Patna: The Patna High Court has decided to establish three special fast-track courts in Bihar to expedite cases involving unfair means in public examinations under the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
The courts will operate in Patna, Lakhisarai and Purnia, with judges at the District and Additional District and Sessions Judge level presiding over the proceedings.
The move is aimed at ensuring time-bound disposal of cases involving question paper leaks, cheating and other examination-related irregularities.
Daily Hearings After Charge-Sheet
The High Court has directed that cases assigned to the special courts should be heard daily after the filing of the charge sheet.
The courts have also been asked to make efforts to complete trials and deliver judgments within three months. The arrangement is intended to prevent examination-related cases from remaining pending for extended periods.
Judicial Officers Nominated
The High Court has nominated Gaurav Singh to preside over the special court in Patna, Seema Bharatiya in Lakhisarai and Thakur Aman Kumar in Purnia.
The Bihar government has been requested to issue a notification at the earliest regarding the establishment of the three special courts and the appointment of the nominated judicial officers.
The courts will become operational after the required administrative process is completed.
Focus On Examination-Related Offences
The special courts are expected to provide a dedicated judicial mechanism for cases registered under the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
The time-bound hearing process could allow cases involving examination malpractice to be dealt with more quickly while ensuring that accused persons receive due legal process.
The move comes amid efforts to strengthen enforcement against irregularities in public examinations and improve confidence in the examination system.
