NEET Row: SC Issues Notices on Plea Seeking Transfer of Cases from High Courts

NEET Row: SC Issues Notices on Plea Seeking Transfer of Cases from High Courts to Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Central government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) regarding pleas from litigants seeking the transfer of petitions concerning the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET 2024) from the High Courts to the apex court.

A bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra has tagged the plea with a similar one filed earlier by the NTA, in which the top court had already stayed proceedings before the High Courts concerning NEET 2024.

The counsel for the petitioners requested a stay on the High Court proceedings. In response, the Court noted, “High Courts generally do not proceed once we issue notice.”

The Apex Court is currently reviewing a bunch of petitions related to alleged irregularities, including claims of mass question paper leaks. The petitioners are seeking a re-examination based on these grounds, while some opposing petitioners argue that the leaks are individual aberrations and not evidence of a widespread issue.

On June 11, the Supreme Court directed the NTA to respond to some of the petitions but refused to halt the counseling for admissions to medical colleges.

During July 8 hearing, the Top Court stated it would need to determine the extent of the exam’s compromise to decide whether a retest would be necessary.

The Central government and the NTA have argued that there is no need to cancel the exam or conduct a re-examination, citing a lack of proof of large-scale breaches of confidentiality. In the mean time, various petitions have also been filed before different High Courts regarding NEET 2024 Exam.