The Nitish Kumar government in Bihar has taken a strong step to prevent exam paper leaks and cheating by introducing the Bihar Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024. The bill was presented in the Assembly on Wednesday.
It includes strict punishments for those found guilty of leaking exam papers or being involved in related activities. The guilty can face imprisonment for three to ten years and a hefty fine of up to Rs 1 crore. All crimes under this new law will be treated as serious offenses that cannot be easily bailed.
In a recent development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested four MBBS students from AIIMS Patna in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak case.
Among those arrested is Pankaj Kumar, also known as Aditya, a civil engineer from the 2017 batch of the National Institute of Technology in Jamshedpur. Kumar is accused of stealing the NEET-UG paper from the National Testing Agency’s trunk in Hazaribagh. He was arrested in Patna. Another person, Singh, was arrested in Hazaribagh for helping Kumar with the theft.
CBI Investigates NEET-UG Irregularities
The CBI is conducting a detailed investigation into the irregularities surrounding the NEET-UG exam. They have filed six First Information Reports (FIRs) related to the case.
One FIR from Bihar is about the paper leak, while the others from Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra involve impersonation of candidates and cheating. The CBI is also looking into a “comprehensive investigation” of the alleged irregularities based on a reference from the Union education ministry.
The NEET-UG is a major exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admissions to courses like MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related fields in both government and private institutions. This year’s NEET-UG exam took place on May 5 across 4,750 centers in 571 cities, including 14 cities abroad. Over 23 lakh candidates appeared for the test, making it one of the most significant exams in the country.
ALSO READ: “Supreme Court Declines NEET-UG 2024 Retest Request: Final Verdict Announced”
Implications of the New Law and Ongoing Investigations
The introduction of the Bihar Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024 is expected to curb the menace of exam paper leaks and ensure fair examinations. The CBI’s ongoing investigations and arrests highlight the seriousness of the issue and the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of public examinations. The stringent penalties proposed in the new bill reflect the state’s resolve to deter such fraudulent activities in the future.
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