Delhi HC orders NTA to declare NEET-UG re-exam results of two candidates within 24 hours
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Delhi High Court directed the National Testing Agency to declare within 24 hours the NEET-UG re-examination results of two candidates whose results were withheld over alleged links to the May 3 question paper leak, noting they were not named as accused in the CBI chargesheet and that withholding results based on untested allegations would cause serious prejudice to their academic careers.
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Why It Matters
The NEET-UG re-examination was conducted after the original May 3 exam was cancelled due to a question paper leak. The CBI investigated the leak and filed a chargesheet naming certain individuals as accused. Two candidates had their results withheld by NTA after CBI informed it that several candidates allegedly received or shared the question paper, though the candidates were not named as accused in the chargesheet.
The court was hearing the students' plea seeking release of their re-NEET results
NEW DELHI: Delhi HC has directed National Testing Agency (NTA) to declare within 24 hours the NEET-UG re-examination results of two candidates, whose results were withheld over allegations linking them to the question paper leak. Justice Jasmeet Singh pointed out the candidates had not been named as accused by CBI in its chargesheet. While CBI told the court that it did not make them accused, though they had paid money to get question papers, the judge observed that at this stage, it was just an allegation and "therefore, the petitioners cannot be treated as persons against whom criminal culpability has been established or as having been found guilty of any illegible of any illegality". The court was hearing the students' plea seeking release of their re-NEET results and permission to participate in the ongoing counselling. The CBI chargesheet named the two petitioners as witnesses, and not accused. NTA, however, issued show-cause notices to them and withheld their results. During the hearing, NTA submitted that it withheld the results after CBI informed it that several candidates had allegedly received or shared the question paper of the May 3 examination. On its part, CBI submitted that the petitioners had received the question paper and had the "mens rea" (intent) to commit the illegality, since money had been paid by them for obtaining the question paper. HC observed that the petitioners were at a "nascent stage of their academic careers", and withholding their results merely on the basis of allegations that were yet to be tested would cause serious prejudice to them.
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"The petitioners ought to be permitted to know their results and, subject to the outcome of the proceedings, participate in the further rounds of counseling conducted by the NTA," Justice Singh said. The order recorded denying them an opportunity to participate in counselling at this stage could result in consequences that may not subsequently be adequately remedied.
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What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The NEET-UG re-examination results of the two candidates will be declared by NTA within 24 hours as per the court order.
Very likely · Within hours
The two candidates will be permitted to participate in the ongoing NEET-UG counselling process once their results are declared.
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- What is the final outcome of the CBI investigation regarding the two candidates?
- Will the candidates face any disciplinary action if cleared of wrongdoing?
- How many other candidates had their results withheld in connection with the leak?
