New Delhi: Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised tougher action against examination paper leaks, the Centre is set to tighten the Public Examinations
(Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, with a new Bill proposing stricter punishments, fast-track courts and enhanced penalties for offenders, sources told Times Now. The proposed legislation under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) is expected to be taken up by the Union Cabinet today, with the contours of the Bill likely to be placed before it for approval, sources said. According to sources, the government is considering significantly increasing punishments for offences related to paper leaks. Under the existing law, standard offences attract three to five years' imprisonment and fines of up to Rs 10 lakh. The new Bill is expected to prescribe substantially higher jail terms and steeper financial penalties. The proposed legislation will also provide for fast-track courts to ensure the speedy trial of paper leak cases while introducing some of the strictest punitive provisions against those involved in examination fraud, sources added. The move comes a day after PM Modi, in a video statement released on Thursday night, acknowledged the anguish caused by repeated paper leaks and assured students that more action was on the way. "Friends, I know that the paper leak is not an ordinary issue. It is very painful for lakhs of students and their families," PM Modi said. "That is why many steps have been taken in the last two and a half months." He said the authorities had already acted against those responsible. "The culprits have been caught and are in jail," he said. Announcing the next phase of the government's response, the Prime Minister said he had directed departments to prepare a proposal for fast-track courts. "That is why I instructed the departments today to bring a fast-track court proposal. The departments worked hard and submitted the draft to me late at night," he said. PM Modi also indicated that the proposal would be discussed by the Union Cabinet before being introduced in Parliament. "Tomorrow, there will be a discussion in the Cabinet. After the advice of the Cabinet members, it will be given its final shape," he said. "From Monday, when the second week of Parliament begins, we will try to get that bill passed in the House as soon as possible." The Prime Minister's announcement came amid ongoing protests over alleged examination paper leaks. His address was delivered hours before the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has spearheaded the student agitation, called for nationwide demonstrations on Friday. The government's proposed amendments also come after the Delhi High Court announced the setting up of a fast-track court to hear paper leak cases, as pressure mounts on the Centre to strengthen the legal framework against examination fraud.
