The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre to preserve the Rapid Action Force's (RAF) ammunition records used during the July 20 Jantar Mantar protests over the NEET-UG controversy. The court issued notice to the Centre while hearing petitions seeking a ban on the use of pellet guns for crowd control. The bench said pellet guns may be used only in exceptional situations and sought details of the standard operating procedure (SOP) governing their use. The case follows allegations that pellet guns were used excessively during the protest. The matter will be heard again after the Centre files its response. (PC: The Indian Express)

More than 215 vice chancellors, academicians, and education leaders have written an open letter criticising Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for referring to IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti as a "gau mutra expert" during a Lok Sabha debate. The signatories said personal ridicule should not replace reasoned scientific discussion and warned that such remarks could discourage scholars from participating in public discourse. They urged political leaders to debate ideas respectfully rather than target individuals, stressing that academic freedom, scientific inquiry, and civil dialogue are essential for a healthy democracy and informed policymaking. (PC: India Today)

The Delhi government has announced that it will not pursue further legal action against people involved in protests over the alleged NEET-UG examination irregularities. The relief covers cases linked to demonstrations in the national capital but excludes individuals with criminal antecedents. Authorities said 13 cases were registered during the protests, and the review of arrests will be expedited. The order, approved by the Lieutenant Governor, follows the Centre's assurance that peaceful protesters would not face punitive action. However, Delhi Police said 989 of the 2,873 people identified during the July 20 violence had previous criminal records and remain outside the relief. (PC: HT)

Actor Sonu Sood has criticised BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut over her controversial remarks about Gen Z protesters, calling the comments "shameful". Speaking to reporters, Sonu said young people are the reason actors achieve success and deserve respect. "If she has said that, then I think it is very shameful. It should not have been said," he said. Sonu also urged public figures to think before speaking, adding that "the public is another form of God." Kangana had earlier called Gen Z protesters "Generation Gutter", triggering widespread criticism and a fresh political and social debate. (PC: NDTV)

The Supreme Court on Thursday sought the Delhi Police's standard operating procedure (SOP) on the use of pellet guns during the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar. Hearing a petition challenging the alleged use of metallic pellets against protesters, the bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant said pellet guns are allowed only in exceptional circumstances under police rules. The court asked the Centre and Delhi Police to explain the graded use-of-force protocol and whether it was followed. The petitioners alleged metallic pellets injured peaceful protesters, while police maintained they used plastic pellets and other crowd-control measures during the July 20 clashes. (PC: India Today)

The Supreme Court has cleared former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the Talabira-II coal block allocation case, bringing an end to a legal battle that lasted more than 11 years. Nearly 2 years after Singh's death in November 2024, the court quashed a 2015 trial court order that had summoned him as an accused. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant reviewed the CBI's closure reports, which had recommended ending the case, and ruled that the trial court's observations should be set aside. Singh had held the coal ministry portfolio when the allocation was made, but the Supreme Court found no basis to continue proceedings against him. (PC: X)

The death toll from this year's floods in Assam has reached 78 after three more people died in Sivasagar and Golaghat districts. More than 3 lakh people remain affected across seven districts, according to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority. Over 16,500 people are staying in relief camps, while thousands more are receiving aid. Floods have damaged roads, homes, schools and farmland. Urban flooding also continues in parts of Guwahati. The India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rain until August 1. Officials have asked people to stay alert as fresh rain could worsen flooding and landslides.

A medical report says doctors removed several metallic foreign bodies from the body of Sheikh Irshad Mansoori after the July 20 protest in Delhi. The report states the objects were found in his head, neck, shoulder, and mouth during surgery. Mansoori said seven pellet-like objects were removed, while some still remain in his body. He claimed the hospital kept the recovered objects. The hospital did not say if they were sent for forensic tests. Delhi Police said some social media claims of gunshot injuries are not supported by medical records. Police and the CRPF are separately examining the use of pellet rounds. (PC: Reuters)

Farmers protesting in Bhopal continued their agitation on Wednesday after talks with the Madhya Pradesh government failed to fully address their demands. A minor scuffle broke out when some protesters tried to move forward despite police appeals to remain calm. Following a three-hour meeting, the government increased moong procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) from 25% to 60%, extended procurement and registration deadlines, and suspended the fertiliser e-token system pending a review. However, farmer leaders rejected the measures, insisting on 100% MSP procurement and warning that the protest would continue until all demands are accepted. (PC: India Today)

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and questioned the effectiveness of the anti-paper leak law. “If he is such a good influencer, then he should leave the Prime Minister's chair, become an influencer, and let someone else do the job,” Dipke said. On the new law, he added, “You can make whatever laws you want, but until the people implementing them are good, what is the point of those laws?” He also warned of fresh student protests if FIRs against demonstrators are not withdrawn, saying students would respond through their votes. (PC: HT)