Calcutta High Court Establishes Fast-Track Courts for NEET Paper Leak Cases

In a significant move to tackle India's widespread education scandal, the Calcutta High Court has ordered the establishment of five dedicated fast-track courts, three in Kolkata and two in Port Blair, to exclusively try cases related to the NEET paper leak. This directive, issued on July 29, 2026, mandates that these courts conclude trials and deliver judgments within three months of a charge-sheet being filed, aiming to swiftly address one of the nation's most pressing examination fraud issues. The decision comes amidst intense national scrutiny following the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination, held on May 3, after widespread allegations of a paper leak and irregularities. The controversy ignited nationwide student protests, putting immense pressure on the government and culminating in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July 25, 2026. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has since taken over the probe, filing a charge-sheet against 13 individuals on July 28, 2026, including subject experts from the National Testing Agency (NTA) allegedly involved in compromising the exam's integrity. This judicial intervention reflects a broader push by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to treat paper leak as organised criminal offenses, with new legislative amendments under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, proposing tougher penalties. As these fast-track courts begin their work, all eyes will be on their ability to deliver timely justice and restore public confidence in India's competitive examination system, which has been plagued by over 90 reported leaks in the past two decades. The swift resolution of these cases is crucial for the future of millions of aspiring students.