hyderabad l sunday l august 03, 2025 l `12.00 l PAGES 24 l late city EDITION 18K organ transplants last year, but shortage persists As many as 18,911 organ transplants were performed last year in India, but acute shortage of organs remains, a report said on Saturday low organ donation rate a concern Delhi, tn lead in organ transplants The report, released by Union Health Minister J P Nadda, said although the number of transplants in India has significantly increased from 4,990 in 2013 to 18,378 in 2023 and 18,911 transplants in 2024 from January to December, the organ donation rate remains at less than 1 per million. This contrasts with the highest at 48 per million population in Spain ■ ■ India is the third highest in the world, after US and China, in total organ transplantation and first in total living donor organ transplant In 2024, there were 13,476 kidney transplants in the country, the most in Delhi, followed by TN, Maharashtra, Kerala, and West Bengal; similarly, there were 4,901 liver transplants, with Delhi and TN on top 63,000 individuals in india need kidney transplant at present 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 How SIT’s forensic tools helped send Prajwal to jail for life Soon after the court sentence, in an exclusive interview with THE Special Investigation this paper, the SIT chief said Team (SIT) probing the rape evidence in the rape case rested case against former Janata Dal on the “victim’s statement, fo(S) MP Prajwal Revanna was rensic science and tools includable to establish ing DNA profiling his culpability and matching of press from the leaked voice samples.” clusive The video had video of his sexual aggression Prajwal and the against his emvictim’s voice. ployee and her statement, said The former’s voice was forensiBK Singh, CID ADGP and the cally matched for identificaSIT chief. tion. The victim had already Prajwal was sentenced to life given her statement. Forensic imprisonment on Saturday . tools helped identify the perpeB a l a c h a u h a n @ Bengaluru trator from his body parts in the leaked video, said Singh. Narrating the trail of investigation, Singh said the video, with graphic details of the rape shot by Prajwal to blackmail and silence the victim, did not show his face. The SIT started looking for similar cases of sexual offences in which the face of the accused was not visible and what forensic tools were used to identify the perpetrator. “The team chanced upon two international case studies — ‘Forensic Science, Medicine & Pathology’ in Springer and TG liberates sports from political interference with its new policy Express News Service @ Hyderabad Asserting that his government was making sustained efforts to promote sports and sportspersons in the state, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy unveiled the Telangana Sports Policy - 2025 here on Saturday The policy, he said, was . aimed at reducing political interference by adopting a PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) model. A sports board comprising former players and experts will oversee its execution. Addressing the gathering at the first edition of the Sports Conclave after unveiling the policy, he alleged that negligence by the previous BRS government had left stadiums in the state reduced to venues for marriages, private events and sunburn parties. Revanth recalled the city’s sporting past: “Hyderabad hosted National Games in 2002, Commonwealth Games in 2003 and World Military Games in 2007. The Gachibowli area was developed only because of the sports stadium there. Over the previous BRS government’s decade-long tenure, all stadiums were neglected and converted into function halls. The Congress government is making all necessary efforts to change this situation.” Calling it an “insult to the country” that India has not won an Olympic gold in recent times, Revanth said: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning to host the 2036 Olympics in India.” continued on p4 @ Hyderabad Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday criticised AP Minister Nara Lokesh for his remarks on the Banakacherla project, calling them “inappropriate” and accusing him of speaking in favour of the BJP-TDP alliance. “This is a democratic country One cannot make sweep. ing statements just because of being in an alliance with the BJP ,” Uttam said. He added that Telang ana “strongly condemns” Lokesh’s comments. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka also weighed in, calling Lokesh’s claim “misleading”. He argued that water was flowing downstream only because Telangana’s upstream projects had been left incomplete. He warned that “conspiracies” in the name of Polavaram and Banakacherla would be exposed, and maintained that truth would prevail. During an informal interac- court permission citing strong reasons for their request. With the court’s permission the photographs were taken and forensically examined to verify whether the male organ in the rape video was that of Prajwal,” he said. The morphological features of the accused and the one found in the video were compared to match his identity . “The photographs obtained from the video identified the perpetrator with the help of a dermatologist and urologist,” said Singh. PM says India on track to become the third-largest economy Modi gives it Don claim on back to Trump Russian crude on economy rubbished N a m i ta B a j pa i @ Lucknow Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy unveils Telangana’s new sports policy on Saturday Kumble joins state’s hunt for Olympic talent, signs MoU Express News Service @ Hyderabad The state government on Saturday signed an MoU with former Indian cricketer and TENVIC founder Anil Kumble to establish a structured framework integrating academics, sports science, and sports talent identification. The MoU was signed in the presence of Sports Minister Vakiti Srihari, SATG Chairman Shivasena Reddy, Special Chief Secretary for Tourism, Culture & Sports Jayesh Ranjan, SATG Vice Chairperson and MD Sonibala Devi, and other senior officials. Srihari said the collaboration will help identify and nurture sporting talent while ensuring students balance academics with sports and sports science. “This is a step Banakacherla 100% illegal, won’t back down: Uttam Express News Service Prajwal Revanna being taken to a hospital in Bengaluru | PTI Turkiye Journal of Forensic Medicine & Forensic Sciences on forensic image comparison of penis in the identification of the sexual offender,” said ADGP Singh. The investigation hit the first roadblock when doctors at the government hospital refused to take photographs of Prajwal’s penis, citing violation of medical ethics. “Doctors medically examine a suspect or crime accused brought by the police.They are not authorised to take their photographs. The SIT sought tion with reporters at the Secretariat, Uttam reiterated the Telangana government’s opposition to the Banakacherla project, calling it “100% illegal”. He said that the state would take all necessary steps to stop the project, and claimed to have written multiple letters to the Centre on the issue. He added that both the Godavari River Management Board and the Ministry of Environment and Forests had objected to the project. “Our stand is very clear. We oppose the Banakacherla project and are prepared to go to any extent,” Uttam said. He also criticised BRS leaders for levelling what he described as baseless allegations regarding the project. “If the BRS had taken proper steps during its tenure, this situation would not have arisen,” he said. Uttam said he would meet the committee appointed to examine the PC Ghose Commission’s report before it is taken up for discussion in the next Cabinet meeting on August 4. Athletes rewarded Agasara Nandini (Athletics): `5 lakh for gold in Heptathlon at the 26th Asian Athletics Championship 2025 in Gumi, South Korea Nishika Agarwal (Gymnastics): `3 lakh for bronze in Table Vault at the 14th International Gympies-Gymnova Cup 2024 in Belgium Dhanush Srikanth (Shooting): `10 lakh for two gold medals in the 10m Air Rifle Men and Mixed Team events at the World Deaf Shooting Championship 2024 in Germany Pavan Kalyan & P Sai Teja (Goalball): `4.8 lakh assistance to represent India at the 4th Egyptian Pyramids Goalball Championship. Their coach G Shiva Kumar will accompany them towards making Telangana a hub for future Olympic champions,” he said.  continued on p4 Kerala Nuns get released on bail I P5 US President Donald Trump on Saturday said he had heard about India stopping purchasing Russian crude, adding it would be a good step, a claim the government denied. Trump made the remark after announcing 25% reciprocal tariff on Indian imports, along with additional penalties linked to Russian crude imports. “I understand that India is no longer going to be buying oil from Russia. That’s what I heard, I don’t know if that’s right or not. That is a good step. We will see what happens,” Trump said. The petroleum ministry, however, clarified that India has not stopped importing Russian crude. A ministry official said Indian oil marketing companies (OMCs) continue to buy Russian oil, with supply decisions based on factors such as price, crude I understand grade, inventories, logistics, and other economic consid- that India is no erations. “These are long- longer going to buy oil from term oil contracts. It is not so Russia. That’s simple to just stop buying what I heard, I overnight,” the official said. don’t know if The official also emphathat’s right or not. That is a sised that Indian OMCs do good step not import crude from Iran or Venezuela — both sanctioned by the US. Russian oil, however, is not sanctioned by the US or the EU. Instead, it is subject to the G7-EU price-cap mechanism, which aims to restrict Russia’s revenue while ensuring global oil supplies continue. India has consistently complied with the US-recommended price cap of $60 per barrel on Russian oil. Recently, the EU proposed a lower price cap of  $47.6 per barrel, to be enforced from September. The official said India’s purchases remain legitimate and fully within international frameworks. All Quiet on the Northern Front R a k e s h K u m a r @ New Delhi In his first public response to US president Donald Trump’s recent barb that the Indian economy was dead, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asserted that the country was on its way to become the third-largest economy amid global instability . “There is an atmosphere of instability across the globe. Every country is focused on its individual interests. India is set to become the third biggest economy in the world, and that is why India will have to stay alert as far as its economic interests are concerned,” Modi said. The PM’s statement without naming Trump came at a public rally at Banauli village in Sevapuri area of Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency. Modi advocated economic self-reliance, urging the people to take the pledge towards adopting swadeshi (made in India) as Those who want much as they could so as to India to become support nation’s farmers, the 3rd-largest economy in the small industries and youth. world should Modi added that the citiawaken the zens and the business comspirit of munity could support indigswadeshi among the enous production through a masses renewed commitment to the ‘vocal for local’ movement. “We will buy only those things that are made by Indians. We need to become vocal for local,” he urged the crowd. “Those who want the best for the country and want to see India as the third biggest economy in the world, be it any political party, should leave their differences aside and resolve to awaken the swadeshi spirit among the masses,” he added. Modi also appealed to the business community to prioritise the sale of domestic products in the wake of global disruptions. WITH THIS ISSUE INSIDE Oil imports from russia: crude facts & figures I P10 Trump tariff a blow to gems, handicraft I P8 PLUS 12 P AGES Court allows KTR defamation case against Surekha ENS @ Hyderabad The Judicial First Class Magistrate (JFCM) for Excise cases has taken cognisance of a criminal defamation complaint filed by BRS working president K T Rama Rao against Endowments Minister Konda Surekha. Rama Rao filed the private complaint under Section 222 read with Section 223 (BNSS) in October 2024. Cognisance refers to a court formally acknowledging a complaint and deciding to initiate proceedings after examining the allegations. Responding to the development, Surekha, in a statement, said that she has faith in the judiciary “These cases and fights . are not new to me. My life has been full of struggles,” she said. Rama Rao posted on X: “Truth will always come out, if not immediately, eventually. Power doesn’t absolve anyone of irresponsible statements or character assassination. It is a chance to serve, not to peddle rumours or target opponents. I hope this serves as a lesson to those who think they can get away with such actions in the name of politics.” dominant day Sun shines for India as Jaiswal-Akash deep cut for England TNIE in England Firoz Mirza @london M ake hay when sun shines. India literally lived those words in both letter and spirit, with a little help from England fielders on Saturday Till tea, England had . dropped 20 catches across India’s 10 innings in the fivematch Test series. Six of those chances were spilled in the last 24 hours helping India surge ahead in the fifth and final Test here at the Oval. Centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal got three reprieves while B Sai Sudharsan, Akash Deep, who went on to hammer his maiden Test half-century and Karun were also grassed once by the English fielders. Without Ben Stokes, the home team, led by Ollie Pope, gained upper hand when they dismissed India for 224 in their first innings. Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley then gave them a flying start further tightening their grip over the contest. The dropped chances three on Friday and as many on Saturday - however, meant they let the game slip away from their hold. Struggling for form of late, Jaiswal made the most of the chances as he struck 118 off 164 including 14 fours and two sixes to punish the English bowl- India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal celebrates his century while Akash Deep bats on the applause after his maiden Test fifty on Day 3 of the fifth Test | pti/afp | P11 ers. Having miserably failed with the bat in the last five innings barring that fifty in Manchester Test, Jaiswal needed both runs and luck to get back to his groove. The generosity from his opponents offered him that chance and he grabbed it with both hands. Once India set a target of 374, England started well but Mohammed Siraj gave a crucial breakthrough, removing Zak Crawley They still need . 324 runs to win but it might be a hard task on this surface. Earlier at Leeds, India dropped at least five catches and went on to lose the contest despite being in a position of strength for the first four days. England may endure the same fate on Sunday .