Aamir Khan’s son Junaid Khan’s debut film has hit a roadblock ahead of its release. As per reports on a leading news portal, the Gujarat High Court has stayed the film’s release after a plea made by a Hindu group that has claimed the film could incite conflicts.

The report reveals that a petition was filed by followers of Lord Krishna and the Pushtimarg sect. For context, Maharaj is based on the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862. Social reformer Karsandas Mulji alleged that the leaders or the “Maharajs” of the Pushtimarg Vaishnava sect had sexual liaisons with his female devotees. The case went to trial in the Bombay High Court.

The official synopsis of Maharaj reads, “The year is 1862, a time when there were only three universities in India, Rabindranath Tagore is a year old and the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 continues to fan the flames of independence. Against all odds, one man takes a courageous stand in a landmark legal battle, a true story that’s now come to light in Maharaj — more than 160 years later.”

Maharaj also features Jaideep Ahlawat, Shalini Pandey, Sharvari Wagh and more.

The man tortured and killed allegedly by popular Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa died of shock and haemorrhage, according to the autopsy report.

The autopsy found 15 wounds on the body of Renuka Swamy, who was allegedly beaten to death by the actor and his aides.

They kidnapped Renuka Swamy from Karnataka’s Chitradurga over his comments on the social media posts of Pavithra Gowda, the girlfriend of Mr Thoogudeepa.

Renuka Swamy’s body bore wounds and marks on the head, abdomen, chest and other parts. The autopsy report indicated his head rammed a mini truck parked in a shed in Bengaluru where he was brought from Chitradurga. The police have seized this vehicle.

The police have also recovered wooden logs, a leather belt, and a rope used to torture Renuka Swamy.

Mr Thoogudeepa had allegedly planted three men to take the blame for the murder, but during interrogation, they were exposed, the police have said, adding he offered the three Rs 5 lakh each.

“It’s a heinous crime. He (Darshan Thoogudeepa) has to face the consequences… there will be no interference from the government. There is no room for that,” Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Thursday.

Earlier today, a driver identified as Ravi, who had taken Renuka Swamy from Chitradurga to Bengaluru, 200 km apart, surrendered before the police. Another accused, Raghu alias Raghavendra, had along with others arranged Ravi’s taxi and boarded it in Chitradurga city.

Ravi went into hiding after dropping them off in Bengaluru. Later, he reached out to the taxi association in Chitradurga, who told him to surrender to the police, sources said.

Raghu ran a fan club of the Kannada actor in Chitradurga. The actor hired him to gather information about Renuka Swamy, the police had said. Renuka Swamy’s wife alleged he was kidnapped from near their house.

The actor and his aides dumped the body by a road. A food delivery rider saw the body and called the police.

CCTV footage shows two cars – one of them linked to Mr Thoogudeepa – leaving the area after dumping the body.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today arrived in Italy to attend the Outreach session of the G7 Summit and hold bilateral meetings with world leaders. During his day-long visit, PM Modi will participate in the summit session on “Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa-Mediterranean”, which is being hosted by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and joined by Pope Francis.

“Looking forward to engaging in productive discussions with world leaders. Together, we aim to address global challenges and foster international cooperation for a brighter future,” he posted on X after landing in Italy.

Ahead of his departure, PM Modi said he was “glad” that his first visit in the third consecutive term is to Italy for the G7 Summit. 

The G7 leaders – US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel — began two days of summit talks in Puglia on Thursday.

Besides India, Italy has invited leaders from as many as 11 developing countries in Africa, South America, and the Indo-Pacific region to attend the summit.

Here are live updates on PM Modi’s visit to Italy for G7 Summit: