In a major step to ensure quick justice in examination fraud cases, the Bombay High Court has set up a special court in Nagpur to hear cases related to malpractice in public examinations, including the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG). The decision was announced on Friday by Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, Ravindra Ghuge. The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Nagpur, headed by Judge Gulshan Kolte, has been designated as the special court. It will hear cases related to exam paper leaks, impersonation, cheating and other unfair practices in public examinations. The move is expected to benefit Nagpur and the entire Vidarbha region. This is likely to speed up the trial process and ensure faster justice.

 

The Bombay High Court has also designated another special court at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate S V Pawar will hear similar cases there. The decision comes after the Central Government assured that fast-track courts would be set up to deal with examination malpractice cases across the country. The move follows nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination. Students, parents and education activists have demanded strict action against those involved in paper leaks and exam fraud. They have also sought reforms to make the examination system more transparent and fair. The special courts will hear offences registered under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, along with relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The 2024 Act was introduced to stop paper leaks and other unfair practices in public examinations. It provides strict punishment for those involved in organised cheating, leaking question papers or helping candidates. Under the new law, trials in such cases are expected to be completed within three months.