A designated fast-track court in Delhi has requested a response from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding a plea filed by three individuals accused in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak case. The plea seeks permission for the accused to voluntarily undergo a lie detector test and brain mapping examination.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the application was submitted by accused Mangal Lal Biwal, Dinesh Biwal, and Vikas Biwal, who are seeking court permission for a polygraph test, commonly known as a lie detector test, and a Brain Electrical Activation Profile (BEAP) examination, also referred to as brain mapping. The applicants stated that their request is voluntary and made without any coercion, aiming to demonstrate their good faith and assist the CBI in conducting a fair and transparent investigation.
The plea further articulated that the applicants wish to aid the investigating agency by willingly submitting to recognized scientific examinations. This, they contend, will help explore all lawful investigative avenues that could contribute to establishing the truth. The application emphasized that these tests can be conducted at any government-approved forensic science laboratory and must adhere to all legal, constitutional, and procedural safeguards.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, a change in the judicial bench was noted. Special Judge Ajay Gupta has been reassigned to preside over the NEET paper leak case. He replaces Special Judge Anu Grover Baliga, who has been transferred to a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court to handle terror-related cases, as per a Delhi High Court notification issued on August 1. Judge Baliga had initially been appointed on July 23 by the High Court to lead a designated court specifically tasked with addressing criminal cases arising from paper leaks and the use of unfair means in public examinations.
This judicial designation followed an announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the establishment of fast-track courts to expedite the resolution of paper leak cases. Judge Baliga assumed charge of the new role two days after her appointment, with the first hearing in the NEET paper leak case taking place on July 27. Prior to Judge Baliga’s appointment, Judge Gupta had been initially hearing the paper leak matter.
In the latest development on Tuesday, Judge Gupta directed the CBI to submit its response concerning the maintainability of the application for scientific tests by the next hearing date, which is scheduled for August 6. The court also postponed the hearing on the bail pleas of accused Vikas and Dinesh Biwal to August 6. Additionally, the consideration of the CBI’s chargesheet has been deferred to the same date, as the final report is currently under judicial scrutiny.
The CBI has so far filed a chargesheet against 13 individuals in connection with the NEET paper leak case. All 13 accused are currently in judicial custody. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG, examination, held on May 3 for medical admissions, was cancelled by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 12 amid widespread allegations of a paper leak. A re-examination was subsequently conducted on June 21 to address the irregularities.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
