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 ■ ■ hyderabad l tuesday l august 05, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 16 l late city EDITION Enough! India holds up a mirror to Trump’s hypocrisy J AYAN T H J A C O B & DIPA K M ONDAL @ New Delhi IN a strong rebuttal to renewed US criticism on India’s trade with Russia, New Delhi on Monday accused Washington and its allies of “unjustified and unreasonable” targeting, reminding them that it was the United States itself that once encouraged those very purchases to stabilise global markets. Ruling out any rethink on its energy trade with Russia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated: “Like any major economy India will take , all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security .” The sharp message came minutes after US President Donald Trump threatened to ‘substantially’ raise tariffs to punish India for its purchase and resale of Russian oil. Trump’s statement posted on Truth Social on Monday said: , “India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil... they are selling it for big profits. They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Ma- chine... I will be substantially raising the tariff paid by India to the USA.” In its blistering response, India made it clear that such rhetoric smacks of geopolitical hypocrisy “India has . been targeted by the United States and the European Union for importing oil from Russia after the commencement of the Ukraine conflict,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. “But in fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe. The US at that time actively encouraged such imports to strengthen global energy market stability .” Jaiswal’s message was loud and clear that India will not be lectured. “India’s imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market realities... However, it is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves US continues to import uranium hexafluoride, palladium, fertilizers and chemicals from Russia. The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security —Ministry of External Affairs indulging in trade with Russia... Such trade is not even a vital national compulsion.” India listed hard numbers to underscore the double standards. The EU in 2024 had Russia that year or subsequently European imports of . LNG in 2024 reached a record 16.5 million tonnes, surpassing the previous record of 15.21 million tonnes in 2022. Trump’s snooty remarks evoked a sharp reaction from Russia as well. “Washington is unable to accept the erosion of its dominance in an emerging multipolar international order... No tariff wars or sanctions can halt the natural course of history said Maria ,” Vladimirovna Zakharova, spokesperson of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil... they are selling it for big profits... They don’t care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA — Donald Trump a bilateral trade of Euro 67.5 billion in goods with Russia. It had trade in services estimated at Euro 17.2 billion in 2023. This is significantly more than India’s total trade with sirajmatazz held high india Oval and out with head TNIE in England Firoz Mirza @london T India celebrate Jamie Overton’s wicket in the fifth and final Test on Monday. Captain Shubman Gill (right) with the Player of the Series medal. Mohammed Siraj was adjudged Player of the Match | AP Shibu Soren passes away V V P Sh a rm a @ New Delhi They called him Dishom Guru — the god of all 10 directions. In his younger days, his black locks, flowing beard and chiselled features mesmerised the tribals as much as they frustrated the Bihar Police, as he led a movement for tribal rights that saw a separate tribal state of Jharkhand carved from Bihar. At 81, Shibu Soren breathed his last in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi from kidney complications on Monday Called Guruji . by now, he became CM thrice, never able to complete a full term as politics or police cases disrupted his reign. He even went to Delhi as minister at the Centre, but with health taking its toll, he hung up his boots and handed over control of the party he cofounded JMM, to his son, Hemant who is the current chief minister.  CONTINUED ON P8 he Oval match was the story of the series. It reflected the ferocity with which it was fought. First Test, England win comfortably India re. turn the favour with same magnanimity Third Test, England . win but with quite an effort. India draw despite trailing by 311 runs in the fourth. It would have been a travesty for cricket had the last not gone to the wire. India won by the barest of margins — six runs. Series 2-2. The celebration in the middle was wild. It’s poetic that af- I woke up, Googled a ‘Believe’ emoji wallpaper and told myself that I will do it for the country. I always believe that I can win the game from any point, and did in the morning Mohammed Siraj, man of the match As a batter, he was the last to fall in the third Test at Lord’s. On Monday he was the archi, tect of a historic win. A lot was at stake for the two incredibly talented sides. No series has seen so many ups and downs or twists and turns as this one. If Harry Brook and Joe Root were regaling the audience with their artistry, Siraj enthralled with 25 deliveries he bowled out of 53. He had taken three out of four wickets that fell. And, of course, the adage of frontline bowler for India will be his to keep. As for now, it’s Oval and out.  P11 SC’s ‘true Indian’ barb at Rahul Cleared by Cabinet, Ghose panel S u ch i tr a K a lya n M o h a n t y @ New Delhi The Supreme Court on Monday castigated Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his comments on China capturing Indian territory in the wake of the Galwan attack in 2020, adding if he was an “true Indian”, he wouldn’t have said it. “How do you (Rahul) get to know when 2000 sq km was acquired by China? What is the credible material? A true Indian will not say this. When there is a conflict across border, can you say all this? Why can’t you ask the question in Parliament?” asked a bench comprising justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih. The court, however, stayed further proceedings against him in a defamation case in Lucknow and Singhvi: It was about suppression on info Singhvi said that Rahul was only on the point of proper disclosure and raising concerns about the suppression of information fixed the matter for further hearing after three weeks. During the hearing, Justice Datta said, “just because you have 1 9 ( 1 ) ( a ) yo u c a n n o t s ay anything.” Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Rahul, said: “If he can’t say these things which are published in the Press, he can’t be a leader of opposition... It is also possible that a true Indian will say that our 20 Indian soldiers were beaten up and killed and that it is a matter of concern.” The defamation complaint filed by Uday Shankar Srivastava, the former Border Roads Organisation (BRO) director, was pending in a Lucknow court. His petition said Rahul made the ‘derogatory’ remarks was on December 16, 2022, during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. In May, the Allahabad High Court had rejected Rahul’s plea challenging the issuance of summons by an MP/ MLA court in Lucknow. The court said that freedom of speech and expression does not include the freedom to make statements defamatory to the Indian Army . In its pushback later in the day the Congress said every pa, triotic Indian has sought answers on China since the 2020 Galwan incident, adding the Centre has chosen to obfuscate and hide the truth with its policy of “DDLJ—deny, distract, lie, and justify .” Pools & Patience Torrential rain upends plans, grinds Hyd to a halt kh yat i s h a h @ Hyderabad By late Monday afternoon, Hyderabad had turned into a city of stranded commuters and impassable roads. A heavy unrelenting spell of , rain brought traffic to a standstill, upended daily routines, and left neighbourhoods waterlogged as residents waded through another episode of the city’s chronic vulnerability to even a few hours of downpour. Raj Bhavan Road was among the first to go under. The massive rainwater holding structure constructed on the road overflowed, turning the stretch into a shallow canal. “We had to start diverting vehicles from Khairatabad circle,” said a traffic constable posted at the site. “It just wasn’t safe.” In Ameerpet, the usually congested Maitrivanam junction took on the appearance of a lake. Rajesh, a resident returning from Sanathnagar, found himself stuck mid-route. “My bike stopped moving. The silencer was under water,” he said, soaked and stranded. ter carrying the burden of bowling in the series, Mohammed Siraj took the final wicket and finished with a fifer (four in first innings and 23 overall). There he stood celebrating like his football idol Cristiano Ronaldo. He admitted how he changed the wallpaper on his phone on Monday morning to inspire him on the field. The conditions early on favoured pacers and Siraj was right on the money With only . 35 runs to get, margin of error was thin. The crowd, like in all days thronged the stadium to witness one of cricket’s most enthralling finishes. India did not disappoint, either. Siraj in beginning of the series was in the shadow of Jasprit Bumrah. Rainfall in city (8.30 am – 1 am)  Quthbullapur: 151.5 mm  Banjara Hills: 124.5 mm  Yousufguda: 117 mm  Srinagar Colony: 106 mm at the helm  Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy Traffic grinds to a halt on the Raj Bhavan Road which resembles a canal after the rainwater holding structure filled up and overflowed, following the heavy downpour in Hyderabad on Monday | Sri Loganathan Velmurugan Two-hour crawls and soaring fares Across the city office-goers and , students found their regular commutes doubled or worse. “It usually takes me 45 minutes from Madhapur to Uppal. Today it was two hours,” said Meenakshi, an IT professional and frustrated commuter. “Half the time I was just stuck at a signal watching rain fly sideways,” she said. Traffic was jammed on the stretch between the Cable Bridge and IKEA, while appbased ride fares surged sharply . “A ride from Mehdipatnam to Somajiguda was showing `480, triple the usual rate,” said Nikhil, a student. “I waited un- orders district collectors to be on high alert  Instructs departments to work in tandem and prevent loss of life or property  Officials told be to be available 24x7 in districts der a Metro pillar instead.” In the wee hours of Monday, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Nalgon d a , S u r yap e t , Ja n g a o n , Warangal, Mahbubabad and Bhadradri-Kothagudem districts witnessed heavy rains, with some places receiving over 100 mm and others reporting drizzles. Continued on P2 report to be tabled in Assembly M a n da Rav i n d e r R e d dy @ Hyderabad The state Cabinet has approved Justice PC Ghose’s report on alleged irregularities in the construction of the Kaleshwaram project. The Cabinet also decided to table the report in the Assembly during the forthcoming monsoon session for discussion. The Cabinet met under the leadership of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy at the Secretariat on Monday and discussed the report. During the meeting, the three-member officials’ committee briefed the Cabinet on the crux of the report. The officers’ committee prepared a 60-page summary of the Ghose panel’s 660-page report. In the summary, former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is mentioned 32 times, former irrigation minister T Harish Rao 19 times, and former finance minister Eatala Rajender five times. Following the Cabinet meeting, the chief minister told reporters that the government would table the report in the Assembly in the coming days and give an opportunity to all parties, including KCR and Harish Rao, to present their views. “ After taking all opinions, we will take a decision on the future course of action to implement the suggestions made by the Commission,” Revanth stated, adding that the Assembly session will be held soon. He stated that his government would follow the suggestions and recommendations but would adopt an appropriate system to do so. The government aims to function with transparency and avoid discussions of political vendetta. He stressed that this was not a government or party report but one prepared by a judicial commission. Persons held responsible by Commission K Chandrasekhar Rao: “Sole decision-maker” for project conceptualisation, design and execution n  Commission found The that the then chief minister “directed the authorities to store water in the barrages to full capacity to enable water lifting through pump houses” n  it said, acted not KCR, in the state’s interest and had no honest or conscientious intent to safeguard the barrages n  acted not as the head He of government but as the administrative executive himself, the report said n  involvement in His planning, construction, and operation directly caused the irregularities and the resulting distress T Harish Rao (then irrigation minister): Ignored expert reports and allowed project to proceed n  Alongside the chief minister, he ignored the expert committee report n  was rank irregularity There from the conceptualisation of the Kaleshwaram project to the administrative approvals on 1.3.2016 n  decision to construct The barrages at Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla was that of the then irrigation minister and chief minister n GOs 231, 232 and 233 were not presented to the Cabinet for approval or ratification, violating the government Business Rules n The evidence given by the then irrigation minister was found to be false and unsubstantiated Eatala Rajender (then finance minister): Did not question financial decisions, remained passive n  Remained a tacit perpetrator and allowed the CM to execute his plans n Functioned passively while the political executive implemented administrative decisions n Demonstrated a lack of commitment and integrity in safeguarding the financial health of the newly formed state n Pleaded ignorance of crucial financial decisions related to the project SK Joshi, Smita Sabharwal, and Secretaries in Finance/Irrigation: Found negligent or complicit | Engineers from CDO and Kaleshwaram divisions: Committed perjury, prepared defective designs | Contractors (L&T, Afcons, Navayuga): Benefited illegally; directed to complete repair work at their own cost Role of officials Irrigation Special Chief Secretary SK Joshi, ENC C Muralidhar, and CE B Hari Ram suppressed the Expert Committee Report with malicious intent Their actions allowed the chief minister to proceed with Medigadda’s construction Administrative lapses The administrative sanction note for the barrages was signed by the Principal secretary (Irrigation), the minister, and the chief minister on February 26, 2016 Since Cabinet Their suppression of approval was the report resulted in large-scale public not obtained, this violated government expenditure and Business Rules risked the state’s economy Meanwhile, the chief minister said the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) found lapses in planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the Kaleshwaram project during the KCR re- The Commission reiterated that the administrative approvals dated March 1, 2016 were issued solely under orders from the minister and CM gime and recommended a detailed inquiry . Revanth said that due to alleged cronyism, corruption, and negligence, the party had promised a judicial inquiry during the elections.  Continued on P4 express read MP injured after man snatches her chain Dharmasthala: Skeletal remains found New Delhi: Mayiladuthurai MP R Sudha was injured on Monday while her chain was allegedly snatched by a scooter-borne man near Polish Embassy as she went on a morning walk. The MP shot off a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding action. Bengaluru: The SIT probing the alleged mass burial case in Dharmasthala on Monday recovered multiple skeletal remains from a new site, police sources said on Monday. The whistleblower showed this fresh site earlier in the day.