India releases AI Governance Guidelines to balance innovation, safety, and accountability
The India AI Governance Guidelines, issued under the IndiaAI Mission by MeitY in November 2025, outline a comprehensive framework for ensuring safe, trusted, and inclusive AI development. Anchored in seven guiding “sutras” – Trust, People First, Innovation over Restraint, Fairness & Equity, Accountability, Understandable by Design, and Safety & Sustainability, the guidelines aim to balance innovation with ethical responsibility. They recommend a techno-legal and sector-specific governance model based on six pillars: infrastructure, capacity building, policy and regulation, risk mitigation, accountability, and institutional oversight. The framework calls for the creation of an AI Governance Group (AIGG), a Technology & Policy Expert Committee (TPEC), and a strengthened AI Safety Institute (AISI) to coordinate national efforts. Key measures include a graded liability regime, an India-specific AI risk-classification system, voluntary industry codes, an AI-incidents database, and integration of AI with Digital Public Infrastructure to promote equitable access and innovation.
Read the Guidelines here.
Madhya Pradesh High Court dismisses plea by Shah Bano Begum’s daughter against Haq movie
The Madhya Pradesh High Court (Indore Bench, Justice Pranay Verma) has dismissed a petition filed by Siddiqua Begum Khan, daughter of Shah Bano Begum, seeking to restrain the release of the film Haq, inspired by the landmark 1985 Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum case. The Court held that the right to privacy or reputation does not survive a person’s death and thus cannot be inherited by legal heirs. It noted that the film carries a clear disclaimer stating it is a fictional adaptation inspired by the events and that it has been duly certified by the CBFC. Observing that the petitioner had delayed approaching the court and failed to use the statutory remedy under the Cinematograph Act, the bench refused to stay the film’s release, emphasizing that creative works based on public records and historical events are protected when proper disclaimers are included.
Read order here.
Delhi High Court questions Patanjali’s ad calling all other chyawanprash brands “dhoka”
The Delhi High Court has reserved its verdict on an interim injunction sought by Dabur India Limited against Patanjali Ayurved Limited over a newly released ad for its chyawanprash product that labels all competing brands as “dhoka” (fraud). The court questioned the propriety and fairness of branding “everyone else” in the category as deceptive.
Read more here.
I&B Ministry Proposes TV Ratings Overhaul: CTVs Added, Landing-Pages Excluded
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has floated a draft amendment to the television rating guidelines that would bring connected-TV (CTV) platforms into viewership measurement while simultaneously excluding default “landing page” channels that is, those set-top box channels which auto-play on startup from ratings. The move aims to reflect changing viewing habits and guard against skewed metrics favouring channels placed as default landing slots.
Read more here.
ED Attaches INR 11.14 Crore in Assets of Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan in Illegal Betting Probe
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth approximately INR 11.14 crore belonging to former Indian cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), in connection with its investigation into the offshore online betting platform 1xBet. The attachment includes a mutual fund investment of around INR 6.64 crore in Raina’s name and an immovable property valued at about INR 4.5 crore in Dhawan’s name. The ED alleges that both players “knowingly” entered into endorsement agreements with foreign entities to promote 1xBet, routing payments through intermediaries to conceal proceeds of crime derived from illegal betting operations.
Read more here.
Madras High Court dismisses PIL against alleged food wastage on Cooku With Comali
The Madras High Court (Chief Justice M. Duraiswamy and Justice G. Arul Murugan) dismissed a public interest litigation filed by Syed Alim H seeking to stop the broadcast of the popular Tamil reality show Cooku With Comali, alleging that it promoted large-scale food wastage and violated constitutional duties to safeguard food and natural resources. The bench noted that the petitioner repeatedly failed to appear and that there was no substantial material to prove deliberate wastage of food or violation of any law. Observing that entertainment programs cannot be interfered with on vague moral grounds and that no public injury was demonstrated, the court dismissed the PIL for non-prosecution, reiterating that judicial resources should not be misused for publicity-oriented or poorly substantiated petitions.
Read order here.
Madras High Court reserves verdict on plea by Ilaiyaraaja against the use of his songs in Good Bad Ugly
The Madras High Court has reserved its decision on an application filed by producers Mythri Movie Makers seeking to vacate an interim injunction granted to Ilaiyaraaja which barred them from using three of his compositions in the film “Good Bad Ugly”. Ilaiyaraaja alleges that the songs “Otha Ruba Thaarein”, “Ilamai Idho Idho” and “En Jodi Manja Kuruvi” were used without his consent and in breach of his moral and copyright rights under the Copyright Act, 1957. The producers argue that they acquired the rights from music-labels and that the composer must prove he did not transfer his rights. The interim injunction was first imposed in September, restraining exhibition of the film with these songs.
Read more here
Legal notice sent to “Chiranjeevi Dhaba” for using star’s name and likeness without authorization
A Hyderabad-based eatery named “Chiranjeevi Dhaba” in Nallagandla has been issued a legal notice for using the name and likeness of Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi in its branding, following a civil-court interim order wherein the actor sought protection of his personality rights namely his name, image and voice from commercial use without consent. The owner of the restaurant has responded by saying the naming was done “out of love and respect” and that after being notified of the injunction, he met with the star’s team, received permission to continue using the name, and assured the actor’s fans that the business will not engage in any misuse of the star’s identity.
Read more here.
