The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday approved a draft law that would pave the way for harsher punishments – such as imprisonment of up to 10 years and harsher punishments of up to 10 years. $Rs 10 crore – to those convicted of leaking papers, said people familiar with the details.
The bill would amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024, and propose a minimum penalty of five years’ imprisonment for individuals involved in paper leaks, the people cited above said.
The bill, which Modi mentioned in his video message late on Thursday evening, will now be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday, a person familiar with the details said.
The current law includes prison sentences of between three and five years for individuals, imprisonment for a period of between five and ten years and a fine of not less than $1 crore to those involved in the organized crime of fraud and paper leakage.
The bill aims to prevent gangs and organized institutions that indulge in unfair means of achieving financial gain, while protecting candidates from its provisions.
“Prime Minister Modi in his letter assured that there will be strict action against those involved in paper leaks and that no accused will escape punishment,” said a person familiar with the details.
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The government is also likely to provide legal support to special fast-track courts, which will be tasked with resolving matters and announcing punishment within three months, the people cited above said.
“We are preparing to introduce the bill, but after you receive briefing on the Cabinet decision, we will inform you of our timing. The Prime Minister said there should be no delay in the bill we are bringing with regard to students. The country also wants what the Prime Minister said, so it will not be right to resort to any tactics to obstruct it,” Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said.
“The Congress will fall for this if they continue to disrupt parliamentary proceedings. We are taking important steps for the future of students. If the Congress party continues to create all kinds of hurdles to prevent parliamentary debates, they will have to face the brunt of the youth of this nation and, in fact, the entire nation,” he added.
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The Opposition has indicated that it will not allow Parliament to function if Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan does not resign.
Reacting to the Prime Minister’s video message on Thursday, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharg posted on X, “Before you come to Parliament today, come after the sacking of Dharmendra Pradhan. First, apologize to the students and take strict action against those who ordered the use of lathes, batons and pellet guns to suppress students’ voices. Then we are ready to have a detailed discussion on the education system.”
