CBI Arrests Two in Patna for NEET Paper Leak; Questions Principal Over UGC-NET Links
Patna: The CBI has arrested Manish Prakash and Ashutosh Kumar in Patna for their alleged roles in the NEET-UG paper leak. The accused rented a play school where the leaked papers were distributed. The CBI also interrogates the Oasis School principal, linking the NEET and UGC-NET leaks.
President Flags NEET and Emergency in Parliament Address
New Delhi: In her address to Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu emphasized the government’s commitment to investigating exam paper leaks, notably mentioning NEET, and urged MPs to transcend partisan politics. She also highlighted the Emergency of 1975 as a dark chapter in India’s constitutional history.
JJP Offers Congress Support for Rajya Sabha Polls in Haryana, Denies Alignment with BJP
Chandigarh: Dushyant Chautala, co-founder of the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), announced support for a common opposition candidate led by Congress in the Rajya Sabha elections in Haryana. He dismissed any alliance with the BJP for the upcoming Assembly polls, emphasizing the need for an opposition united against BJP. Chautala criticized both national parties and highlighted the JJP’s electoral losses due to the previous alliance with BJP, influenced by public anger over issues like the farmers’ movement. The JJP plans to gather feedback from party workers statewide in preparation for the Assembly elections.
CBI Files Chargesheet Against 5 Former Police Officials in ISRO Espionage Case
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against two former Directors General of Police (DGPs), Siby Mathews of Kerala and R.B. Sreekumar of Gujarat, and three other retired police officials. They are accused of framing space scientist Nambi Narayanan in the 1994 ISRO espionage case. The charges include criminal conspiracy, wrongful confinement, and fabricating evidence. The Supreme Court directed the CBI to investigate based on a high-level committee’s report, which found the police’s allegations against Narayanan to be false.
Jaishankar Urges Myanmar for Safety of Indian Projects
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Myanmar’s Foreign Minister U. Than Shwe in Delhi, emphasizing India’s concerns over the deteriorating security in Myanmar. Highlighting the impact of violence on border areas and illegal activities like narcotics and arms smuggling, Jaishankar stressed the need for security for Indian projects, specifically the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project. He also urged Myanmar to return to democratic transition and offered India’s assistance. The meeting occurred as U. Than Shwe transited to Tehran for the 19th Asia Cooperation Dialogue.
Plea in Supreme Court Seeks Stay on Implementation of Three New Criminal Laws
New Delhi: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the implementation of three new criminal laws—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023—set to take effect from July 1. Petitioners Anjale Patel and Chhaya Mishra argue that the laws were passed without proper debate or participation, as many Opposition MPs were suspended. The plea calls for an expert committee to assess the laws’ viability, citing concerns over their ambiguity, anti-bail provisions, and extensive police powers.
Rahul Gandhi Meets Om Birla, Criticizes Emergency Resolution
New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, expressing displeasure over the resolution on the 1975 Emergency, which Mr. Birla read out as a “dark period”. Gandhi and Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal argued that the Speaker should have remained impartial, avoiding political references from the Chair. Venugopal’s letter to Birla emphasized the unprecedented and political nature of the resolution, criticizing its impact on parliamentary traditions. The resolution, read by Birla upon his re-election, blamed Congress for suppressing rights and attacking democracy during the Emergency.
Students Protest at Jantar Mantar, Demand Dissolution of NTA
New Delhi: Amid President Droupadi Murmu’s address on the NEET issue in Parliament, Jantar Mantar saw protests led by Youth Congress and student outfits demanding the dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Protestors, including NSUI members, attempted to lock the NTA office in Okhla and were temporarily detained by police. Student leaders criticized frequent exam postponements and leaks, calling for a more transparent system. MPs Raja Ram Singh and Shashikant Senthil joined the demonstrations, emphasizing the widespread discontent with the NTA’s handling of exams.
Bolivian General Arrested After Failed Coup Attempt
La Paz: Bolivia’s now-dismissed Army chief Gen. Juan José Zúñiga was arrested following a failed coup attempt on Wednesday. Troops, led by Zúñiga, stormed the government palace, only to retreat after President Luis Arce sacked the rebel general and appointed a new Army commander who ordered the troops to stand down. The rebellion, lasting only three hours, ended with the arrest of Zúñiga and former navy Vice Adm. Juan Arnez Salvador. Government Minister Eduardo del Castillo confirmed the arrests, stating the coup aimed to overthrow the democratically elected authority. Defence Minister Edmundo Novillo declared the situation under control, describing the event as a “failed coup”. The attempt highlighted ongoing tensions between Arce and former president Evo Morales amid Bolivia’s economic crisis.
North Korea Claims Successful Multiple-Warhead Missile Test
North Korea declared a successful test of its multiple-warhead missile capability, guiding mobile warheads to three targets. The test aims to achieve Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) capability, amidst heightened tensions with South Korea. Earlier identified as a hypersonic missile launch, it ended in mid-air explosion, citing combustion concerns.