Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): After the NEET paper leak and the passage of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, by Parliament, the state Police Headquarters (PHQ) is brainstorming on forming a Special Task Force (STF) to investigate paper leak cases on the instructions of the Government of India.
The state already has an STF, which investigates cases related to organised crime.
Earlier, the STF had investigated Vyapam scam, which was later handed over to CBI on the Supreme Court's order. At present, the STF is investigating the typing eligibility test scam, teachers' eligibility scam, financial fraud cases and other organised crimes.
The provisions
According to Bill, an officer not below the rank of deputy superintendent of police or assistant commissioner of police can investigate an offence. It also empowers the central government to refer an investigation to any central investigating agency. The Bill further empowers the central government to constitute a special task force to investigate offences.
The Bill has set a time limit for the investigation of an offence, which must be completed within two months. However, there are no further provisions if the investigation timeline is not met.
STF ready to take call
ADG, STF, Sreenivasa Verma, told Free Press that the STF was ready to take any decision taken by the PHQ in the matter. He added that the STF was capable of conducting investigations related to organised crime across the state. "If a dedicated team is required or a team is formed for the cause under the umbrella of STF, the STF will perform its duty as given by the senior office," he said.
