Delhi High Court sets up special fast-track court for paper leak cases

The Delhi High Court has notified a special fast-track court at Rouse Avenue to hear paper leak and exam fraud cases under the anti-paper leak law.

In Short

• Rouse Avenue court will exclusively hear offences under the anti-paper leak law
• Cases include question paper leaks, organised cheating and examination fraud offences
• Move follows nationwide scrutiny after the alleged NEET UG 2026 leak

Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the setting up of fast-track courts to deal with examination paper leak cases, the Delhi High Court on Thursday notified a special fast-track court at the Rouse Avenue Court Complex to exclusively hear cases registered under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act.

The designated court will take up cases related to question paper leaks, examination fraud and other offences covered under the anti-paper leak law, marking the first such judicial initiative following the Prime Minister's announcement. The Delhi High Court has designated the court of Judge Anu Grover Baliga as a Specially Designated fast-track court.

The move comes amid nationwide scrutiny of examination processes following the alleged NEET UG 2026 paper leak and protests demanding greater accountability in the conduct of public examinations. The Centre had recently announced a series of measures aimed at restoring confidence in the examination system.

FIRST COURT NOTIFIED UNDER NEW INITIATIVE

According to the Delhi High Court's notification, the special court will function from the Rouse Avenue District Court Complex and will exclusively hear cases registered under the anti-paper leak legislation. Reports said four cases have so far been registered under the Act, and similar fast-track courts are expected to be notified under the jurisdictions of the Bombay, Calcutta and Madhya Pradesh High Courts.

In a post on X on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government had decided to establish fast-track courts to ensure "swift and stringent punishment" for those involved in examination paper leaks.

"Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth," the Prime Minister said, adding that authorities had been directed to take all necessary steps to implement the decision.

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, enacted in 2024, provides for stringent punishment, including imprisonment and fines, for organised cheating, paper leaks and other unfair practices in public examinations conducted by central agencies. The dedicated court is expected to expedite trials under the law and strengthen enforcement against examination-related offences.

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