The Bill imposes harsher penalties for some offences, including imprisonment of up to 10 years for certain individuals in responsible positions, if they are found to have consented to rigging the examination.
Such persons include those in charge of the service provider firm (an entity engaged to conduct a public exam), directors, senior management, or anyone affiliated with a firm or institution overseeing an examination.
In situations involving organized crime, where individuals or groups – including the examination authority, service provider, or any institution – are implicated, the Bill calls for a minimum imprisonment of 5 years, extendable to ten years, along with a fine of no less than ₹1 crore.
If there is a default in the payment of the fine, an additional punishment of imprisonment will be imposed, as per the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Until the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is brought into force, the provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) will be applicable, the Bill clarifies.
Source: Barandbench
