NEET-UG paper leak: Fast-track court to begin hearing cases, accused's bail pleas first on list

New Delhi: A newly constituted Fast Track Court at Delhi's Rouse Avenue Courts is set to begin hearing cases related to the NEET-UG paper leak, with the bail pleas of accused Dinesh Biwal and Vikas Biwal scheduled to be heard on Monday.

The hearing will mark the first proceeding before the Special Fast Track Court established to exclusively deal with offences under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, along with related cases.

The Fast Track Court was constituted on July 23 following the Delhi High Court's decision to designate a special court for the speedy trial of paper leak cases. All pending cases registered under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, and connected offences are to be transferred to the newly established court.

Judge Anu Grover Baliga, who previously served as Judge-in-Charge of the Mediation Centre at Tis Hazari Courts, was transferred to the Rouse Avenue Courts by the Delhi High Court to serve as Special Judge for these cases.

The transfer order, issued by Delhi High Court Registrar General Arun Bhardwaj, placed the judicial officer under the administrative control of the Principal District and Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge (PC Act) (CBI) at the Rouse Avenue Courts Complex. It also directed that all existing cases under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, be moved to the designated Fast Track Court.

The development comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on July 23 that the government would establish fast-track courts to ensure swift trials and stringent punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks.

The hearing on Monday is expected to set the stage for the expedited judicial process in the high-profile NEET-UG paper leak case.