Patna HC orders setting up of three fast-track courts for paper leak cases

In a major step towards expediting the trial of examination-related offences, the Patna High Court on July 28 decided to establish three special fast-track courts for cases involving paper leaks, cheating, and the use of unfair means in public examinations across Bihar.

The special courts will exclusively hear cases registered under the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, with the aim of ensuring their swift disposal.

According to the Patna High Court's decision, the special courts will be established in Patna, Lakhisarai, and Purnea.

Each court will be presided over by a judicial officer of the District Judge or Additional District and Sessions Judge rank.

The initiative is intended to prevent examination-related cases from remaining pending for long periods.

Cases involving paper leaks, impersonation, cheating, and other examination malpractices will now receive priority in the judicial process.

The High Court has directed that once a chargesheet is filed, these cases should be heard on a day-to-day basis, with efforts made to conclude the trial and deliver judgments within three months.

The move is expected to strengthen the legal response to examination fraud by ensuring timely action against those found guilty while also providing quicker relief to individuals falsely implicated in such cases.

The Patna High Court has also designated judicial officers to lead the three special courts.

Gaurav Singh will preside over the court in Patna, Seema Bharatiya will lead the Lakhisarai court, and Thakur Aman Kumar will oversee the Purnea court.

The Bihar government has been requested to issue the necessary notification for the establishment of the special courts and the appointment of the designated judicial officers at the earliest.

The courts are expected to become operational once the notification is issued.

Such a decision came amid nationwide protests against the paper leak in the country.

A large number of students were lodged in jail, and their families are waiting for their release.

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