CJP to announce next strategy on Punjab paper leak, says Abhijeet Dipke

New Delhi: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke on Sunday said the party would soon announce its strategy on the alleged Punjab examination paper leak, a day after concluding its 36-day agitation over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.

"We will announce the future strategy soon. It only just ended yesterday; please give us a little time. We will address that too; we are currently planning for it," Dipke said.

He also said discussions were underway with the government regarding FIRs registered against students who took part in the NEET protests, stressing that no cases should be filed against them.

"Talks are underway concerning the cases that have been filed. No cases should be registered against any student," he emphasised.

The remarks come amid mounting political criticism over the alleged leak of the Punjab Pharmacy Officer recruitment examination, with opposition parties demanding accountability from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led state government.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Daljit Singh Cheema called for stronger safeguards to prevent examination leaks rather than relying solely on harsher punishments.

"The government is proposing amendments to the paper leak law to impose stricter penalties, including fast-track courts, quicker investigations, fines of up to Rs 10 crore, and increasing the minimum prison sentence from three to five years, and the maximum sentence of ten years. The priority should be preventing paper leaks in the first place through stronger security protocols and clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)," Cheema said.

Arguing that the anti-paper leak law enacted in 2024 requires changes, Cheema proposed that states should conduct their own entrance examinations, with the Centre providing security standards, SOPs and technological support.

"As a federal country, India should empower states to conduct their own entrance examinations, while the Government of India provides security standards, SOPs, and tech support. Given the vast geographical, linguistic, infrastructural, and technological differences across states, a single centralised system remains vulnerable to paper leaks. Since states already provide the infrastructure, staff, police, and examination centres, they should be trusted with greater responsibility. Strengthening cooperative federalism and reducing the trust deficit between the Centre and the states would create a more secure examination system and better protect students' interests," he said.

Congress Working President Sukhwinder Singh Danny Bandala accused the AAP government of hypocrisy, alleging that while it protested against the NEET-UG paper leak in Delhi, an examination paper was leaked in Punjab.

"This is a highly condemnable matter. When the NEET paper leak occurred, hundreds of thousands of students from across the country protested at Jantar Mantar, leading to the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, which was a major victory. However, the AAP was protesting at Jantar Mantar and accusing the BJP government of the paper leak. Meanwhile, paper was being leaked in Punjab itself. You have jeopardised the futures of our children in Punjab," he said.

Bandala also demanded action against Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains similar to that taken against former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

"Instead of pointing fingers at Delhi, you should first expose the truth about what happened in Punjab. Just as the Central Government took action against its Education Minister, you should follow suit and demonstrate that you can take strict action within Punjab as well," he said.

Questioning security arrangements at examination centres, Bandala called for strict action against everyone involved in the alleged leak.

"The paper was leaked; investigative agencies are confirming it. How were the papers being scanned and answers transmitted back to students inside the exam centres? Why weren't jammers installed? Why are all these details coming to light? You are focusing on Delhi, but you need to address the situation in Punjab... Appropriate action must be taken against everyone involved in this matter," he said.

Congress leader Anil Joshi described paper leaks as a "systemic problem", referring to the alleged compromise of the Pharmacy Officer recruitment examination, which involved around 450 vacancies across 25 examination centres.

"Students are being puzzled. After the massive paper leak controversy at the national level, which led to the resignation of the Union Education Minister, a case has now emerged in Punjab. The Pharmacy Officer recruitment exam, with around 450 vacancies and 25 examination centres, was allegedly compromised. An organised nexus is said to have solved the paper from outside the examination centres using electronic devices. Political parties are demanding each other's resignations, but where do students go? Paper leaks have become a systemic problem," he said.

On Saturday, the Shiromani Akali Dal had also demanded the resignation of Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains, alleging that six examination paper leaks, including the Punjab Teacher Eligibility Test, the Class 12 English examination and the Pharmacy Officer recruitment test, had affected lakhs of aspirants across the state.