Strict action regarding the NEET paper leak: Fast-track courts to...
The Central Government is preparing to take a major step towards curbing incidents of question paper leaks in competitive examinations across the...
By GT24x7 Reporter··GlobalToday24x7
The Central Government is preparing to take a major step towards curbing incidents of question paper leaks in competitive examinations across the country. 'Fast-track' courts will be established in four states to ensure the speedy hearing of cases related to the 'NEET' exam paper leak. To this end, the Central Government will write to the concerned states and High Courts to initiate action for the quick disposal of these cases and to ensure that the guilty are punished promptly.
The government maintains that upholding transparency in the examination system and retaining the trust of the youth is its top priority. Notably, four cases related to the recent 'NEET' exam paper leak incident have been registered under the 'Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024'. These cases originate from Aurangabad, Nagpur, Kolkata, and Jabalpur. Two of these cases fall under the jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court, while the remaining cases fall under the jurisdiction of the Calcutta and Madhya Pradesh High Courts.
There is a proposal to establish 'fast-track' courts on a priority basis to hear all these cases. This Act came into force on June 21, 2024. The objective of the Act is to effectively curb paper leaks, malpractices, and other unfair means in public examinations. Under this Act, a conviction can lead to imprisonment for a minimum of five years (extendable up to ten years) and a fine of up to ₹1 crore. The scope of this Act covers recruitment examinations conducted by the UPSC, SSC, Railway Recruitment Boards, IBPS, and the National Testing Agency (NTA), as well as examinations conducted by various Central Government ministries and departments, and other public examinations notified by the Centre.
Since the 'NEET' examination is conducted by the NTA, cases related to the leaking of its question papers have also been registered under these laws. To expedite the investigation and judicial proceedings, the government plans to hold daily hearings in these 'fast-track' courts, ensuring that the guilty are punished as soon as possible. The government believes this will strengthen the credibility of competitive examinations and reinforce the trust of lakhs of candidates in the examination system.