FRIDAY 03 JULY, 2026 epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard X.com/TheMornStandard SC QUASHES VERDICT BASED ON AI-GENERATED ‘PRECEDENTS’ US-IRAN INDIRECT TALKS AFTER FUNERAL The next indirect US-Iran talks will come after the late Iranian supreme leader’s funeral, mediators said, as diplomacy inches ahead on ending the war PAGE 9 Supreme Court set aside a verdict of the National Company Law Tribunal on Thursday, stating that courts must show zero tolerance to AI slop Fabricated case name, faulty citations A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS  NEW DELHI  J8.00 HC AWARDS `18 LAKH TO FATHER AFTER TEEN’S DEATH IN POLICE CUSTODY IN ’18 U D AYA N K I S H O R E @ New Delhi THE Delhi High Court has held that an unnatural death in police custody—even if by suicide—cannot be treated as a private act divorced from State responsibility Holding that per. sons in custody continue to be protected by Article 21 (right to life) of the Constitution, the HC directed the Delhi government to pay `18.44 lakh in compensation to Shyam Sunder for the death of his 19-year-old adopted son, Deepak, at Karawal Nagar Police Station in 2018. In its July 1 judgment, the court observed: “Custodial death is not merely an individual tragedy but a matter of systemic concern, striking at the very foundation of the rule of law. When a person is deprived of liberty and placed in the cus- WHAT HC SAID THE CASE Petitioner’s son Deepak died at Karawal Nagar police station in 2018. He claimed police demanded `30,000 for his son’s release and police negligence led to his son’s death, which was made to look like suicide Custodial deaths are protected under Article 21 Death in custody strikes at rule of law When a person is placed in the custody of the state, the authorities assume a heightened duty of care Any lapse, whether attributed to violence, negligence, unexplained circumstances or even suicide, demands judicial scrutiny tody of the State, the authorities assume a heightened duty of care. Any lapse resulting in death within custody, whether attributed to violence, negligence, unexplained circumstances or even suicide, demands judicial scrutiny, for it implicates both the dignity of the individual and the credibility of the justice system.” Noting that Deepak’s unnat- ural death in custody was “undisputed”, the court said the only issue before it was whether such a death attracted the State’s liability to pay compensation. It clarified that it was not required to determine the precise cause of death or adjudicate allegations of custodial violence or foul play . In his petition, Shyam Sunder alleged that police negli- MAHA BELGIUM COMPLETE COMEBACK It seemed for all money that Senegal would be heading into the last 16. They were leading 2-0 but Belgium got one back and forced an equaliser before winning it via a contentious penalty in injury time to win the game 3-2 US ADVANCE TO LAST 16 The main co-hosts advanced after beating Bosnia & Herzegovina 2-0. But Folarin Balogun, who scored along with Malik Tillman, picked up a red card after what looked like a stamp on the ankle of a covering defender Belgium to face co-hosts US WHY CONTENTIOUS? The on-field ref had waved for play to continue after Youri Tielemans went down. But he was asked to consult the monitor by VAR. The on-field referee gave the penalty. However, it wasn’t a clear and obvious error ARGENTINA START KNOCKOUT JOURNEY Holders Argentina face Cape Verde in one of the last three games of the first knockout stage. The three-time champions are prohibitive favourites but Cape Verde have been resillient so far Today’s matches: Australia vs Egypt 11.30 PM, Argentina vs Cape Verde (3.30 AM)*, Colombia vs Ghana (7.00 AM)* (*IST Saturday) CHHATTISGARH Can’t force Hindu prayer in school: HC gence led to his son’s death. He claimed a stole and two blades found in the lock-up were planted later to create the appearance of suicide. According to the petition, Deepak was arrested on January 15, 2018, from the Karkardooma Court premises. The petitioner alleged that when he went to meet his son, he was illegally detained in the lock-up for several hours, assaulted, threatened by a subinspector and a constable, and asked to pay about `30,000 to secure his son’s release. The following morning, he said, a local politician called to inform him that Deepak had taken his own life in police custody . The post-mortem report recorded the cause of death as “asphyxia due to ante-mortem hanging.” Re-NEET blunders: 1 question deleted, other with 2 answers E J A Z K A I S E R @ Raipur S L A L I T H A @ New Delhi IN a major development concerning the secular character of public education, the Chhattisgarh High Court on Thursday made it clear that school children cannot be forced to recite Hindu prayers in government-run educational institutions. The ruling was delivered by Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad on a writ petition challenging the constitutional validity of a circular issued by the State School Education Department on June 12. A controversy erupted after the BJP-led Chhattisgarh government issued the fiat mandating daily recitation of Vedic mantras, including the Gayatri Mantra and Saraswati Vandana, in all government schools from the new academic session. The legal challenge was filed by former Chhattisgarh Waqf Board Chairman Abdul Salam Rizvi, alongside Mahendra Chhabda and social activist Shafique Ahmed. The state government told the court that the actual implementation of the circular had not yet begun in any school. Justice Prasad disposed the petition. However, the court left the door open for petitioners to approach it again if any child is compelled to participate in the religious recitations.“There is no issue if students of a particular faith recite Hindu prayers in government schools but students of other religions shouldn’t be coerced to follow it,” Aamir Khan, counsel for the petitioners, told this paper. JUST when the NEET-UG controversy appeared to be dying down after the successful completion of the June 21 re-exam, it has come to light that the Physics question paper had two blunders in it. One question had no correct answer and the National Testing Agency (NTA) will be dropping it, resulting in four bonus marks to all students. Another question had two answers, both of which will be treated as correct. Despite requests, neither the NTA nor the Education Ministry commented. The exam had 180 multiple choice questions in all with four marks awarded for each correct answer. It was split into 45 questions each for Physics, Chemistry Botany and Zoology , for a total of 720 marks. Harpreet Singh, director at Visionary Masters in Delhi, said, “The question on Vernier Callipers has four answer options. All four are wrong. The correct answer is 1.6 cm and it does not figure among the options for question 40.” The other blunder is the query on elec- U-TURN ON RTI RULES CHANGE AFTER HAZARE FAST THREAT Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an immediate stay on the Maharashtra Right to Information Rules following a hunger strike threat by Anna Hazare | P8  PAGES 12 The matter arose from an insolvency dispute involving Pooja Singh and J&K Bank and Essel Infraprojects Ltd. The appellant challenged an NCLT Mumbai order that had admitted a Section 7 insolvency application. The Supreme Court found that several “precedents” cited by NCLT did not exist. These included fabricated case names and wrong attributions | P7 1st def co-development project deal with Japan Agreement to upgrade the Comprehensive Economic Partnership J AYA N T H J A C O B A N D P U S H P I TA D E Y @ New Delhi INDIA and Japan on Thursday elevated their global strategic partnership with a twin push on defence manufacturing and economic integration, signing their first-ever defence co-development project while agreeing to upgrade the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), as Prime Minister Narendra Modi described “unbreakable mutual trust” as the bedrock of bilateral ties. The two sides also unveiled a roadmap on economic security , supply chain resilience, clean energy and biotech following the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit between Prime Minister Modi and his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi. “Today, we have signed an agreement on the first co-development project between India and Japan in the defence sector. This project for a naval radio antenna will open a new chapter in our defence technology partnership,” Modi said. The pact relates to the Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) project, a next-generation naval communications system designed to provide secure and reliable communications for warships. The joint statement said both PMs welcomed the conclusion Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Japan counterpart Sanae Takaichi | PTI Widening trade deficit The CEPA review assumes significance as India’s trade deficit with Japan widened over the past decade — from $5.18 billion in 2015-16 to $15.4 billion in 2025-26. During the same period, imports rose to $21.43 billion, while India’s exports increased only modestly to $6 billion in principle of the remaining technical issues on UNICORN and agreed to explore additional defence equipment and technology collaborations. Modi welcomed Japan’s review of its Russia buying Indian gasoline? Not directly from refiners, says minister R A K E S H K U M A R @ New Delhi PETROLEUM Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday denied reports that Indian refiners are exporting gasoline to Russia, saying none of India’s public or private refiners are currently shipping fuel to the country. The minister, while speaking to the media, said that any Indian-origin fuel reaching Russia could have been traded through intermediaries rather than sold directly by Indian companies. The clarification came after media reports claimed Russia had imported seaborne gasoline from India to meet domes- Fuel prices On possibility of a cut in domestic fuel prices, Petroleum Minister Puri said petrol and diesel prices could be reduced if international crude prices remain at current levels for the next few months tic demand after Ukrainian attacks disrupted its refining facilities. According to reports, at least 60,000 metric tonnes of gasoline have already been dispatched from India, while another report said two tankers carrying 30,000-40,000 tonnes each had been sent.“None of the Indian refiners, including private refiners, are exporting gasoline to Russia. It may be some intermediary… Crude oil and refined products are often traded multiple times through intermediaries before reaching the final destination. Therefore, the original source of a shipment may differ from the immediate seller,” Puri said. The minister, while speaking on exports of petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF), said India is one of the world’s largest refining and petroleumexporting hubs, supplying refined products to more than 140 countries. HEALTHY FIZZ NTA’s answer key officially stating the remedies for the two blunders | NTA tromagnetic waves. “While ideally there should be only one answer for a question, both the answers 3 and 4 are correct for this question numbered 22,” Singh said. The NTA portal says, “If none of the options is correct, a question is wrong or dropped, all candidates who appeared will be given four marks irrespective of whether the question has been attempted or not attempted by the candidate.” EXPRESS READ International flyer likely to get relief up to `10k J’khand ends opposition to VB-G RAM G scheme Air India has reduced the fuel surcharge cess, a crucial component of the air fare, from July 1. Other airlines are likely to follow suit. The reduction could be in the range of 10% due to fall in global crude prices. | P7 The Jharkhand govt on Thursday approved the implementation of the VB-G RAM G, deciding that the government will bear the entire 40% state share of wages. The ruling JMM-Congress govt had earlier opposed the scheme. Cola-veri as new entrant shakes up duopoly in soft drinks market D I PA K M O N D A L @ New Delhi KOLKATA-based ITC has opened a new front in India’s famed cola wars, traditionally waged by Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. The Indian company’s latest coconut-based carbonated drink has reignited interest in the country’s soft drinks market, currently dominated by the two US giants that control nearly 90% of the market. Reliance Industries-owned desi brand Campa Cola, a distant third player, has been unable to make inroads into this highly entrenched market. ITC’s entry will add another layer of competition but may not disrupt the market. According to sources, ITC’s B Natural Coconut Cola lacks the conventional ‘fizz’ needed to make significant headway in the fiercely contested cola segment. Interestingly, ITC is not trying to compete with established cola brands; instead, it wants to create an entirely new category by blending coconut water with cola flavour. The drink is positioned as a healthier alternative, with lower calories and no added sugar. Industry executives point out that ITC has stayed away from the aggressive price wars. B Natural Coconut Cola is priced at `60 for a 250 ml can, compared with `38 for a 300 ml can of Coca-Cola. Direct competition unlikely, say analysts According to market analysts, ITC’s foray into soft drinks may not intensify competition in the cola market. A broking analyst said ITC itself is unlikely to take on the established players directly, given Reliance’s limited success so far in challenging the two US beverage giants “It is being marketed as a premium product,” said the spokesperson for a quick-commerce platform. The product is available only on select quickcommerce platforms. A brokerage analyst tracking ITC said the launch is part of the company’s strategy to introduce innovative beverages, including Breakfast Smoothie with Oats, Mango Smoothie with Chunks and Berry Smoothie with Chia Seeds. Reliance recently said that Campa Cola, the iconic brand revived by Reliance Consumer Products Ltd, has become one of India’s top four carbonated beverage brands in less than two years of its relaunch. According to RCPL, Campa recorded annual revenue of `4,700 crore in FY26, m a k i n g i t I n d i a ’s fourth-largest carbonated drinks brand. principles governing the transfer of defence equipment and technology, which New Delhi sees as opening new avenues for industrial collaboration. Both leaders also agreed to modernise the India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Ag reement (CEPA), which came into force in 2011 but has come under scrutiny over its limited benefits for Indian exporters. “Upgradation of the CEPA pact and review of its provisions were discussed....whether the agreement has become outdated in light of newer trade arrangements,” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said. Sources said India has sought a review of several non-tariff barriers, particularly Japan’s stringent sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, which have constrained Indian exports despite preferential tariff access. “The global trade landscape has evolved considerably since 2011, and India has conveyed its interest in reviewing aspects of CEPA,” a senior government source said. The summit also produced a Joint Roadmap on Economic Security, under which the two countries will strengthen supply chain resilience in strategic sectors including semiconductors, quantum technologies and advanced materials. CAG eyes on Delhi discoms for `38,500 cr power burden A N U P V E R M A @ New Delhi The Delhi government has ordered a CAG audit of the capital’s three private power distribution companies to examine how regulatory assets worth nearly `38,500 crore accumulated over the years without being recovered from consumers. The power department on Wednesday directed the CAG to conduct a “strict and intensive” audit into the circumstances under which BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd (BRPL), BSES Yamuna Power Ltd (BYPL) and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd (TPDDL) continued to carry the mounting regulatory assets on their books. According to the order, all concerned authorities, including the distribution firms, have been asked to extend full cooperation and provide all records, information and assistance required by the CAG and its authorised officers for the audit. The audit must be completed, preferably within three months of the order date, although the CAG may extend the timeline depending on the scope and complexity of the exercise. Calling it a victory for electricity consumers and honest taxpayers, Delhi Power Minister Ashish Sood alleged that after the privatisation of the city’s power sector, several financial decisions, special arrangements and rising liabilities escaped public scrutiny . He also targetted the previous AAP government, accusing it of protecting the system instead of examining it. “What they failed to do in 10 years, our government has initiated within a few months,” he said. Sood said people have a right to know how regulatory assets kept increasing and who benefited while the financial burden continued for consumers.