Ecostani: Slow trial, no paper leak convictions hurt govt’s reform record

Ecostani: Slow trial, no paper leak convictions hurt govt’s reform record The resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as the Union education minister marked the end of nationwide protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over systemic failures in examination governance. However, the issue of examination paper leaks persists, undermining efforts to improve transparency and accountability in academic assessments. Over 150 such incidents have occurred in the past decade, affecting nearly seven million students, according to information gathered by journalists from across the country. Despite the introduction of strict state-level laws, many of which include prison terms of up to ten years and fines of up to ₹10 crore, the problem continues to plague the system. In several states, particularly those in the Hindi-speaking region, stringent measures have been enacted since 2021 to combat examination fraud. These laws have led to the lodging of numerous cases related to paper leaks and other malpractices, including impersonation. Hundreds of individuals have been named in First Information Reports (FIRs). Yet, despite these legal actions, the pace of investigations and trials has remained sluggish, allowing many suspects to remain free and continue engaging in illegal activities. In some cases, trials have yet to begin, while others have concluded without resulting in convictions due to inadequate or flawed investigations. One notable example is the case of Sanjiv Kumar Singh, known as Sanjiv Mukhiya, a 52-year-old resident of Bihar accused of running a national examination crime network. According to police, Mukhiya was linked to the 2024 NEET-UG paper leak. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently cleared him in this case, citing lack of direct evidence connecting him to the leak. However, the Bihar Police's Economic Offences Unit (EOU), which initially charged him on May 2, 2024, claims to possess technical evidence indicating his presence in Lavana, Gujarat, during the alleged leakage of the paper from a printing press. A charge sheet has been filed against him in this case, but the Bihar police described the CBI's findings as a setback to the ongoing inquiry. Mukhiya faces at least five pending charges, including one related to the 2017 NEET-UG paper leak. All these cases are currently in the trial phase, according to police officials. A senior officer noted that over 140 hearings have taken place, yet the cases remain unresolved. He expressed hope that the fast-track special courts recently announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi might expedite the resolution of such cases. Government data reveals that approximately 862 fast-track courts (FTCs) and 775 fast-track special courts (FSTCs) operate across states and union territories. On average, each FSTC resolves about nine-and-a-half cases monthly, significantly faster than the typical rate of regular criminal courts. However, the majority of these courts are dedicated to handling cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO), where the backlog of pending cases continues to grow. As of July 24, 2026, around 245,000 cases were pending with FSTCs, compared to 202,000 in 2024. The situation appears even more dire for FTCs. Special courts established specifically for the 2026 NEET-UG paper leak in Maharashtra, where the leak originated, may lead to quicker resolutions. Nevertheless, thousands of other examination-related malpractice cases remain pending in local courts throughout the country. Recent instances include the leaking of two subject papers from the Uttarakhand Technical University and the unauthorized release of the entrance exam paper for Sainik (Army) Schools from Rajasthan. While some institutions have acknowledged these breaches, they often deny them publicly.