Life in jail, Rs 1 crore fine for guilty: Uttar Pradesh cab clears law on paper leak

LUCKNOW: In a major decision, the Yogi Adityanath cabinet on Tuesday cleared a proposal for an Ordinance for punishment on paper leak. As per the new provisions, those found guilty of paper leak will be sentenced to a maximum of life in jail with Rs 1 crore as fine. In case of an examination being cancelled because of a paper leak, the guilty solver gang will be made to pay for the expenses incurred by the government for conducting the exam.The state cabinet also approved a host of decisions related to tourism, industry, and urban development departments.
The move assumes significance amid a raging row cancellation of several examinations including NEET-PG and UGC-NET, 2024, allegedly due to question paper leak. Earlier, the state govt, too, cancelled the UP Police recruitment examinations, which were held on February 17 and 18 across the state, following reports of leak of question papers. The paper leak also led the government to sack Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment Board chairperson Renuka Mishra. Over 48 lakh candidates had appeared for the exam.

Besides, the govt also cancelled the preliminary exam for recruitment of review officers (RO) and assistant review officers after allegations of paper leak. Investigations are underway for the alleged irregularities and rigging in this exam.
Distribution of fake papers made punishable offences
Termed as the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Ordinance, 2024, the new law would be applicable to public services recruitment examinations, regularization or promotion examinations besides the entrance examinations for degree, diploma and other courses, said a government spokesman.
Distribution of fake examination papers and making fake employment websites had also been made punishable offences under the Ordinance. Those found guilty in such cases could face a jail term of minimum two years (up to life imprisonment) besides fine of Rs 1 crore.
The Ordinance also provides for recovery of the financial burden on it from the solver gang and to permanently blacklist the companies and service providers involved in tampering in the examination. It also provides for attachment of properties. Additionally, the conditions for bail to the accused in such cases have been made more stringent.