Uttar Pradesh brings Ordinance against paper leaks: Punishments include life imprisonment, Rs 1 crore fine

All offences under the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Ordinance have been made cognizable and non-bailable. The offences will be tried by sessions courts and will be non-compoundable. It also has strict provisions for bail.

Apart from jail terms and fines, provisions have also been made under the Ordinance for property of those found involved to be attached.

The Ordinance covers exams conducted by Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, UP Subordinates Service Selection Board, UP Board, state universities, and authority, bodies, or agencies nominated by them, a government spokesperson said.

It will also cover exams for regularisation and promotion in government jobs. Under the Ordinance, offences including distributing fake question papers and making fake employment websites are also punishable.

Besides, the spokesperson said, if an exam is affected, then the financial burden caused due to this will be recovered from those found to be involved. Under the Ordinance, provisions have been made to forever blacklist companies and service providers found guilty in adversely affecting examinations.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced soon after Lok Sabha elections that a law would be brought to prevent paper leaks with strict provisions to bust the gangs involved in such activities.

In February, an exam for the recruitment of over 60,000 police constables was cancelled due to a paper leak.