NEW DELHI, Aug 18: The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought responses from the Centre and state governments on a PIL seeking confiscation of movable and immovable properties of those involved in examination paper leak cases, including assets held by their family members.
A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe issued notices to the Union government and the states on the petition filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay.
During the hearing, Upadhyay said he was not pressing his plea for time-bound investigations and trials in paper leak cases following the passage of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which strengthens laws against examination fraud.
The court fixed September 25 for the next hearing.
The petition, filed through advocate Ashwani Kumar Dubey, also sought directions for a comprehensive assessment of the assets of alleged offenders and their family members, with appropriate action under laws including the Prevention of Corruption Act, Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Benami Property Transactions Act and Black Money Act.
The plea further sought that sentences in paper leak cases be made consecutive rather than concurrent to act as a deterrent. Alternatively, it asked the Law Commission to examine international practices and submit a report on the issue within three months.
The petitioner argued that repeated failures to prevent and prosecute paper leaks have adversely affected students and violated their fundamental rights under Articles 14, 16, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.
It also highlighted the financial, educational and psychological impact of examination leaks on students and their families, including loss of academic and employment opportunities and increased financial hardship.
