NEW DELHI: Around 158 cases related to alleged recruitment examination irregularities are pending trial in courts across the country despite the completion of investigations, with some cases dating back more than two decades, PTI reported.The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which probed these matters, has decided to approach high courts seeking the transfer of pending cases to fast-track courts being set up in several states to handle cases under the new anti-paper leak law.The agency will inform the high courts that it would provide dedicated special prosecutors and make all possible resources available to ensure the earliest possible conclusion of the trials.Government officials attributed the delays to the transfer of investigating officers, prosecutors, and even presiding judges.
Which state accounts for how many cases
Delhi accounted for 25 alleged irregularity cases registered since 2000. These include the AIIMS PG recruitment examination case of 2010-11, the Delhi University Medical and Dental Entrance Examination case of 2011, CAT (Common Admission Test) irregularities of 2004, the SSC (Staff Selection Commission) recruitment case of 2013, and teachers’ recruitment cases.Bihar has five pending cases, including three linked to the alleged NEET 2024 paper leak, besides irregularities in the PMT (Pre-Medical Test) examinations of 2003 and 2011.In Himachal Pradesh, the 2022 constable recruitment case is among three cases awaiting the start of trial. Jammu and Kashmir also has three pending cases, including alleged irregularities in junior engineer and constable recruitment.Similarly, five cases are awaiting trial in Jharkhand, five in Karnataka, three in Maharashtra — including two related to NEET 2024 — eight in Rajasthan, 14 in Tamil Nadu, and 10 each in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
New anti-paper leak law
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Act, 2026, recently passed by Parliament, provides for every state and Union territory to designate a sessions court as a special fast-track court in consultation with the chief justice of the concerned high court.
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The law mandates that these fast-track courts hear cases on a day-to-day basis without unnecessary adjournments, with trials to be completed within three months of the filing of the charge sheet. It also provides for the transfer of cases already pending before other courts to these newly designated special fast-track courts, where they are to be concluded within three months of transfer.Every state and Union territory will also appoint dedicated special public prosecutors to represent these cases.The legislation was enacted in the wake of the recent student protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, which culminated with the resignation of the-then Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET (UG) paper leak in May. Protesters had also called for wider reforms in the country’s examination system, following which the government constituted a high-powered task force, headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, to recommend reforms.
