The Hyderabad Cybercrime Police have registered a case against Meta India Head Arun Srinivas and several Facebook and Instagram accounts over allegations of circulating objectionable, digitally manipulated, and AI-generated content targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media.

The case was registered following separate complaints filed by businessman S. Aravind Reddy and Telangana BJP worker T. Saikiran Goud, who alleged that several social media accounts shared morphed videos, edited photographs, and offensive comments about the Prime Minister during a recent protest.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the complainants alleged that the AI-generated and digitally altered content was defamatory in nature and had the potential to mislead the public, incite violence, and disturb public peace. The police have initiated an investigation into the allegations and the role of the social media platforms in the dissemination of the content.

Meta Tightens Review Process

The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of Meta after a video posted from the Prime Minister’s official social media account was temporarily blocked in a separate incident.

Following strong objections from the Central Government over that episode, Meta has reportedly strengthened its internal review mechanism. The company has clarified that posts from high-profile accounts, including that of the Prime Minister, will now require approval from at least two senior officials before moderation decisions are taken.

Notices Issued to Social Media Accounts

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have also issued notices to several social media accounts and news portals that allegedly posted abusive or objectionable content against the Prime Minister during the recent “Sansad Chalo” protest and demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

The accounts have reportedly been directed to remove the disputed content, while authorities continue to examine whether any laws relating to misinformation, defamation, or public order have been violated.

The case has sparked widespread debate across the country over the regulation of AI-generated content, the responsibilities of social media platforms, and the balance between freedom of expression and the prevention of misinformation and defamatory material online.

In a major step to curb rising air pollution, the Haryana government has decided to implement a “No PUC, No Fuel” policy across its National Capital Region (NCR) districts from October 1. Under the new rule, vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate will not be supplied petrol, diesel, or CNG at fuel stations.

The move aims to ensure that vehicle owners renew their PUC certificates on time and reduce emissions from polluting vehicles. According to the government, the objective is not to penalise motorists but to encourage compliance with pollution control norms and improve air quality, especially during the winter months when pollution levels typically rise.

The decision follows directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to strengthen measures for controlling vehicular pollution in the NCR region.

To implement the policy, the Haryana government will install Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at all petrol pumps in the state’s NCR districts by September 30.

Once a vehicle enters a fuel station, the ANPR camera will scan its registration number and verify the PUC status through the national vehicle database. If the vehicle has a valid PUC certificate, fuel will be dispensed. However, if the certificate has expired or is unavailable, the system will automatically deny the supply of petrol, diesel, or CNG.

Apart from being denied fuel, vehicle owners may also face legal action. Under the Motor Vehicles Act, driving a vehicle without a valid PUC certificate can attract a fine of up to ₹10,000.

Authorities have advised motorists in Haryana’s NCR districts to check the validity of their PUC certificates and renew them at authorised pollution testing centres before the new rule comes into effect.

The government believes the technology-driven enforcement mechanism will help improve compliance, reduce vehicular emissions, and contribute to cleaner air across the NCR region.

India and Japan have made significant progress in discussions on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project, with Japan agreeing to supply its next-generation E10 Series Shinkansen bullet trains for the corridor in the early 2030s.

The E10 Series trains are currently under development in Japan and are expected to become the next generation of high-speed Shinkansen technology. According to officials, the first deliveries are planned for the beginning of the next decade.

Domestic High-Speed Trains to Begin Initial Operations

Since the first section of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor is targeted to become operational by 2027, India and Japan have agreed that the project’s initial services will begin using indigenously developed high-speed trains until the E10 Series becomes available.

The decision is aimed at ensuring that the country’s first bullet train services begin without delay while the Japanese trains are still under development.

India, Japan Hold Positive Talks

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said discussions between India and Japan on the high-speed rail project have been positive.

He said Japan will supply the E10 Series high-speed trains in the early 2030s, while construction of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor is progressing rapidly. He added that both countries have agreed to commence operations with Indian high-speed trains before transitioning to Japan’s next-generation Shinkansen fleet.

Project to Cut Travel Time to Under Two Hours

Once fully operational, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train is expected to reduce travel time between the two cities to just 1 hour and 58 minutes, significantly improving connectivity between India’s two major commercial hubs.

The central government believes the project will strengthen economic integration, promote business travel, and boost regional development.

508-km High-Speed Rail Corridor

The 508-kilometre Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor will span 352 kilometres across Gujarat and the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, while the remaining 156 kilometres will pass through Maharashtra.

The corridor will connect major stations including:

• Sabarmati
• Ahmedabad
• Anand
• Vadodara
• Bharuch
• Surat
• Bilimora
• Vapi
• Boisar
• Virar
• Thane
• Mumbai

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project is India’s first bullet train corridor and is being developed with technical and financial assistance from Japan, marking a major milestone in the country’s high-speed rail ambitions.

Landmark Observation on Unpaid Domestic Work

In a significant judgment highlighting the value of unpaid domestic work, the Supreme Court has observed that homemakers should be regarded as “nation builders” and that their contribution to families and society deserves proper recognition.

The court stated that the services rendered by homemakers within households cannot be overlooked merely because they do not receive a formal salary. While deciding a compensation case, the apex court fixed a notional monthly income of ₹30,000 for assessing the contribution of a homemaker.

Homemakers Are ‘Nation Builders’: Supreme Court

A bench comprising Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh emphasized that homemakers play a crucial role in the development of families, society, and the nation.

The bench observed that homemakers contribute significantly to human development and nation-building through their unpaid work. Recognising this contribution, the court held that their efforts should be given due value while calculating compensation in accident-related cases.

Why Did the Court Make This Observation?

The observation came during the hearing of a compensation case arising from a road accident that claimed the life of a woman in 2001.

The deceased woman’s husband and three children had approached the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal seeking compensation after her death in a road accident on November 25, 2001.

Initially, the tribunal awarded compensation of ₹2.42 lakh to the family. Dissatisfied with the amount, the family challenged the order before the High Court.

Compensation Increased by High Court

The High Court later enhanced the compensation amount to ₹8.43 lakh along with 7.5 percent interest. However, the woman’s husband remained dissatisfied and subsequently approached the Supreme Court seeking further enhancement.

While hearing the appeal, the Supreme Court examined the economic value of the services rendered by the deceased homemaker and the impact of her loss on the family.

Court Fixes ₹30,000 as Notional Monthly Income

In its ruling, the Supreme Court held that the contribution of homemakers cannot be treated as having no economic value simply because they do not earn a salary.

The court fixed a notional monthly income of ₹30,000 for a homemaker for the purpose of determining compensation in such cases. The judgment underscores the importance of recognizing unpaid domestic work and ensuring that families receive fair compensation when they lose a homemaker in an accident.

A Step Towards Recognising Unpaid Care Work

The ruling is being viewed as an important step toward acknowledging the economic and social value of unpaid household work performed by millions of women across India.

For decades, domestic responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning, childcare, elderly care, and household management have largely gone unrecognized in economic calculations. The Supreme Court’s observation reinforces the idea that these contributions are indispensable and deserve formal recognition in legal proceedings.

Significance of the Judgment

Legal experts believe the judgment could influence future compensation cases involving homemakers by providing a more realistic assessment of their contribution to family welfare.

The ruling also sends a broader message about the importance of valuing unpaid domestic labour and recognising the vital role homemakers play in building families, communities, and the nation.

Former US President Donald Trump praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a live event held in Delhi to mark the 250th anniversary celebrations of America’s Declaration of Independence.

The event was attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ambassador Sergio Gor. During the programme, Trump joined through a live phone call and spoke warmly about his relationship with Modi.

Trump Calls Modi His “Very Dear Friend”

During the interaction, Trump described Prime Minister Modi as a “very dear friend” and invited him to visit the White House sometime in the future.

He also assured India of strong American support, saying that India could place “100 percent trust” in both him and the United States.

Trump further praised Marco Rubio, calling him one of the finest Secretaries of State and stating that India could benefit greatly from working closely with him.

“Whatever India wants, it will get,” Trump reportedly said during the live call.

India-US Trade Deal Nearing Final Stage

The remarks came at a time when India and the United States are moving closer to finalising a bilateral trade agreement. Rubio’s India visit is being viewed as part of broader efforts to strengthen economic and strategic ties between the two nations.

The proposed agreement is expected to focus on trade cooperation, critical minerals, energy security and defence partnerships.

Rubio held discussions with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar regarding the progress of the agreement and broader bilateral cooperation.

Immigration Policy Changes Also Discussed

Rubio’s visit also comes amid major changes in US immigration policies. Reports indicate that legally residing immigrants in the United States may now be required to apply for permanent residency from outside the country under revised regulations.

The issue has drawn attention in India, particularly among skilled professionals and students living in the US.

Efforts to Strengthen Economic Relations

Trade and tariff-related disagreements had emerged between India and the US in recent months. However, Rubio stated that both nations are now working toward rebalancing and strengthening economic relations.

Calling India one of America’s major trading partners, Rubio said cooperation with a large economy like India was essential for long-term economic stability and growth between the two countries.