Skoda India has introduced two new limited-run colours with the Slavia Monte Carlo Edition. The carmaker says that only 200 units of the Slavia Monte Carlo will be produced in these colour options. Prices remain unchanged, despite the introduction of the exclusive new colours, ranging from Rs 16.69 lakh to Rs 18.19 lakh.
In welcome news for enthusiasts, BMW has indicated that the next-gen ICE-powered M3 will continue to offer a manual gearbox. BMW M chief executive officer Frank van Meel stated in a recent interview that the performance division intends to keep the three-pedal option alive “as long as possible” despite tightening regulations and dwindling supplier support.
Speaking to Autocar UK, van Meel noted that manual transmissions remain an important part of BMW M’s identity because of the driver engagement they provide. “We want to have this mechanical connection, shifting by yourself. It’s an emotional thing; it’s not just an engineering thing, and it’s still there,” van Meel said.
He pointed to the BMW M2 as proof that demand for manual gearboxes remains strong. In the US – a market where automatic cars vastly outsell manual ones – M2 sales are split roughly 50:50 between the performance coupe’s 6-speed manual and the 8-speed automatic variants. In May 2026, BMW even introduced a limited-run M3 CS Handschalter edition with a 6-speed manual only for the US and Canada.
However, van Meel acknowledged that offering manual gearboxes is becoming increasingly difficult. “The supplier base is getting smaller, and with all the driver-assist systems, it is getting more difficult to disconnect the drivetrain,” he said, before adding that BMW still intends “to keep the manual as long as possible”.
Unlike the new Audi RS5, which uses a V6 plug-in hybrid powertrain in the interest of meeting emission norms, the next-gen ICE M3 will continue using its predecessor’s 3.0-litre ‘S58’ turbo-petrol inline-six engine with no major electric assistance.
BMW recently upgraded the S58 engine to comply with upcoming Euro 7 emissions regulations, introducing pre-chamber combustion (wherein the air-fuel mixture is ignited right before it enters the cylinder) and new variable-geometry turbochargers. The changes are touted to improve combustion efficiency, reduce emissions and maintain performance without sacrificing the engine’s character.
According to BMW, the Euro 7-compliant S58 even has throatier induction and exhaust sounds at high revs. However, engine output will remain unchanged from that of the current M3, which churns out 530hp and 650Nm. The BMW M boss added that the automaker is confident it can preserve the engine’s performance despite stricter emissions requirements, although cooling remains one of the biggest engineering challenges.
“If you go on track, of course, temperature is an issue. We improved cooling to counteract; the challenge with the big engines and the big coolers is that they need to be even stronger,” van Meel remarked. Therefore, expect the front end of the new ICE-powered M3 to sport a large open grille with a big intercooler behind it.
BMW will sell both ICE and EV versions of the next-generation M3 simultaneously. While the two models will share similar styling inspired by the Vision Neue Klasse M Concept, they will be underpinned by different platforms and use entirely different powertrains.
According to van Meel, BMW wants customers to decide whether they prefer petrol or electric performance rather than forcing either on them: “There might be customers who say ‘I want to have a combustion engine because I like the sound… or I cannot charge.’ That’s fully okay.”
BMW M sales boss Sylvia Neubauer separately told Autocar UK that the ICE and electric M3 will be priced in the “same ballpark” and confirmed that the carmaker will continue offering combustion-powered M cars for enthusiasts who are not ready to switch to electric.
Neubauer also confirmed that there will be a Touring estate version of the next-gen M3, as the current one is among BMW M’s strongest-performing models, especially in China. Expect the next-gen M3 Touring to have mechanicals similar to its sedan counterpart.
A new camouflaged prototype vehicle was recently spied testing in India, which many online reports speculated to be one of Tata’s upcoming Avinya models. Contrary to those reports, however, the spotted test mule is actually the Sterra ET, an SUV manufactured by Chinese automaker Exceed, a premium brand of Chery. Incidentally, the Exceed Sterra ET is based on the same Chery-JLR platform which Tata Motors recently announced will be underpinning its upcoming Avinya range.
Tata Motors recently confirmed that the Avinya range of models will be underpinned by the Freelander EV platform produced by Chery-JLR in China. Known as the E0X, this platform also underpins several other models in the Chinese market like the Exceed Sterra ES and Sterra ET, the latter of which has been spied testing on our roads. It’s also known as the Exceed Exlantix ET in markets outside China.
Essentially, the company is using the Exceed Sterra ET as a test bed for its upcoming Avinya EVs, but the spied test mule doesn’t preview any Avinya model in particular, even though its proportions are very similar to the Avinya X concept.
While Avinya EV’s underlying mechanical architecture is expected to be similar to other models based on the E0X platform, Tata Motors is understood to be reworking key parts of the electronics, software and vehicle systems for Indian market requirements.
The Sterra ET is a near-5-meter-long SUV that’s available with both all-electric and range-extender hybrid powertrain options. It’s Exeed’s second product in its Sterra lineup after the Sterra ES sedan.
In all-electric guise, the Sterra ET gets an 800V architecture and can support batteries of up to 100kWh in size. It comes in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations and is claimed to return up to 760km of range in the CLTC cycle. Meanwhile, the range-extender hybrid versions use a 400V architecture and are powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine coupled with either a 32kWh or a 41.2kWh battery packs. This, too, comes in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, and is said to return a combined range of up to 1518 km on the CLTC cycle.
It remains to be seen which powertrain configurations Tata chooses for its Avinya range of EVs. The Sterra ET also gets Level 2 ADAS features, OTA updates and V2L capabilities.
The first production model under the Avinya brand will be the Avinya X, due for a market launch in 2027.
Image Source: torq_uenation via Instagram
MG has unveiled special Couture Editions of the M9 MPV and Cyberster electric roadster in collaboration with fashion designer Gaurav Gupta. Production of both models will be limited to 50 units each, with pre-reservations now open ahead of the price announcement on August 3.
Both special editions feature design elements inspired by Gupta’s Serpent Infinity motif. MG says the cars receive bespoke finishes and handcrafted detailing inspired by the designer’s couture collection. No mechanical or feature changes have been announced. he Cyberster was also showcased as part of Gupta’s ‘Light Song’ collection in Mumbai.
The Couture Editions will be sold exclusively through MG SELECT, the company’s premium retail channel. MG says pre-reservations will remain open until the prices are announced on August 3.
The standard MG M9 is priced at Rs 75.90 lakh, while the MG Cyberster costs Rs 77.50 lakh (both prices, ex-showroom). The M9 is powered by a 245hp, 350Nm front-mounted electric motor paired with a 90kWh battery giving it an ARAI-claimed range of 548 km, while the Cyberster gets a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup producing 510hp and 725Nm, powered by a 77kWh battery with a claimed range of 580km on the MIDC cycle.
First introduced in 2020, the Sonet was Kia’s second model for India. As the Korean carmaker’s answer to the compact SUV segment, the Sonet is aimed at buyers looking for a stylish and feature-rich option. The Sonet last received a comprehensive facelift in 2024 that introduced a fresh exterior and new features. If you’re interested in the Sonet, below are reasons to consider buying one and reasons why it may not be the car for you.
The cabin of the Sonet is a great place to be in. Irrespective of the trim level, you’ll get a cabin that’s well put together. Fit and finish in most sections of the interior is great for the price and class. The dashboard trim has a textured finish, the physical buttons have tactile feedback, and the chunky steering wheel with well-crafted buttons feels good to hold. Depending on the trim level, the Sonet offers five interior and seat finish colours.
In the features department, the Sonet is among the better-equipped SUVs in the segment. Top-spec versions come packed with features like dual 10.25-inch screens for the digital driver’s display and infotainment display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, front seat ventilation, powered driver seat, single-pane sunroof, traction modes, drive modes, air purifier, Bose audio system, and a wireless phone charger. On the safety front, the Sonet comes with level 1 ADAS, a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors and a blind-view monitor.
The Sonet has one of the most diverse powertrain ranges in its class. Three engine options are on offer, including an 88hp 115Nm, 1.2-litre naturally aspirated (NA) petrol engine, a 120hp, 172Nm 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, and a 115hp 250Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engine. A 6-speed manual is standard on both the turbo-petrol and diesel engines, while the former also offers a 7-speed DCT, and the latter can also be paired to a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is solely mated with a 5-speed manual gearbox.
If space at the back is a top priority for you, the Sonet may not be the compact SUV of choice. The seat backs are a little too inclined, while knee room and foot room are on the lower side. Taller passengers especially will find the rear seat cramped. It does, however, try to compensate with creature comforts like retractable sunshades, rear AC vents, Type-C ports, and an armrest.
Overall, the ride comfort of the Kia Sonet lacks the plushness that one expects. The suspension is inherently firm, and it fails to filter through smaller road imperfections, leading to a busy ride. Sharp potholes make their presence known prominently in the cabin. Additionally, its small wheelbase also contributes to a choppy ride setup.
Tata Motors will be launching the Nexon in South Africa as the Osprey, sometime between July and September 2026. The Tata Osprey, known in India as the Nexon, will join the automaker’s South African portfolio that currently includes the combustion-powered Tiago, Punch, Curvv and Harrier. According to the Indian brand, the name has been inspired by a bird of prey that’s commonly found in several parts of South Africa.
Tata Motors South Africa hasn’t given out much details on the upcoming Osprey’s. However, similar to the Nexon sold in India, the Tata Osprey will also be sold with a five-star NCAP safety rating. “South African customers increasingly demand vehicles that combine contemporary styling, technology, practicality and safety along with excellent value for money and the Tata Osprey delivers on all fronts,” said Jeff Allison, General Manager, Marketing and Product for Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles South Africa.
The powertrain options of the upcoming Osprey are undisclosed as of now. However, the combustion-powered Tata Nexon in India is offered with a 120hp 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and an 115hp 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel mill. Depending on the trim level, gearbox options include a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 5-speed AMT (automated manual transmission), or a 6-speed DCT (dual-clutch automatic transmission). No word if the brand is planning to launch the fully electric version of the Osprey.
On the features front, the Osprey could be available with dual 10.25-inch displays, automatic climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, wireless charging, a panoramic sunroof, a JBL audio system and an ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) suite. Considering the Nexon costs less than the Curvv in India, this is likely to be the case for the upcoming Osprey in the South African market as well. After re-entering the South African market in August 2025, Tata Motors has witnessed growth and customer demand in the country, the Indian automaker stated. “The introduction of the Tata Osprey marks another important milestone in our journey,” mentioned Allison.
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Hyundai has filed a patent in India for what looks to be a production-spec version of the Boulder off-road SUV concept. The Boulder concept was unveiled a few months ago at the 2026 New York International Auto Show, debuting Hyundai’s first body-on-frame architecture for a pickup truck that will hit the US market by 2030.
If this patent filing is anything to go by, the production-spec Hyundai Boulder may make it to India in SUV form. Notably, Hyundai confirmed during its 2025 Investors Day that it will add an off-road-focused SUV to its India line-up before FY2030, lending further credence to the notion that the production-spec Boulder could arrive here.
The SUV pictured in the patent looks very similar to the Boulder concept, right down to the boxy and rugged proportions, chunky off-road tyres, muscular cladding, massive squared-off fenders, and L-shaped C-pillars. However, there are some substantial differences, particularly up front.
The large dual-headlamp clusters of the Boulder concept have been eschewed in favour of two smaller square lights flanked by vertical LED strips in the patented design. There’s no slotted grille cover like in the concept either, with the patent image showing a cleaner, more closed-off grille design. Lower down, the bumper also looks quite different in the patent, with a more defined skid plate that sports lots of small rectangular slats.
Moving to the side, the rounded wheel-arch cladding of the Boulder concept is squared-off in the patent image, and the wheel designs are different too. Instead of the concept’s roof-mounted light bar, the patented Boulder design features a large roof rack, which is fastened via cables attached to the front fenders. The windows are much less rounded too, and the small glasses above them have been done away with.
The rear design is not shown in the patent, but the Boulder concept’s posterior prominently gets a large bootlid-mounted spare wheel and dual tail-lamp clusters.
The patent does not show any interior details either, but the Boulder concept’s dashboard sports a wild-looking design with four rotary knobs in the centre to adjust 4WD and off-road modes – there’s an inclinometer between them. Above the rotary knobs sits a row of four rectangular screens, and there’s also a heads-up display that spans the width of the dashboard.
Large storage cubbies can be observed in the dash itself, illuminated by orange ambient lighting. In front of the driver, there’s a three-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel with a floating design for the central hub and some more rotary knobs. Lower down, the linkages for the gear lever are exposed, further lending the cabin a rugged and functional aesthetic.
Hyundai has been testing the upcoming Bayon-based SUV, and now, our sources indicate that the model will launch with a naturally aspirated petrol engine, with a CNG-powered version to arrive soon after. Unlike its mid-size sibling, the Bayon-based SUV will likely not offer a diesel engine or a hybrid powertrain, which will be offered with the next-gen Creta due next year.
The Bayon-based SUV is likely to utilise the same 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with manual and CVT gearbox options from the current Creta. Soon after, Hyundai will follow up with a CNG kit paired with this engine. CNG-powered versions will arrive with an underbody-mounted tank, whilst retaining a spare wheel. This would make it the first Hyundai model over 4 metres to have CNG power. As of now, the carmaker offers CNG only on sub-4-metre models such as the Exter, Grand i10 Nios and Aura. Currently, only the Victoris offers a CNG version with an underbody kit, but it skips on a spare wheel.
Hyundai’s strategy in the mid-size SUV segment is to offer two models, with the Bayon-based model occupying the lower rung and with more economical powertrain options, while the new Creta would sit above and come with a wider powertrain choice, including the new hybrid.
Internally codenamed Bc4i, the Bayon-based SUV will be one of two new Hyundai nameplates in FY27. The model has been spied testing abroad and on our roads, with a crossover-esque design, LED lighting and dual-tone alloy wheels. It will measure around 4.18 metres in length. Hyundai is expected to equip the Bayon-based SUV with a long list of features, alongside ADAS. With the CNG powertrain, the Bayon-based SUV will debut by September 2026.
With inputs from Sergius Barretto
VinFast has filed design patents in India for two electric two-wheelers – the Viper electric scooter and what appears to be an electric motorcycle based on the Sulad concept revealed earlier this year. The filings suggest VinFast is expanding its India product plans beyond the three electric scooters it had previously indicated it would bring to the country.
We had previously reported that a sporty-looking scooter resembling the VinFast Viper had been patented in India in June, although at the time we noted a few visual differences, including a twin-pod headlight instead of the Viper’s single-piece unit and more rounded body panels. This latest patent filing is a much closer match to the Viper sold in Vietnam, with its angular styling, five-spoke alloy wheels, hub-mounted motor and overall silhouette closely mirroring the production model. The current-generation Viper is equipped with a 4.8kWh battery and a 3kW hub-mounted motor.
The electric motorcycle patent is the more intriguing of the two. Based on its design, it appears to resemble the VinFast Sulad concept that the brand unveiled earlier this year as part of its broader electric motorcycle strategy. While VinFast has not released any technical specifications for the concept, Vietnamese media reports suggest it could be powered by a motor producing up to 50kW and have a top speed of around 130kph.
VinFast had stated earlier this year that it planned to launch electric scooters in India in 2026 and had identified three models from its Vietnam lineup as candidates for our market. With both the Viper and an electric motorcycle now patented in India, the company’s two-wheeler plans for the country appear to be broader than initially indicated. VinFast has not announced a launch timeline for either model, and we will update this story as more information becomes available
भोपाल। मध्यप्रदेश विधानसभा के आज से शुरु हो रहे विधानसभा के मानसून सत्र में सरकार में समान नागरिक संहिता से जुड़ा अहम विधेयक लाने जा रही है। विधानसभा के मानसून सत्र के पहले दिन ही आज सरकार UCC से जुड़ा अहम बिल सदन में पेश कर सकती है। जिस पर मंगलवार को सदन में चर्चा हो सकती है।
समान नागरिक संहिता को लेकर मुख्यमंत्री डॉ. मोहन यादव ने मीडिया से कहा कि भारत के संविधान में बताए गए एक समानता, बराबरी, न्याय और धर्मनिरपेक्षता के विज़न को साकार करने की दिशा में एक खास कदम है। इसे मध्य प्रदेश के निवासियों के लिएचाहे उनका धर्म कोई भी हो, शादी, तलाक, वैवाहिक झगड़ों से जुड़े भरण-पोषण, उत्तराधिकार और लिव-इन रिलेशनशिप जैसे निजी मामलों को नियंत्रित करने के लिए एक समान पर्सनल सिविल कानून लागू करने के मकसद से बनाया गया है।
मध्यप्रदेश UCC विधेयक की विशेषताएं-
1-अनुसूचित जनजातियों को संरक्षण-संवैधानिक सुरक्षा-कवच का सम्मान करते हुए यह कानून संविधान के अनुच्छेद 342 और अनुच्छेद 366 (खंड 25) के तहत आने वाली अनुसूचित जनजातियों जैसे भील, गोंड, कोरकू, बैगा, सहरिया और भारिया पर लागू नहीं होगा। इसके अलावा, जिन समुदायों के पारंपरिक अधिकारों की रक्षा संविधान के भाग XXI के तहत की गई है, उन्हें भी इस कोड से विशेष रूप से बाहर रखा गया है। कोड का परिभाषा वाला हिस्सा इसके अधिकार क्षेत्र को तय करता है। उत्तराधिकार से जुड़े जिन शब्दों की परिभाषा इसमें नहीं है, उनके लिए 'भारतीय उत्तराधिकार अधिनियम 1925' के अर्थ मान्य होंगे।
2-विवाह और तलाक से जुड़े बड़े सुधार-बहुविवाह-तीन तलाक पर पूर्ण रोक: यह कोड सभी समुदायों में केवल एक ही शादी (मोनोगैमी) को अनिवार्य बनाता है। कोई भी व्यक्ति एक समय में केवल एक ही जीवित जीवनसाथी के साथ शादीशुदा रह सकता है। विवाह के लिए पुरुषों की न्यूनतम आयु 21 वर्ष और महिलाओं की 18 वर्ष तय की गई है। अमान्य सहमति और प्रतिबंधित रिश्तों (जब तक परंपरा की अनुमति न हो) के बीच विवाह पर रोक लगाई गई है। मौखिक तलाक या अनौपचारिक पंचायत के फैसलों को पूरी तरह गैर-कानूनी घोषित किया गया है।
अब विवाह का समापन केवल कानून में बताए गए स्पष्ट और वैधानिक आधारों पर ही हो सकता है। मौजूदा व्यवस्था के विपरीत, अब महिलाओं को भी यह अधिकार दिया गया है कि यदि उनके पति ने शादी के समय किसी दूसरी महिला को गर्भवती किया है, तो पत्नी शादी को रद्द घोषित करने की मांग कर सकती है।
लोगों के लिए शादी और तलाक दोनों का रजिस्ट्रेशन अनिवार्य किया गया है। शहरी क्षेत्रों में 'MP ई-नगर पालिका पोर्टल' और ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों में SDM, नगरपालिका या पंचायत के ज़रिए यह प्रक्रिया पूरी होगी। रजिस्ट्रेशन न होने से शादी अमान्य नहीं होगी, लेकिन रजिस्ट्रार द्वारा बिना ठोस लिखित कारण के आवेदन खारिज करने पर जुर्माने का प्रावधान है। तलाक के बाद उसी जीवनसाथी से दोबारा शादी करने के लिए 'निकाह हलाला' जैसी अपमानजनक या नीचा दिखाने वाली शर्तों को मानना, बढ़ावा देना या मजबूर करना एक दंडनीय आपराधिक अपराध माना जाएगा।
3- बच्चों के अधिकार और कस्टडी-'अवैध' शब्द की समाप्ति: संहिता ने एक प्रगतिशील कदम उठाते हुए कानूनी ढांचे से 'अवैध' (illegitimate) शब्द को पूरी तरह हटा दिया है। विवाहित या अविवाहित माता-पिता के बच्चों, जैविक, गोद लिए गए, सरोगेसी या असिस्टेड रिप्रोडक्टिव टेक्नोलॉजी (ART) से पैदा हुए सभी बच्चों को समान कानूनी दर्जा प्राप्त होगा। कस्टडी से जुड़े किसी भी विवाद में माता-पिता के अधिकारों के मुकाबले “बच्चे का हित और सर्वांगीण भलाई” ही अदालत के फैसले का मुख्य और अनिवार्य आधार होगी।
4-उत्तराधिकार का एकसमान और जेंडर-न्यूट्रल ढांचा-लिंग-तटस्थ अधिकार: बेटों और बेटियों को संपत्ति के उत्तराधिकार में समान अधिकार दिए गए हैं, चाहे उनकी वैवाहिक स्थिति कुछ भी हो। मृतक की संपत्ति में विधवाओं और विधुरों के साथ भी समान व्यवहार होगा। जीवित माता और पिता दोनों को क्लास-1 का उत्तराधिकारी माना गया है, और वे मृतक बच्चे की संपत्ति में जीवनसाथी और बच्चों के साथ बराबर का हिस्सा पाएंगे। बिना वसीयत मरे व्यक्ति की संपत्ति को तीन वर्गों (क्लास-1, क्लास-2 और अन्य रिश्तेदार) में क्रमिक तरीके से बांटा जाएगा। पिछली पीढ़ियों के लिए एक 'यूनिट सिस्टम' और 'सर्वाइवरशिप का अधिकार' लागू किया गया है। यदि कोई व्यक्ति संपत्ति के मालिक की हत्या या उसमें मदद का दोषी है, तो वह विरासत से हमेशा के लिए अयोग्य हो जाएगा। यदि किसी का कोई कानूनी वारिस नहीं है, तो 'एस्चीट' सिद्धांत के तहत संपत्ति राज्य को हस्तांतरित हो जाएगी।
5- वसीयत (Will) की पूर्ण स्वतंत्रता– एक नई धर्मनिरपेक्ष प्रणाली के तहत अब कोई भी स्वस्थ दिमाग का वयस्क अपनी 100% संपत्ति (स्वयं-अर्जित और पैतृक दोनों) वसीयत के माध्यम से किसी को भी दे सकता है। इससे पुरानी 'अनिवार्य उत्तराधिकार' की सीमाएं (जैसे इस्लामी कानून में एक-तिहाई की सीमा) समाप्त हो गई हैं। यह प्रक्रिया 'भारतीय उत्तराधिकार अधिनियम, 1925' के तहत संचालित होगी।
6-लिव-इन रिलेशनशिप का अनिवार्य विनियमन (Live-in Relationship)-अनिवार्य रजिस्ट्रेशन: लिव-इन रिलेशनशिप में रहने वाले जोड़ों के लिए साथ रहने की शुरुआत के एक महीने के भीतर रजिस्ट्रार के पास “लिव-इन रिलेशनशिप का बयान” जमा करना कानूनी रूप से अनिवार्य होगा। पार्टनर्स की न्यूनतम आयु 18 वर्ष होनी चाहिए। वे प्रतिबंधित श्रेणी में न हों, पहले से विवाहित न हों और उनकी सहमति स्वतंत्र होनी चाहिए। यदि कोई पार्टनर 21 साल से कम उम्र का है, तो लिव-इन के शुरू होने और खत्म होने की जानकारी उनके माता-पिता-अभिभावकों को भेजी जाएगी। रजिस्ट्रार यह रिकॉर्ड स्थानीय पुलिस स्टेशन को भी भेजेगा।
7-महिला पार्टनर और बच्चों को सुरक्षा- लिव-इन से पैदा हुए बच्चों को वैध माना जाएगा और उन्हें पूर्ण उत्तराधिकार मिलेगा। यदि पुरुष पार्टनर महिला को छोड़ देता है, तो वह सक्षम अदालत के माध्यम से कानूनी पत्नी की तरह ही भरण-पोषण (गुजारा भत्ता) का दावा कर सकती है। बिना रजिस्ट्रेशन एक महीने से ज्यादा साथ रहने पर 3 महीने तक की जेल या 10,000 जुर्माना हो सकता है। गलत जानकारी देने पर 3 महीने की जेल और 25,000 जुर्माना तथा रजिस्ट्रार के नोटिस के बाद भी बयान न देने पर 6 महीने तक की जेल और 25,000 का जुर्माना हो सकता है।
