Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, July 27: Even as the government introduced the “Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026” in the Lok Sabha on Monday amidst the opposition din, the ongoing deadlock between the treasury and the opposition benches is reported to have sorted out following the intervention of the Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla.
The discussions over the anti-paper leak bill is expected to be held in the Lower House on Tuesday as all political parties have agreed for a debate, official sources said.
The anti-paper leak bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha earlier in the day by the Union Minister of State for DoPT Jitendra Singh seeking to amend a two-year-old anti-paper leak law after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) ended its protests over NEET paper leak following government’s assurance on Saturday.
But as soon as the bill was tabled, the opposition started sloganeering in the House and sought an apology from the government over police action during CJP’s protests last week. With both sides refusing to budge down, Birla reached out to the government and the opposition, urging them to participate in a meaningful and comprehensive debate. He told both sides that the issue was related to the millions of students and young aspirants, and the transparency of competitive examinations across the country.
Later, Birla also held discussions with floor leaders of all political parties after which the stalemate ended in the Lower House.
“All political parties have agreed to discuss the anti-paper leak bill on Tuesday. Following Om Birla’s initiative and sustained dialogue, floor leaders of political parties have agreed to commence discussion on the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill 2026,” sources said.
The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 will amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. It proposes setting up fast-track courts in every state for paper leak cases and completion of investigations within two months.
The bill also has stricter punishment, including imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to Rs 50 lakh for individuals involved in paper leaks. Organised crimes related to paper leaks could attract fines of up to Rs 10 crore. The bill was cleared last week by the union cabinet headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
One of the key proposals of the bill empowers State Governments and Union Territory Administrations to designate any Court of Session as a Special Fast Track Court to try offences under the Act. The proposed amendments also mandate that proceedings in such courts be conducted on a day-to-day basis and that trials be completed within three months from the date of filing of the chargesheet. The Centre has also proposed empowering the Central Government to constitute a Special Task Force (STF) to investigate offences under the Act whenever required.
According to the Bill, investigations into paper leak cases are to be completed within two months. Another amendment empowers State Governments and Union Territory Administrations to appoint one or more Special Public Prosecutors for conducting cases under the Act. The proposed legislation also seeks to enhance the terms of imprisonment and fines for offences committed under the Act.
Additionally, the Bill provides for an appeal mechanism under which appeals against any judgment, sentence or order would lie before a Division Bench of the High Court and are proposed to be disposed of within three months of admission. The proposed amendments come amid intensified nationwide protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and examination irregularities, with student groups and Opposition parties demanding greater accountability and reforms in the examination system.
Meanwhile, the first proceedings in the NEET paper leak case before a newly designated fast-track court were delayed on Monday after no counsel appeared on behalf of the CBI. The Special Judge Anu Grover Baliga was hearing the bail applications of accused Dinesh Biwal and Vikas Biwal when the absence of the prosecution was brought on record.
“None appears on behalf of the state till 10:45 am to argue on the bail application,” the judge observed. The court later adjourned the hearing to August 3 after the defence counsel requested more time, citing another matter listed before the Rohini district courts. The fast-track court also requested the Directorate of Prosecution to assign a public prosecutor to represent the prosecution in the court.
The special court was designated to handle criminal cases related to paper leaks and the use of unfair means in public examinations. Judge Baliga took charge of the court on Saturday. The Delhi High Court had issued a notification on July 23 appointing Baliga’s court as a “Specially Designated Fast Track Court” to hear offences under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, along with related offences.
Before the case was transferred to the designated court, Special Judge Ajay Gupta was hearing the matter. On Friday, he extended the judicial custody of all 13 accused till August 6. The court also rejected the bail plea of accused paediatrician Dr Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure, observing that the investigation had prima facie indicated that he was “one of the active conspirators of an organised paper leak gang.”
