A 17-year-old boy died after being electrocuted while walking through a waterlogged street in Maharashtra’s Thane during heavy rainfall. According to his family, exposed electrical cables lying inside roadside gutters became live after the rain, and repeated calls for emergency assistance went unanswered. The teenager reportedly received a fatal electric shock after stepping into the flooded area. The incident has triggered allegations of negligence against civic authorities over poor maintenance of electrical infrastructure and delayed emergency response. Officials have launched an investigation into the tragedy, while the grieving family has demanded accountability and action to prevent similar incidents. (PC: NDTV)

The family of 33-year-old merchant navy sailor Rakesh Ramdev Chauhan from Uttar Pradesh has alleged that his body was returned from Venezuela with several vital organs missing after his death aboard a merchant vessel. A second post-mortem in India reportedly found the brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, stomach, intestines and other organs absent, making the exact cause of death impossible to determine. While Venezuelan authorities attributed the death to a heart attack, the family and the Federation of Seafarers' Unions of India (FSUI) have demanded a transparent investigation, accountability, and compensation, raising concerns over possible irregularities in the handling of the case.

India's Supreme Court has strongly cautioned against the misuse of artificial intelligence in legal proceedings, calling its unchecked use "catastrophic" and warning that fake or AI-generated case citations threaten the justice system. The court said relying on fabricated judgments or unverified AI outputs amounts to misconduct, not a simple error. Stressing that AI can only assist and never replace human judgment, the bench highlighted the need for accountability by judges and lawyers. The observations came while examining cases involving AI-generated fake legal citations and reinforced the court's push for responsible AI use in India's judicial system. (PC: HT)

A man died after falling into an open manhole in Mumbai’s Sakinaka area during heavy rain on Thursday. According to officials, the man was reportedly using his mobile phone while walking when he stepped into the uncovered drain, where maintenance work was underway. Contract workers tried to rescue him immediately, but strong water flow swept him away. Only his umbrella and slippers were recovered at the scene. The tragedy occurred as Mumbai faced intense monsoon rainfall, causing severe waterlogging across the city. The incident has raised fresh concerns over safety measures, including barricades and warning signs, at maintenance sites. (PC: HT)

The death of 26-year-old Ketan Agarwal at Pune's Lohagad Fort has sparked intense debate over trial by media. What was initially treated as an accidental fall turned into a murder investigation after police arrested his fiancée, Siya Goyal, and her friend, Chetan Chaudhary, accusing them of killing him. Both have denied the allegations through their lawyers, who say there is no conclusive evidence against them. As the investigation continues, personal photos, videos and unverified claims have flooded television and social media, raising concerns that public opinion is being shaped before a court has determined guilt or innocence. (PC: X)

An India-bound oil tanker has safely reached Paradip Port in Odisha after coming under gunfire near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiest shipping routes. The vessel was carrying crude oil when it encountered the security incident during its voyage through the tense Gulf region. Despite the attack, the tanker continued its journey without major damage or injuries to the crew. Authorities confirmed that the ship arrived safely at the Indian port and cargo operations are expected to continue as planned. The incident highlights ongoing security risks for commercial shipping in the Middle East. (PC: X)

The Indian government has issued a notice to Meta, directing it not to roll out WhatsApp's new username feature in India until consultations are completed. Authorities have asked the company to submit a detailed explanation within three days, citing concerns over fraud, impersonation, digital scams, and user safety. The proposed feature would allow users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers, but officials fear it could be misused by scammers. Meta has been asked to clarify the safeguards built into the feature before any launch decision is taken. (PC: HT)

Police investigating the alleged theft of donations from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya have disclosed the amounts each accused is suspected of stealing, ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹20 lakh. According to investigators, the accused exploited security loopholes and diverted devotees' offerings over time. The case came to light after internal discrepancies triggered an investigation, leading to multiple arrests and cash recoveries. Authorities are continuing to examine financial records, CCTV footage, and the possible involvement of additional individuals. The high-profile case has intensified demands for stricter security, transparency, and accountability in managing temple donations. (PC: NDTV)

Eleven-year-old Vihaan Srivastava’s family has demanded accountability after the Chembur tree collapse in Mumbai claimed his life. His grandfather alleged civic negligence, saying residents had repeatedly warned authorities about the dangerous tree. The family plans legal action, insisting those responsible be punished to prevent similar tragedies. Relatives remembered Vihaan as a cheerful, caring child passionate about cricket, revealing they cremated him with his cricket ball. Neighbours and local representatives criticised the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), alleging repeated complaints about hazardous trees were ignored. MLA Tukaram Kate and MP Anil Desai called for a thorough investigation, better tree monitoring and maintenance, and strict action if negligence by civic authorities is established. (PC: NDTV)

The Centre has notified the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme, 2026, creating a fully digital compliance framework under the Code on Social Security, 2020. Existing EPF members will continue automatically, while new employees will be enrolled from the applicable date. The scheme introduces a dedicated framework for international workers, covering foreign employees in India and eligible Indians working in countries with Social Security Agreements. Employers must digitally upload employee records, UAN details and statutory returns, while employees will submit Aadhaar, PAN and bank details online. Electronic nominations, digital claim processing, automated fund transfers and e-passbooks become standard. Principal employers will share EPF compliance responsibility for contract workers, with delays attracting penalties. (PC: Times Bull)