Fast-track trial for NEET leak cases at four High Courts: Arjun Ram Meghwal

He said instructions were being issued and the fast-track courts could be set up as early as this week. He said the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 provides for strict punishment for those involved in unfair means, including paper leaks, in all examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, the Staff Selection Commission, the Railway Recruitment Board, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection and the National Testing Agency, which conducts the NEET exam. “But due to the lack of fast-track courts, day-to-day hearings could not be held in these cases so far.”

He said there are ongoing cases at the Aurangabad and Nagpur benches of the Bombay High Court, the Calcutta High Court, the Delhi High Court and at the Madhya Pradesh High Court Bench at Indore.

“Looking at the Prime Minister’s decision this morning, you can see that the government is very sensitive towards the issues of the youth. The intention behind the decision to set up fast-track courts is that there is speedy trial and all those responsible for paper leaks are behind bars as soon as possible. There will be day-to-day hearings in the NEET cases so that the youth are given justice soon,” he said.

It is learnt that the Centre was communicating with the respective state governments Thursday to ensure that the High Courts have the resources required. Each fast-track court will require a designated judge, court staff and a courtroom.

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was passed by Parliament in February 2024. While replying to the debate on the Bill in the Lok Sabha on February 6, 2024, Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, had said: “The Bill is aimed at curbing corrupt practice by few unscrupulous elements that plays havoc with the future of our youth, destroying their careers and aspirations and occasionally resulting in fatal suicides.”

The Act, which came into effect on June 21, 2024, provides for imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of Rs 10 lakh for anyone who resorts to unfair means.