EducationReform – Court Permits NEET-UG Paper Leak Accused to Sit Re-Exam Under Custody
EducationReform – A Delhi court has granted permission to an accused in the NEET-UG paper leak investigation to appear for the medical entrance re-examination scheduled on June 21, even though he remains in judicial custody. The order was passed while considering an interim bail request filed by Yash Yadav, one of the individuals arrested in connection with the alleged leak of confidential examination papers.
Court Balances Student Rights and Criminal Proceedings
The matter came before Vacation Judge Vishal Gogne, who examined whether the accused should be allowed to participate in the re-test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The examination was ordered after allegations of a paper leak led authorities to cancel the earlier NEET-UG test conducted on May 3 for medical admissions across the country.
While acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations against Yadav, the court observed that an accused person’s educational rights should not automatically be taken away during the course of an investigation. The judge noted that denying a student the chance to sit for an examination could effectively turn custody into a form of punishment before guilt is established through the legal process.
Eligibility Subject to Examination Authorities
In its observations, the court emphasized that the final eligibility, candidature, and selection of any student remain subject to decisions taken by the competent authorities and the examination-conducting body. Therefore, permitting the accused to take the examination would not interfere with the powers of the agencies responsible for evaluating and deciding admission-related matters.
The court stated that allowing participation in the examination would protect the applicant’s academic interests without affecting the ongoing legal proceedings. It further noted that appropriate safeguards could be put in place to ensure that the investigation remains unaffected.
Examination Attendance Allowed Under Supervision
Instead of granting interim bail, the court approved an arrangement under which Yadav will be taken to the examination centre while remaining in custody. According to the order, this approach strikes a balance between safeguarding the rights of the accused and protecting the integrity of the investigation being conducted by central agencies.
The judge observed that such a mechanism would ensure that the accused receives an opportunity to appear in the re-examination while authorities continue their probe without disruption.
CBI Investigation Continues
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the alleged paper leak, arrested Yadav in Jaipur on May 13. Following his arrest, he was produced before the court and later remanded to judicial custody.
The investigation into the NEET-UG paper leak case has led to multiple arrests as agencies attempt to uncover the extent of the alleged irregularities. Officials have so far arrested thirteen individuals in connection with the matter. The case continues to draw significant attention due to its impact on thousands of medical aspirants across the country.
As the re-examination date approaches, authorities are expected to implement enhanced security and monitoring measures to ensure the credibility and fairness of the test process.