For engaging in the crime of leaking question papers of various government recruitment examinations, the Gujarat Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair means) Bill, 2023, which was presented to members of the Gujarat Assembly, proposes a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison and a fine not less than Rs 1 crore.
According to the new bill draught, anyone found guilty of misconduct will face up to three years in prison and a fine of less than one lakh rupees. Such candidates may also be sentenced to imprisonment if they fail to pay the fine.
A provision has also been made in the bill to debar the examinees from any public examination for the next two years if any of the students are found guilty, as per the drafted bill.
The budget session in the Gujarat Assembly is expected to begin on February 23.
The accused was identified as Jeet Naik, hailing from Hyderabad.
Based on a tip-off, Gujarat Police detained a suspect and recovered a copy of the exam question paper early morning on January 29, the date of the exam. After this, the Gujarat Panchayat Service Selection Board (GPSSB) decided to postpone the exam.
The new exam date will be announced soon and candidates from across the state will be allowed to travel free upon showing their examination passes.