Coal scam cases: Supreme Court asks Delhi HC not to stay trials, dispose of appeals in four weeks

MPs, including LoP Rahul Gandhi and Deputy LoP Gaurav Gogoi, stand for 'Vande Mataram' in the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon Session of Parliament in New Delhi. | A total of 11 Bills were passed despite the productivity of the Lok Sabha hitting a low of 15% — equalling the House’s lowest productivity, recorded during the Winter Session in 2016 — and that of the Rajya Sabha being 33%, the lowest for the Upper House since the Budget Session in 2023 (24%), according to PRS Legislative Research.Repeated disruptions over the Opposition’s protests on the NEET paper leak, the alleged theft of donations to the Ram Temple, Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s absence from Parliament, among other issues, affected the productivity of the Houses.However, a total of 11 Bills were passed during the Monsoon Session, with nine of them not being discussed or debated by even a single MP in the Lok Sabha. Seven Bills were passed in the Lok Sabha in five minutes or less. These Bills were debated for at least 40 minutes in the Rajya Sabha, as shown in the graphic below. Only the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, was discussed in detail — for around 11 hours in the Lok Sabha and almost seven hours in the Rajya Sabha.In the Rajya Sabha, however, discussion on the Bills was limited, with MPs getting only a limited amount of time. “For example, 16 MPs spoke on the Bill amending the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, but the total time taken was only 50 minutes. Each MP spoke for an average of three minutes,” according to PRS Legislative Research’s analysis.In the seven sessions of the 18th Lok Sabha held since 2024, five saw several Bills being introduced that were not on the agenda, as shown in the graphic below.The share of Bills that were introduced and passed in the seven sessions since 2024 also reached a high of 92% this Monsoon Session, as shown in the graphic below.This Monsoon Session also had the lowest Question Hour efficiency since 2019. Question Hour, held between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m., functioned for less than 1% of the allotted time in the Lok Sabha, with only nine minutes being utilised out of the more than 1,000 minutes allocated between July 20 and August 13. In the Rajya Sabha, the functioning was around 12%, with two hours being utilised, as shown in the chart below. Chart: PRS Two of the 380 questions were answered orally in the Lok Sabha, while 16 of 285 were answered orally in the Rajya Sabha. Chart: PRS Published - August 19, 2026 01:55 pm IST

Home News India Scheduled to end on Thursday, the Monsoon Session of Parliament has seen little business (with no Question Hour and several Bills being passed amid disruptions) as the Opposition demanded Amit Shah's response to the use of police excess on protestors Updated - August 13, 2026 09:58 am IST Scheduled to end on Thursday, August 13, 2026, the Monsoon Session of Parliament has seen little business (with no Question Hour and several Bills being passed amid disruptions) as the Opposition demanded Amit Shah's response to the use of police excess on protestors | Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, however, rejected the offer of a discussion, stating that the youth wanted answers on who ordered the firing on and police assault of protestors and “not a lecture” from Mr. Shah.Scheduled to end on Thursday (August 13, 2026), the Monsoon Session of Parliament has seen little business (with no Question Hour and several Bills being passed amid disruptions) as the Opposition demanded that Mr. Shah respond to use of police excess against those protesting against NEET paper leak on July 20.Amid vocal protests by Opposition members, the Lok Sabha passed a Bill on Wednesday (August 12, 2026) to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act without a debate. The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (August 12, 2026) passed two more Bills — The National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026. The Upper House has so far passed about 10 Bills, other than some of the Money Bills which were returned to the Lok Sabha, during the stormy Monsoon Session.Follow here for live updates,August 13, 2026 09:58 Amit Shah willing to have debate on student protests, Rahul Gandhi says not interested in ‘lectures’Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said he was willing to have a full debate on the protests against the NEET paper leak, while Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the government was ready to “increase the time” allotted for a debate on the issue.Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, however, rejected the offer of a discussion, stating that the youth wanted answers on who ordered the firing on and police assault of protestors and “not a lecture” from Mr. Shah.Read the full story here,August 13, 2026 09:54 Centre softens stance on FCRA Bill following appeals by minority groupsThe first indication of the Union Government’s softening of stance on the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, emerged on August 9, when several Christian organisations launched coordinated appeals on YouTube, Facebook and WhatsApp, urging the Centre to either refer the Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) or withdraw it altogether. The appeals were seen as an attempt to provide the government with an honourable route to step back from pushing the legislation through Parliament.On Wednesday (August 12), Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai moved a motion in the Lok Sabha to send the Bill to a JPC. Amid din, the motion was adopted, giving Parliament more time to examine the contentious provisions in the Bill.Read the story here, Published - August 13, 2026 09:54 am IST

pposition MPs stage a protest in the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Wednesday (August 12, 2026). | Shortly after it was introduced, the Opposition MPs poured into the Well of the House amid heavy sloganeering and protests.Follow Parliament Monsoon Session Day 18 LIVE updatesChair Jagdambika Pal proceeded to passing the Bill without debate, and reprimanded the Opposition for not willing to participate in legislative business. Published - August 12, 2026 04:56 pm IST

Andhra Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Lisa Gill on Tuesday inaugurated the Judicial Officers Health Assurance (JOHA) application, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country to provide cashless medical services to serving and retired judicial officers and their dependent family members across the State.Speaking on the occasion, Justice Lisa Gill said the Judicial Officers Health Assurance (JOHA) scheme had been launched in compliance with the Supreme Court’s judgment in the All India Judges Association case and was the first such initiative in the country.High Court Judge and Chairman of the High Court Judges Committee Justice Battu Devanand, Justices B.V.L.N. Chakravarthi, Venkata Jyothirmai Pratapa and T.C.D. Sekhar, officials of the Law and Finance Departments, and representatives of the NTR Health Trust were present. Published - July 28, 2026 10:18 pm IST

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra. File | A Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu said it was not inclined to interfere with the High Court order.Senior advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan, appearing for the MP, submitted that she has a legal right under law to appear virtually before the police."The requirement as per the police's notice is to be at the police station in my own constituency. Last time I went there two things happened. First there were threats that eggs will be thrown etc. and second time eggs were actually thrown," he said.Asking her to appear before police, the Bench observed orally, "You are a Member of Parliament. Having taken the plunge into politics, you fear eggs?"When our freedom fighters have taken bullets on their chest? These are applications that should not come before this court at all," the Bench said.As the Bench was not inclined to entertain the matter, the senior lawyer withdrew the plea and the matter was dismissed as withdrawn.The Calcutta High Court on July 21 had granted interim protection from coercive action to Ms. Moitra till October 5 in a hate speech case which she claimed is based on fabricated charges.The Krishnanagar MP prayed before the court for an interim order preventing coercive police action in the case and quashing of proceedings against her in the case registered at Hogolberia police station in Nadia district.Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya of the High Court had directed Ms. Moitra to appear before the investigating officer on August 14 for questioning in the case.The court had directed that no coercive steps be taken against her till October 5 subject to compliance with the conditions alluded to until October or until further order, whichever is earlier.Noting that the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) provisions applied to Moitra carry a maximum punishment below seven years, the court had observed that she is entitled to protection from coercive action provided she cooperates with the investigation.Justice Bhattacharyya had directed Ms. Moitra to cooperate with the probe and comply with police notices by appearing before the investigating officer.The court directed that the matter will be heard again on October 1. Published - August 07, 2026 01:10 pm IST

MSMEs contribute 31% to India’s GDP, 36% to the country’s manufacturing and 41% to its exports. Image for representation | Jothi Ramalingam The Lok Sabha on Friday (August 7, 2026) passed without a debate a Bill that seeks to empower and tackle the issue of delayed payments faced by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), amid protests by Opposition MPs.Parliament Monsoon Session Day 15 updatesThe Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, has now been cleared by Parliament. It was passed in the Rajya Sabha on August 3.The Bill seeks to address the current challenges faced by the MSME sector by improving the administrative structure and facilitating payment mechanisms.Provisions to deal with delayed payments to MSMEs by prescribing timelines to ensure faster adjudication of disputes, providing recovery of the settlement agreement, and addressing their liquidity issues are part of the Bill.It also seeks to empower courts to order payment of at least 50% of the awarded amount to MSME suppliers if the application to set aside an order is pending for more than six months. Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Jitan Ram Manjhi | "The outstanding credit disbursed to MSMEs, which stood at ₹10 lakh crore in 2014-15, has today increased to over ₹38.35 lakh crore, denoting that the credit flow to MSMEs is rising steadily," MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi had told the Rajya Sabha before the passage of the Bill in the Upper House on August 3.On Friday, opposition members continued with their protests in the Lok Sabha over various issues and the Zero Hour was disrupted. The House cleared the Bill in the nearly 16-minute proceedings after it met at 12 noon following the first adjournment of the day. Later, the Lower House was adjourned till Monday. Published - August 07, 2026 02:19 pm IST

Home News India Opposition floor leaders from both Houses of Parliament are scheduled to meet to discuss their strategy for the ongoing Monsoon Session Updated - August 07, 2026 10:55 am IST Lok Sabha proceedings underway during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on August 6, 2026. Photo: Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab | MPs continue protest over Ram temple donation ‘theft’, police action against studentsMinister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Jitan Ram Manjhi will move the Bill to further amend the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006, as passed by Rajya Sabha.Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha on Thursday (August 6, 2026) passed the ‘Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 ‘, which seeks to amend the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, Income-tax Act, 2025, and Finance Act, 2026.The Bill, moved by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for passing, was approved by voice vote without discussion amid protests by opposition members over their demands related to police action against protestors on July 20.Follow live updates here:lok sabhaAugust 07, 2026 10:49 Reports to be laid on table in Lok Sabha today Reports on Committee on EstimateStatement of the Committee on the Empowerment of WomenReport of the Committee on Welfare of other backward classReports of Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles and skill developmentReports of Standing Committee on Health and Family WelfareBill for consideration and passing:The Lok Sabha on Friday (August 7, 2026) is scheduled to take up The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.August 07, 2026 10:36 Congress' Manickam Tagore moves Adjournment Motion in LS over alleged force used against "student" protesters Congress MP Manickam Tagore moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to discuss the “police action” against “students” during a protest held at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on July 20, 2026.Mr. Tagore has demanded a comprehensive statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the incident, which he alleged involved the use of disproportionate force against demonstrators, including women.“Reports and allegations arising from the incident have raised serious concerns regarding the nature and proportionality of force used to disperse the protesters. It has been alleged that lathi charges, pellet guns, tear gas, and water cannons were used against students, including women participants, resulting in injuries and widespread public concern. These allegations require a full, fair and transparent examination,” the notice stated.- ANIAugust 07, 2026 10:34 K.C. Venugopal moves Adjournment Motion in LS over alleged Ram Mandir donation theft caseCongress MP K.C. Venugopal moved an Adjournment Motion notice in the Lok Sabha to discuss what he described as “shocking revelations” of massive financial fraud and embezzlement of public donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.In his notice, Mr. Venugopal alleged, “There is an urgent need to discuss the shocking revelations of massive financial fraud, theft, and embezzlement of public donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Recent reports indicate a highly organised racket operating within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, where bundles of cash and valuable jewellery donated by millions of devoted citizens have been systematically siphoned off.”He further alleged a coordinated effort to cover up the irregularities, saying, “The deliberate destruction of 7 to 8 months of crucial CCTV footage to cover up these crimes, coupled with the unceremonious removal of the former Chief Accounts Officer who red-flagged these irregula

The Lok Sabha is set to discuss the The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, according to the agenda on Thursday, August 6, 2026. | The Bill, which will be moved by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, seeks to amend the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, the Income-tax Act, 2025, and the Finance Act, 2026. Parliament Monsoon Session Day 13 highlights: Rajya Sabha clears SC Judges’ Bill; Lok Sabha adjourned for the dayThe Rajya Sabha will consider the Appropriation (No.3) Bill, 2026. It was approved by the Lok Sabha earlier. The legislation authorises the appropriation of money out of the Consolidated Fund of India to meet the amounts spent on certain services during the financial year ended on the 31st of March, 2023, in excess of the amounts granted for those services and for that year.Follow here for live updates,August 06, 2026 10:56 Opposition to continue protest in Parliament over Ram Mandir donation row, July 20 police action against protestorsThe Opposition will continue its protest and intensify its attack on the Centre in Parliament on Thursday (August 6), over its demands regarding the Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case and police action against students during the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar.Opposition parties have been protesting against the government in Parliament over both issues since the beginning of the Monsoon session.- ANIlok sabhaAugust 06, 2026 10:56 Today in Lok SabhaLok Sabha to take up The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 for consideration and passing.Lok Sabha to move motion on extension of time regarding the report of the joint committee on the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025. Published - August 06, 2026 10:47 am IST

Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal speaks in the Rajya Sabha on August 5, 2026. | The Bill, passed in the Lok Sabha on Monday (August 5, 2026), is a Money Bill, and the Upper House returned it to the Lower House after a discussion. The Bill increases the number of Supreme Court judges to 37 from the present strength of 34.The Bill replaces an Ordinance issued by the government in May. Opposition members questioned the “hurry” for bringing the Ordinance. “Why was this not brought as an Act straight to Parliament, have a debate and then amend it? Who would oppose? Nobody is opposing that judges should not be increased. But is it enough? Is it radical enough to change the situation in the country? Are 95,000 cases going to be decided because of these four judges?” asked Congress MP and senior lawyer Vivek Tankha, who initiated the debate.When Mr. Tankha mentioned the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, Deputy Chairman Harivansh objected and asked him to speak on the subject. The Opposition members started raising slogans, which later led to their walking out of the House after a brief period.BJP MP Sangeeta Yadav said the increase in the number of MPs will help in addressing the issue of pendency of cases. Ms. Yadav said about 64 lakh cases are pending in various courts in the country and the Narendra Modi government is committed to address the problem. Trinamool Congress MP Menaka Guruswamy said there are 30% vacancies in all the High Courts. “Women constitute only 14% of all the High Court judges! The reality is that the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the women together make up under 20% of the judiciary. Between 2018 to 2026, this government appointed just 3% Scheduled Caste judges, 2% Scheduled Tribe judges and 12% OBC judges,” she said.DMK MP R. Girirajan said a single dominant caste holds a large majority of positions in the higher judiciary. He added that roughly 76% to 80% of the High Court judges, appointed in recent years, belong to upper caste general categories, while marginalised groups remain severely unrepresented. Indian Union Muslim League MP Haris Beeran demanded a structural change in the judicial system. Mr. Beeran demanded that the salary of judges should be hiked and the retirement age of Supreme Court judges should also be increased. He walked out of the House soon after making a brief speech.Answering the discussion, Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said the increase in judges in the Supreme Court is a step to improve judicial efficiency. “We will adopt an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism using arbitration, mediation and conciliation to help reduce the pendency in cases,” Mr. Meghwal said, adding that the Union government is committed to working in coordination with the judiciary in this regard.In a brief intervention, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiran Rijiju said the appointment notifications are done by the government, but the names are decided by the Collegium of the apex court. “If the Collegium does not send names from SC or ST, the government on its own cannot appoint anyone from SC or ST,” he added.The Bill was later passed with a voice vote. Published - August 05, 2026 10:38 pm IST