Delhi High Court Reshuffles Judges, Fast-Track Paper Leak Court Sees New Leadership

In a significant shakeup within the Delhi Higher Judicial Service, a special judge appointed to oversee a fast-track court focused on paper leak cases has been transferred. This decision, made on Saturday, comes just nine days after Judge Anu Grover Baliga was designated to lead the court at the Rouse Avenue Court Complex, specifically aimed at handling offences related to the Public Examinations Prevention of Unfair Means Act of 2024.

The establishment of fast-track courts was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 23, in response to widespread protests from the youth across the nation regarding alleged irregularities in competitive examination processes. The urgency of these reforms reflects the government’s commitment to address the growing concerns about transparency and fairness in educational assessments.

Following the recent transfer, Special Judge Ajay Gupta will assume control over the pending paper leak cases, including significant matters tied to the 2026 undergraduate National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). It’s notable that Judge Gupta had previously been involved in hearing NEET-related cases prior to the formation of the fast-track court, suggesting a continuity in judicial oversight amidst these critical investigations.

The inaugural sessions of the fast-track court faced delays on July 27 due to the absence of representation from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), raising questions about the procedural readiness of the court. This absence was particularly pointed during a time when the court was addressing bail applications for two individuals implicated in ongoing cases, underscoring the need for robust prosecutorial presence in such high-stakes matters.

Judge Baliga, alongside her colleagues Vikas Dhull, Prashant Sharma, Amit Bansal, Kiran Bansal, and Pulastya, has since been reassigned as a special judge for the National Investigation Agency (NIA), where they will manage cases linked to terrorism. This broader restructuring by the High Court has seen a reshuffle of 138 judicial officers, highlighting the dynamic nature of the Indian judiciary as it adapts to emerging challenges and cases of public significance.

Source: scroll.in