The Centre tabled legislation to replace an ordinance increasing the Supreme Court’s sanctioned judge strength, even as repeated protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and Ayodhya trust controversy disrupted both Houses.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduces the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on the opening day of the Monsoon Session. | ANI
The Centre on Monday introduced the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha to increase the sanctioned strength of judges in the apex court, even as persistent Opposition protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and the alleged Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation embezzlement disrupted Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon Session.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the Bill, which seeks to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, replacing an ordinance that increased the sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges from 33 to 37.
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The legislation was introduced amid continuous sloganeering by Opposition members over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
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As disruptions continued, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12.30 pm.
The Rajya Sabha also witnessed noisy scenes after Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a discussion on the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and ongoing student protests.
Calling it an issue affecting the future of lakhs of students, Kharge said thousands of students had gathered at Jantar Mantar and alleged that police had resorted to a lathi charge.
“The government is trying to use force, suppress voices, and drive them away,” Kharge said before Rajya Sabha Chairman CP Radhakrishnan adjourned the House till noon.
The Monsoon Session, which began on Monday, will continue until August 13 and is expected to see repeated confrontations between the government and the Opposition over several contentious issues.
The Rajya Sabha is also expected to take up the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, later in the day. The proposed law seeks to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, making obstruction or insult to the national song Vande Mataram a criminal offence.
The Opposition has indicated it will seek discussions during the session on the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, the alleged financial irregularities involving donations to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, and other issues.
(With inputs from ANI)
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