Lok Sabha passes anti-paper leak bill after row over Rahul's remarks

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed a bill making punishment in paper leak cases more stringent and trial speedier with a voice vote as the House was plunged into bedlam, as opposition members, including Rahul Gandhi, demanded a response from govt over the police crackdown on students during their Sansad Chalo march on July 20.An engaging and passionate discussion had unfolded in the House over the anti-paper leak bill as members from the opposition and the governing BJP-led NDA put forth their views and traded charges for over eight hours without any serious disruption.But fireworks flew when Rahul made the “firing” charge, the first by anyone, and repeatedly used an “unparliamentary” expression to target BJP leadership. Rahul had started off by accusing Shah of “putting pellets into the blood of our students” but soon amped up the attack to say that home minister had ordered firing.Minister for personnel Jitendra Singh, who piloted Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, said govt acted swiftly in the NEET paper leak case, and as many as 52 FIRs have been lodged since the anti-paper leak law came into force in 2024. He also criticised Gandhi, stating that he lacks knowledge of parliamentary norms and the functioning of government.Utmost restraint was exercised to prevent casualties: MinisterExpressing disappointment over the ruckus during the passage of the bill, minister for personnel Jitendra Singh said, “Instead of debating it seriously and offering suggestions, attempts are being made to politicise it.”The 2024 law was brought in when govt faced raging paper leak controversies. Before this legislation, there was no specific substantive law to deal with unfair means adopted or offences committed by various entities involved in the conduct of public examinations by the central government and its agencies.According to Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, investigations into paper leak cases are to be completed within two months. The bill says that individuals involved in paper leaks or unfair means in exams will get jail terms for a minimum of five years and a maximum of 10 years, and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh.For organised crimes, the bill proposes a minimum sentence of seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore. The Bill also allows state govts and UT administrations to designate special fast-track courts for cases registered under the law.Responding to Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s remarks alleging atrocities and oppression were inflicted on innocent children, Singh said, “Utmost restraint was exercised andit was made sure that casualties do not happen.”Countering the charge that the education sector has been in a decline under the NDA govt, Singh said the number of universities has risen to 1,293 from 760 and higher education institutions to 64,896 from 51,534.He questioned the source of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s claim of 152 incidents of paper leaks. He said the govt regrets any such death more than the opposition. Singh claimed that the rate of suicide due to paper leaks had reduced.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.