Anti-Paper Leak Bill Becomes Law Amid Lok Sabha Chaos After Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Amit Shah Ordered Firing’ Charge
Anti-Paper Leak Bill Passed Amid Lok Sabha
New Delhi: Amid unprecedented scenes of chaos and repeated disruptions, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 by a voice vote, even as a fierce political confrontation erupted over Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had “ordered firing” on protesters during the recent Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led agitation.
The legislation—designed to tighten the anti-paper leak law following the nationwide outrage over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak—was cleared amid continuous sloganeering by Opposition MPs, who demanded that Rahul Gandhi be allowed to complete his speech. The House was later adjourned for the day at around 3.25 pm, bringing another stormy sitting of Parliament to an end.
Rahul Gandhi’s Allegation Triggers Political Firestorm
The uproar began during the debate on the Anti-Paper Leak Bill when Rahul Gandhi alleged that Home Minister Amit Shah had “ordered firing” on protesters during the CJP-led demonstrations in Delhi over the NEET paper leak issue.
‘Amit Shah ordered shooting of students’: Rahul Gandhi’s charge sparks Parliament uproar; BJP seeks proof pic.twitter.com/mMFMWYbOzx
— Shakeel Yasar Ullah (@yasarullah) July 29, 2026
The allegation immediately drew sharp protests from the treasury benches. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju termed the charge “baseless” and urged Speaker Om Birla to expunge the remarks from the House records. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also backed the demand, insisting that Gandhi tender an unconditional apology before proceedings could continue.
As BJP and Opposition members shouted slogans against each other, the House plunged into disorder, forcing the Speaker to adjourn proceedings at around 1.40 pm, with Rahul Gandhi unable to complete his speech.
Government, Congress Hold Separate Meetings
Following the adjournment, Kiren Rijiju met Home Minister Amit Shah at Parliament House. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, BJP MP Anil Baluni, and party spokesperson Sambit Patra also participated in the discussions.
Rijiju later lodged a formal protest before Speaker Om Birla, describing Rahul Gandhi’s statement as a serious and irresponsible allegation made without evidence.
Soon afterwards, Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, K.C. Venugopal, and Gaurav Gogoi also met the Speaker. The Congress maintained that Gandhi should first be allowed to finish his speech before any demand for an apology was considered.
Government Pushes Through Anti-Paper Leak Bill
With the deadlock showing no signs of ending, the government decided to proceed with legislative business. According to parliamentary sources, it was decided that if Rahul Gandhi declined to withdraw his remarks or apologise, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr. Jitendra Singh would reply to the debate and the Bill would be taken up for passage.
Consequently, several Opposition MPs who were scheduled to participate in the discussion did not get an opportunity to speak before the legislation was passed by a voice vote amid continued protests.
Jitendra Singh Rejects ‘Firing’ Claim
When the House reassembled after 3 pm, Congress MPs entered the Well of the House, raising slogans and demanding that Rahul Gandhi be permitted to resume his speech.
Replying to the debate, Dr. Jitendra Singh strongly rejected Gandhi’s allegation, saying it reflected a lack of understanding of the legal and administrative process governing law enforcement.
He clarified that the authority to order police firing rests with an Executive Magistrate or a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), not with a Union Home Minister. Singh further asserted that no firing had taken place during the CJP protest and that security personnel had only used tear gas to disperse demonstrators.
Stronger Law Against Examination Fraud
Despite the political turmoil, the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 was passed, strengthening the existing anti-paper leak framework introduced after the NEET controversy.
The amended law provides for stricter punishments for paper leak syndicates, organised cheating networks and those facilitating examination fraud. It also proposes time-bound investigations, Special Task Forces, Special Fast Track Courts, appointment of Special Public Prosecutors, and expedited disposal of appeals to ensure quicker prosecution of offenders.
The legislation comes in the backdrop of the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, which triggered nationwide protests, multiple investigations by the CBI, and sustained political attacks on the Centre over the integrity of India’s public examination system.
