Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Aug 1: Maharashtra has become one of the first states in the country to operationalise special fast-track courts for examination-related offences, identifying 203 pending cases for trial before 23 designated courts.
The special courts will hear offences not only under the Centre's Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, but also cases registered under the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices at University, Board and Other Specified Examinations Act, 1982, significantly widening their jurisdiction.
The identified cases cover a broad range of examination-related offences, including Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination cheating, alleged question paper leaks, and irregularities in recruitment examinations for government posts, including the police and civic bodies.
The cases have been registered under the 1982 state law, the 2024 central law, as well as relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) or the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with the Information Technology Act.
Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge of the Bombay High Court on Friday designated the remaining special courts after two such courts in Aurangabad and Nagpur were notified last week. Presiding officers have been directed to make every effort to conclude trials within three months of the filing of charge sheets. In most of the identified cases, charge sheets have already been filed.
The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement last week that special fast-track courts would be established to deal with examination malpractice cases in the wake of the NEET paper leak controversy and the nationwide student protests that followed. The Union Law Ministry subsequently instructed states to operationalise courts for offences under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
Among the cases identified, the oldest dates back to 2002 and is pending before a Mumbai court. It relates to alleged corruption and irregularities in Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examinations for posts including police sub-inspector.
District-wise, Aurangabad has the highest number of pending cases with 46, followed by Thane (22), Pune (18), Jalgaon (15), Mumbai (12), and Nagpur and Parbhani with 11 cases each. Most of the cases involve allegations of cheating through various methods, including the use of electronic devices during examinations.
No special courts have been designated in districts where no cases are pending under the relevant laws. These include Latur, a major coaching hub for entrance examinations, as well as Amravati, Nanded, Raigad, Akola and Buldhana.
The Nagpur special court, notified last week, has already commenced hearings. In one case involving the alleged leak of an HSC Board examination paper, where the trial has not yet begun, the court has ordered an expedited hearing.