Nuzhat Mushtaq
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed skepticism over the Union and National Testing Agency’s (NTA) claims that the NEET-UG paper leak was limited to a single center in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, and occurred only 45 minutes before the exam.
“The whole hypothesis that the entire paper was solved in 45 minutes and given to students is too far-fetched,” Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud remarked. “Primary breach happens in Hazaribagh. Solving happened in Hazaribagh and was sent to Patna. Everything happened in 45 minutes?”
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The Court sought concrete evidence to support the claim, directing NTA to publish complete center-wise and city-wise results, masking candidates’ identities, to determine if the leak was localized or widespread.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union and NTA, submitted that the paper leak was confined to Hazaribagh and Patna, and that the CBI investigation revealed that seven individuals solved the paper and provided answers to students who had paid for them.
“There were seven persons in the gang who divided the questions among themselves,” Mehta explained. “The paper leak happened only at a center in Hazaribagh on the morning of the exam date. The leaked paper was then sent to some gang members in Patna.”
However, the Court questioned how all 180 questions could have been solved within 45 minutes, given the examination started at 10:15 AM.
Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde, appearing for some candidates, submitted that the paper leak occurred the previous day of the exam, according to the first FIR registered by the Patna Police.
“The paper leak happened the previous day of the exam, not just 45 minutes before,” Hegde argued. “The CBI investigation should be disclosed to ascertain the extent of the leak.”
Senior Advocate Narender Hooda, representing petitioners seeking cancellation of the exam, submitted that the paper leak was widespread, citing reports of question papers being transported in an e-rickshaw to a school in Hazaribagh and videos showing solved question papers being shared on Telegram channels the day before the exam.
“The paper leak was not limited to Hazaribagh or Patna,” Hooda submitted. “There are reports of question papers being leaked in other centers, including Godhra. The exam should be canceled to ensure fairness and transparency.”
The Court emphasized the need for concrete evidence to justify canceling the entire exam, stating that mere allegations of paper leaks are not sufficient grounds for a re-test.
“Unless there are concrete materials showing that the leak was extensive, the exam cannot be canceled,” Chief Justice Chandrachud stated. “The mere fact that only a fraction of the 23 lakh candidates would secure admissions is not sufficient grounds for a complete re-examination.”
The matter has been adjourned until next Monday, with the Court seeking further evidence and clarification on the extent of the paper leak.
“We want to see the Bihar police records on the investigation carried out by them,” Chief Justice Chandrachud said. “The Court wants to ascertain whether the leak remained confined to those centers or had spread across other cities and centers.”
