New Delhi: Proceedings before the newly constituted fast-track court hearing the NEET UG 2026 paper leak case came to a halt on Monday after no representative appeared on behalf of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Taking note of the absence, Special Judge Anu Grover Baliga directed the Director of Prosecution to appoint a Public Prosecutor to represent the State (CBI) in the case so that future proceedings are not delayed.

The court was hearing the bail applications of accused Dinesh Biwal and Vikas Biwal, but both pleas were adjourned to August 3 due to the absence of the prosecution. Advocate AP Singh appeared for the accused.

Monday's proceedings marked the first hearing before the designated fast-track court, which was constituted on July 23 under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 to exclusively try offences related to public examination malpractice. All pending cases under the Act are to be transferred to this court.

The predecessor court had, on July 17, sought the CBI's response to the bail applications before transferring the matter to the newly designated court.

According to the CBI, Dinesh Biwal and Vikas Biwal are among 13 accused arrested in connection with the alleged leak of the NEET UG 2026 question paper before the examination. All accused remain in judicial custody till August 6.

The agency has alleged that Mangilal Biwal arranged to procure the leaked question paper for his son, Vikas Biwal, through a network that included Shubham Khairnar and Yash Yadav.

Investigators claim the question paper was recovered from Mangilal Biwal's mobile phone and was later sold to several candidates for Rs 12 lakh each after being procured for Rs 10 lakh.

The CBI has also alleged that the paper was circulated through a chain involving Shubham Khairnar, Yash Yadav, Mangilal Biwal, Vikas Biwal and Dinesh Biwal.

An FIR in the case was registered on May 12, 2026, under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

The matter will now be taken up on August 3, when the prosecution is expected to enter appearance and the court is likely to hear the pending bail applications.