NEET paper leak case: 3 accused seek polygraph, brain mapping tests
Three accused in the NEET paper leak case have volunteered to undergo a lie-detector test and brain mapping, prompting a designated fast-track court to seek
Three accused in the NEET paper leak case have volunteered to undergo a lie-detector test and brain mapping, prompting a designated fast-track court to seek the CBI's response on whether such a plea can be entertained. The court asked the agency to respond by August 6, when the matter will come up for hearing again. The proceedings also saw a change in the judge hearing the case, with Special Judge Ajay Gupta taking over after Special Judge Anu Grover Baliga was transferred to a special NIA court. The court also deferred the bail pleas of two accused and postponed the issue of taking cognisance of the CBI's chargesheet. Read Full Story POLYGRAPH, BRAIN MAPPING PLEA The three accused — Mangal Lal Biwal, Dinesh Biwal and Vikas Biwal — moved an application seeking permission to undergo a polygraph examination and a Brain Electrical Activation Profile examination, commonly known as brain mapping.
According to their plea, the request was being made “voluntarily, without any coercion” to “demonstrate their bona fides” and assist the CBI in conducting a “fair and transparent investigation”. “The applicants seek to assist the investigating agency by voluntarily offering themselves for recognised scientific examination, so that every lawful investigative avenue capable of aiding the search for truth may be explored,” the plea said. The accused said the examinations could be conducted at any government-approved forensic science laboratory and in accordance with the law, subject to constitutional and procedural safeguards. COURT SEEKS CBI'S RESPONSE Judge Gupta, who had earlier heard the paper leak case, directed the CBI to respond to all issues concerning the application, including whether it is maintainable, by August 6. The court also deferred the bail pleas of Vikas Biwal and Dinesh Biwal to the same date.
The question of taking cognisance of the CBI's chargesheet was also adjourned to August 6 as the court continues to examine the final report. JUDGE CHANGE IN PAPER LEAK CASE Special Judge Anu Grover Baliga had been appointed on July 23 after the Delhi High Court notified a designated court to hear criminal cases arising from paper leaks and other unfair means in public examinations. The move followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement on setting up fast-track courts to ensure swift action in paper leak cases. Baliga took charge two days later, with the first hearing in the NEET paper leak case before her taking place on July 27. On August 1, the high court transferred her to a special NIA court to hear terror cases. Special Judge Ajay Gupta was subsequently designated to hear the NEET paper leak matter.
The BriefWire