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The Narendra Modi government is believed to have introduced significantly tougher legal provisions against organised paper leak syndicates, including a mandatory three-month timeline for investigation and trial, legal backing for special fast-track courts, and stricter penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore, sources told CNN-News18.
The new provisions are aimed at dismantling organised paper leak mafias operating across states and ensuring swift justice in cases involving public examination fraud.
Among the most significant proposals is the creation of special fast-track courts with statutory backing.
These courts will be mandated to complete both the investigation and deliver a verdict in paper leak cases within
three months, a major departure from the prolonged legal process seen in such cases.
The government is also proposing stringent punishment for those involved in organised examination fraud.
The proposals were believed to be taken up at Friday’s Union Cabinet meeting.
The move follows mounting concerns over examination paper leak incidents, particularly after the controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in the NEET examination.
The issue triggered nationwide protests by students and demands from opposition parties for greater accountability and stronger safeguards to protect the integrity of public examinations.
The proposed amendments are expected to further strengthen the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which was enacted by the Modi government in June 2024 to curb unfair practices in competitive examinations.
The existing law already criminalises paper leaks, organised cheating, impersonation and tampering with computer systems used to conduct public examinations, including NEET and JEE.
At present, individuals found guilty under the Act can face imprisonment ranging from three to five years along with fines of up to Rs 10 lakh, while those involved in organised paper leak rackets can be punished with five to ten years’ imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore.
The proposed changes seek to go a step further by strengthening enforcement mechanisms and ensuring cases are resolved within a strict judicial timeline.
Sources said the Centre wants a more comprehensive legal framework capable of dismantling organised paper leak networks with inter-state linkages while preventing delays in prosecution.
The latest measures also build on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent emphasis on introducing stricter action against paper leak rackets and ensuring speedy justice in cases involving examination fraud.
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