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The High Court has permitted a boy and girl above 18 years of age to live together but has expressed concerns over their live-in relationship. The petitioners state that both are above 18 years of age. Although the boy is less than 21 years old and not eligible for marriage, both petitioners are legally adults and are living together of their own volition. The girl’s biological mother has passed away, and she chose to live with the boy as the atmosphere in her house was not conducive for her to reside there. The counsel for the petitioners further submitted that the Supreme Court, in the case of Nandakumar v. State of Kerala (2018) 16 SCC 602, recognized the right of two consenting adults to live together, even if they are not legally eligible to marry. Therefore, it was argued that the petitioners, despite not being married, should be protected from any interference, including from their parents. In view of the above arguments and the judgments of the Supreme Court in Lata Singh v. State of U.P. (2006) 5 SCC 475 and Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) 7 SCC 192, the Court allowed the petition. Despite the girl being less than 21 years of age, both petitioners are above 18, and their choice to live together must be protected from external interference. However, the Court expressed concerns over the petitioners’ decision to enter into a live-in relationship at such a tender age, as they may lack emotional maturity and financial independence.

Children will require verifiable parental consent to access social media in India, as per the draft rules of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023 (DPDP). Any user below the age of 18 has been defined as a child under the Act, which was passed by Parliament in August 2023. The much-awaited rules were released by the government on Friday with stakeholder comments sought until February 18. The executive rules have also left the door ajar for the return of the data localisation provision of certain kinds of personal data. It has, for the first time, proposed to place data fiduciaries under three broad categories of ecommerce companies, gaming intermediaries, and social media firms. Data Deletion NormsThe rules mandate that they must delete the personal data of inactive users on their platforms after three years. In case of a data breach, data fiduciaries will have to inform the Data Protection Board within 72 hours. “DPDP Rules have been much awaited and a draft gives broad direction to the industry to start thinking about implementation,” said Aparajita Bharti, founding partner, The Quantum Hub Consulting. “One key concern, however, is a potential room for bringing data localisation requirements for significant data fiduciaries as the rules mention that a committee formed for this purpose may do so in the future.”

 The rupee closed at a record low of 85.77 against the dollar on Friday, marking its ninth consecutive week of losses. The decline is attributed to the drop in the Chinese yuan, which weakened past the 7.3 mark, as well as the dollar’s rise.The rupee hit its lowest intraday level at 85.80, before settling at 85.77 – down 2 paise from its previous close.Meanwhile, the country’s foreign exchange reserves fell for the fourth consecutive week and stood at an eight-month low of $640.3 billion as of Dec 27, Reuters reported. Foreign currency assets dropped by $4.6 billion to $551.9 billion. However, gold reserves increased by $541 million to $66.3 billion. Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) decreased by $12 million to $17.9 billion, while India’s reserve position with the IMF remained unchanged at $4.2 billion.The rupee depreciated by 0.2% over the week. The dollar index surpassed 109, driven by expectations of fewer rate cuts and a strong US economy. The rupee was under pressure despite a slight softening of crude oil prices. Brent crude fell 0.4% to $75.60 per barrel. Traders are focused on the impact of US economic data, with the US jobs report due next Friday and inflation data scheduled for Jan 15. Analysts predict the rupee could touch 86/$ in the short term.Dealers said that corporates were buying the dollar on dips while RBI was ensuring that there was enough supply of the greenback at higher levels. Jateen Trivedi of LKP Securities noted a strong dollar index and rising crude prices, both of which are contributing to pressure on the rupee.

Ram Charan is all set to entertain his fans in a dual role in his upcoming film Game Changer, a pan-Indian political drama directed by Shankar Shanmugam. The movie is slated for a global release on January 10, 2025. In addition to the trailer release, the makers have dropped a major surprise – Game Changer will also be available in IMAX format. This exciting announcement has taken everyone by surprise. The decision to opt for IMAX was a natural one, as the film’s immersive visuals and breathtaking action sequences are perfectly suited for IMAX screens, both in India and internationally. Director Shankar shared his thoughts: “This film showcases what we can achieve when we push the boundaries of storytelling and technology. I’m thrilled that Game Changer will be available in IMAX, allowing audiences to experience its grandeur and scale in full glory.” Ram Charan, who gained worldwide acclaim for his role in  RRR, expressed his excitement: “Game Changer is a film that is very close to my heart. The journey we’ve had with Shankar has been incredible, and I’m thrilled that fans will get to experience it on the big screen in IMAX. I truly believe this film will redefine how people view action and drama.” In addition to IMAX, the movie will also be released in Dolby Cinema, 4DX, and EPIQ formats to give an immense experience. Produced by Dil Raju, Game Changer features Kiara Advani and SJ Suryah in prominent roles, with music composed by Thaman.

After receiving much appreciation for his role as the quintessential baddie in Singham Again, Arjun Kapoor is all set to return to romantic comedy genre after a long hiatus. Joining him will be Rakul Preet Singh and Bhumi Pednekar as the trio embark on a fun journey for the first time. While the Kapoor boy had piqued the interest of audience by sharing about doing a film with the duo, now the film titled Mere Husband Ki Biwi has received its first poster. Pooja Entertainment unveils motion poster of Mere Husband Ki Biwi While the audience will have to wait some more to see the characters that the actors will be essaying in the film, the first look poster featuring different footwear seems to have still garnered quite a bit of attention. It features a male shoe stuck between stilettos and a quintessential Punjabi jhoothi, as they are referred to Present and Past representing the role the two women will be essaying and hinting at a crazy comedy of relationship confusion. The motion poster also features the popular track ‘Gori Hai Kalaiyan’ from the 1990 film Aaj Ka Arjun starring Jaya Prada and Amitabh Bachchan. The poster also asserts that it’s not just a love triangle, but a ‘love circle’ further adding to the anticipation. Sources close to the film shared that it’s an unpredictable tale of colliding romances where past takes on future. Mudassar Aziz opens up about the film Aziz, known for his sharp wit and relatable storytelling, said, “As a filmmaker, I’ve always believed in telling stories that entertain, and leave audiences of all ages smiling. I believe such films that endure and make for repeat viewings. Mere Husband Ki Biwi is a film that celebrates the quirks and complexities of romantic relationships. I’ve always been one for wholesome entertainers—movies that bring friends & families together, make them laugh, and give them something to talk about. That’s exactly what we’ve aimed for with this film. It’s lighthearted, relatable, and full of moments that will stay with you long after you leave the theater. I was eager to cast it exactly this way and when the audience meets their characters, they will know just why! “ While exact plot details remain under wraps, the fresh pairing of the lead trio and Aziz’s past record of congregational comedies, have already created a buzz around the project. Scheduled to release on February 21, 2025, the movie is produced by Vashu Bhagnani, Jackky Bhagnani, and Deepshikha Deshmukh.

Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films has started 2025 on a high note and delivered exciting news to fans of their horror-comedy universe. The production house has announced a lineup of eight films that will be part of this expanding universe in the coming years. Among the highly anticipated projects are Stree 3, starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao and Bhediya 2, featuring Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon. In addition to these sequels, Maddock Films has also introduced fresh additions to the horror-comedy realm, including Shakti Shalini and Chamunda, leading up to a grand multiverse showdown in Doosara Mahayudh. Stree 3, the much-awaited third installment of the popular Stree franchise, is set to release on August 13, 2027. The makers have also unveiled the release dates for other films in the horror-comedy series, including Thama (Diwali 2025), Shakti Shalini (December 31, 2025), Bhediya 2 (August 14, 2026), Chamunda (December 4, 2026), Maha Munjya (December 24, 2027), Pehla Mahayudh (August 11, 2028), and Doosara Mahayudh (October 18, 2028). Speaking about the upcoming slate of films, producer Dinesh Vijan shared, “At Maddock, our mission has always been to innovate and entertain. We’ve created compelling characters rooted in India’s rich culture and heritage, allowing our stories to resonate deeply with audiences. This connection has made our narratives not only relatable but also meaningful.” He added, “With our passionate fanbase, we’re now ready to take things to the next level: a cinematic universe that brings unforgettable characters and their stories to life like never before. We can’t wait to take audiences on this journey through 2028 and beyond – and we’re just getting started!”

Upping the ante, Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Thursday began a fast-unto-death to press the demand for cancellation of an examination recently held by Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). Kishor made the announcement at the historic Gandhi Maidan in the state capital, three days after giving a “48-hour ultimatum” to the Nitish Kumar government for acting on the demand, raised by aggrieved candidates. The administration, however, said the hunger strike at Gandhi Maidan is illegal as it is not the designated site for holding protests. “My primary demand, of course, is cancellation of the exam held on December 13 and conducting a fresh test. I have also heard allegations that posts to be filled by the exam were virtually put on sale. Such corrupt officials must be identified and brought to justice”, said Kishor, who was accompanied by a number of supporters. The venue was barely a couple of kilometres from Gardani Bagh where the aggrieved aspirants have been holding a round-the-clock sit-in for nearly two weeks. The 47-year-old former poll strategist, who hopes his fledgling party to make a big impact in assembly polls due in less than a year, also made it clear that the demands he is making were just a few of the things on which he expected the government to act. Striking a populist note, the former JD(U) vice president said he wanted the state’s NDA government to “bring in a domicile policy, reserving two thirds of government vacancies for candidates from the state”. He added: “The injustice done to the state’s youth by the current regime goes long back. Before his ascent to power, the chief minister (Nitish Kumar) had toured the state and promised unemployment doles. Not a single person has got the benefit even after 20 years. The government must start giving unemployment allowance”.

Four Gujarat Titans cricketers have come under scanner in the Rs 450-crore Ponzi scheme orchestrated by the BZ Group, which is now under investigation by Gujarat’s CID Crime, sources. However, the names of the cricketers are still not known. Sources stated that the players from the Gujarat Titans had invested in the controversial firm, raising questions about their involvement and potential losses. This comes after the questioning of Bhupendrasinh Zala, the alleged mastermind behind the Ponzi scheme. Zala reportedly confessed during interrogation that he had failed to return the investments made by the cricketers involved. A Ponzi scheme is a type of investment fraud that promises high returns with little or no risk to investors. It works by using money from new investors to pay returns to earlier investors, rather than generating legitimate profits through business activities. WHO IS BHUPENDRASINH ZALA? Bhupendrasinh Zala, from Himmatnagar in Gujarat’s Sabarkantha district, allegedly ran a scheme that collected Rs 450 crore from more than 11,000 investors through BZ Financial Services between 2020 and 2024. He promised annual returns of 36 percent, initially delivering on these claims to gain investors’ trust before defaulting. Zala recruited agents on commission to attract investments, with some individuals contributing over Rs 1 crore. He used the funds to acquire assets worth Rs 100 crore. After evading authorities for nearly a month, Zala was arrested in Gujarat’s Mehsana district on December 27, 2024. He remains in custody until January 4, 2025. Police also arrested seven others connected to the case. Among those defrauded were over 11,000 investors. Investigators are examining the scheme’s operation, questioning agents, and tracking Zala’s assets to recover funds.

In a shocking incident in Vishwakarma Nagar, Nishatpura, a 61-year-old man was allegedly attacked by his wife on Wednesday morning. The woman reportedly bit him multiple times, scratched him severely, and threw toilet cleaner (acid) at him during a heated argument. While the acid did not cause physical harm, it burned his clothes. The Nishatpura police have arrested the accused wife, identified as 45-year-old Durga Lodhi, and charged her with assault and attempted acid attack. Sub-Inspector (SI) Shrikant Dwivedi, the investigating officer, reported that the complainant, Narayan Lodhi, a truck driver, resides in Vishwakarma Nagar with Durga, his second wife. Durga has two daughters, aged 12 and 14, from a previous marriage. Due to his profession, Narayan typically visits home only once or twice a week. According to SI Dwivedi, the altercation occurred around 10 a.m. when Narayan returned home with essential supplies. A dispute over missing items escalated into violence, with Durga biting and scratching him and ultimately throwing acid. Narayan managed to avoid injury from the acid, as it only damaged his clothing. Narayan has alleged that Durga is addicted to alcohol and has a history of violent behavior. He stated that previous police interventions and counseling sessions did not lead to any improvement in her actions. The authorities are continuing their investigation into the matter.

Rumored Bollywood couple Palak Tiwari and Ibrahim Ali Khan have once again grabbed attention for their alleged romance. The two were recently spotted at the Mumbai airport, reportedly returning from a New Year getaway in Goa. Twinning in black, they looked stylish as they exited the airport with their luggage. Despite the ongoing buzz, neither Palak nor Ibrahim has publicly addressed their relationship status. In a past interview with Siddharth Kannan, Palak dismissed the rumors, explaining they were just part of a group outing and share a casual friendship. Palak’s mother, Shweta Tiwari, also weighed in during a separate conversation. She shared that she no longer gets affected by rumors, having faced harsher scrutiny in the past. She highlighted that public attention is fleeting and prefers to focus on more meaningful matters than speculation about her daughter’s personal life.