Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement on setting up fast-track courts for paper leak cases, the Centre has gone into mission mode to expedite prosecutions in the NEET-UG paper leak cases.
According to government sources, the accused in the NEET paper leak cases will now be prosecuted under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which came into force on June 21, 2024.
The Centre is preparing to request the concerned state governments and High Courts to establish special fast-track courts to hear these cases. The proposal is aimed at ensuring day-to-day hearings and the speedy disposal of cases.
WHAT IS THE NEW LAW?
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 provides for stringent action against paper leaks, cheating and other malpractices in public examinations.
The law covers examinations conducted by:
- UPSC
- SSC
- RRB
- IBPS
- Recruitment examinations conducted by Central government ministries and departments
- All entrance and recruitment examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Any other examinations notified by the Central government
Since NEET is conducted by the NTA, cases relating to paper leaks and other unfair means in the examination fall within the ambit of this law.
FAST-TRACK COURTS PROPOSED IN FOUR JURISDICTIONS
According to sources, four FIRs have so far been registered under the new law in connection with the NEET paper leak case.
To ensure their speedy trial, the Centre is planning to set up fast-track courts under the jurisdictions of the Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh High Courts. Of the four FIRs, two fall under the jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court, sources said.
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