CBI seeks fast-track trials for 158 exam irregularity cases
New Delhi: Around 158 cases of alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations are pending trial in courts across the country despite completed investigations, with some cases dating back more than two decades. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which probed these matters, has decided to approach high courts to transfer the pending cases to fast-track courts being set up in several states under the new anti-paper leak law.
The agency will inform high courts that it would provide dedicated special prosecutors and ensure all necessary resources are available for the earliest possible conclusion of the trials. Government officials attributed the delays to transfer of investigating officers, prosecutors, and even presiding judges.
State-wise, Delhi accounts for 25 alleged irregularity cases registered since 2000, including the AIIMS PG recruitment examination case of 2010-11, the Delhi University Medical and Dental Entrance Examination case of 2011, the Common Admission Test (CAT) irregularities of 2004, the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) recruitment case of 2013, and teachers' recruitment cases. Bihar has five pending cases, including three linked to the alleged NEET 2024 paper leak, besides irregularities in the Pre-Medical Test (PMT) examinations of 2003 and 2011.
In Himachal Pradesh, the 2022 constable recruitment case is among three cases awaiting trial. Jammu and Kashmir also has three pending cases, including alleged irregularities in junior engineer and constable recruitment. Similarly, five cases are awaiting trial in Jharkhand, five in Karnataka, three in Maharashtra (two related to NEET 2024), eight in Rajasthan, 14 in Tamil Nadu, and 10 each in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 provides for every state and Union territory to designate a sessions court as a special fast-track court in consultation with the chief justice of the concerned high court. The law mandates these courts to hear cases on a day-to-day basis without unnecessary adjournments, with trials to be completed within three months of filing of the charge sheet. It also allows for transfer of cases already pending before other courts to these designated special fast-track courts, where they must be concluded within three months of transfer.
Every state and Union territory will also appoint dedicated special public prosecutors to represent these cases. The legislation was passed by Parliament in February 2024 to address the problem of examination paper leaks and unfair means. The government has also constituted a high-powered task force, headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, to recommend reforms in the examination system.
