The Supreme Court has directed States and Union Territories to consider raising the retirement age of judicial officers from 60 to 61 years as an interim measure. This directive comes while the court is deliberating on a petition seeking a uniform enhancement of the retirement age for district judiciary judges from 60 to 62 years across the country. The decision is subject to consultation between the State/UT governments and their respective High Courts, and the interim arrangement will not prejudice the final adjudication on the substantive legal question.
Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee was suspended from the Lok Sabha for the remainder of the Monsoon session for using "unsavoury" language against women members. The suspension followed a complaint to the Speaker, a resolution moved by a Union Minister, and a voice vote in the House. The incident occurred after a heated exchange between Banerjee and members of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), who are former TMC MPs now allied with the NDA.
The article details a 'Chalo Sansad' protest organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on July 20, 2026, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination paper leaks, particularly concerning NEET. Thousands marched to Parliament, leading to clashes with police, internet blackouts in Central Delhi, and protests spreading nationwide. Key figures like CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, actor Shabana Azmi, and activist Sonam Wangchuk were involved.
The article explores the historical and political impact of hunger strikes in India, from Mahatma Gandhi's satyagraha to contemporary movements. It highlights how figures like Potti Sriramulu, Irom Sharmila, Anna Hazare, Medha Patkar, K. Chandrashekar Rao, G.D. Agrawal, and Sonam Wangchuk used this non-violent protest to influence state formation, challenge contentious laws like AFSPA, advocate for anti-corruption legislation, demand environmental justice, and seek constitutional safeguards for regions, thereby significantly shaping India's political landscape and public discourse.
The article reports that Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the government agreed to discuss the NEET paper leak in the Lok Sabha. The government urged the Speaker to convene an all-party meeting to decide on the debate's rules, date, and duration. The Opposition is demanding a discussion on the issue and the Education Minister's resignation over alleged examination irregularities.
Mobile Internet services were shut down in parts of Central Delhi during a 'Chalo Sansad' protest organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The protest demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over NEET paper leaks. The internet shutdown, which lasted until evening, was condemned by the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) and the Software Freedom Law Centre, India (SFLC), raising questions about its legality and impact on fundamental rights.
The Supreme Court directed the Union and Madhya Pradesh governments to strictly comply with its interim order to identify an 'adjacent' open space for the Muslim community to offer Friday namaz near the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex. This directive came after the authorities identified a site nearly 2 km away, which the court deemed non-compliant with its earlier order. The dispute involves competing Hindu and Muslim religious claims over the 11th-century ASI-protected monument, following a High Court ruling that declared it a Saraswati temple and barred Friday namaz. The SC emphasized avoiding tension and prohibited structural alterations to the complex without its prior permission.
The Supreme Court, led by CJI Surya Kant, declined to take suo motu cognisance of alleged police violence during a student protest organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Delhi. The lawyer presenting the case cited videographic evidence of police brutality against protesters demanding reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the resignation of the Union Education Minister. Both the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court refused urgent hearings, with the CJI stating the court's time should not be 'wasted' on watching videos. The police action, which included alleged pellet gun use and an internet shutdown, sparked political protests and demands for ministerial resignations.
The article discusses the use of pellet guns and shock batons as crowd-control measures by security forces in India, particularly in the context of recent protests in Delhi. It highlights an incident where a protester sustained pellet gun injuries and mentions the Delhi Police's denial of their use, despite the deployment of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), which carries such gear. The article details what pellet guns are, their history of deployment (first in J&K in 2010), their 'non-lethal' but potentially harmful nature, and the introduction of 'plastic bullets' as an alternative in 2017. It also covers the specifications and prescribing authority for shock batons by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) through the Border Security Force (BSF). Recent uses in farmers' protests (2024) and Manipur (2023) are also noted.
46 active cadres of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (People’s War Group) [KCP(PWG)], a Meitei insurgent outfit, surrendered in Manipur, laying down sophisticated weapons. This mass surrender, facilitated by the Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, and the State Government, is significant as these cadres were not part of prior peace agreements. The Ministry of Defence stated that this event represents a severe operational degradation for the KCP(PWG) faction, which was involved in anti-social and anti-national activities, and paves the way for public infrastructure development and regional prosperity.
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan amidst widespread protests and concerns over the NEET paper leak and examination reforms. Patnaik emphasized the gravity of the situation, the broken trust in the examination system, and urged the government to engage in dialogue with protesting students and prioritize the issue in Parliament.
The article highlights the significant judicial backlog and delays in trials for cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Telangana. Over half of the 31,117 POCSO cases registered in the state over the past decade remain pending trial, with a very low conviction rate of 3.41%. Despite the POCSO Act (2012) mandating speedy trials and the launch of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) in 2019, the system struggles due to a lack of dedicated judicial officers, insufficient evidence, hostile witnesses, and delays in investigation. The Supreme Court's suggestion for a 'Romeo and Juliet' clause to exempt consensual relationships between adolescents from criminal prosecution is also discussed as a potential measure to reduce the burden on courts.
