"Stringent Measures Enforced: New Anti-Paper Leak Law Imposes Minimum 5 Years in Jail and Rs 50 Lakh Fine"

Opposition Protests Lead to Introduction of Harsh Anti-Paper Leaks Bill in Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha witnessed chaotic scenes as Opposition members raised slogans against the alleged excesses during the crackdown on protesters in the Delhi demonstrations, leading to the introduction of a new bill to amend the anti-paper leaks law on Monday.

The bill, brought forward by Minister of State for the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh, proposes stringent measures, including a 10-year jail term and a fine of Rs 50 lakh for individuals found guilty of involvement in paper leaks. The move comes in the wake of widespread student protests across the country.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), spearheading the protests against paper leaks, achieved a significant victory with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigning from his post on Saturday.

The newly introduced Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the existing Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, with provisions such as:

• A two-month deadline for completing investigations into paper leak cases.
• Increased punishment duration from three to five years to five to ten years for those involved in unfair means.
• Hiking the fine from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

Moreover, the bill proposes a minimum seven-year sentence and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore for organized crime related to paper leaks.

The legislation empowers states and Union Territories to establish fast-track courts for expeditious trials. It also allows the Centre to form a special task force to investigate paper leak cases and suggests measures to make the public examination system more secure.

Despite the bill’s introduction, Opposition members persisted with their protests in the Lok Sabha, demanding accountability for alleged excesses during the crackdown on protesters. The Speaker adjourned the proceedings multiple times as tensions escalated.

Following Pradhan’s resignation, the Opposition has redirected its attention towards Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking answers regarding the handling of the protests by Delhi Police. The government, under pressure, aounced the formation of a task force led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to recommend reforms for a leakproof examination system.