New Delhi, July 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded Indian youth and women athletes for their remarkable achievements on the global sports stage, highlighting badminton star PV Sindhu’s historic Japan Open title and a historic Test match victory by the Indian women’s cricket team at Lord’s.

Addressing the nation in the latest episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’, the Prime Minister expressed immense pride in the country’s sports performance, also celebrating the contribution of ‘Nari Shakti’.

PM Modi firstly highlighted ace shuttler PV Sindhu’s maiden Japan Open title, which ended her seven-year wait to win a Super 750 or above title. It was her biggest Tour title after the World Tour Finals and China Open she won back in 2018 and 2016, respectively. Moreover, it was the former world champion’s first BWF World Tour title after winning Syed Modi in December 2024.

“Our youth have achieved remarkable feats in sports recently. PV Sindhu has become the first Indian to win the Japan Open title in badminton; the entire nation is proud of this achievement of hers,” PM Modi said.

Reflecting on the milestone in women’s cricket, PM Modi commended the Indian cricket team for their first-ever Test victory at the iconic Lord’s Stadium in London by a massive margin of 270 runs. Drawing a connection to a historic milestone in Indian sports history, he recalled India’s maiden Cricket World Cup triumph at the same venue in 1983.

“This is a historic victory; our team won the match by a massive margin of 270 runs. But that is not all in the long history of Lord’s, this was the first Test match played by a women’s team. It was on this very ground that India won her first Cricket World Cup in 1983. Now, our ‘Nari Shakti’ has brought glory to the nation there,” PM Modi said.

With the Lord’s Test win, India also extended their formidable run in red-ball cricket by securing their seventh victory in the last 11 Test matches. Crucially, they have maintained their proud unbeaten record in the longest format on English soil.

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.