Kolkata, July 26: Three more persons have been arrested in connection with the violence and attacks on police personnel and journalists during a protest rally in Kolkata on July 24 against the NEET examination paper leak and other exam scandals, taking the total number of arrests to 14, officials said on Sunday.

The fresh arrests were made between Saturday night and Sunday by the Kolkata Police. Earlier, 11 persons had been arrested after being identified through CCTV footage and video recordings of the violence.

The three arrested have been identified as Shahbaz Khan, Sheikh Muhammad Salman Hossain and Muhammad Zahiruddin. Shahbaz is a resident of the Karaya area in south-eastern Kolkata. Salaman is a resident of the Rajabagan area of Garden Reach in the southern outskirts of Kolkata. Zahiruddin is a resident of the Bhangar area also in the southern outskirts of Kolkata.

Police have so far identified 70 persons involved in the violence during the rally, which was jointly organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and students’ and youth wings of various Left parties. Seven FIRs have been registered in connection with the incident, including one suo motu case filed by the city police.

According to police sources, none of the 14 persons arrested so far are students or have any connection with the NEET examination results. The authorities claim the accused were involved in orchestrating violence and provoking law enforcement personnel during the demonstrations.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, addressing the Assembly on Saturday, alleged that anti-social elements from several Kolkata localities, including Rajabazar, Kidderpore, Park Circus, Garden Reach and Ekbalpur, were responsible for attacking police personnel and media persons during the protest. He claimed their objective was to provoke the police into using force, thereby escalating tensions.

The Chief Minister also said that those found guilty would face action under the newly enacted West Bengal Public Safety & Control of Anti-Social Activities Act, 2026, which provides for stricter measures against anti-social and violent activities.

“They wanted the police to use force by resorting to baton-charge and firing of teargas shells. They intended to aggravate the tension and thus create a drama. Fortunately, the police did not fall into that trap. But they continued their attacks,” the Chief Minister had said.

New Delhi, July 26: The government has allocated Rs 2,010 crore to boost judicial infrastructure and digitisation of courts, including necessary training and capacity building programmes.

According to Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for the District and Subordinate Courts, a sum of Rs 810 crore has been allocated in the Union Budget 2026 for judicial infrastructure.

In addition, sum of Rs 1,200 crore has been allocated in the Budget for the eCourts Project Phase-III being implemented for digitisation of courts including necessary training and capacity building programmes, he said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

Adequate budgetary provisions are made under these Schemes based on approved outlays and availability of funds.

“However, the expeditious disposal of cases depends on multiple factors including complexity of case, quality of investigation, availability of relevant evidence and presentation thereof by the Advocates, timely delivery of the court processes, active participation of the parties, judicial procedures, etc,” said the minister.

The government, in coordination with states and the judiciary, has taken several measures to ensure accessible, speedy and effective justice across the country.

Meanwhile, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to set up Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO (ePOCSO) courts was launched in October 2019, for the expeditious trial and disposal of pending cases related to rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

The scheme was extended twice, with the last extension valid up to March 31, 2026 for establishment of 790 FTSCs. The scheme has been temporarily extended upto September 30, 2026.

As per the information made available by the High Courts, as of April 30, 775 FTSCs, including 398 exclusive POCSO (e-POCSO) Courts were functional in 29 States/UTs, informed the minister.

New Delhi, July 26: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding accountability for the alleged assault on students who were peacefully protesting in Delhi on July 20.

In his letter, Gandhi said that the students were protesting for a fair and accountable education system but were met with excessive force by security personnel.

“I write to demand accountability for the barbaric assault on students who were peacefully protesting in Delhi on July 20, 2026. Our students were demanding a fair and accountable education system. Instead of being heard, security forces assaulted them with indiscriminate force, including lethal weapons and tear gas. Hundreds have suffered serious injuries. Women students have been assaulted by policemen, including by deliberately targeting their private parts

He further expressed concern over the reported use of pellet guns during the protest,” he wrote.

“Most shocking has been the use of lethal pellet guns. Reports in the media and social media clearly show people who have suffered grave injuries, including a journalist. I met 19-year old student Sahil Lochab, who is now in severe pain is likely to lose an eye because he was shot with pellet guns,” Rahul Gandhi wrote in the letter.

Seeking clarification from the Home Minister, Gandhi raised two specific questions in his letter.

He asked whether Amit Shah had approved the use of lethal force, including pellet guns, against the protesting students and, if not, who had authorised it.

He also sought to know whether the individuals seen in plain clothes assaulting students with lathis were police personnel or volunteers, and under whose authority they had been deployed.

Emphasising the importance of democratic rights, Rahul Gandhi said, “Peaceful protest is crucial to any democracy. It is the government’s responsibility to protect protesters and resolve their grievances through dialogue. Such brutal violence destroys every norm, and has outraged the country. Youth and students, the future of our country, are demanding answers and accountability. Their voice will be heard.”

Earlier, the CJP on Saturday called off its protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar after the Centre accepted its key demands following Pradhan’s resignation.

The decision was announced at a joint press conference in New Delhi following the third round of talks between Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, Union Minister Jitendra Singh, and CJP representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, during which the Centre agreed to the protesters’ key demands.

Addressing the media, Nadda said the government had agreed to withdraw all police cases filed against protesting students, provide written confirmation of the FIR withdrawals, and ensure the highest possible compensation for families of students who died in incidents linked to the alleged paper leak controversy.

CJP leaders urged protesters to end the agitation, saying the government’s assurances addressed all the demands raised during the protest.

Speaking on behalf of the CJP, Saurav Das urged the students to withdraw their protest and return home. He said the government had accepted all the demands raised by the agitators, and there was no further reason to continue the sit-in at Jantar Mantar.