PM Modi Calls NEET Paper Leak ‘Ghor Paap’, Seeks Strict Punishment

Modi Says 13 Accused Arrested, Jailed

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that once the NEET paper leak issue came to light, the government had taken prompt action, arresting 13 accused persons and sending them to jail. The Minister added that such an unfortunate incident should not be repeated in the future and that the government had taken swift action on the issue to address it. 

Referring to the Prime Minister's comments, Rijiju said that Modi has asked to impose the strictest possible punishment on those responsible for the paper leak and that strict action on such matters would have a deterrent effect.

“The PM said as soon as news of the paper leak came, the government immediately carried out an investigation and 13 people were arrested. To ensure students’ future wasn’t jeopardised, a re-examination of NEET was conducted,” Rijiju said.

“At the same time, to ensure that students’ future was not affected, the NEET re-examination was given priority, conducted successfully, and the results were declared without delay. The Prime Minister also said that strict steps have been taken to prevent such paper leaks in the future. Those found involved in the paper leak racket have been arrested and jailed,” he added.

Students Protest Seeking Pradhan’s Resignation

The statements come a day after the students were on their way to demonstrate outside Parliament, only to be lathicharged and sent home, as security was deployed.

Hundreds of students, led by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which sprang up in May after Chief Justice of India drew a comparison between some unemployed youth and ‘cockroaches’ while holding hearings in an unrelated case, are calling for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign after allegations of fraud emerged in multiple national competitive exams, including the NEET.

Over 170 Injured During Chalo Sansad Protest

The students marched towards parliament on Monday after an activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly removed to a hospital on Saturday, effectively ending his 21-day hunger strike to support the movement launched by the CJP. 

At least 170 individuals including Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters and Delhi Police personnel, received medical care on Monday after skirmishes in the ‘Chalo Sansad’ protest with one young woman treated at Safdarjung Hospital being in serious condition.