New Delhi: Within hours of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of fast-track courts to deliver swift and stringent punishment in examination paper leak cases, the Delhi High Court on Thursday designated a specially created fast-track court to exclusively try offences under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
The High Court issued a notification transferring judicial officer Anu Grover Baliga to the newly constituted court at the Rouse Avenue Courts Complex with immediate effect. She will function as Special Judge (PC Act) (CBI)-25 and handle all cases registered under the 2024 anti-cheating law along with connected offences. All pending cases under the Act are to be transferred to this court for expeditious disposal.
The move comes against the backdrop of sustained protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination. Protesters, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), have been camping at Jantar Mantar for weeks, demanding accountability, systemic reforms in the conduct of public examinations, and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Prime Minister Modi, in a post on X earlier on Thursday, said: “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard. This continues our series of steps for safeguarding the interests of students. Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared.”
Later, the Prime Minister indicated that further strict measures against paper leaks would be discussed in the Cabinet.
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, provides for imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to ₹10 lakh for those found guilty of organised examination fraud, paper leaks and other unfair means. The dedicated court is expected to ensure regular hearings and faster disposal of cases that have long been criticised for delayed justice.
Judge Baliga was earlier serving as Judge-in-Charge of the Mediation Centre at Tis Hazari Courts. The new court will operate under the administrative control of the Principal District and Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge (PC Act) (CBI) at Rouse Avenue Courts Complex.
Sources indicated that the Centre is also exploring the establishment of similar fast-track courts in other states to deal with paper leak cases, particularly those linked to competitive examinations such as NEET.
The judicial notification was signed by Registrar General Arun Bhardwaj and circulated to judicial officers, Delhi Police, government departments and bar associations for immediate implementation. The development is being viewed as a concrete step towards restoring confidence in the integrity of public examinations amid widespread student unrest.
