NEET Paper Leak Case: Court Adjourns Hearing Amid CBI Absence

Court Proceedings on NEET Paper Leak Case

New Delhi: The initial hearing in the special court addressing the NEET paper leak incident was postponed on Monday due to the absence of representatives from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Bail requests for two defendants, Dinesh Biwal and Vikas Biwal, were scheduled for discussion before Special Judge Anu Grover Baliga.

The judge remarked, "No one appeared on behalf of the state by 10:45 AM to present arguments on the bail request."

She acknowledged the defense attorney's request to delay the proceedings until August 3, citing his prior commitments in the Rohini district courts.

Consequently, the judge rescheduled the hearing for August 3 and instructed the director of prosecution to assign a public prosecutor to the case.

This special court was established to handle criminal cases related to examination paper leaks and other dishonest practices in public assessments, with the judge assuming her role on Saturday.

On July 23, the Delhi High Court had announced that Judicial Officer Baliga's court would operate as a "Specially Designated Fast Track Court" to expedite cases under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, effective immediately.

This decision followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's declaration regarding the establishment of fast-track courts to address paper leak cases promptly.

Previously, on Friday, Special Judge Ajay Gupta, who was overseeing the NEET paper leak case, had prolonged the judicial custody of all 13 defendants until August 6, rejecting the bail application of accused pediatrician Dr. Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure, stating that evidence suggests he was "one of the active conspirators in an organized paper leak syndicate."

On May 12, the National Testing Agency (NTA) annulled the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG, which took place on May 3, due to allegations of a paper leak.