BHUBANESWAR l friday l july 03, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l JEYPORE EDITION SC quashes verdict based on AI-generated ‘precedents’ 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 ai is methyl isocyanate of law, says sc 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 ■ ■ The bench comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe said, “The production of fake, non-existent, and hallucinated material as precedents is like release of methyl Isocyanate in law and justice...” The bench clarified that its judgment shall have no bearing on the rightful use of AI, but would only apply to fake AI-led case histories Two Tribunals, NCLT and NCLAT, relied on AI-generated fake citations CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Odisha bags India’s largest metallurgy 1st def co-development FDI with `1.08L cr aluminium project project deal with Japan E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Bhubaneswar In what is being billed as India’s largest foreign direct investment (FDI) in the metallurgy sector, Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) and Abu Dhabi-based International Resources Holding (IRH), an IHC Group company, on Thursday signed an MoU with the Odisha government to develop an integrated greenfield aluminium project at an estimated investment of about `1.08 lakh crore (USD 11.5 billion). Considered the largest FDI in Odisha’s history, AEL and IRH will execute the project through a 50:50 joint venture. The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Industries minister Sampad Chandra Swain, IHC Group CEO Syed Basar Shueb and managing director of Adani CM Mohan Charan Majhi shaking hand with IHC Group CEO Syed Basar Shueb after signing of MoU while Managing Director of Adani Ports Karan Adani looks on | Express Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) Karan Adani,. The integrated complex will comprise a 4 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) alumina refinery, a 2 MMTPA aluminium smelter, a 4,000 MW captive power plant and a 1 MMTPA downstream manufacturing park, along with support- ing infrastructure. The project will be implemented in two phases, with Phase I attracting around `66,000 crore and Phase II another `44,000 crore. The venture is expected to generate around 53,500 jobs, including nearly 35,000 during the construction phase and another 18,500 across mining, refining, smelting and downstream manufacturing operations. Additional indirect employment is expected in logistics, engineering, maintenance and ancillary industries. While AEL is the flagship company of the Adani Group, IHC is among the world’s largest investment holding companies with interests across infrastructure, mining, manufacturing, energy, technology, healthcare and financial services. Terming the investment a milestone, Majhi said the project would position Odisha as a global aluminium manufacturing hub by developing the entire value chain, from mining and alumina refining to smelting and downstream production, while supporting the state’s Samruddha Odisha 2036 vision and contributing to Viksit Bharat 2047.  Continued on P5 Russia buying Indian gasoline? Not directly from refiners: Minister Majhi, Samal’s Delhi dash fuels cabinet rejig buzz Rake s h K u ma r @ New Delhi The sudden visit of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and state BJP president Manmohan Samal to New Delhi on Thursday has sparked fresh speculation over a possible reshuffle of the state cabinet and long-pending political appointments to state-run corporations and boards. The development comes amid cancellation of the July 4 visit of Union Home minister Amit Shah to Odisha citing urgent engagements in the national capital. BJP sources said the Delhi programme of Majhi and Sa- 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 domestic 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 30,00040,000 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. E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Bhubaneswar Majhi and Samal are likely to meet party national president Nitin Nabin at the party headquarters. The two leaders are also expected to hold discussions with Amit Shah BJP sources mal was finalised late on Wednesday night after it became clear that Shah’s Odisha tour would not take place as scheduled. This has intensified political chatter over a possible reshuffle of the Union council of ministers anytime soon. While the purpose of visit of the two top leaders of the state BJP has not been officially dis- closed, party insiders said discussions in New Delhi could include a long-awaited reshuffle and expansion of the state council of ministers as well as appointments to various corporations and boards that have remained vacant since it assumed office in Odisha. According to BJP sources, Majhi and Samal are likely to meet party national president Nitin Nabin at the party headquarters. The leaders are also expected to hold discussions with Amit Shah, while another source indicated that a meeting with BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh is also on Continued on P5 the cards.  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) Cola-veri as new entrant shakes up soft drinks market 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 J ayan t h J a c o b and P u s h pi 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 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 PMs welcomed the conclusion 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 principles governing the trans- 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. “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 track- 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 ing 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. fer 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. One question to be dropped from re-NEET examination S lali t h a @ New Delhi Belgium complete comeback HEALTHY Fizz D I PA K M O N D A L @ New Delhi Agreement to upgrade the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Speed breaker An SUV lodged on the iron reinforcement bars of an under-construction bridge after crashing through roadside barriers near Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh | pti Can’t force Hindu prayer in school, says C’garh HC E J A Z K A I S E R @Raipur The proposal 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 governmentrun 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 for mer Chhattisgarh Waqf Board Chairman Abdul Salam Rizvi, alongside Mahendra Chhabda and social activist Shafique Ahmed. The state government informed the court that the actual implementation of the administrative circular had not yet be- The C’garh directive proposed assembly recitations such as the National Anthem, National Song, Saraswati Vandana, Guru Mantra and readings from biographies of prominent historical figures. gun in any school so far. Taking note of the government’s submission, Justice Prasad disposed of the petition. However, the court left the door open for future judicial intervention, granting petitioners liberty to approach it again if any child is found to have been 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. The petitioners argued that the directive was a direct assault on the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Indian Constitution and a violation of secularism. 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 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 repeated requests, neither the NTA nor the Education Ministry was ready to come out with an official statement on the blunder. 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, a reputed Physics teacher and Director at Visionary Masters in Delhi shared the queries with this paper. “The question on Vernier Callipers, has four answer options. All four are wrong. The correct answer should be 1.6 cm and it does not figure among the options,” he said. The other blunder is the query on electromagnetic 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 states, “If none of the options is correct or a question is wrong or is dropped, all candidates who appeared will be given four marks irrespective of whether the question has been attempted or not attempted by the candidate.” NTA stated in the case of a question with two answers, the bonus marks will be awarded only to students who chose either of the two as options.