In a significant ruling, a Delhi court sentenced Balwinder Kumar Sharma, former Registrar (Recruitment) of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, to a five-year prison term for his involvement in the 2017 Haryana Civil Service (Judicial Branch) Examination paper leak scandal. Alongside Sharma, the primary accused Sunita also received a five-year sentence.
Presiding Judge, Principal District and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna, emphasized the need for stringent measures to combat the recurring issue of examination paper leaks, citing the extensive adverse impacts these incidents have on students and governmental efficiency.
Sharma and Sunita were also fined Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 60,000 respectively. The court underscored that such leaks undermine public trust in the examination process and have severe consequences including increased student stress and delayed recruitment processes.
“The menace of paper leaks disrupts not just individual careers but also governmental operations,” Judge Chandna stated, calling for robust reforms to safeguard the integrity of public examinations.
The court released a third convict, Sushila, on the period already served during the trial, imposing a Rs 10,000 fine. The cases stemmed from the leakage of the question paper for the preliminary examination of the Haryana Civil Services (Judicial Branch) in 2017, which led to an FIR and subsequent transfer of the case to Delhi by the Supreme Court in February 2021.
In her ruling, Judge Chandna noted that the leaked paper had originated from Sharma, who had access and responsibility for the security of the examination materials. “The circumstances form a complete chain pointing to the culpability of the accused, incompatible with their claims of innocence,” she remarked.
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The court highlighted the gravity of the breach of trust, particularly noting Sharma’s role in providing the question paper to Sunita, who not only topped the exam but also engaged in further malpractices by negotiating the sale of the paper to others.
