Modi Govt Brings New Anti-Paper Leakage Bill Amid Lok Sabha Uproar – How It’s Tougher Than Existing Law | Today’s news

The Union government on Monday (July 27) introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to provide for stricter measures to check paper leaks, amid protests by opposition parties in the House against police action during the student agitation over the NEET issue.

Soon after the Public Examinations (Prevention of Malpractice) Bill was introduced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House till 2 pm due to continued opposition protests.

Read also | Parliament LIVE: MoS Jitendra Singh introduces Anti-Paper Leak Bill

They demanded a government response to the police crackdown on students during a protest march to Parliament on July 20 led by the CJP.

What does the new bill propose?

Quick answers to key questions

•5 QUESTIONS

The bill proposes seven key changes, including the establishment of fast-track courts for speedy trials, a mandate for investigations to be completed within two months, and increased penalties such as jail terms of up to ten years and fines of up to ₹50 million.

The bill was introduced in response to the ongoing cases of paper leakage and student protests, especially around the NEET exam, to strengthen the integrity and fairness of public examinations.

The new law increases penalties by increasing the maximum jail term from five years to ten years and increasing fines from ₹ 10 lakh to ₹ 50 lakh for individuals involved in paper leaks, introducing stricter regulations.

Students should be aware of the law’s strict enforcement measures as it aims to create a fairer examination environment. However, it can also contribute to increased anxiety about the integrity and security of the exam.

Trials for offenses under the new law must be conducted in fast-track courts, which are required to complete proceedings within three months from the date of indictment to ensure timely justice.

Seeking to amend the two-year-old anti-paper leak law, the bill was introduced after over a month-long student protest against the NEET-UG paper leak and other issues. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on Saturday over the row.

“In recent years, there have been some cases of leakage of question papers and malpractices in checks by public examination authorities, which tend to affect the transparency and fairness of the public examination system,” a statement on the objects of the bill said.

Read also | NEET Protests: Govt to bring new law against paper leak in Lok Sabha

The bill introduces seven key changes designed to close enforcement gaps, create specialized judicial mechanisms and speed up criminal proceedings. The proposed law promises speedy trials by establishing fast-track courts with a mandate to complete trials within three months of indictment.

“In order to further strengthen justice, increase the credibility of the public examination system and facilitate speedy proceedings and ensure timely investigation of offenses under the said law, it is therefore necessary to make changes in the said law,” the bill reads.

10 years in prison for fraudulent means

Anyone who resorts to “unfair means and criminal acts” will be punished with imprisonment for a term not less than “five years but may extend to ten years and with fine which may extend to fifty million rupees”, according to the proposed law.

Anyone who resorts to “unfair means and criminal acts” will be punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than “five years but may extend to ten years and fine which may extend to fifty million rupees”, according to the proposed law.

The service provider may be fined in the amount ₹5 lakhs and proportionate cost of examination will also be reimbursed from the service provider who will be absolved from any liability for public examinations for eight years, they say.

Read also | ‘I failed to fulfill your wish’: NEET aspirant dies by suicide in Maharashtra

Currently, the prison sentence for fraudulent means and misdemeanors is three to five years with a fine ₹10 million according to the law from 2024. Similarly, a fine of one million crowns with a four-year ban on activity was set for service providers according to the current law.

New section in paper leak account

The proposed Bill inserts two new sections – 12A and 12B – for speedy investigations and examinations. The new sections say a central investigative agency or the special investigation team will complete the probe “within two months from the date of the Central Government’s referral”.

The 2024 bill provided for an investigation by federal agencies. In the new bill, the center retains the power to create a special special task force to deal with high-stakes or interstate exam fraud.

In order to further strengthen justice, enhance the credibility of the public examination system and facilitate speedy trials and ensure time-bound investigations…

Investigations into offenses under the law must be completed within two months to avoid procedural delays.