New Delhi, July 25: Delhi Police has invoked the charge of attempted murder in the FIR registered at Kartavya Path Police Station in connection with the violence that erupted near Rail Bhawan and Parliament during the July 20 protest march.

The case incorporates several serious offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to police, the FIR was lodged on the complaint of an Inspector posted at Kartavya Path Police Station and documents the sequence of events that unfolded on Rafi Marg during the protest.

The FIR states that the complainant was deployed on duty at C-Hexagon, Zone-11 (Pink Booth), from 5:00 a.m. onwards as part of the security arrangements in the high-security zone.

As per the complaint, after receiving information over the wireless network, the police team rushed to the barricades near the Rail Bhawan roundabout, where thousands of protesters had assembled.

The FIR further states that repeated announcements were made through loudspeakers informing the gathering that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were in force and that permission had not been granted for the protest.

Despite the repeated warnings, the protesters allegedly refused to disperse and continued raising slogans, according to the FIR.

Police have further alleged in the complaint that certain individuals in the crowd instigated protesters to breach the barricades and move towards Parliament.

According to the FIR, protesters allegedly surrounded police personnel and assaulted them, besides hurling slippers and stones at the security forces deployed at the site.

The complaint further alleges that the mob attacked police personnel with the intention to kill, resulting in injuries to several officers deployed for law and order duties.

The FIR also alleges that public property, along with several private vehicles, was damaged during the violence.

According to the police, in view of the security requirements around Parliament and other key government establishments, personnel resorted to a lathi-charge and used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and restore order.

Officials said the case has been registered under 13 provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 109(1) relating to attempted murder, along with offences pertaining to assault on a public servant, obstruction in discharge of official duty, unlawful assembly, rioting, damage to public property and acts endangering human life.

Police said a total of 129 police personnel and more than 60 protesters sustained injuries during the clashes that took place on July 20.

In the aftermath of the violence, Delhi Police has deployed 18 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) across various routes as part of enhanced security arrangements.

Officials further said that around 15 FIRs have been registered so far in connection with the incidents linked to the protest.

Delhi Police also stated that if any allegations are made by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) or any other individual or organisation regarding the incident, those claims will be examined and investigated, and the findings will be made public.

Patna, July 25: In a major breakthrough in the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak case, the police have arrested the alleged kingpin of the racket, Bijendra Gupta, from Bihar.

Another accused, Indrajeet Singh alias Piku, was also taken into custody during the operation.

Both had been absconding for a prolonged period and were apprehended by a special team of the Bhiwandi Police following a targeted operation in Bihar.

According to a police official, Bijendra Gupta had managed to evade arrest despite continuous raids and search operations conducted by investigating agencies.

Acting on specific intelligence, the Bhiwandi Police tracked down the accused in Bihar and successfully arrested both Gupta and his associate.

Investigators described the arrests as a significant milestone in the ongoing probe into the alleged examination fraud.

Following his arrest, Bijendra Gupta was flown from Bihar to Pune Airport, where elaborate security arrangements had been made.

He is being escorted under heavy police protection to Bhiwandi, where investigators are expected to produce him before a court and seek police custody for detailed interrogation.

Officials believe custodial questioning could provide crucial information about the operation of the paper leak network and help identify other individuals involved.

Investigating agencies consider Bijendra Gupta to be a central figure in the alleged paper leak syndicate.

Police expect his interrogation to shed light on the planning and execution of the alleged paper leak, the identities and roles of other members of the network, the methods used to facilitate the alleged examination fraud, and the geographical reach and operational structure of the syndicate.

Authorities believe the investigation may uncover additional links to other individuals connected with the case.

The investigation will extend beyond the alleged paper leak itself.

Police are also examining the financial aspects of the racket, including the movement of funds, sources of financial support, and the channels through which the network allegedly operated.

Officials hope that tracing the money trail will help expose the broader conspiracy and identify additional beneficiaries or collaborators.

According to investigating agencies, Bijendra Gupta’s name has surfaced in several other high-profile examination paper leak cases in the past.

Police officials stated that multiple accused—including Gupta’s wife—had already been arrested earlier in connection with the Maharashtra TET paper leak investigation.

However, Gupta had remained absconding until his arrest in Bihar.

With the alleged mastermind now in custody, investigators expect the next phase of the probe to provide fresh leads and potentially reveal the full extent of the examination fraud network.

New Delhi, July 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal intervention in the standoff involving the fasting activist Sonam Wangchuk, protesting students, and others involved in the ongoing stir against exam-paper leak has been both decisive and symbolic.

For weeks, the impasse had deepened, with Wangchuk’s fast entering a critical phase, student groups intensifying demonstrations, and the government facing acute pressures from civil society and the Opposition benches alike. By opening direct channels of dialogue with Wangchuk and student leaders simultaneously, PM Modi signalled that his government was willing to listen, negotiate, and act.

At the same time, he ensured concrete steps aimed at addressing the root causes of the protests, particularly greater transparency, fairness, and accountability in public examinations and recruitment processes. One of the notable outcomes of this intervention was the announcement of fast-track courts dedicated to cases of examination malpractice, and related offences.

When judicial process takes time, it often erodes public faith in the system. Here, the promise of swift adjudication was seen as a statement of intent. By ensuring that such cases are resolved fairly and promptly, the government thus hopes to restore credibility to institutions that have been tarnished by repeated scandals.

In a video message, the Prime Minister further pledged introducing a strict law to check exam-paper leaks.

And on Friday, according reports, the Union Cabinet approved a Bill and related provisions aimed at setting up fast-track courts and introducing harsher punishment in cases of paper leaks and exam malpractices.

The proposed legislation is expected to be introduced in Parliament next week to be passed as law, added reports. This also puts the ball in Opposition court who has been protesting in Parliament on the issue, leading to an impasse.

Earlier, the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was hailed as a landmark in India’s fight against organised exam malpractice, promising to safeguard meritocracy through stringent penalties and centralised enforcement. Yet, in some high-profile cases, the accused individuals managed to exploit ambiguities in the law, securing bail, and reportedly, even sometimes return to similar activities while cases were going on. There followed thoughts on closing the loopholes, introduce severe prosecution and penalties for those who abuse the system, further empower investigative agencies, and coordinate across state jurisdictions, among other possible amendments.

The Prime Minister’s approach reflected a blend of political pragmatism and governance dharma. On one hand, he has shown his government’s willingness to engage with dissenters rather than dismiss them outright. This move can now help defuse tensions and prevent any escalation.

On the other, he has leveraged the moment to push for systemic reforms that align with his broader narrative of efficiency, accountability, and zero tolerance for corruption.

Meanwhile, the government’s outreach at engaging with Sonam Wangchuk is not lost on observers. The 59-year-old engineer-activist, known for his work in sustainable education and environmental innovation, commands respect across ideological divides. His fast raised concerns among people and the government acknowledged the legitimacy of citizen-led activism in shaping policy.

Scepticism does remain, but the creation of fast-track courts and the drafting of a tougher law are concrete markers on which the government’s sincerity can be judged. But the success of these initiatives will depend on execution. If implemented effectively, these measures could set a precedent for responses in other sectors as well.