Hours After PM's Assurance, Fast-Track Court Notified For Paper Leak Cases

The Delhi High Court today formed a fast-track court to hear exam paper leak cases hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assurance on X amid the protest in Delhi led by the satirical political group, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

The announcement also comes, sources said, amid a confirmation of a meeting between CJP members and the government on Friday. The protesters who have gathered in central Delhi's Jantar Mantar have been demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The fast-track court will try offences under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 and related cases. All pending cases filed under this law will be transferred to the newly created fast-track court immediately. The anti-cheating law provides for imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of Rs 10 lakh for those found guilty.

Delhi High Court Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya ordered the posting of judicial officer Anu Grover Baliga as special CBI judge (Prevention of Corruption Act) in the newly created fast-track Court in Delhi's Rouse Avenue Courts Complex, the high court registrar general said.

The new court will work under the administrative control of the principal district and sessions judge, who also serves as the special CBI judge (Prevention of Corruption Act).

"More strict actions against paper leaks to come in tomorrow's cabinet," PM Modi said in a video statement on Thursday night.

More strict actions against paper leaks to come in tomorrow's Cabinet! pic.twitter.com/NRysBukk5U

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2026

In a post on X earlier today, PM Modi had assured swift and stringent punishment in paper leak cases.

"Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth. We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard," PM Modi said.

Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth!

We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 23, 2026

He said the measure formed part of the government's efforts to safeguard the interests of students and warned that those attempting to harm the future of the country's youth would not be spared.

The government is also in the process of setting up similar fast-track courts in four other states to deal with paper leak cases, particularly those related to NEET, news agency IANS reported.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke told NDTV on Thursday they would prefer to speak to the government only if the leaders come to Jantar Mantar or choose a "neutral venue". The public relations graduate from Boston University, who recently returned to India after launching the CJP content online, said their agitation will continue unless the education minister steps down and takes responsibility for paper leaks.

Hundreds continued to pour into Jantar Mantar on Thursday as the protest showed no sign of winding down. Most of the protesters are young people. They raised many questions, from the NEET case to wider issues like unemployment and alleged irregularities in the CBSE's on-screen marking process, besides seeking reforms in the conduct of public examinations.

The protest began on June 6. It gained attention after Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk joined with an indefinite hunger strike on June 28.