The Union Cabinet approved a bill amending the Public Examinations Act 2024, proposing a minimum five years jail, up to 10 years and Rs 10 crore fine for organised leaks, plus fast-track courts with three-month deadlines.
Cabinet Clears Anti-Leak Bill: 10 Years Jail, Rs 10 Cr Fine
The government's answer to the protests now has numbers attached. Up to 10 years in jail, fines up to Rs 10 crore, and fast-track courts required to finish trials in three months.
The Union Cabinet has approved the draft bill against examination paper leaks, giving concrete shape to what the Prime Minister promised protesting students earlier in the week.
What the Bill Proposes
The legislation amends the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 and introduces significantly harsher penalties:
- Minimum five years' imprisonment for those involved in paper leaks
- Up to 10 years in jail and a maximum fine of Rs 10 crore for organised leaks
- Statutory mandate for trials in fast-track courts
The Clock Provisions
Two deadlines make this bill different from earlier promises. Investigations must be completed within three months, and fast-track courts are mandated to finish trials and deliver verdicts within three months.
What Happens Next
The bill is expected to be introduced in Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session, with the government aiming to pass it as the second week of the session begins.
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Support Our WorkWill It Satisfy Protesters?
The core demand at Jantar Mantar remains Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, which the bill does not address. Tougher law is a systemic fix; the protest is about accountability for what already happened. Details at The Federal.
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