Bombay High Court Sets Up Special Courts in Aurangabad, Nagpur for Paper Leak Cases

Bombay High Court Designates Fast-Track Courts in Aurangabad and Nagpur for Paper Leak Cases

In a major legal step to fast-track accountability and systemic reform, the Bombay High Court has designated two special courts in Aurangabad and Nagpur to exclusively handle criminal cases arising from examination malpractices and paper leaks.

Fast-Tracking Trials Under the 2024 Act

• Targeted Districts: Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge designated the courts following a formal request from the government to establish dedicated judicial mechanisms under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

• Judicial Appointments: The special court in Aurangabad will be presided over by Judge SV Pawar, while Judge Gulshan Kolte has been appointed to helm the Nagpur court.

• Strict Timelines: Under the provisions of the 2024 Act, trials in these designated special courts must be concluded within a strict three-month window, ensuring expedited justice for affected students.

Part of a Broader National Crackdown

The move comes on the heels of the central government's recent announcement to set up fast-track courts nationwide to deal with examination fraud, a decision catalysed by massive, ongoing student protests and demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. Similar judicial steps are being rolled out across other jurisdictions, including Delhi, as authorities race to restore faith in the national testing infrastructure.