Bill to Raise Supreme Court Judges' Strength Tabled Amid Uproar
20 July 2026 12:26 PM IST20 July 2026 12:26 PM IST
Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal tables legislation to increase the Supreme Court's sanctioned strength from 33 to 37 judges as Opposition protests over the alleged NEET paper leak disrupt proceedings.
The government introduced a Bill to expand the Supreme Court's sanctioned judge strength despite repeated disruptions during the Monsoon Session.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Monday introduced the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha amid continued Opposition sloganeering during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Meghwal moved for leave to introduce the Bill, which seeks to further amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. The proposed legislation seeks to replace the ordinance promulgated by the Centre to increase the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court from 33 to 37.
The Bill was introduced even as Opposition members continued raising slogans in the House over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and the alleged Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case.
Amid the continued disruptions, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12.30 pm.
Meanwhile, in the Rajya Sabha, proceedings were also disrupted after Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issue of the alleged NEET paper leak and ongoing student protests.
"You have allowed me to present my views regarding this paper leak and the NEET examination scandal. This is a matter concerning students; I am speaking about the futures of lakhs of children. Thousands of students have gathered at Jantar Mantar for this cause. A lathi-charge has taken place there. The government is trying to use force, suppress voices, and drive them away," Kharge said, following which Rajya Sabha Speaker CP Radhakrishnan adjourned the House till 12 noon.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament, which began on Monday and will continue till August 13, is expected to witness heated exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches.
Apart from the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, the government is scheduled to introduce the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Rajya Sabha. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, making any obstruction or insult to the national song Vande Mataram a criminal offence.
The Opposition has indicated it will press for discussions on the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya, and other issues during the session.
( Source : PTI )
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