Supreme Court Questions Judicial Role in Exam Paper Leak Cases

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday expressed reluctance to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a probe into alleged leaks of competitive examination papers. The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and P.B. Pardiwala, questioned the extent to which courts can intervene in such matters, asking, "What and how much can courts do?"

The PIL was filed by an NGO claiming that widespread paper leaks across multiple state and central exams had undermined the integrity of the recruitment process. The petitioners sought a court-monitored investigation and the formulation of a standard operating procedure to prevent future leaks.

During the hearing, the court noted that while the issue was serious, the judiciary alone could not resolve systemic failures. "We cannot run the entire system. There are investigating agencies, there are state governments," the bench observed. It further added that courts should refrain from assuming an administrative role in matters that fall under executive purview.

The court also pointed out that several states had already taken steps to address the problem, including the formation of special task forces and the enactment of stricter laws. The bench suggested that the petitioners approach the relevant state authorities or the central government for redress.

The court's reluctance comes amid a spate of exam paper leaks in recent years, notably in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, affecting millions of candidates. Experts argue that while judicial intervention can provide immediate relief, long-term solutions require legislative and administrative reforms.

The matter is likely to be listed again after the petitioners respond to the court's queries.