Judge Transfer Slows Key Paper Leak Cases, Fast-Track Court to Take Over

The fast-track court of Special Judge Anu Grover Baliga is set to take up the CBI's 20,000-page chargesheet in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case on Monday. This development comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the creation of fast-track courts to ensure swift punishment for exam fraud, following student protests demanding accountability.

Besides the NEET case, Judge Baliga's court is also expected to handle other exam fraud cases. However, three significant cases have faced delays after Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Neetu Nagar was deputed to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) last month. These cases were at critical stages—arguments on charge—when the transfer occurred.

2003 CAT Paper Leak: This case remains at the stage of 'arguments on charge' before a Rouse Avenue Magistrate Court. More than 1.25 lakh candidates had applied for the Common Admission Test scheduled for November 23, 2003. The test was cancelled after the CBI, tipped off by Delhi Police, seized sections of the alleged question paper from a hotel in Mahipalpur. Candidates claimed demands of Rs 2 to Rs 4 lakh for the 'leaked paper'. The CBI submitted its chargesheet in 2004. From May 2019 to May 2026, only an average of nine hearings per year occurred, with the pandemic adding delays. On June 3, ACJM Nagar reserved her order on charges due to a heavy cause list, with the order set for June 26. But on June 22, she was moved to the NGT. The case is now before a 'link' judge.

2023 AIIMS NORCET-4 Leak: Arguments on charge were heard for about a year but not completed. The exam, held on June 3, 2023, to recruit nurses at AIIMS and four other hospitals, saw allegations of a leak via social media screenshots. The CBI registered an FIR against Ritu and Gian Jyoti Institute, alleging a conspiracy to 'rig the examination process by using unfair means……against illegal monetary consideration'. The case came to ACJM Nagar after Magistrate Deepak Kumar 2 took cognizance. She was hearing arguments on charge when she was moved to the NGT, last hearing on June 9.

2024 UGC NET Paper Leak: The CBI has filed a closure report, which the court has refused to accept. The leak impacted over 9 lakh candidates who appeared for the exam in 317 cities. The exam, held on June 18, 2024, for entry-level teaching jobs and PhD admissions, was followed by the Education Ministry's announcement of cancellation and a CBI investigation.

The transfer of ACJM Nagar has left these cases at a standstill, with fresh hearings now required. The establishment of fast-track courts aims to expedite such matters, but delays due to judicial transfers remain a concern.