Bihar assembly makes paper leak non-bailable offence

The legislative assembly of Bihar, a state which has been at the centre of yet another paper leak controversy, on Wednesday passed a bill aimed at curbing leaks of question papers of competitive and recruitment examinations.

The Bihar Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, was introduced by parliamentary affairs minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and passed with voice vote amid a walkout by the opposition.

The Opposition demanded that the state government put the 75% quota in government services and educational institutes in the ninth schedule of the Constitution. Chaudhary replied that a request had already been made to the Centre in this regard. Not convinced by his replies, the Opposition members walked out of the assembly.


"We are trying to conduct free and fair examinations and this is a big step in that direction," Bihar deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary told ET. "It is unfortunate that the Opposition staged a walkout on such an important matter. It clearly shows their intention of helping the criminals."

The provisions in the new bill will make paper leak or related malpractices in competitive and recruitment examinations of the state government a non-bailable offence.

Under the new bill, there is provision of punishment from three years to 10 years imprisonment and penalty of ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore.

Investigation will be conducted by an officer of at least deputy superintendent rank. The government has also made a provision that, if required, it can get the case investigated by a government agency.