New Delhi, India — The Supreme Court of India, on Thursday, commenced a crucial hearing on a batch of petitions related to the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and comprising justices JB Pardiwla and Manoj Misra, emphasized the need for concrete evidence that the paper leak was systematic and compromised the integrity of the entire examination process before considering any order to conduct the medical exam again.
Court’s Stance on Re-examination
“We will open the case today. Lakhs of young students are waiting for this, let us hear and decide,” the court said as the hearing began. The CJI stressed that any re-examination must be based on solid evidence that the exam’s sanctity was significantly affected. The court also noted the social ramifications of the exam, recognizing its impact on students’ futures.
Arguments from the Petitioners
The petitioners’ lawyer argued that there had been a systemic failure in conducting the NEET-UG exam. He detailed that the transportation of question papers was compromised when they were handled by a private courier company for six days. The papers were reportedly transported in an e-rickshaw in Hazaribagh, where they were diverted to Oasis School instead of a bank. The lawyer presented evidence from Telegram videos showing that solved papers were being circulated two days before the entrance exam.
CBI’s Role and Findings
The court acknowledged that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the paper leak. The bench noted that revealing CBI findings prematurely could affect the ongoing investigation. The CJI remarked, “People were doing it for money. So, it was not to bring disrepute to the exam, and somebody was doing it to make money which is evident now.”
Government’s Position
The Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA) argued that the paper leak was localized and that scrapping the exam would “seriously jeopardize” the efforts of lakhs of honest candidates. They contended that there was no proof of a large-scale breach of confidentiality that would warrant a re-examination.
Background and Current Status
After the paper leak scandal surfaced, the Centre handed over the case to the CBI. Over a dozen people have been arrested in Bihar and Jharkhand in connection with the scandal. The court’s decision in this matter will have significant implications for the NEET-UG 2024 exam and the students who have prepared rigorously for it.
For detailed updates and further coverage of this developing story, visit Sarhind Times.
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