possibility of a dry spell. Except for the Northeast, J&K and Ladakh, the rest of the country will receive above-normal rainfall during monsoon season. Region-wise, the IMD expects normal rainfall in the Northwest (92-108% of LPA), followed by above-normal rainfall over Central India and South Peninsular India (over 106% of LPA). As for June, the countrywide rainfall is projected to be over 108% of LPA. Above-normal monthly minimum temperatures are likely across the country except in some parts of Central India , and the South Peninsula, where normal to below-normal minimum temperatures are likely As a result, the IMD ex. pect below-normal heatwave days over the Northwest and the East. FREEZE ON VISA INTERVIEWS? THE United States has issued an advisory to international students in the country includ, ing Indian nationals, urging them to strictly comply with the terms of their student visas. The US embassy in New Delhi warned that students who violate visa norms risk immediate consequences, including visa revocation and ineligibility for future US visas. “Always adhere to the terms of your visa and maintain your student status to avoid any issues,” the embassy stated in its notice on Tuesday “If you drop . out, skip classes, or leave your program of study without informing your school, your student visa may be revoked, and A late-night US media report claimed that the Trump administration has ordered all US embassies to halt new interviews for student visas as it intends to expand social media screening of the candidates. The US embassy in New Delhi denied receiving the order you may lose eligibility for future US visas,” it added. Non-compliance of norms by students could result in immediate termination of their F-1 visa status, which may jeopardise their legal stay in the US and impact any future study or immig ration benefits. According to the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange, the number of international students enrolled at US colleges and universities reached a SEPT 15 NEW DEADLINE FOR ITR FILING record high of 11,26,690 in 202324. India was the leading contributor with 3,31,602 students during that period — a 23% jump compared to the previous academic year. However, failure to follow the rules can have serious repercussions under Trump’s rule. Violations such as poor academic performance, unauthorised absence, or failure to report employment under Optional Practical Training can lead to deportation and termination of work authorisation. The I-T deparment has extended the due date to file income tax return for FY25 from July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025 | P10