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Surveillance order: Supreme Court notice to Modi govt seeks reply in six weeks

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Surveillance order: Supreme Court notice to Modi govt seeks reply in six weeks

The Supreme Court today (Monday, Jan 14) issued a notice to Narendra Modi government on a clutch of petitions challenging its Dec 20 notification authorising 10 central agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt information generated, transmitted or stored on any computer in India.

The top court bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Ashok Bhushan and SK Kaul directed the Centre to respond to the notice within six weeks.

However, the top court, which had earlier denied an early hearing in the case, refused to grant an interim stay on the implementation of the controversial surveillance order.

According to the notification, the subscriber or service provider or any person in charge of the computer resource will be bound to extend all facilities and technical assistance to the agencies and failing to do will invite seven-year imprisonment and fine.

The 10 agencies notified under the new order are the Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (for Income Tax Department), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Bureau of Investigation, National Investigation Agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, Directorate of Signal Intelligence (in service areas of J-K, North East and Assam) and Delhi Police.

Earlier, the government had authorised agencies to tap phone calls but after permission from the Home Secretary. The order was last updated in 2011 and enables agencies to get into social media accounts and telephone intercepts.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has now authorised the agencies to intercept information under section 69 (1) of the Information Technology Act, 2000

“For the first time, powers of scanning data at rest have been given to various agencies. Earlier, only data in motion could be intercepted. But now data revived, stored and generated can also be intercepted as powers of seizure have been given,” a senior bureaucrat had explained to NDTV.

This means not just calls or emails, but any data found on a computer can be intercepted. The agencies will also have powers to seize the devices.

The home ministry has authorised the agencies to intercept information under 69 (1) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 which says the central government can direct any agency after it is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient to do so in the “interest of the sovereignty or integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognisable offence relating to above or for investigation of any offence”.

The government had come under fire for its order with the Opposition accusing the Centre of running a “police state”.

However, the Central government said the rules for intercepting and monitoring computer data were framed in 2009 when the Congress-led UPA was in power and its new order only notified the designated authority which can carry out such action.

At least four petitions have been moved before the Supreme Court challenging the snooping order on grounds that it violates an individual’s right to privacy and also the apex court’s landmark privacy verdict.

The petitions by lawyer Shreya Singhal, her co-petitioner and Trinamool Congress lawmaker Mahua Moitra, Supreme Court lawyer ML Sharma and others alleged that the government’s order is against the fundamental right to privacy and must be cancelled in the interest of justice.

Advocate Manohar Lal Sharma has sought that the notification be quashed and alleged that the government’s motive behind the order was “to find political opponent, thinker and speaker to control entire country under dictatorship to win coming general elections under an undisclosed emergency as well as slavery which cannot be permitted within the Constitution of India (sic)”.

The plea termed the notification “illegal, unconstitutional and ultra vires to the law.” He also sought to prohibit the agencies from initiating any criminal proceedings, enquiry or investigation against anybody under the provisions of the IT Act based on the notification.

The petition alleged that the notification gives the state the right to access every communication, computer and mobile and “to use it to protect political interest and object of the present executive political party.”

A separate petition filed by advocate Amit Sahni says the directive issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs is “undemocratic and an assault on fundamental rights of the citizens of India”.

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Bollywood news

Hrithik Roshan’s Krrish 4 in trouble? Siddharth Anand exits, Rakesh Roshan steps back from direction

Krrish 4 faces another delay as Siddharth Anand exits and Rakesh Roshan steps back from direction. Budget concerns continue to stall the superhero project.

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3 hours ago

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March 17, 2025

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Krrish 4, Hrithik Roshan, Bollywood superhero movie, Siddharth Anand, Rakesh Roshan, Krrish franchise, Bollywood film delays, Krrish 4 budget

The much-anticipated Bollywood superhero film Krrish 4, starring Hrithik Roshan, has hit another roadblock as director Siddharth Anand and his banner Marflix have exited the project. Reports indicate that the film’s budget, reportedly touching ₹700 crore, has made it difficult for production houses to move forward with the project.

Adding to the uncertainty, Rakesh Roshan, who directed the previous installments of the Krrish franchise, has decided to step away from directing the film, choosing to “pass on the baton” to a new director.

Production struggles continue

Krrish 4 has faced multiple delays over the years, and with the exit of Siddharth Anand, the situation has become even more complicated. Hrithik Roshan, who had wanted Anand to direct, is now left looking for a new team to take the project forward.

Although there are reports suggesting that the film’s ₹700 crore budget is the reason for the hurdles, another source has denied these claims, stating that the “astronomical figures doing the rounds are completely untrue.”

New production plans in motion

While Marflix will no longer be part of the film, FilmKraft, the production house owned by the Roshan family, is reportedly looking for a new studio to back the film. With no director or confirmed production house in place, it remains to be seen how and when the film will move forward.

For now, Krrish 4 remains in limbo, with fans eagerly waiting for an official update on its future.

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Cricket news

IML final: West Indies Masters get bigger prize money despite finishing as runners-up, check prize money

India Masters clinched the IML 2025 title, winning ₹1 crore in prize money, while West Indies Masters secured ₹5 crore for finishing runners-up.

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4 hours ago

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March 17, 2025

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IML 2025, India Masters, West Indies Masters, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Ambati Rayudu, Shahbaz Nadeem, cricket prize money, IML final 2025

Sachin Tendulkar’s India Masters emerged victorious in the inaugural International Masters League (IML), defeating Brian Lara’s West Indies Masters by six wickets in the final. The match, played with intense competition despite featuring retired cricketers, saw India dominate from the start, thanks to a stellar bowling performance by Shahbaz Nadeem and a match-winning knock from Ambati Rayudu.

Prize money breakdown

The India Masters, featuring cricket legends like Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, and Irfan Pathan, were awarded a cash prize of ₹1 crore for their triumph. Surprisingly, the West Indies Masters, despite finishing as runners-up, took home a higher prize amount of ₹5 crore.

Ambati Rayudu Shines in the Final

Ambati Rayudu played a crucial role in India’s victory, scoring 74 runs off 50 balls, earning him the Player of the Match award along with a cash prize of ₹50,000.

Full List of Award Winners

Match Awards

Player of the Match: Ambati Rayudu (74 runs off 50 balls) – Rs 50,000

Masterstroke of the Match: Ambati Rayudu (9 fours) – Rs 50,000

Most Sixes in the Match: Ambati Rayudu (3 sixes) – Rs 50,000

Gamechanger of the Match: Shahbaz Nadeem (2/12 in 4 overs)

Most Economical Bowler: Shahbaz Nadeem (economy rate of 3.00)

Season Awards

Most Fours in the Season: Kumar Sangakkara – 38 fours (Rs 5 lakh)

Most Sixes in the Season: Shane Watson – 25 sixes (Rs 5 lakh)

The tournament saw heated moments, including a verbal altercation between Yuvraj Singh and Tino Best, proving that even legends still bring passion and intensity to the game.

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Bollywood news

Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency tops Netflix, sparks debate over Oscars

Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ is the #1 trending movie on Netflix. She calls the Oscars “silly,” stating that America wouldn’t acknowledge the film’s political message.

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4 hours ago

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March 17, 2025

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Kangana Ranaut, Emergency movie, Emergency on Netflix, Netflix India trending, Kangana Oscars comment, Bollywood news, Sanjay Gupta on Emergency, Indira Gandhi movie

Kangana Ranaut’s latest film, Emergency, has taken the top spot on Netflix India, making it the #1 trending movie on the platform. The film, which portrays the events of the 1975 Emergency in India with Ranaut playing former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, has garnered widespread praise.

However, when a social media user suggested that the film should be India’s entry for the Oscars, Ranaut had a bold response, dismissing the Academy Awards as “silly.”

Kangana Ranaut’s take on the Oscars

A fan on Twitter wrote, “#EmergencyOnNetflix should go for the Oscars from India. Kangana, what a film.” In response, Ranaut reposted the tweet, stating:

“But America wouldn’t like to acknowledge its real face, how they bully, suppress, and arm-twist developing nations. It’s been exposed in #Emergency. They can keep their silly Oscar. We have National Awards.”

Her remarks come amid growing recognition for the film, which she directed, produced, and starred in.

Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta praises ‘Emergency’

Despite initial skepticism, filmmaker Sanjay Gupta was highly impressed by the film. Sharing his thoughts, he tweeted:

“Today I watched EMERGENCY by @KanganaTeam. Very frankly I wasn’t planning to as I had prejudged it. I am so glad that I was wrong. What a fantastic film by Kangana—both performance & direction. Top Notch & World Class.”

Ranaut acknowledged his praise, calling for the industry to shed its “hate and prejudices” and judge films based on merit rather than preconceived notions.

Ranaut on her performance in ‘Emergency’

Many fans have lauded her acting in the film, with some calling it her best performance to date, surpassing her acclaimed roles in Queen, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Fashion, and Thalaivi.

In response, Ranaut said:

“People are calling my acting in #Emergency amazing and my best ever. Could I surpass Queen, TWM2, Fashion, Thalaivi? Watch #Emergency and find out.”

Emergency tops Netflix charts

Released on March 15, 2025, Emergency has climbed to the #1 spot on Netflix India’s movies list, ahead of Ajay Devgn’s Azaad and Naga Chaitanya-Sai Pallavi’s Thandel.

Apart from Kangana Ranaut, the film features a stellar cast including Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair, Milind Soman, and the late Satish Kaushik. Produced by Zee Studios and Manikarnika Films, the film offers a dramatic retelling of the 21-month Emergency period imposed in 1975.

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