LIVE: LS discusses anti-paper leak Bill; CJP warns of fresh protest

Congress MP Mallu Ravi says Anti-Paper Leak Bill misses prevention

Congress MP Mallu Ravi criticised the proposed anti-paper leak bill, arguing that it focuses on punitive action instead of preventing examination paper leaks.

Speaking to ANI, Ravi said the legislation comes into effect only after a leak has taken place and does not lay down measures to stop such incidents from occurring.

"The bill that has been introduced addresses what should be done after a paper leak occurs," he said, adding, "It contains no provisions regarding the prevention of paper leaks."

Ravi pointed out that the bill primarily prescribes penalties for those found guilty. "…it specifies punishments - 10 years in prison and a fine of Rs 1 crore. All these measures are aimed solely at punishing those responsible for the leak," he said.

The Congress leader maintained that the proposed law should have included safeguards to prevent paper leaks rather than concentrating only on penalties after the offence has already been committed.

BJP's Govil slams Opposition over Anti-Paper Leak Bill delay

BJP leader Arun Govil criticised the Opposition on Tuesday after the Lok Sabha was adjourned shortly after convening, delaying discussion on the proposed anti-paper leak legislation.

The disruption came as Opposition members intensified their protests over the alleged use of pellet guns against demonstrators protesting the NEET paper leak.

Reacting to the adjournment, Govil said, “The Opposition had indicated yesterday that they were ready for a discussion, but it is unfortunate that they repeatedly go back on their word.”

Calling the proposed legislation significant, he told ANI , “This is an important bill for the country, students, and the youth...The bill introduced contains strong provisions that will resolve most of the issues.”

Urging Opposition members to support the measure, Govil said, “They should participate in the discussion and help pass the bill if they genuinely care about students’ welfare.”

Appealing to students to stay away from politics, he said, “I would simply tell students not to get involved in politics. Whatever grievances they have will be addressed through this bill. The government is fully committed to resolving these issues and has maintained a positive approach.”

SC orders release of students without criminal records

The Supreme Court directed the release of students arrested or detained during the student protests, provided they have no criminal antecedents.

The direction applies to students without any criminal history who were taken into custody during the protests, reported Live Law. The court posted the matter for hearing August 3. 

SC to hear plea on alleged assault of advocate

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a petition filed by an advocate who alleged that he was assaulted and unlawfully detained after visiting a police station to seek the release of people taken into custody during the CJP protests.

According to the petition, the lawyer was carrying out his professional responsibilities when the alleged incident occurred. He informed the court that he was attacked while attempting to secure the release of those detained in connection with the protests, reported India Today.

Taking note of the submissions, the bench agreed to examine the matter separately and listed the petition for hearing on August 3.

The court observed that the allegations raised issues concerning the treatment of lawyers representing detained protesters. It indicated that, if necessary, specific directions could be issued after hearing the matter to address the alleged assault on advocates discharging their professional duties during the protests.

The petition will now be considered independently as part of the proceedings arising from the CJP protests.

SC orders preservation of CCTV footage in protest case

As an interim measure, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre, the Delhi government, and the governments of Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in the batch of petitions arising from the CJP-led student protests.

The bench also passed directions to preserve all electronic evidence linked to the demonstrations while the matter remains under consideration, reported India Today.

Pending further orders, the court directed that CCTV footage and recordings from all surveillance devices connected to the protests be secured for the purpose of the proposed high-powered inquiry. The direction covers footage captured through drones, police body cameras, wireless cameras and other surveillance systems.

The court said preserving the material was necessary to ensure that evidence relevant to the allegations remained intact for the proposed probe.

The order came as the Supreme Court continued hearing multiple petitions raising issues related to the student protests and the police response. By directing the preservation of surveillance records, the court sought to safeguard evidence that could assist the proposed inquiry in examining the allegations placed before it once further proceedings begin.

SC records Centre’s consent to independent probe

In an interim order, the Supreme Court noted the Centre's willingness to accept an independent investigation into the allegations arising from the recent protests.

Recording the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Centre and the Delhi government, the court said the government had agreed to an independent probe if directed by the court, reported India Today.

At the same time, the Solicitor General contended that "hardened criminals" and anti-social elements had entered the protest site and carried out attacks on police personnel. He told the court that more than 200 police personnel had suffered injuries during the violence.

The bench observed that the allegations placed before it, at this stage, prima facie justified the constitution of a high-powered inquiry. It clarified that the proposed investigation would not be confined to allegations of police excesses but would also examine claims that police personnel were attacked during the protests.

The court granted time to the Centre and the Delhi government to file their affidavits before issuing further directions.

It also issued notices to the concerned state governments, indicating that the proposed probe would extend to allegations relating to both violence and police action in the respective states.

SC plans probe panel into police excess allegations

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would issue notices to the Centre and states where petitions have alleged police excesses during recent protests, while indicating that it was considering the formation of a high-powered committee to independently examine the allegations.

Chief Justice Surya Kant said the court wanted the Advocates General of the concerned states to appear virtually at the next hearing so that their views could be considered before any further directions were issued, reported India Today.

The court also signalled that its focus extended beyond the incidents cited in the petitions. Along with examining the allegations through an independent mechanism, it was considering laying down broad guidelines on police conduct and crowd-control measures during protests across the country.

The CJI observed that any such framework could have nationwide implications, making it necessary for all states facing allegations in the petitions to present their submissions before the court.

The proposed guidelines are expected to address the manner in which police respond to demonstrations and regulate the use of crowd-control measures during public protests. Before taking a final decision, the Supreme Court said it would hear the affected states to ensure that any directions issued were comprehensive and applicable across jurisdictions.

CJI backs right to peaceful student protest

The Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that the student protest at the centre of the petitions appeared to have remained within the constitutional framework and said peaceful demonstrations were a democratic right, even if outside elements attempted to disrupt them.

Hearing petitions alleging police excess during the CJP-led student protests, the Chief Justice of India said, "We don't think elaborate arguments are required...It was completely a peaceful protest by students raising some demand. It was within constitutional framework."

Referring to the possibility of outsiders joining such protests, the CJI said, "By their version, they want to say that in such type of peaceful protest, there are awlays uninvited guests. They will enter with agenda...very soon they become co-host...on behalf of students, it is said despite constitutional right, we were treated like this," reported Live Law.

The CJI also called for a broader discussion on policing protest situations. "Every stakeholder should come out with constructive suggestion. Earlier protocol suggested by this court, with passage of time...lot of things happening in non-conventional manner. We need to address what kind of tear gas etc. used, whether to be allowed...in a democracy, agitations are bound to be there," he said.

CJI flags claims of police brutality against students

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Tuesday took note of a series of allegations of police excess raised in petitions related to the CJP-led student protests, referring to claims of serious injuries, assaults and the use of force against demonstrators and media personnel.

During the hearing, the CJI said, "There are some allegations in all petitions...but if you broadly see...one is use of pellet guns on account of which 19 yr old boy has suffered loss of eyesight," reported Live Law.

He also referred to allegations involving "use of electric batons...young woman admitted to ICU" and "use of lathis with nails resulting in life threatening" injuries.

The CJI further noted claims that a journalist had been attacked during the protests. "Another instance of assaulting of a media person also. Yesterday it was mentioned also. He has been mercilessly assaulted," he said.

Mentioning other allegations placed before the court, the CJI said there were claims of "violence perpetrated by police in civil dress" and "another case of young woman being slapped by policeman without provocation."

He added that "today separate petition filed regarding excessive," indicating that the court had also received a fresh plea alleging excessive use of force by the police.

Nana Patole questions the need for a new Anti-Paper Leak Bill

Congress leader Nana Patole questioned the BJP's move to introduce the anti-paper leak bill, arguing that the country already has laws dealing with such offences and the real problem has been their enforcement.

Speaking to ANI, Patole said, “The fundamental issue is that you failed to implement the laws you had already enacted. A widespread trend of paper leaks emerged in the country under the BJP government…we have now come to question their intentions,”

He maintained that the proposed legislation deserves a full discussion but insisted that it does not bring anything substantially different from the existing legal framework.

“The bill certainly needs to be discussed. But my primary question is this: laws already exist in the country; provisions for a 10-year prison sentence were in place before and remain so today; there is nothing new about that. A bill was passed in 2024, and now they are bringing another one in 2026.”