belagavi l thursday l july 03, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l late city EDITION Bangladesh court hands six-month jail term to EX-PM sHEIKH Hasina The International Crimes Tribunal, where Hasina is facing trial on charges of crimes against humanity, on Monday sentenced her in a contempt case First sentence since her exile in Aug 2024 Verdict based on leaked audio clip It marks the first time that 77-year-old Hasina has been sentenced in any case since she fled to India following a student-led uprising in August last year. The sentence, delivered in her absence, will come into effect from the day of her arrest or surrender before the court, chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam told reporters after the verdict was handed down protester Abu Sayeed, whose killing in Rangpur University escalated to a nationwide violent protest that eventually ousted her ■ The verdict came over a leaked audio clip in which Hasina is allegedy heard telling a party leader that she has “licence to kill” people ■ Hasina’s trial was opened on Monday over the murder of student Aug 8, 2024 When Muhammad Yunus-led interim govt was sworn in, in Bangladesh 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 Institution of Dalai Lama will go on China fumes as incumbent says the Gaden Phodrang Trust alone has the authority to recognise his reincarnation H a r p r e e t B a j w a & J aya n t h J a c o b @ Chandigarh/New Delhi In a landmark announcement just days ahead of his 90th birthday, the 14th Dalai Lama on Wednesday formally announced that the centuries-old institution of the Dalai Lama will continue after his death, ending years of speculation over the future of Tibetan Buddhism’s highest spiritual seat. The decision, however, drew sharp criticism from China, which insists it holds authority over any future reincarnation. “I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,” the exiled Tibetan leader declared in a statement posted on social media and his official website. He emphasised that only his personal institution, the Gaden Phodrang Trust, has the authority to identify and recognise his reincarnation, warning that no outside entity, including governments, has any right to interfere in the sacred process. “I hereby reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation; no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter.” The Chinese government Rijiju, two CMs to attend B’day event Union minister Kiren Rijiju, CMs Pema Khandu and Prem Singh Tamang and Karnataka minister Gangadharaia are expected to attend the 90th birthday celebrations of the Dalai Lama on July 6 at Dharamshala The Gaden Phodrang Trust has the sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation. No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter Gere arrives, U.S. may send diplomat Hollywood veteran Richard Gere, is already in McLeodganj along with his son, Homer James Jigme Gere. The US is likely to be represented by Bethany Poulos Morrison, Dy Assistant Secretary in the State Department condemned the announcement, reiterating its long-standing claim to control the selection of Tibetan spiritual leaders, a stance that triggered international criticism for politicising religion. “The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama, and other great Buddhist figures must be chosen by drawing lots from a golden urn and approved by the central government,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in Beijing. She cited — Dalai Lama Screengrab of the 14th Dalai Lama announcing the institution will continue | PTI a Qing dynasty-era method to justify Beijing’s authority over reincarnations. Mao said China permits religious freedom but within limits defined by the state. “The survival and development of any religion lies in adapting to the country’s social environment and cultural traditions,” she said, defending China’s efforts to align religious practices with its governance model. Beijing views the Dalai Lama as a separatist and continues to @ Belagavi In a major embarrassment to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Additional Superintendent of Police in Dharwad Narayan Barmani has tendered his resignation, citing deep anguish over a public insult he suffered at the hands of the chief minister at a political event in Belagavi two months ago. In a letter dated June 12, addressed to the additional chief secretary to the Home Department at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru, B a r m a n i Narayan Barmani sought voluntary retirement from service. He stated, “Having been publicly insulted and humiliated by the chief minister for a mistake I did not commit, I am left with no other option but to voluntarily resign from my service. I request you to kindly accept my resignation.” The three-page letter details the emotional toll the incident has taken on him and the demoralising effect it has had on the entire police force. Barmani stated that the chief minister’s “rude and humiliating” behaviour while he was in uniform was a blow not just to him personally but to the dig, nity of the police service as a whole. CONTINUED ON P5 Express News Service @ New Delhi The foreign ministers of the Quad countries, India, the United States, Japan, and Australia, strongly condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen. In a joint statement issued after their meeting in Washington, the ministers called for the “perpetrators, organisers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay .” While the statement urged all UN member states to cooperate under international law with efforts to investigate and prosecute those responsible, it notably stopped short of naming Pakistan, which India holds responsible for cross-border terrorism, including the Pahalgam attack. From India’s perspective, the explicit mention of the Pahalgam attack is significant. “We unequivocally condemn all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all their Mineral supply chains The Quad Critical Minerals Initiative aims to strengthen economic security by collaborating on securing and diversifying critical mineral supply chains forms, including cross-border terrorism,” the statement read. Cross-border terror for India denotes the terrorism directed against it from Pakistan. Beyond terrorism, the joint statement highlighted concerns over security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. While avoiding direct reference to China, the ministers condemned the “dangerous and provocative actions” in the South and East China Seas. The ministers also announced the launch of the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, plans for the first Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network field training exercise, and the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership, which is slated to be inaugurated in Mumbai later this year. SBI flags Anil Ambani-led RCom loan as fraud Cop, whom CM tried to slap, resigns Naushad Bijapur & M a l l i k a r j u n H i r e m at h reject his spiritual and political influence, especially in regions like Tibet and parts of the Himalayan belt where devotion to him is deep-rooted. In contrast to China’s rebuke, the Dalai Lama’s reaffirmation was welcomed by Tibetan groups and Buddhist communities across Asia. The spiritual leader revealed that his decision following 14 years of consistent appeals from religious leaders, civil organisations, and Tibetan communi- ties inside and outside Tibet. “Leaders of Tibet’s spiritual traditions, members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, participants in a Special General Body Meeting, members of the Central Tibetan Administration, NGOs, Buddhists from the Himalayan region, Mongolia, Buddhists of the Russian Federation, and Buddhists in Asia including mainland China, have written to me… earnestly requesting that the institution of the Dalai Lama continue,” he said. Importantly the Dalai Lama , noted that Tibetans inside China — despite state surveillance — had conveyed their support through informal channels. The Dalai Lama had first broached the question of his succession in 1969, stating that the future of his lineage should be decided by the Tibetan people. In 2011, he promised to revisit the issue around his 90th birthday With this week’s state. ment, that moment has come — and brought clarity . The Gaden Phodrang Trust will oversee the reincarnation search process, in consultation with the heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and spiritual protectors linked to the Dalai Lama’s lineage. Quad raps Pahalgam terrorist attack, but does not name Pak B E N N KOCHUVEEDA N @ Mumbai CM Siddaramaiah, Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara and DCM DK Shivakumar arrive for the cabinet meeting at Nandi Hills on Wednesday | Nagaraja Gadekal Siddu asserts he’ll be CM for 5 years, DKS says he has no option D eva ra j B H i r e h a l l i @ Nandi Hills / Bengaluru Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday asserted that his government will be in power solidly as a rock and he will remain as chief minister for the full five-year term. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is expected to take charge from Siddaramaiah once the Congress government reaches half of its term in November, said he has no option but to support the chief minister because of the decision of the party high command. “Yes, I will only be CM (for five years). Why do you people (media) suspect it? Is BJP or JDS our high command? Just because BJP leaders said can you write like that (that CM will be changed)? Should you not verify and write what I say ,” he told media persons, who asked him if he will be chief minister for full five years. On the chief minister’s as- Nod to rename B’luru Rural as B’luru North After tigers, 20 monkeys found poisoned near BTR Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has directed the Criminal Investigation Department, Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Central Forensic Science Laboratory and State FSL and the trial court to furnish documents and forensic images of digital devices sought by the CBI to conduct further investigation in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Ltd scam | P4 Mysuru: Just a week after the poisoning deaths of five tigers in MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, over 20 Bonnet macaques were found poisoned and dumped near Melkammanahalli, bordering Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Gundlupet taluk of Chamarajanagar district, on Wednesday. The monkeys were found stuffed into two bags and discarded along the KoandegalaKodasoge Road by passersby | P5 RCom said it will seek legal, remedial measures, arguing that SBI did not properly hear its side of the story as required by the Supreme Court and did not follow RBI norms on classifying a loan account as fraud Wednesday, RCom confirmed receipt of the letter from SBI, dated June 23. The firm asserted its right to seek remedial and legal measures, arguing that the bank did not properly hear its case as required by the Supreme Court and did not follow RBI norms on classifying a loan account as fraud. In a March 28, 2023 order, the SC directed banks to provide borrowers with a personal hearing before classifying their loan accounts as fraudulent, citing the principles of natural justice. The court noted that classifying a loan account as fraud has severe implications for borrowers, including potential crimi- nal proceedings and restrictions on future borrowing. Following this, RBI issued revised guidelines to banks incorporating this ruling into its February 2016 guidelines. After SBI’s move, other banks with exposure to RCom are expected to follow suit. “We have taken cognizance of the responses to our showcause notice and... concluded that sufficient reasons have not been provided by the respondent to explain the non-adherence to the agreed terms and conditions of the loan documents,” SBI said in its June 25 letter, which RCom disclosed to exchanges on Wednesday . The cabinet on Wednesday approved renaming of Bengaluru Rural district as Bengaluru North. The ditrict comprises four taluks — Hoskote, Devanahalli, Doddaballapur and Nelamangala. Don for 500% tariffs Infosys staffer on Russia’s partners nabbed filming women in loo sertion, Shivakumar said, “What options do I have? I have to stand by him and support him. I have no objection to him. We will fulfill whatever the party high command tells.” After the cabinet meeting at Nandi Hills on Wednesday Shi, vakumar addressed a joint press conference with Siddaramaiah. Just before leaving Nandi Hills, too, he told reporters that he will abide by the party high command’s decision. “I have to go by my party my , party is important, my leadership is important. Our aim is to bring back the party to power in 2028,” he said.  P4 IN a development that could possibly reshape US foreign trade policy and geopolitical alliances, President Donald Trump has backed a Senate bill proposing a sweeping 500% tariff on countries keeping economic ties with Russia. The legislation, known as the Sanctioning Russia Act, aims to economically isolate Moscow by penalising third-party nations, including India and China, which continue to import vast quantities of Russian oil. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who introduced the bill earlier this year, confirmed Trump’s support during an interview on ABC News. “If you’re buying prodDonald Trump ucts from Russia and you’re not helping Ukraine, then there’s a 500 percent tariff on your products coming into the United States,” Graham said. “India and China buy 70% of Putin’s oil. They keep his war machine going.” If enacted into law, the proposed tariffs would directly hit India and China, the largest buyers of Russian crude. express read ST Corpn scam: HC tells CID, ED to furnish docs The country’s largest bank, State Bank of India, has classified the loan account of beleaguered Reliance Communications (RCom), under bankruptcy since June 2019, as a ‘fraud’ account, and reported the name of its erstwhile promoter and director Anil Ambani to the Reserve Bank of India. According to SBI, RCom used `12,692.31 crore, 41% of the total loan, to pay connected parties through a web of interg ro u p t r a n s a c t i o n s. T h e company owed `31,580 crore to banks, SBI said in its letter. In an exchange filing on Move flouted directions of Supreme Court, RBI: rcom JAYA N TH JACO B @ New Delhi gill bill Shubman Gill scores a century against England in the second Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday | AFP | P11 Fuelled by social media Offences related to religion go up by 65% in 4 yrs R a k s h i t h G o w d a @Bengaluru OFFENCES related to religion have witnessed a significant increase in the state, rising by 64.87% from 208 cases in 2021 to 345 cases in 2024. As per data available with State Crime Records Bureau, until May this year, a total of 123 such cases were reported across the state. Cases of com- munal and religious riots also saw a 133.31% increase, rising from 9 in 2021 to 21 in 2024. Experts say that misinformation on social media, a politically polarised environment, and long-standing religious or caste-based tensions in certain districts have contributed to the rise in such incidents. Government initiatives like the formation of an anticommunal wing or a special action force are yet to make any impact. Offences related to religion are being booked under various sections and are further categorised into caste-based, communal, linguistic, regional, religious, and other issues. Speaking to TNIE, a serving police commissioner in the state reiterated that misinformation on social media, political polarisation, and historical religious or caste tensions are key contributors. “The police have failed to take preventive actions, such as arresting the accused or invoking the Goonda Act against troublemakers,” the commissioner said. P2 Express News Service @ Bengaluru Electronics City police arrested a 30-year-old Infosys employee for allegedly recording his female colleague in the washroom of the Infosys campus. Police identified the accused as Swapnil Nagesh Mali, a native of Andhra Pradesh who worked as a Senior Associate Consultant. The incident happened between 11am and 11.30am Monday and the woman, a resi, dent of Varthur, filed the complaint the next day after discussing it with her husband. The incident came to light after the 35-yearold complainant, working as a Technical Test Lead, reportedly saw him record her on his mobile phone from an adjacent washroom. The woman immediately raised an alarm and the accused was caught by HR personnel. Police suspect the accused must have recorded other female colleagues in the washroom. It is said the accused had 30 videos of various women on his mobile phone. Since the videos were deleted, police sent his mobile phone to the FSL to retrieve the deleted videos, and also for detailed analysis. P5