Calcutta HC sets up five fast-track courts for NEET paper leak cases

The Calcutta High Court has ordered five dedicated fasttrack courtsthree in Kolkata and two in Port Blairto exclusively try NEET paper leak cases to expedite criminal proceedings and ensure timebound adjudication of one of Indias biggest education scandalsThe designated courts shall conclude trial and pronounce final order or judgment of cases under the Public Examinations Prevention of Unfair Means Act 2024 preferably within a period of three months from the date of filing of chargesheet an order of the high court statedThe move comes amid a nationwide push to fasttrack prosecution in public examination fraud cases amid nationwide students protests against the NEET paper leak dustup which culminated in Dharmendra Pradhans resignation as Union Education ministerThe controversy prompted the Centre to treat paper leaks as organised criminal offences that undermine the integrity of competitive examinations affecting millions of students with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing last week that fasttrack courts would be set up to try exam malpractice casesThe administrative order dated July 29 issued by the Registrar of the Calcutta High Court named BenchI City Sessions Court Calcutta as the designated court to deal with matters in the state of West Bengal for trial and adjudication of cases investigated by the state agencies concerning offences prescribed under Sections 10 and 11 of the said ActThe order designated the Special CBI Court No 2 City Sessions Court Calcutta to adjudicate cases probed by central agencies and named the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate 1st Court Calcutta to deal with matters relating to investigation judicial inquiry cognizance trial and adjudication of cases investigated by the state agencies and for commitment concerning offences prescribed under Sections 10 and 11 of the said ActThe court of Additional District amp Sessions Judge Port Blair and that of Chief Judicial Magistrate Port Blair will hold fasttrack trials in exam malpractice cases registered in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands which fall under the Calcutta High Courts jurisdiction the order saidIt is made clear that the rank and position of the aforesaid Designated Fast Track Courts are not equal to that of 88 Fast Track Courts functioning in the State of West Bengal as a permanent feature of administration As such Judicial Officers presiding in designated Fast Track Courts are in no way upgradeddowngraded from their original position in the cadre they are borne the order clarifiedThe dedicated courts are expected to handle cases investigated by agencies such as the CBI and state police in connection with paper leaks of public exams reducing delays that typically accompany complex conspiracy and organised crime prosecutions involving multiple accused voluminous documentary evidence and digital forensic materialThe development assumes significance because the NEET controversy has evolved beyond allegations of isolated malpractice into a broader debate on the credibility of Indias public examination system an observer of court matters saidInvestigators have alleged the involvement of organised networks middlemen and facilitators in procuring and distributing confidential examination material prompting demands for stronger legal and institutional safeguards he addedThe Centres move to strengthen the legal framework governing public examination offences through amendments to the Public Examinations Prevention of Unfair Means law envisages stricter punishments statutory fasttrack courts timebound investigations and speedy disposal of appeals underscoring an institutional shift towards treating paper leaks as serious organised crimes rather than routine cheating casesThe Supreme Court had previously acknowledged that a paper leak in NEET exams had occurred in 2024 and that some candidates had benefited but declined to order a nationwide retest after concluding there was no evidence that the breach had compromised the entire examination processThe Apex Court however emphasised the need for accountability and effective criminal investigationInvestigations since then have expanded across several states with the CBI filing extensive chargesheets alleging criminal conspiracy cheating and other offences against multiple accusedCourts dealing with these cases have had to examine large volumes of documentary records digital evidence and witness statements reinforcing the rationale for specialised courts capable of conducting continuous hearingsLegal experts say the creation of dedicated courts could reduce procedural delays enable daytoday hearings and improve coordination between investigating agencies and prosecutorsIf supported by adequate infrastructure and manpower the establishment of the fasttrack courts would mark not only an important procedural development in the NEET paper leak prosecutions but will also reflect the judiciarys broader effort to reinforce public confidence in the criminal justice response to examination fraud at a time when the integrity of competitive examinations has come under unprecedented scrutiny an expert saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever