Lok Sabha Approves Bill Amid Rahul Gandhi's Criticism of Modi

WHO:

The Times of India - Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP; Jitendra Singh, Minister for Personnel; Amit Shah, Union Home Minister; Gaurav Gogoi, Congress leader.

Hindustan Times - National Democratic Alliance (NDA); Congress party; students protesting at Jantar Mantar.

WHAT:

The Times of India - Lok Sabha passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, making punishment for paper leak cases more stringent.

The Times of India - The bill allows for jail terms of a minimum of five years and a maximum of ten years for individuals involved in paper leaks, with fines up to Rs 50 lakh.

The Times of India - For organized crimes, the bill proposes a minimum sentence of seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore.

Hindustan Times - The Lok Sabha passed the anti-paper leak bill through a voice vote amid opposition protests.

Hindustan Times - Jitendra Singh described the bill as “the first of its kind in the history of independent India.”

Hindustan Times - Rahul Gandhi accused Amit Shah of ordering the use of pellet guns against students during protests.

WHERE:

The Times of India - Lok Sabha, New Delhi.

Hindustan Times - Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.

WHEN:

The Times of India - The police crackdown on students occurred during their Sansad Chalo march on July 20.

The Times of India - The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill was introduced in 2026.

Hindustan Times - Rahul Gandhi referred to a letter he wrote to Amit Shah on July 25.

WHY:

The Times of India - The bill was introduced in response to ongoing paper leak controversies and to ensure faster trials and stricter punishments.

Hindustan Times - Opposition members criticized the government for violence against students and the failure to prevent paper leaks.

HOW:

The Times of India - Investigations into paper leak cases are mandated to be completed within two months under the new bill.

The Times of India - The bill allows state governments and Union Territory administrations to designate special fast-track courts for cases registered under the law.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 22:26 UTC)

The Lok Sabha in New Delhi has passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which imposes stricter penalties for paper leak cases, including jail terms ranging from five to ten years and fines up to Rs 50 lakh. This legislation, described by Jitendra Singh as “the first of its kind in the history of independent India,” was approved amid protests from opposition members, including Rahul Gandhi, who accused Amit Shah of ordering violence against students during their demonstrations. The bill also mandates that investigations into paper leak cases be completed within two months and allows for the establishment of special fast-track courts to expedite these proceedings.