Bombay High Court constitutes 23 fast-track courts to hear exam malpractice cases

The Bombay High Court has designated 23 more fast-track courts across Maharashtra to exclusively try offences arising out of public examination question paper leaks and other exam-related malpractices.

According to a notice dated August 1, the acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge earmarked judges across Maharashtra to exclusively conduct trials under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices at University, Board and Other Specified Examinations Act, 1982. 

The notice lists judicial officers posted in districts including Beed, Chandrapur, Dhule, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Jalgaon, Jalna, Kolhapur, Nashik, Osmanabad, Parbhani, Pune and Sangli as special fast-track courts for such offences. 

It further extends the special designation to courts in Satara, Solapur, Thane, Wardha, Yavatmal, Washim and Nandurbar.

The High Court has also designated a judge each from the City Civil and Sessions Court in Mumbai and the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate in Mumbai.

Judicial officers and districts named:

• Beed – MS Pathare

• Chandrapur – R S M Shaikh

• Dhule – BM Potdar

• Gadchiroli – NA Pathan

• Gondia (Tirora) – AS Agrawal

• Jalgaon – DA Sarnayak

• Jalna (Badnapur) – GN Langhe

• Kolhapur – AS Pansare

• Nashik (Satana) – CU Shipkule

• Osmanabad (Tuljapur) – VV Nivghekar

• Parbhani – MD Gautam

• Pune (Anti-Corruption Court) – USM Al Amoodi

• Pune (Pimpri-Chinchwad) – RR Sherekar

• Sangli – VA Adya

• Satara – AA Nikam

• Solapur – SP Shilwant

• Thane (Bhiwandi) – AA Kore

• Wardha – MY Doiphode

• Yavatmal – AM Shah

• Washim (Risod) – PV Sapakal

• Nandurbar – VB Shitole

• Mumbai – AA Nandgaonkar

• Mumbai (Vikhroli) – PV Hingne

Earlier on July 24, ACJ Ghuge had designated Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate SV Pawar in Aurangabad and Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Gulshan Kolte in Nagpur to hear paper leak cases in special fast-track courts. 

These decisions are aimed at expediting criminal proceedings in cases involving unfair means in public examinations, amid growing concern over paper leaks and organised cheating rackets in the state.

These courts have been set up pursuant to directions from the Union Law Ministry where trials are required to be completed within three months

[Read Notice]