- The first hearing was postponed as no CBI advocate appeared and the court rescheduled it for August 3 and ordered the appointment of a public prosecutor.
- Special fast-track courts were established following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to ensure swift justice in the NEET paper leak case.
- The Protests by the CJP over the leak led to the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, with Pralhad Joshi appointed as his successor.
Jagran Correspondent, Delhi: Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that special "fast-track courts" would be established to ensure the swift and stringent punishment of those involved in the NEET paper leak, the first hearing in the case was scheduled for Monday.
The first hearing before the fast-track court, constituted by the Delhi High Court to ensure the speedy trial of the accused, was set to take place on Monday. However, the proceedings were postponed after no advocate appeared on behalf of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The court has now listed the matter for August 3 and directed the CBI Director to appoint a public prosecutor to represent the agency in the NEET paper leak case, ensuring that future hearings are not delayed due to the absence of the prosecution, Jagran.com reported.
Amid the controversy over the alleged NEET paper leak, the prime minister had announced the establishment of a fast-track court. Following the announcement, the Delhi High Court constituted the special court and appointed a special judge to hear the case.
Fast-track courts, as the name suggests, are special courts established to expedite the trial of specific categories of cases. They are aimed at reducing delays in India's overburdened judicial system, where millions of cases remain pending for years.
The move follows weeks of protests by thousands of demonstrators under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who took to the streets over the alleged NEET paper leak and examination irregularities. The sustained agitation ultimately led to the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
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Meanwhile, Pralhad Joshi has been appointed as the new Union Education Minister and has been given additional charge of the ministry.