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.

Bengal Minister of State for Home and Hill Affairs Bishal Lama on Wednesday announced Rs 5 lakh financial assistance from the West Bengal government for the next of kin of those killed in the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI tunnel tragedy in Sikkim.

Lama also assured that the state would stand by the affected families and extend all possible support during the ongoing rescue and relief operations.

The Minister of State visited the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI hydroelectric project accident site at Samardung in Sikkim, where he reviewed the rescue operations, met officials overseeing the exercise and interacted with the families of the trapped workers on the spot on Wednesday.

Speaking after the visit, Lama said the West Bengal government has announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the tunnel collapse. He said the state government would continue to extend all possible support to the affected families during this difficult period.

Lama said the district administrations in North Bengal are maintaining close coordination with their counterparts in Sikkim to assist the families of the victims and those still trapped inside the tunnel. He added that officials are helping relatives with travel, documentation and other necessary arrangements.

According to Lama, seven of the deceased have so far been identified. He said the identified victims include workers from Nagrakata and Meteli in Jalpaiguri district as well as from Alipurduar district. He also disclosed that three workers from Alipurduar have now been identified among those trapped inside the tunnel.

Earlier, nine trapped workers had been identified from the Meteli and Nagrakata areas of Jalpaiguri district. With the latest identification, a total of 11 workers from Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts are believed to have been among those trapped in the accident.

Lama expressed condolences to the bereaved families and said both the Sikkim and West Bengal governments have announced financial assistance for the families of those killed. He added that NHPC would also provide compensation to the families of the deceased.

Rescue operations continued at the accident site on Wednesday as specialised teams worked to locate the remaining trapped workers. Authorities said the operation remains challenging because of the conditions inside the tunnel, while efforts are continuing on a war footing.

Rescue operations, which had been suspended since Tuesday night due to heavy rain and waterlogging inside the tunnel, resumed around midday on Wednesday after stagnant water was pumped out. Expert rescue teams, including personnel from Asansol, re-entered the tunnel and restarted the search operation. During the resumed operation, one more body was recovered, taking the death toll to 13, Sikkim State government office said.

According to an official report, 25 persons, including engineers, were trapped inside the tunnel following the incident on Monday afternoon. Rescue teams recovered 12 bodies on Tuesday. One more body was recovered on Wednesday, taking the death toll to 13.

A bitter confrontation between rival factions of the Trinamool Congress on Wednesday leading to the suspension of Belgharia MLA Kunal Ghosh for the remainder of the day after he disrupted proceedings during the debate on the Home Department’s budget.

The confrontation erupted when Opposition chief whip Akhruzzaman, considered close to Bengal Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, rose to participate in the debate.

Ghosh, who is identified with the Kalighat faction of the party, walked up to the front of Akhruzzaman’s seat and repeatedly questioned why his name had allegedly been dropped from the list of speakers.

“You are removing my name. Why?” Ghosh was heard asking as Akhruzzaman continued his speech.

Despite repeated requests from Speaker Rathindranath Basu to return to his seat, Ghosh remained standing in front of the Opposition benches, interrupting the proceedings.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shankar Ghosh, Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay, and several BJP MLAs also approached him in an attempt to defuse the situation.

After Ghosh ignored repeated warnings, the Speaker directed Assembly marshals to escort him out of the House. A scuffle broke out as marshals attempted to remove him. During the commotion, Ghosh fell on the Assembly floor before being carried out by the marshals.

In protest, MLAs belonging to the Kalighat faction staged a walkout from the House. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari strongly criticised the disruption without naming Ghosh.

“There is a limit to such behaviour. We too sat in the Opposition benches for five years, but I have never witnessed such unruly conduct. I strongly condemn this. Such behaviour cannot be tolerated,” the chief minister said while replying to the debate.

Later, MLA Tapas Roy proposed that Ghosh be suspended from the Assembly. However, the chief minister urged restraint, suggesting that the suspension be limited to the day’s proceedings.

“My proposal is that he should be suspended only for today and allowed to return tomorrow. If he repeats such behaviour, further action can be considered. There is no need to make him famous by imposing a longer suspension,” Adhikari remarked.

The controversy follows growing tensions within the Trinamool Congress over the preparation of the list of Opposition speakers in the Assembly.

MLAs aligned with the Kalighat camp have alleged that Akhruzzaman, as Opposition chief whip, has been excluding their names while giving preference to legislators loyal to the Ritabrata Banerjee faction.

The issue was first raised on Tuesday by Kaliganj MLA Alifa Ahmed, who questioned why members who had prepared extensively for the debate were not being given an opportunity to speak.

Responding to the allegations, the Chief Minister said the Speaker could only act on the list submitted by the Opposition chief whip.

“I served as Leader of Opposition for five years. The established procedure is that the Opposition chief whip submits the list of speakers to the government’s chief whip, and the Speaker calls members accordingly. If there are internal disputes within your party, resolve them yourselves. Neither the Chief Minister nor the Assembly can settle those disputes,” Adhikari said.

The unprecedented scenes highlighted the deepening factional divide within the Trinamool Congress, with the dispute spilling onto the floor of the Assembly and disrupting legislative business.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday, July 22, appeared to have lost his cool inside the Parliament after he was not given time to speak over the ongoing students protest demanding resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

After he was not allowed to speak in Lok Sabha, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister angrily asked Speaker Om Birla, “Has there been a deal?”

While pointing towards the Congress benches and the treasury side, he said, “The issue is about students, not Congress, BJP or SP. You allowed them to speak… Have they reached an understanding?”

“यह मुद्दा समाजवादी पार्टी, कांग्रेस और बीजेपी का नहीं है, यह मुद्दा युवाओं, छात्र और नौजवानों का है। क्या बेटियों के कपड़े फाड़ेंगे आप?” pic.twitter.com/BlSMJiOO5X

— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) July 22, 2026

Although, some interpreted the Samajwadi Party leader’s outburst as a rift with Congress, Akhilesh Yadav later highlighted that the INDIA bloc stayed united over its key demands.

“I wanted to put Samajwadi Party’s viewpoint on the students’ issue, so I intervened,” Yadav said, while denying any confrontation with KC Venugopal in the Lok Sabha, according to NDTV.

Talking to mediapersons, Akhilesh Yadav also stated that his party was not informed about the Congress’ plan to protest near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence on Tuesday.

“It’s true that we were not informed, but when the Congress called, we left all our work, and all the MPs who could attend went…We will improve coordination. It should be better…Imagine how weak the government is if it cannot even secure the resignation of its own ministers and colleagues…At the very least, the government should admit that, yes, a mistake was made,” he said.

#WATCH | Delhi | On Congress protest outside LKM, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav says, “It’s true that we were not informed, but when the Congress called, we left all our work, and all the MPs who could attend went…We will improve coordination. It should be better…Imagine… pic.twitter.com/7Wu7PhNXQJ

— ANI (@ANI) July 22, 2026

Further talking about their demands, he noted, “Our demand, along with that of the opposition, the students, and the youth, is almost the same: first, resignation (of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan), followed by a discussion. Their demands should be met. The students and youth have been demanding for days that the paper leak is not limited to a single examination. There have been more than 150 paper leaks across the country, including more than 20 in Uttar Pradesh. Imagine how many students and their families are distressed, suffering, and disappointed because of this…Why not resign inside the House first and then hold a debate?”

He further alleged that when Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and other MPs were protesting near PM Modi’s residence, “our clothes were also pulled and torn.”

“Since when has the police started behaving like this, especially with elected representatives?… The government itself acknowledged that there were irregularities in the NEET-UG examination and conducted a re-examination in some cases. Yet it continues to avoid taking responsibility. We should be allowed to raise our concerns in the House,” he said.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed authorities to preserve CCTV footage and all other relevant electronic records relating to the alleged police brutality against student protesters during their July 20 march to Parliament.

After hearing a batch of pleas seeking a Special Investigation Team probe into the alleged police excess, the high court also issued notice to the Centre and the Delhi Police, seeking their response on the allegations.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia granted the respondents four weeks to file their replies and listed the matter for further hearing on September 11.

The Court directed that CCTV footage and other relevant records be preserved in accordance with the applicable Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

During the hearing, the Bench questioned the Centre’s objection to the maintainability of the petitions and observed that even if the gathering was an unlawful assembly, there was a prescribed legal procedure for dealing with such situations.

“We have some questions for you. Was this an isolated incident? Perhaps not. Even if this was an unlawful assembly, there is a procedure to deal with it,” the Bench remarked while hearing Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju.

The Court further observed that where issues of alleged police excess are raised through a PIL, it cannot simply ask every affected individual to lodge a separate FIR. It clarified that it was not expressing any opinion on the correctness of the allegations or the authenticity of the videos at this stage but directed the respondents to file their response.

Referring to Supreme Court precedent, the Bench observed that apart from individual criminal liability, such incidents could also give rise to a public law remedy. It therefore directed the authorities to preserve all relevant records while the matter remains under consideration.

Senior Advocate N Hariharan, appearing for one of the petitioners, argued that the protest at Jantar Mantar had begun peacefully, with students exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and association. He submitted that any State action had to satisfy the constitutional tests under Articles 14 and 21.

He contended that no proclamation or public notice prohibiting the assembly had been issued and that even if the gathering had become unmanageable, the police were required to follow due process, including issuing warnings before using force. He alleged that excessive and punitive force was used against unarmed protesters.

Hariharan sought constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or another independent agency to investigate the incident, arguing that the Delhi Police could not investigate allegations against its own personnel.

He also sought a high-level inquiry, preservation of CCTV footage, videos, PCR logs, body camera footage and all records relating to the police action, including orders authorising the use of force.

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan submitted that he had reviewed around 130 verified videos relating to the incident.

According to him, the videos showed several persons involved were either not in police uniform or were not wearing mandatory name badges. Referring to one video, he alleged that Additional DCP Sandeep Lamba slapped a woman protester.

Relying on the Supreme Court’s 2012 Ramlila Maidan judgment, Sankaranarayanan argued that the police failed to follow the prescribed procedure before using force, including issuing announcements asking protesters to disperse.

He alleged that protesters suffered injuries due to the actions of the Delhi Police, Rapid Action Force personnel and others claiming to be police personnel, and urged the Court to intervene.

(With inputs from agencies)

Kamarhati MLA Madan Mitra’s son Subharup Mitra appeared at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Kolkata’s CGO Complex on Wednesday. The central investigative agency had summoned both Subharup Mitra and his mother, Archana Mitra, for questioning in the recruitment scam case.

Earlier last week, Mitra quit from all official positions in the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress and sided with the rebel faction led by Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee.

According to reports, Madan Mitra has also been summoned by the ED on July 29.

The summons come amid allegations that Mitra was involved in the contentious recruitment of around 125 individuals in the Titagarh Municipality in exchange for bribes.

The ED has previously conducted searches at Mitra’s residence and office to verify these claims. The central probe agency is currently scrutinising financial records and even sought bank documents and other specific information from Mitra. Mitra has assured his full cooperation to ED regarding the matter.

Meanwhile, the ED has also summoned Subhashis Chakraborty, the treasurer of the Trinamool Congress (Kalighat faction), regarding party funds. Chakraborty has been asked to bring all account-related documents to the ED’s CGO Complex next week.

Reports suggest that Chakraborty is the ‘signing authority’ for the party’s bank accounts.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wedneday announced that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report would be tabled in the assembly on 25 July.

Adhikari asserted that his government would initiate legal action including lodging FIR against all those named in it, irrespective of their political stature.

Replying to the debate on the Home Department’s budget in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said the government would discuss the CAG report during the next session and act on its findings.

“The CAG report will be tabled on 25 July. In the next session, we will hold a detailed discussion on it. Wherever the CAG has pointed out corruption, we will recommend to the Governor that FIRs be lodged. No matter how big a leader or minister is, we will seek legal action against them,” Adhikari said.

The Chief Minister also referred to alleged irregularities in the distribution of relief following Cyclone Amphan and said the issue had remained unaddressed under the previous government.

“I want to remind the House that the Prime Minister had released Rs 3,750 crore in two instalments for Amphan relief. Large-scale corruption took place in the utilisation of those funds. A public interest litigation was filed before the Calcutta High Court, following which a special CAG audit was conducted. That report was never made public, never brought before the House and no action was taken against those responsible,” he said.

Adhikari said his government intended to place the special CAG report on Amphan before the Assembly through a special session.

“We have already constituted a committee on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) under the chairmanship of former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. Once that report is received, we will request the Governor to convene a special session so that the special CAG report on Amphan can also be discussed in the House. Those who delivered lofty speeches on July 21 with large entourages will soon be exposed. We will take action strictly in accordance with the law,” he said, in an apparent political attack on leaders of the rival camp.

The Chief Minister further alleged that several statutory commissions and quasi-judicial bodies in the state had been rendered ineffective by the previous administration.

“All the commissions and statutory bodies in West Bengal were virtually paralysed by the previous government. From August 1, all these bodies will resume functioning. They will be bound to receive complaints and take necessary action in accordance with law,” he said.

The remarks triggered a political response from Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh, who owes allegiance to the Mamata Banerjee camp. Ghosh alleged that the government’s statements were intended to create a climate of fear.

“This is being done only to create a threat perception,” Ghosh told reporters outside the Assembly. He also questioned whether the government would proceed against legislators aligned with the Ritabrata Banerjee faction if their names figured in any future CAG findings relating to alleged corruption.

The Chief Minister’s announcement signals that the proposed discussion on the CAG reports and the government’s promised legal action are likely to become major political flashpoints in the coming Assembly sessions.

Pakistan has gone to the United States with a big ask: a USD 10 billion Exchange Stabilisation Facility, meant to shore up its foreign exchange reserves and take some of the pressure off an economy that’s been struggling for a while now. Reuters reported this, citing a source close to the matter, and said the request came up during talks with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington.

What Pakistan is actually proposing is a Bilateral Exchange Stabilisation Support Facility, with up to five years to pay it back. This came right after Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb sat down with Bessent on Tuesday, part of a broader push to build stronger economic ties between the two countries.

Why Pakistan wants this

If Washington says yes, the money would go toward boosting Pakistan’s foreign reserves, taking some strain off the rupee, and cutting down on how much the country has to keep borrowing from international lenders.

Reuters also pointed out that this facility, if it happens, would work alongside Pakistan’s ongoing IMF programme, which requires the country to keep pushing through fiscal and monetary reforms. Having stronger reserves could go a long way in building investor confidence and making it easier for Pakistan to handle its financial obligations abroad.

Aurangzeb lays out the struggles

Pakistan’s Finance Ministry said Aurangzeb walked Bessent through where things stand, talking about the country’s efforts toward macroeconomic stability and growth driven by exports.

He didn’t stop there. Aurangzeb also brought up how regional geopolitical tensions have taken a toll on Pakistan’s economy. His message was clear: Pakistan needs more international backing if it wants better access to global capital markets, stronger reserves, and improved credit ratings.

According to the ministry, Pakistan made it clear it wants closer cooperation with the US, both to open up market access and to build investor trust.

Both sides talk about working closer together

Per the Finance Ministry’s statement, Pakistan and the US both said they want to deepen their economic relationship going forward.

Much of the conversation centered on getting more US investment into Pakistan and moving forward on bigger strategic economic projects. It seems both countries are thinking beyond just short-term financial help and looking at building something longer term.

Pakistan’s ongoing IMF commitments

Right now, Pakistan is in the middle of a USD 7 billion IMF programme, and that comes with some tough conditions. Higher taxes, tighter government spending, structural reforms all fall under this.

These reforms are meant to help in the long run. But they’ve clearly put strain on economy and government finances in the meantime.

What exactly is an Exchange Stabilisation Facility?

Reuters explained that these facilities don’t come around often. They’re handled by the US Treasury through its Exchange Stabilization Fund, and the idea is to help a country’s currency and reserves through things like dollar funding, swap deals, or financial guarantees.

This is different from the Federal Reserve’s standing swap lines.

Reuters also noted that before Argentina got a similar deal in 2025, the last time the US gave out a major package like this was to Uruguay back in 2002. Mexico is the exception here, it’s had a swap arrangement with the US running since the 1940s.

Pakistan still leans heavily on outside help

Back in 2023, Pakistan came close to defaulting before a USD 3 billion IMF standby arrangement pulled it back from the edge. After that came a USD 7 billion Extended Fund Facility, plus another USD 1.3 billion loan aimed at helping the country cope better with climate change and natural disasters.

Even with all that support, Reuters reported that Pakistan’s reserves are still heavily dependent on IMF payouts, bilateral aid, and rollovers from partners like China and Saudi Arabia.

As concerns grow over Sonam Wangchuk’s health, Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has appealed to the climate activist to end his long hunger strike. While asking Wangchuk to stop fasting, Dipke made it clear that the protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until the group’s main demands are fulfilled.

In a post on X, Dipke said the country needs Wangchuk and that his life should not be put at greater risk. He wrote that although Wangchuk should end his fast, the peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar would continue until their demands are accepted.

“The movement will not stop,” says Dipke

We request @Wangchuk66 sir to end his hunger strike. The country needs him, and his life is far too precious to be put at further risk.

The peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until our demands are met. pic.twitter.com/rCfygpuCH6

— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) July 22, 2026

Speaking about the protest, Dipke said Wangchuk had completed 25 days without food, making his health a serious concern. He said he did not want anything to happen to the activist and again urged him to break the hunger strike.

At the same time, Dipke assured supporters that the campaign would continue even if Wangchuk stopped fasting. He said the protesters would not step back until Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns. He also appealed to everyone supporting the movement to continue demonstrating peacefully.

According to Dipke, the hunger strike and the larger protest are separate, and ending the fast would not weaken the campaign for accountability.

Protest to follow Gandhian principles

Dipke also stressed that the movement would remain completely non-violent. He said the protesters would not take any action that could damage the image of the protest or the country.

He added that the campaign would continue by following the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Repeating his appeal, Dipke once again requested Wangchuk to end the hunger strike while promising that the peaceful protest would continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns.

Delhi High Court to hear PIL over police action

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court is set to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on Wednesday seeking an independent investigation into the police action during Wangchuk’s hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.

The matter is listed before a division bench comprising Chief Justice Devender Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia.

The petition has been filed by Delhi-based advocate Shakeel Abbas through Advocate Shakil Sheikh and Associates.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday, July 22, questioned the silence of Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the alleged scam that has taken place in the pharmacy officer recruitment exam in Punjab.

Amid attacks from the Opposition parties, including AAP, over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak as well as handling of students’ protest in the national capital, Amit Malviya, the head of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s national IT cell, asked why the former Delhi chief minister was not speaking up over the recruitment exam “scam” that is unravelling in Punjab.

In a post on X, Malviya wrote, “Arvind Kejriwal and his proxy protesters claim to be fighting for students. So where are they now? Punjab’s Pharmacist recruitment exam has been compromised by a massive cheating racket. Police have arrested 7 kingpins and 28 candidates. Investigators allege a hidden pen camera was used to leak the paper, with answers transmitted live through Bluetooth earpieces. Candidates reportedly paid between ₹3.5 lakh and ₹13 lakh. Where are the protests? Where is the outrage? Or is selective activism reserved only for states ruled by political opponents?”

Arvind Kejriwal and his proxy protesters claim to be fighting for students. So where are they now?

Punjab’s Pharmacist recruitment exam has been compromised by a massive cheating racket. Police have arrested 7 kingpins and 28 candidates. Investigators allege a hidden pen camera… pic.twitter.com/tMC4OO8hBL

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 22, 2026

Taking to the social media platform, the saffron party also asked whether there will there be action against Punjab’s Education Minister as per the promise, or “will the Aam Aadmi Party take a U-turn on this too, as always?”

एक तरफ मनीष सिसोदिया का बयान कि पेपर लीक हुआ तो शिक्षा मंत्री को हटा देंगे — और दूसरी तरफ पंजाब में Pharmacy Exam में हुई नकल और पेपर लीक की सच्चाई!

✅ हाई-टेक नकल
✅ युवाओं की मेहनत से खिलवाड़
✅ गायब जवाबदेही

अब सवाल सीधा है — क्या वादे के मुताबिक पंजाब के शिक्षा मंत्री पर… pic.twitter.com/4GyAwZsr0E

— BJP (@BJP4India) July 22, 2026

The state police recently dismantled an inter-state cheating racket operating during the pharmacy officer recruitment examination.

Officials informed that police detained seven key conspirators of the racket along with 28 candidates, and also seized 27 battery-operated wireless devices used for cheating.

During the examination, police is said to have detected the use of pen cameras and real-time dictation. The exam centres were set up at Faridkot and Ferozepur.

In an official statement, police stated that a candidate, identified as Ayush in Ferozepur, allegedly used a concealed pen camera to scan the question paper. It was later sent to an accomplice, Sajan, in Bhiwani, Haryana, via WhatsApp. Sajan then sent it to another operative of the racket, Deepak, who was stationed at a makeshift control room inside the residence of Gurmeet Singh in Faridkot’s Society Nagar.

From this location, key accused Manjit Singh and Deepak are believed to have dictated the answers in real-time via wireless equipment to several candidates sitting inside the exam halls, the statement added.

A 21-year-old woman who suffered critical injuries during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest in Delhi has shown significant improvement, according to the latest medical update issued by Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital.

Doctors said the young woman has been successfully taken off ventilator support and is now breathing on her own. She is conscious, alert, and responding appropriately to medical instructions. The hospital also confirmed that MRI scans of her brain and spine have come back normal, offering positive signs in her recovery.

Doctors say her condition is improving

The hospital stated that the patient’s health has been steadily improving since she was admitted for treatment. She remains under the close observation of the medical team, which continues to provide round-the-clock care and regular monitoring.

RML Hospital also confirmed that she is currently the only patient admitted there in connection with the incident linked to Monday’s protest. Hospital authorities said every necessary medical facility and treatment is being provided to support her recovery.

JP Nadda visits RML Hospital, reviews treatment

On Tuesday, Union Health Minister JP Nadda visited RML Hospital to meet those who were injured during the police action that followed the CJP protest march.

During his visit, Nadda interacted with patients receiving treatment and enquired about their condition.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra meet injured protesters

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also visited RML Hospital along with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The two Congress leaders met the injured protesters admitted to the hospital and spoke with them during their visit. Their visit came a day after the protest march witnessed large-scale clashes in the national capital.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday expressed “serious concerns” over the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party and Congress protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

Dismissing the students’ protests against the Centre over the issue of paper leaks as “manufactured anger”, Singh alleged that some people with vested interests are trying to use the youth as political tools.

“The ongoing protests in Delhi are a matter of serious concern. It is extremely unfortunate that some people are trying to use our students and youth as political tools to serve their own vested interests,” he said.

The Defence Minister further reiterated the Narendra Modi government’s resolve to fulfil the aspirations of students.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our government remains fully committed to fulfilling the aspirations of students and young people and ensuring their welfare,” Singh said.

He said that the government has already expressed its readiness to discuss the issue of paper leaks in Parliament, asserting that a solution cannot be found on the streets.

“It is our responsibility to listen to every concern of our students and address it. I have complete faith that India’s aware, mature, and discerning youth understand such misleading attempts and will choose the path of progress, development, and nation-building,” he added.

Singh’s remarks came amid the ongoing protest at Jantar Mantar. The agitation called by Cockroach Janta Party turned into a massive student movement after it was joined by renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.

While Wangchuk was forcibly evicted from the protest site and shifted to a hospital over health concerns due to his prolonged hunger strike, several Opposition leaders extended their support to the agitation.

The protesters have been demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and reforms in the country’s education system.

The police crackdown on the protesters during Monday’s march to Parliament has also prompted a sharp response from the Opposition parties.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday staged a dharna outside the 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Several Congress leaders, including party President Mallikarjun Kharge, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other MPs also joined Gandhi in his dharna against the alleged police brutality during the Parliament march.

However, the police forcibly evicted the Congress leaders, keeping them in detention for a brief period.