Delhi HC refuses to stay NEET-UG admissions counselling, over paper leak allegations

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has refused to put a stay on admissions counselling for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) undergraduate (UG) examination 2024, over alleged paper leak and irregularities in the exam.

The NEET (UG) is the basis on which admissions take place into medical colleges in the country into MBBS, BDS etc courses.

Issuing notice to the National Testing Agency (NTA) the Court sought its reply and adjourned the matter to July 5.

The single-judge bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna postponed the matter as the NTA informed the Court through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, that it is going to file a transfer petition to consolidate all the petitions related to the matter before the Supreme Court.

Also Read: SC notice to NTA on plea alleging paper leakage of NEET UG 2024

This was with a view to avoid confusion and conflicting orders amongst students.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had also refused to stay the NEET-UG 2024 result-based counselling process.

The top Court too issued notice to the NTA and sought responses from the Centre and the NTA on a plea for fresh examinations on grounds of paper leak.

Another plea was also filed before the Supreme Court against the alleged arbitrary awarding of grace marks to several students.

Taking serious note of the allegations, the Supreme Court  demanded answers stating, "Sanctity (of the exam) has been affected, so we need answers," he said.

Today, the Centre also told the Supreme Court on the arbitrary awarding of grace marks, that the grace marks of 1563 students who appeared for NEET 2024 will be cancelled and they will have the option to reappear for the exam.

NEET-UG, 2024, was held on May 5 and results were declared on June 4, however, protests erupted across the country when NEET aspirants alleged paper leaks and other irregularities in the examination process.