New Delhi: In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to engage in a constructive debate on the NEET exam and the prevailing paper leak issue, highlighting the anxiety it is causing to lakhs of families across India.

In a tweet, the Leader of Opposition expressed frustration over being allegedly silenced in Parliament. “We want to have a constructive debate with the Government on the NEET exam and the prevailing paper leak issue. It is unfortunate that we weren’t allowed to do so in Parliament today. This is a serious concern that is causing anxiety to lakhs of families across India. We urge the Prime Minister to debate on this issue and give the students the respect they deserve," he tweeted.

Earlier the Congress party had claimed that Rahul Gandhi was 'silenced' during a Lok Sabha session as his microphone was turned off while he began discussing the NEET issue. The session was subsequently adjourned until 12 noon following a commotion from Opposition members demanding a discussion on alleged NEET irregularities.

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Kochi (PTI): A special court here will complete proceedings for framing charges against the prime accused in the 2010 hand-chopping case involving professor T J Joseph, in which PFI activists were accused of attacking him at Muvattupuzha.

Ernakulam Special Court for NIA cases judge P K Mohandas, on April 30, heard the arguments of counsel for accused Savad and Shafeer C and decided to proceed with framing charges against the duo.

A group chopped off Thodupuzha Newman College professor Joseph's right hand in July 2010, accusing him of religious blasphemy in a question paper he had prepared.

The case, later taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), resulted in the conviction of 19 accused.

The first accused, Savad, who allegedly chopped off Joseph’s palm, was arrested in Berram in Mattannur, Kannur, in January 2024, where he had allegedly been hiding under the pseudonym Shajahan.

The NIA also arrested Shafeer, who allegedly arranged shelter and provided logistical support to Savad at Chakkad and Mattannur in Kannur since 2020.

On April 30, the court heard the counsel for the accused and the NIA prosecutor on framing charges against the duo.

"On going through the documents and evidence in the case and on hearing the counsel for the accused and the prosecutor, I am of the opinion that there are grounds for presuming that the first accused has committed offences punishable under provisions of the IPC, the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and that the second accused has committed offences punishable under the IPC and the UAPA, and there are materials for framing charges under these provisions against the accused," the court said.

The court directed that Savad be produced and Shafeer, who is on bail, appear before it on May 15 for recording their pleas as part of the charge-framing process.

After framing the charges, the court will schedule the trial in the case.