There is an uproar across the country over the issue of exam paper leak. In many states including Delhi, students are protesting on the streets. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh High Court has constituted four fast track courts to hear cases of paper leaks and irregularities related to competitive examinations. The court has directed that every possible effort should be made to settle these cases within three months from the date of filing of the charge sheet.
According to the information, this decision has come two days after the Central Government assured to set up a fast-track court to hear the cases related to irregularities in the examination, especially the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG).
Acting Chief Justice Vivek Rusia on Friday (July 24) designated one district and additional sessions court each in Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur as special fast track courts. These courts will hear cases registered under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 as well as other crimes related to it.
A day before this, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had announced the establishment of special fast-track courts in Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur to ensure speedy trial of question paper leak cases, speedy justice and strict punishment to the culprits. So that speedy trial can be ensured in cases related to paper leak and those found guilty can be given strict punishment.
According to the government statement, Bhopal's 18th District and Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Patel has been given the responsibility of the special fast track court. This responsibility has been assigned to 8th District and Additional Sessions Judge Vishal Akhand in Gwalior, 27th District and Additional Sessions Judge Anand Kumar Sehlam in Jabalpur and 26th District and Additional Sessions Judge Dr. Shubhra Singh in Indore.
The statement said that the objective of this initiative is to maintain the purity, transparency and credibility of public examinations and to ensure quick and effective judicial disposal of such cases.
The special fast track court will also hear cases covered under the provisions of the Indian Code of Justice, 2023 relating to such cases in addition to offenses punishable under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 and other cases referred by the State or Central Government and investigated by the concerned investigating agencies. The statement said that the jurisdiction of each special fast track court will be up to the prescribed districts associated with its headquarters. With this, effective judicial system can be ensured in the entire state through these four courts.
The High Court has also directed the concerned Principal District and Sessions Judges to make every possible effort to complete the hearing and give the verdict within three months from the date of filing of the chargesheet in the designated special fast track court. According to the statement, the establishment of these special fast track courts will speed up the prosecution process in cases of crimes related to public examinations and is expected to ensure speedy justice.
