2017 Haryana Judicial Paper Leak Case: Delhi Court Convicts Former High Court Registrar, Two Others

A Delhi Court has convicted former Registrar (Recruitment) of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Dr. Balwinder Kumar Sharma, and two women in the case concerning the paper leak of Haryana Civil Services (Judicial Branch) Preliminary Examination, 2017.

Principal District & Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna of Rouse Avenue Courts held that the prosecution was able to prove its case through circumstantial evidence against Sharma and other accused persons- Sunita and Sushila.

The court sentenced Sharma and Sunita to 5 years in jail. A fine of Rs. 1,50,000 and Rs. 60,000 was imposed on Sharma and Sunita respectively. Sushila was released on the period already undergone during trial. A fine of Rs. 10,000 was imposed on her.

However, the court acquitted the accused persons- Ayushi, Sunil Kumar Chopra @ Titu, Kuldeep Singh, Subhash Chander Godara, Sushil Bhadu and Tajinder Bishnoi.

Observing that paper leaks have far reaching consequences leading to detrimental effects on candidates, the judge said the issue of paper leaks has to be dealt with by effective implementation of specific stringent laws.

“The notification of Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024, is a welcome step in this direction but preventive measures against such malpractices must be put in place by introducing long term reforms. The aim and objective must be to bring greater transparency, fairness and credibility to public examinations,” the court said.

It added that the case represents the famous quote “there are no short-cuts to success”. This case is classic example of the fact that short-cut usually leads to disappointment, the judge said.

In December last year, charges framed against Sharma were upheld, observing that as per the record, Sharma was in possession of the question paper immediately before the alleged leak.

Also upheld was an order passed on January 31, 2020, vide which charges were framed against Sharma by a sessions court in Chandigarh. In 2021, the Supreme Court allowed Sharma's plea and transferred the trial to the national capital.

Sharma was suspended and transferred to Ropar by the Punjab and Haryana High Court immediately after the paper leak. He was arrested later.

Chargesheet was filed against Sharma under Sections 8, 9, 13(1)(d) r/w 13(2) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Sections 409, 420, 120B and 201 Indian Penal Code, 1860.