LIVE | Amit Shah either culpable or incompetent, either way has to go: Rahul

Court takes cognisance of CBI chargesheet in NEET paper leak case

A special fast-track court handling cases related to question paper leaks and malpractice in public examinations on Wednesday took cognisance of the CBI's chargesheet in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case.

Special Judge Anu Grover Baliga accepted the agency's final report against 13 accused and allowed additional time for the filing of annexures.

The CBI informed the court that nearly 20,000 pages of supporting documents are being scanned and would be placed on record within three days. The matter has now been listed for further hearing on August 3.

According to a PTI report quoting sources said advocates V.K. Pathak and Arjun Anand have been appointed as the CBI's public prosecutors after the court directed the prosecution to make the appointments.

The chargesheet names 13 accused, including three paper experts, two individuals linked to coaching centres, middlemen and several beneficiary candidates. The agency has invoked provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita covering criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and destruction of evidence, along with offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till noon amid Opposition uproar

Persistent protests and sloganeering disrupted proceedings in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, prompting the Chair to suspend the sitting until 12 p.m.

With order failing to return despite repeated interruptions, the Chairman announced the adjournment, bringing the morning session to a halt until noon.

Rijiju takes swipe at Rahul over anti-paper leak Bill

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday took a swipe at Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, urging him to spend at least five minutes discussing the substance of the anti-paper leak Bill instead of diverting from the legislation.

Speaking to reporters, Rijiju accused the Opposition of failing to engage with the contents of the proposed law during the parliamentary debate. He said the government had introduced the Bill after repeated demands from students seeking stricter safeguards to protect the integrity of competitive examinations and curb incidents of question paper leaks.

Rajya Sabha erupts over Aishe Ghosh arrest attempt

Delhi Police's attempt to arrest SFI leader Aishe Ghosh from the CPM office yesterday triggers political storm in Rajya Sabha. CPM MP John Brittas demands response from Union Home minister Amit Shah for sending plain-clothed police officers to the office of a national political party to arrest a party member in a 2021 case "only because she also participated in the Jantar Mantar protests".

Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge backs Brittas and slams Shah for unleashing the Delhi police on students and activists. Leader of the House JP Nadda responds saying those who want to do political activism should be prepared to face such action and claims that during his days in student politics he too was picked up by the police "from the classroom" during the Emergency. "This is normal", says Nadda, triggering loud protests from the Opposition.

Nadda counters Kharge over police action on students

Union Minister and Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha J.P. Nadda countered Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge's remarks, saying police action against student protesters was not unusual and depended on the circumstances.

Recalling his own student days, Nadda said, “The police has acted according to the situation. Even I have been arrested when I was student. I went to jail during the Emergency. Any protesting student activist knows what he/she is in for,” Nadda said as quoted by The Hindu.

Kharge says ‘democracy is not safe’ amid Rajya Sabha uproar

Rajya Sabha witnessed noisy scenes as Opposition members continued their protests while Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge rose to address the House.

Speaking amid the uproar, Kharge said the prevailing situation reflected a serious concern for the country. “Democracy is not safe here,” he remarked, adding that people no longer felt secure, reported The Hindu.

He also pressed the government for answers, saying, “I demand accountability.”

Samajwadi Party protests in Parliament premised over Ayodhya temple donations

Samajwadi Party MPs staged a protest at Makar Dwar in Parliament on Tuesday, accusing the Centre of failing to act on alleged misappropriation of donations collected at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya.

Led by party chief Akhilesh Yadav, the protesters carried placards and raised the slogan "chadawa chor, gaddi chor", while calling for a high-level inquiry into the handling of temple offerings. The party is expected to press the issue during the ongoing Monsoon Session.

SP MP Ramgopal Yadav said, "The theft of Ram Mandir donations is a major matter. This issue concerns the faith of crores of people across the country and the world who revere Lord Ram and the Hindu religion. People have been deeply distressed; the government, specifically the Uttar Pradesh government, sought votes in the name of Lord Ram yet showed no regard for the offerings and donations," reported ANI.

He added, "We will raise this issue."

The protest came as the Uttar Pradesh government informed the Supreme Court that a fresh SIT headed by IGP Kiran S has been formed to investigate the alleged embezzlement of temple donations.

Lok Sabha adjourned till noon amid Opposition sloganeering

Lok Sabha proceedings were suspended until 12 p.m. after repeated sloganeering disrupted the House. Before announcing the adjournment, Speaker Om Birla appealed to members to uphold the dignity of the House and allow business to continue. With the protests showing no signs of easing, he called for the sitting to be halted until noon.

Parliament proceedings begin

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla opened the day's sitting by congratulating India's medal winners at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. In the Upper House, the Rajya Sabha also assembled and commenced its proceedings for the day.

Congress MP Hussain seeks Ram temple donation issue discussion in RS

Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain seeks a discussion in Rajya Sabha on the Ram temple donation issue.