Indian Premier League’s founding chairman Lalit Modi on Wednesday said that he is looking forward to returning to his homeland, India following the quashing of the Enforcement Directorate’s findings and penalties against him in connection with the 2009 IPL South Africa FEMA case.

“I am really looking forward to returning to India after a long long time,” he said.

Modi, however, added that he will continue to live in London but visit India from time to time to ensure his son earns his rightful place in the family business.

The development comes after the Appellate Tribunal under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators – Forfeiture of Property – Act (SAFEMA) set aside most of the ED’s findings and penalties in the 2009 IPL South Africa FEMA case against him and others.

Reacting to the tribunal’s order, Modi said that the judgment has vindicated what he has been saying for the last 16 years.

“I’m really happy with the verdict yesterday. It’s really been a great day. 16 years I have fought and whatever I have been saying to the media and to everybody has finally emerged as the truth. I’m really happy that the tribunal has ruled in my favour,” he said.

He said that his only concern was the well-being of the IPL and nothing else.

“Now that chapter is behind me, I’m going to move on in my life and I’m looking forward to coming back to India. I will come back probably end of this year or early next year. My daughter is due with my grandson in October and hopefully everything will be well and I’ll be back in India,” he added.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manila on the sidelines of the ASEAN engagements and conveyed India’s strong concern over the safety of Indian seafarers in the region.

The meeting came a day after the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi summoned Russian Chargé d’Affaires Vladimir Ladanov and conveyed India’s grave concern over the missile attack on the commercial vessel MV Golden Leo as it was departing the port of Odessa in Ukraine, in which at least four Indian nationals were killed.

Jaishankar said he also discussed various aspects of the India-Russia partnership with Lavrov, including trade and investment, energy and connectivity, science and technology, and mobility. The two leaders also exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict and the situation in the Gulf.

Jaishankar also met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and later wrote on X: “Pleased to meet @SecRubio of the USA here in Manila. Our meeting focused on areas that are priorities for the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, including trade and tariffs, energy, defence and security, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence. We also exchanged brief perspectives on regional, global and multilateral issues of mutual interest.”

The Indian minister also held bilateral meetings with several other key counterparts, including the foreign ministers of Canada, Japan, Australia, Singapore and the Philippines.

The number of single-teacher schools in Odisha has increased sharply over the past year, according to the UDISE+ 2025–26 report released by the Union Ministry of Education.

The report shows that Odisha had 1,458 single-teacher schools in the 2025–26 academic year, up from 1,089 in 2024–25, an increase of 369 schools, or nearly 34 per cent. Compared with 1,065 such schools in 2023–24, the number has risen by 393, or around 37 per cent, over the past two years.

According to the report, 59,672 students are currently enrolled in single-teacher schools across Odisha, an increase of 11,732 over the previous year.

Reacting to the report, the Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) accused the BJP government of failing to address the shortage of teachers in government schools.

Citing the report, BJD spokesperson and media coordinator Dr Lenin Mohanty said the official data contradicted the State government’s claims of strengthening school education through large-scale teacher recruitment.

Dr Mohanty said the situation had disproportionately affected children in rural, tribal and remote areas, where access to quality education is already limited.

He alleged that teachers in such schools are compelled to manage multiple classes and subjects while simultaneously handling administrative responsibilities, including maintaining school records and implementing government schemes, thereby affecting the quality of classroom teaching.

Questioning the government’s recruitment claims, Dr Mohanty said the rise in the number of single-teacher schools pointed to poor human resource planning, delays in recruitment, slow promotions and inadequate deployment of teachers.

Since teacher retirements are known well in advance, he argued, the government should have anticipated vacancies and ensured timely appointments.

The BJD demanded that the State government immediately fill all vacant teaching posts, expedite pending recruitment and promotion processes, and prioritise appointments in tribal and remote regions. It also urged the government to ensure that every government school has at least three to four teachers.

Describing the increase in single-teacher schools as a serious challenge to the State’s education system, the Opposition said the future of nearly 60,000 students should not be compromised because of administrative shortcomings.

The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, continues to take people-centric initiatives to promote the welfare of women and ensure the health and well-being of mothers and children. As part of these efforts, financial assistance amounting to ₹1.70 crore has been provided to 4,056 pregnant and lactating women during the current financial year, said Punjab’s Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr Baljit Kaur.

Sharing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under the scheme, eligible women receive ₹5,000 as maternity assistance for the birth of their first child. The amount is released in two instalments, with ₹3,000 paid in the first instalment and ₹2,000 in the second.

The Cabinet Minister further informed that for the birth of a second child, if the child is a girl, the Government provides ₹6,000 as financial assistance in a single instalment. She added that the entire amount is transferred directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, ensuring transparency and timely delivery of benefits.

Dr Baljit Kaur said that 4,056 pregnant and lactating women have already received financial assistance during the current financial year. She further informed that 36,154 women have been registered under the scheme so far during FY 2026-27.

She emphasized that the scheme is not merely a financial assistance programme but also a significant initiative aimed at strengthening maternal health, improving nutrition, and ensuring better care for newborns. She said the Punjab Government is committed to ensuring that no mother is deprived of essential healthcare services due to financial constraints and that every child receives a safe and healthy start in life.

Reiterating the Government’s commitment, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Mann Government remains fully dedicated to the welfare of women and children and is making every effort to ensure that the benefits of welfare schemes reach every eligible beneficiary.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday said the State Government is ushering in transformative reforms in the industrial sector to translate the vision of ‘Haryana Vision @2047’ into reality. He directed officers to promote startups in every district and ensure that entrepreneurs do not face any administrative hurdles while setting up new businesses.

The Chief Minister was chairing a review meeting at the Civil Secretariat on the Vision to Action Plan under Haryana Vision @2047 with the officers of the MSME Department, Industries Department, Startup Haryana and the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC).

The Chief Minister directed officers to develop a dedicated Wood Zone and Wood Market at Barwala, complete with modern showrooms. He said the initiative would enhance the income of local artisans and generate substantial employment opportunities.

He further directed officers to prepare a calendar for organising Swadeshi Melas across every district of the State. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) engaged in the production of Rakhis will be integrated into the initiative on a large scale, and their products will be linked to leading global e-commerce platforms such as Walmart and Amazon to expand their market reach.

To further improve the ease of doing business, the Chief Minister said the formation of the State Innovation and MSME Council and the Startup Advisory Council Haryana.

Under the revamped Single Window Clearance System, the time taken for business approvals will be reduced from 45 days to 30 days, with a long-term target of cutting approval timelines by 50 per cent. Dedicated Startup Nodal Officers have also been deployed in every district to provide handholding support to entrepreneurs.

The Chief Minister was informed that 10 new industrial clusters are being established across the State under the flagship PADMA Scheme.

To strengthen access to growth capital for startups, the State is setting up a Rs. 2,000-crore Haryana Startup Fund of Funds, while a Rs. 250-crore Atmanirbhar Startup Venture Fund has already been launched.

Officers informed the meeting that, in collaboration with the Skill Development Department, 100 high-potential rural clusters will be identified for establishing specialised skill centres. These will focus on region-specific industries, including bead manufacturing in Hisar, handloom in Panipat, agricultural equipment and dairy in Karnal, and pottery in Yamunanagar.

Under the PM SETU Scheme, new courses will be introduced in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). At least 25 industry-driven ITIs will be adopted by private industries to ensure that over 70 per cent of trainees secure direct employment.

Under the new policy, more than 2,000 MSMEs adopting rooftop solar systems will receive financial incentives. A 10,000 TPA Green Hydrogen Project is also being established in Panipat.

To promote women-led enterprises, Rs. 11.5 crore has been earmarked under the Women Entrepreneurship Platform, which will provide mentoring and financial linkages to 500–600 aspiring women entrepreneurs.

The State Government will also establish crèche facilities in industrial areas to support working women entrepreneurs.

The Chief Minister was further informed that Kurukshetra, Hisar and Rohtak will be developed as alternative IT hubs on the lines of Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram.

In addition, Haryana will attract large-scale investments in green industries through the Make in Haryana Industrial Policy 2026 and the Haryana Progressive MSME & Export Promotion Policy 2026.

A day after a heated exchange with her over the length of his speech at the party’s July 21 Martyrs’ Day rally, Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee on Wednesday publicly appealed to party chief Mamata Banerjee to “understand reality”.

“I am ready to fight for Didi. I love and respect her, and I am willing to do everything for her. But Didi also has to understand the reality. If she thinks that whatever she says will simply happen, that will not work. And if she believes that whatever Abhishek and Derek say will be accepted without question, that will not work either,” Kalyan Banerjee told reporters.

The Serampore MP’s remarks came after he walked off the stage at the Birla Planetarium rally on Tuesday following an argument with Mamata Banerjee over the duration of his speech.

Though Banerjee never officially admitted that he left the state because of his difference with Trinamool Congress chief but his outburst, just a day after, is an indication that the MP from Sreerampore was hurt by the exchange.

Recounting the incident, Banerjee said he began his speech at around 12:50 pm and was later interrupted over the time he had taken.

He claimed he sent Mamata Banerjee a message at around 1:15 pm after stepping down from the stage, though he declined to reveal its contents.

“Someone told Didi that I had spoken for an hour. She kept pointing at her watch, saying it had been an hour. Am I supposed to accept that? Didi should not get irritated so easily,” he said.

According to Trinamool Congress sources, Mamata Banerjee had instructed speakers to keep their addresses brief, but Banerjee spoke for around 22 and a half minutes, forcing several MPs scheduled to speak to be dropped from the list.

The disagreement reportedly led to the exchange on stage, after which Banerjee left the venue before Mamata Banerjee’s speech, triggering speculation about his future in the party.

Dismissing rumours of a split, Kalyan Banerjee said, “I will fight the BJP while remaining in the party. If necessary, I will argue within the party. Since yesterday, I have received many messages asking me not to leave the party. Why would I leave?”

However, he warned that the party could face serious consequences if the leadership failed to recognise the ground reality.

“If Didi does not understand reality, she herself will end the party that she built,” Banerjee said.

The MP also renewed his criticism of Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

“What is Abhishek doing? Politics cannot be limited to his home and Kalighat. He has to come out among the people, face protests, abuses and attacks. That is part of politics,” he said.

Referring to his own political journey, Banerjee said, “I have sacrificed my life, youth and profession for Mamata Didi. But it becomes difficult if everything revolves only around Abhishek.”

He added that people in West Bengal still look to Mamata Banerjee for leadership.

“A woman recently told me, ‘Ask Didi to come out and travel among the people. Otherwise, we are losing confidence.’ Even today, the people of Bengal want Mamata Didi. I am ready to fight for her,” he said.

Students staged a protest at Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth on Wednesday, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged lathicharge on students in Delhi.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress workers demonstrated at the district headquarters, wearing chains, holding posters and raising slogans.

Hundreds of students staged a sit-in on the Kashi Vidyapeeth campus following the protest. Police personnel from several police stations were deployed on the campus to maintain law and order.

Organised under the banners of the Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the protest saw students raising slogans against the government and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

NSUI student leader Rishabh Pandey alleged that protests were being held across the country demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister.

He claimed that police had also used force against female students during the Delhi protest and that Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was also injured. He said the students would not back down from their movement.

Meanwhile, at the district headquarters, SP workers staged a symbolic protest by wearing chains. Police also detained several party leaders during the demonstration. SP leader Sandeep Mishra said the protest was held peacefully so that the students’ voices could reach the administration.

He said the demonstration was organised against the alleged lathicharge on students at Jantar Mantar. SP workers also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Similar protests were also staged by Congress workers in the city. In view of the protests, a large police force was deployed at the district headquarters.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday flagged-in ‘Samudra Pradakshina’, the first-ever Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition.

The expedition will not only be remembered as a maritime expedition, but a campaign where women officers from the three Services united by a single flag, single resolve, and single objective, conveyed a global message that India’s strength lies in its unity, he said.

Aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni, nine women officers of the three Services returned to Mumbai after successfully completing a 314-day voyage covering nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans. The expedition was flagged-off on September 11, 2025 from Mumbai.

Rajnath described the successful completion of the expedition as a testament to India’s ‘Nari Shakti’, a symbol of the nation’s resolve, a proof of the effectiveness of Tri-Service synergy & jointness, and a celebration of ‘New India’ that overcomes challenges to script history.

The mission’s success was made possible through meticulous planning, nearly two years of intensive training, a dedicated 24X7 shore-based support network and the unwavering commitment of numerous organisations and support agencies.

The expedition successfully fulfilled all internationally recognised criteria for a circumnavigation by crossing all meridians of longitude, crossing the Equator twice, crossing the International Date Line and rounding the Three Great Capes – Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope.

The successful passage through the formidable Drake Passage and rounding of Cape Horn earned the crew membership of the prestigious fraternity of Cape Horners, an honour reserved for sailors who conquer one of the world’s most demanding maritime passages.

Commending the courage, spirit and determination of the crew of IASV Triveni, Rajnath stated that the expedition proved human courage is much greater than any storm. He said, “Ocean waves may rise high, but the spirit of India’s daughters soars higher,” highlighting that today, the women of the country are creating opportunities, leading from the front, and writing their names in the history books.

The expedition brought together officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force on a single mission, showcasing the strength of integrated planning, seamless interoperability and shared leadership. Living, training and sailing together for over ten months, the crew functioned as one cohesive team, demonstrating that jointness is not merely an organisational concept but a force multiplier that enhances operational effectiveness and national capability.

Beyond its remarkable maritime achievement, ‘Samudra Pradakshina’ emerged as a significant instrument of military diplomacy.

Madhya Pradesh Congress MLA Babu Jandel on Wednesday termed PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah ‘Lallu-Chappu’, and asserted that the two cannot cause any harm to the Congress.

Jandel made the remark outside the MP State Assembly while reacting to the manner in which Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was dragged by policemen from his dharna on students’ issues outside the PM House in New Delhi on Tuesday.

“Hum logon ne jab Angrezon ko bhaga diya, toh ye Lallu Chappu hain Modi aur Amit Shah….ye kya Congres ka bigaad lengey?” remarked Jandel, the Congress MLA from Sheopur Assembly seat.

Jandel and other Congress MLAs wore black armbands in the State Assembly today, in protest of the police action on Rahul Gandhi, and the alleged police brutality on students protesting against the NEET paper leak and demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation at New Delhi.

The Congress also brought an adjournment motion in the MP Assembly today demanding discussions on the incidents.

The demand, however, was rejected.

It led to a ruckus in the house and Congress MLAs raised slogans against the state and union BJP governments.

In retaliation, the ruling BJP MLAs also entered into heated exchanges with the Congress members.

The din led to the house being adjourned for 15 minutes.

Outside the house, Assembly Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, wearing a black armband, accused the BJP of ruining the future of students.

“Lakhs of students have suffered due to continuous paper leaks and corruption in the education system, but when they protest, they are being further humiliated by being called cockroaches and unruly mob”, Singhar lamented.

He demanded the resignation of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Singhar also strongly criticized the way police lifted Rahul Gandhi from his dharna outside PM Modi’s residence in New Delhi.

The Congress MLAs also held placards with slogans saying ‘Dharmendra Pradhan istifaa do’, and ‘jab jab BJP darti hai, Police ko aagey karti hai’, and ‘Chhatron par atyachaar nahi chalega’.

Today was the third day of the ongoing five-day monsoon session of the Madhya Pradesh State Assembly.

Ahead of the 80th Independence Day, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) launched ‘DDA Karmajeevi Awaas Yojana 2026’, offering ready to move in flats with discounts in Narela, aimed at making it easier for working professionals to own a place.

According to the DDA, the scheme offers a flat 25 per cent discount on over 1,200 ready-to-move flats located at Pocket-11, Sector A1-A4, Narela, North West Delhi.

Under the guidance of Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the DDA launched this people-centric scheme to make home ownership more affordable, and accessible for working professionals. This simultaneously furthers the land agency’s commitment to planned urban development and inclusive growth across the national capital.

The scheme is specially designed for serving and retired government employees, along with working professionals from the Corporate, Business, Entrepreneurial and Professional sectors.

Through this initiative, DDA seeks to facilitate home ownership for individuals who have contributed and continue to add significantly to nation-building and the country’s economic growth.

As part of the scheme, over 1,200 ready-to-move flats in the 1 BHK, 2 BHK and 3 BHK categories are on offer at highly attractive prices after the 25 percent discount.

The starting prices after the proposed discount begin from Rs 33.40 lakh for 1 BHK, Rs 75.55 lakh for 2 BHK and Rs 1.065 crore for the 3- BHK flat.

Registration under the scheme will commence on July 24, while booking of flats will open on August 15 through the First Come, First Serve (FCFS) mode on the DDA Awaas Portal.

Located at Pocket-11, Sector A1-A4, Narela, the residential project is part of the rapidly transforming Narela Sub-city, which is steadily emerging as one of Delhi’s most promising growth corridors.

According to the land agency, the area has excellent road and public transport connectivity, supported by a rapidly expanding urban infrastructure.

The housing complex is strategically located approximately 1.2 km from the upcoming Metro Station, 1.9 km from the proposed RRTS Station, 2 km from the Narela Sports Complex, 5 km from the upcoming Education Hub and 9.2 km from the upcoming Integrated Sports Stadium.

It is also located just 500 metres from Urban Extension Road(UER)-I, 1.1 km from GT Karnal Road and 6.15 km from UER-II.

DDA has so far sold 1,284 flats during the first quarter of the current financial year, generating revenue of over Rs 1,020 crore, and out of these, Narela Sub-city alone accounted for 1,153 flats, nearly 90 per cent of the total sales.

The scheme also provides the option for amalgamation of adjoining flats, subject to DDA’s prescribed norms and approval.

Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday, July 22, appeared to have soften his stance as he set out conditions for the central government to end his fast.

The activist said he is ready to end his hunger strike if the government assured him that no legal action would be taken against the protesting students demanding accountability over the NEET-UG paper leak. However, he added that he would continue his fast indefinitely in the absence of such an assurance.

In a letter addressed to Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Minister of State Jitendra Singh, Sonam Wangchuk thanked them for visiting him at Medanta Hospital and appealing to him to end the fast.

“During our discussion, you assured me that the Government would positively consider adequate compensation for the families of students who committed suicide following the examination paper leak, and initiate a meaningful discussion in Parliament to ensure accountability, including consideration of the resignation of the Hon’ble Education Minister,” Wangchuk wrote in a letter shared on X.

AN APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT
regarding breaking my fast…
Once the assurance from govt come I will also appeal to the peacefully protesting students to halt the movement for now and enter into dialogue with the government pic.twitter.com/gR6S8woF5R

— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) July 22, 2026

Talking about the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) held on July 20, the activist claimed that it remained peaceful despite what he described as “atrocities and disproportionate use of force” by the police.

“The entire nation and the world witnessed their patience and commitment to democratic protest. I sincerely hope that this faith in democratic institutions is not further undermined by any legal cases, harassment or vindictive action against those who participated,” he wrote.

Wangchuk highlighted that after the ministers’ visit, nearly 65 MPs from different political parties reached out to him and urged him to end his fast.

“They reminded me that I still have much work to do in the service of our nation. I agree with them. I want to live. I want to return to my students, to education, and to the work that has defined my life. But I cannot do so at the cost of the very young people for whom this movement began… Therefore, I respectfully request an unequivocal assurance from the Government that none of the young protesters will face any punitive or retaliatory legal action for participating in this movement. Their only ‘offence’ has been to raise their voice for a fair and accountable education system,” Wangchuk wrote.

He added, “If such an assurance is given, I shall end my fast with faith that the Government has heard not only my appeal but also the aspirations of lakhs of young Indians. In the absence of such an assurance, I will be forced to continue my fast indefinitely. I also hope that there will be no further use of excessive police force to repress the movement”.

Further, he noted, “The future of our democracy depends not on how it treats those who agree with it, but on how it treats its young citizens when they dare to speak with courage, hope and conviction”.

Delhi Police officials shifted Wangchuk to the Safdarjung Hospital on July 18, following 21 days of fasting at Jantar Mantar in support of demands raised by the CJP.

Later on, his supporters claimed that he was being kept under “illegal detention” – a charge strongly rejected by the authorities.

Recently, he was shifted to Medanta Hospital following a court’s order.

A sophisticated cheating racket uncovered during Punjab’s Pharmacy Officer recruitment examination has snowballed into a major political controversy, with the opposition accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of failing to safeguard the integrity of public recruitment, while the ruling establishment maintains that the incident was not a traditional paper leak but a case of technology-enabled cheating detected in time.

The case, which investigators describe as one of the most technologically advanced examination frauds uncovered in Punjab, has revived concerns over the state’s recruitment process and intensified demands for political accountability. Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), despite their differences on national issues, have both targeted the Bhagwant Mann government over the episode.

Congress seeks resignations

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, arguing that repeated examination controversies under the present government have eroded public confidence.

Drawing a parallel with the controversy surrounding the NEET examination at the national level, Warring said that if political accountability is expected from the Centre over recruitment-related irregularities, the same principle should apply in Punjab.

He also referred to earlier remarks by senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, who had maintained that ministers should take responsibility if examination papers are leaked. Warring questioned whether the same standards would now be applied in Punjab.

According to the Congress leader, the state has witnessed multiple recruitment-related controversies during the current government’s tenure, including alleged irregularities involving the Punjab Group-B recruitment examination, the Class XII English examination, PSTET and the latest pharmacy recruitment test. He alleged that despite repeated incidents, no meaningful accountability had been fixed.

Warring further criticised the government’s handling of protests by pharmacy job aspirants, alleging that demonstrators seeking answers were subjected to police action instead of being heard.

BJP accuses AAP of ‘selective activism’

The BJP also sharpened its attack on AAP, questioning what it described as the party’s “selective activism” on examination-related issues.

BJP national IT department head Amit Malviya said the party, which has aggressively criticised the Centre over the alleged NEET paper leak, has remained silent over developments in Punjab.

In a social media post, Malviya questioned why AAP leaders had not launched similar protests despite police uncovering what investigators describe as an organised interstate cheating network involving candidates, middlemen and technology specialists. He also asked whether the Punjab government would enforce the same standards of accountability that AAP had earlier demanded from political opponents.

How investigators say the network operated

Punjab Police believe the operation was carefully planned across multiple states using surveillance gadgets and wireless communication.

According to investigators, candidates who had allegedly paid between ₹3.5 lakh and ₹13 lakh were supplied with miniature Bluetooth earpieces capable of being concealed inside the ear. Before the examination, participants reportedly gathered at a hotel, where they received the electronic devices and were trained in their use.

Once the examination began, a candidate allegedly used a hidden pen camera to capture images of the question paper. Investigators say the images were transmitted through WhatsApp to an associate in Haryana, who then forwarded them to another member of the network operating from a temporary control room in Faridkot.

Police allege that individuals stationed at the control room solved the questions in real time and dictated answers to candidates inside examination halls through wireless transmitters connected to concealed Bluetooth devices.

Officials say the network functioned almost like a professional operation, with dedicated logistics, communication channels and technical support spread across Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.

Intelligence-led operation exposed the racket

Authorities said the breakthrough came after Counter Intelligence units received inputs about a possible interstate examination fraud network.

Technical surveillance teams reportedly monitored suspicious wireless activity during the examination before conducting coordinated raids in Faridkot and Ferozepur.

Police subsequently arrested key operators allegedly running the control room and detained several candidates suspected of receiving answers electronically during the examination. Wireless communication devices, pen cameras and other electronic equipment were seized during the operation.

Multiple FIRs have been registered, while investigators continue searching for additional suspects believed to be linked to the network.

Paper leak or organised cheating?

While the political debate has largely centred on allegations of a “paper leak”, investigators and Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) have made a distinction between a conventional leak and what they describe as real-time electronic cheating.

Senior police officers have maintained that the question paper was not leaked before the examination. Instead, they say the paper was photographed after the test commenced and transmitted outside the examination centre, allowing answers to be relayed back to selected candidates during the exam itself.

The university administration has echoed this assessment, saying the incident involved the use of unfair electronic means rather than a pre-examination compromise of the question paper.

Registrar Dr Arvind Kumar said the university’s flying squad first detected suspicious activity involving Bluetooth devices, following which police action was initiated. He added that a detailed report would be submitted to the Punjab government and future recruitment examinations may include electronic jammers to prevent similar incidents.

Larger questions over recruitment transparency

Although investigators insist the examination system itself was not breached before the test began, the episode has reignited wider concerns over recruitment transparency in Punjab.

With opposition parties demanding political accountability and the government defending its handling of the case, the controversy has evolved beyond a criminal investigation into a broader debate over governance, examination security and public trust in state recruitment processes.

As the investigation expands across state borders and more arrests are expected, the Pharmacy Officer recruitment controversy is likely to remain one of the most closely watched political and administrative issues in Punjab.

Concerned over reports of rising substance abuse among young people in Ladakh, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has urged the region’s youth to shun drugs, calling addiction a destructive habit that brings only suffering and describing recovery as an act of courage and determination.

Moved by conversations with young Ladakhis about friends struggling with drug addiction, the Dalai Lama, who is camping in Leh, has appealed to the region’s youth to reject substance abuse and described addiction as a destructive habit that brings only suffering.

In a message issued after interacting with young Ladakhis in recent weeks, the Dalai Lama said several youngsters had shared concerns about friends battling drug addiction. He said it was important to understand the harmful consequences of drug use and recognise it as a destructive habit. “By reflecting on its consequences, you will see that it brings only suffering”, he said.

The Dalai Lama praised those who have sought treatment and remained committed to recovery, saying overcoming addiction requires “real courage and determination”. He added that he admired everyone who had made the effort to overcome the problem.

Calling the youth of Ladakh his “young spiritual brothers and sisters”, the Tibetan spiritual leader said he felt it was his responsibility to urge them to refrain from substance abuse. He expressed hope and prayers that those struggling with addiction would overcome their problems and go on to lead healthy, meaningful and happy lives.

“I feel it is my responsibility to urge the youth of Ladakh to refrain from substance abuse. I pray that all who are struggling will overcome such problems and soon come to lead healthy, meaningful, and happy lives”, the Dalai Lama wrote in his appeal.

The message also linked the fight against addiction with mental well-being. The Dalai Lama said lasting happiness comes from peace of mind rather than wealth or power and stressed the importance of cultivating compassion, honesty, patience and warm-heartedness to overcome negative emotions such as anger, fear and stress. He said helping others and developing inner strength were essential to building a meaningful and fulfilling life.

The Dalai Lama, in his message, wrote “In recent weeks, I have had occasion to interact with many young Ladakhis—both boys and girls. Many of them asked me how to find happiness and how to overcome disturbing emotions such as anger, stress and fear”.

“In my response, I highlighted how our fundamental purpose in life is to seek happiness, and that true joy comes not from the accumulation of wealth or power, but from peace of mind. This we can achieve by training our thoughts, developing warm-heartedness, and helping others—that is, showing compassion on a daily basis”, he added.

Parliament remained deadlocked for the third consecutive day of the Monsoon Session on Wednesday over the NEET-UG paper leak issue despite the BJP-led government expressing its willingness to hold a discussion in the two Houses—the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

A day after the Congress leadership staged an unprecedented flash protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence and the Cockroach Janata Party-led protests intensified, the government informed the Lok Sabha that it was prepared for a detailed discussion on the NEET paper leak and urged Speaker Om Birla to convene an all-party meeting to decide the rule, date and duration of the debate. However, repeated adjournments disrupted proceedings in both Houses, with the Opposition remaining firm on its demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

When the Lok Sabha reassembled at noon after an earlier adjournment, Speaker Om Birla invited Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to make a statement. Congress leader KC Venugopal intervened, reiterating the Opposition’s demand for Pradhan’s resignation. He said the minister should take “moral and constitutional responsibility” for the controversy.

Venugopal also alleged that despite the seriousness of the paper leak cases, no significant arrests or criminal action was taken against those responsible, including coaching syndicates, officials and other accused.

In the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition sought to invoke Rule 267 to suspend scheduled business and take up an immediate discussion on the NEET controversy and the alleged police action against student protesters. The notice also called for a debate on the detention of Opposition leaders during protests in the national capital. Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge also said that Pradhan must resign before any fair discussion could take place.

With the Opposition insisting on discussions under motions such as an Adjournment Motion or Rule 267, which allow voting and can amount to censure of the government, the impasse is unlikely to end soon. Normally the Government favours a short-duration discussion under Rule 193, which permits a ministerial reply but does not involve voting.

According to sources, Pradhan had met the Speaker in Parliament soon after the Government reiterated its readiness for a detailed discussion and requested an all-party meeting to resolve procedural issues.

Home Minister Amit Shah had personally taken charge of the situation, sources said. As the BJP faced a major street protest for the first time in its 12-year rule, Shah also convened a meeting of ministers to discuss the way forward today but the government gave no signs of Pradhan resigning.

Rather, Pradhan was fielded to make a public post on Tuesday night where he attacked Rahul Gandhi for the sit-in outside PM’s residence.

Addressing the media, Rijiju accused the Congress of shifting the goalposts by adding fresh conditions after initially demanding a discussion.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accused the Opposition of trying to settle issues on the streets instead of in Parliament. Asserting that the Government was sensitive to the concerns of students and youth, he urged the Opposition to allow Parliament to function and raise all issues during the session.

Singh accused Opposition leaders of “using students for political purposes,” and reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensuring justice for students.

Speaking to the media, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj defended the government’s handling of the CJP/NEET protests, saying it responded with sensitivity, engaged with demonstrators through Union Minister J.P. Nadda, allowed peaceful protests, swiftly transferred the alleged paper leak investigation to the CBI, and sought strict punishment for those responsible.

A day after the dramatic protest near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence in the national capital, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday claimed that the education system in India was “in tatters”. He added that the students belonging to lower and middle-class families were losing out because of the “broken” system.

Speaking at a press conference at the Congress headquarters, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the education system has been “rigged” under the current dispensation.

“At least 152 paper leaks have happened in the past 10 years. About 7.5 crore students and families have been affected because of this, but there has not been a single conviction,” he said.

Supporting the ongoing students’ protest in Delhi, he stated that the country’s youth is fighting for a fair and legitimate reason, but the government was using force to browbeat and crush them.

“Their demands are completely legitimate,” he stated.

Targeting Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Rahul Gandhi called him “corrupt and incompetent,” and demanded that he must step down from his position.

Putting forward his three demands, Rahul Gandhi said, “Dharmendra Pradhan must be relieved of his duties because of his ineptness and incompetency.”

His second demand required the government to fix the accountability and culpability for those behind lapses in the NEET examinations and, lastly, an apology from the top person (Prime Minister) “behind the entire mess”.

On his detention by security forces, Rahul Gandhi said, “How I was treated is an irrelevant issue to me. I don’t care. Treat me five times worse, I don’t care. The focus has to be on what is done to the students. The focus has to be on the education system, on paper leaks, and on the cost that these children have been forced to pay. So do whatever you want to me. Five times, ten times. I don’t care. In fact, I like it because I learn from it.”

He added, “I don’t care about government’s allegations. Government’s allegations have no consequence to me.”

A local police head constable was killed in a terrorist attack in Union Territory’s Anantnag town on Wednesday.

According to police sources, bike-borne terrorists opened fire at Ashiq Hussain Qureshi of the 3rd battalion of IRP while he was on patrol duty in Anantnag.

Qureshi, a resident of Beerwah town of Budgam district, succumbed to bullet injuries he sustained in the attack.

This is said to be the first terrorist attack in the Valley since the April 22 Pahalgam attack last year.

Security forces have launched a massive cordon and search operation in Anantnag town to hunt down the assailants.

All entry and exit points of the town have been sealed with hightened security across the valley.

LG Sinha condemns terror attack

Following the incident, Jammu and Kashmir DGP Nalin Prabhat briefed Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha.

DGP Prabhat, Special DGP Javid Mujtaba Gilani and IGP Kashmir VK Birdi reached Anantnag town to supervise the manhunt launched to trace the assailants.

L-G Sinha condemned the terror attack in Anantnag that claimed the life of a police personnel and said those responsible will be brought to justice.

In a post on X, the L-G said he spoke with DGP Nalin Prabhat to review the situation following the attack. “I strongly condemn this cowardly attack. This heinous act will not go unpunished,” he said.

He offered condolences to the family of Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, who sacrificed his life in the line of duty.

“My heartfelt condolences to the family of Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi. The whole country stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the family of martyr,” he said.

The L-G further said that J&K Police and security forces are on the ground and have launched operations to track down those behind the attack.

In a major development to the investigation into the Tamanna murder case, police filed a supplementary charge sheet against the remaining accused, bringing all 24 persons named in the FIR under the ambit of prosecution.

With the latest filing, all the accused have now been arrested during the investigation; 23 remain in judicial custody and one is out on bail, paving the way for the commencement of trial.

Tamanna, a nine-year-old girl from Kaliganj in Nadia district, was brutally murdered on 23 June 2025, triggering widespread public outrage and protests across the district. She was killed by a crude bomb thrown during a premature victory rally of the Trinamool Congress during the counting of the Kaliganj assembly byelection.

The case had drawn significant political attention, with demands for swift investigation and exemplary punishment for those involved.

The supplementary charge sheet (No. 470/26), dated 21 July 2026, was submitted before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Krishnagar, following the completion of further investigation in Kaliganj Police Station Case No. 534/25, registered on 23 June 2025.

Atul V, Superintendent of Police said the case was initially registered under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3 and 4 of the Explosive Substances Act. During the earlier phase of the investigation, a charge sheet had been filed against 13 of the 24 FIR-named accused.

Of them, 11 were arrested, while warrants of arrest had been issued against two absconding accused. One of the arrested accused later secured bail from the Calcutta High Court.

During further investigation, police arrested the remaining 11 FIR-named accused who had not been chargesheeted earlier, along with the two accused against whom warrants had already been issued. Consequently, all 24 persons named in the FIR have now been apprehended.

According to the police, the supplementary charge sheet has been filed under Sections 190, 191(2), 191(3), 118(2), 109, 103, 305, 61(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Sections 3 and 4 of the Explosive Substances Act, and Section 25 of the Arms Act.

The state government has appointed senior advocate Bivas Chatterjee as the Special Public Prosecutor to conduct the trial in the case.

With the supplementary charge sheet filed, investigators have completed the prosecution’s case against all the accused, marking the end of the investigation and clearing the way for the trial in one of Nadia’s most high-profile criminal cases.