NEET Paper Leak Case: Fast-Track Court Defers First Hearing After CBI Fails To Turn Up

Published 27 July 2026 · local

NEET Paper Leak Case: Fast-Track Court Defers First Hearing After CBI Fails To Turn Up Published By, Last Updated: July 27, 2026, 21:08 IST NEET

NEET Paper Leak Case: Fast-Track Court Defers First Hearing After CBI Fails To Turn Up Published By, Last Updated: July 27, 2026, 21:08 IST NEET Paper Leak Case: With no one appearing for the prosecution, the hearing could not proceed. The court adjourned the hearing until August 3. (Representative image) The first hearing in the NEET paper leak case was adjourned on Monday after no representative from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) appeared before the designated court. The special court was scheduled to hear the bail applications of accused Dinesh Biwal and Vikas Biwal before Special Judge Anu Grover Baliga. With no one appearing for the prosecution, the hearing could not proceed. “None appears on behalf of the state till 10.45 am to argue on the bail application," the judge observed, PTI reported.

Court Directs Appointment Of Prosecutor Taking note of the defence counsel’s submission that he had to appear in another matter before the Rohini district courts and could not wait any longer, the judge adjourned the hearing until August 3. While deferring the matter, the court directed the “director of prosecution to depute a public prosecutor in the present court". Hearing Adjourned Till August 3 Special Judge Anu Grover Baliga assumed charge of the specially designated fast-track court on Saturday to hear criminal cases related to paper leaks and other unfair practices in public examinations. The court was designated after the Delhi High Court, through a notification issued on July 23, authorised it to exclusively try offences under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, along with related cases, with immediate effect.

The notification followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement that fast-track courts would be established to ensure the speedy trial of paper leak cases. Before the matter was transferred, Special Judge Ajay Gupta, who had been hearing the NEET paper leak case, extended the judicial custody of all 13 accused until August 6. He also rejected the bail plea of paediatrician Dr Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure, observing that the investigation prima facie showed he was “one of the active conspirators of an organised paper leak gang." The Testing Agency (NTA) had cancelled the NEET-UG examination conducted on May 3 following allegations of a paper leak. A fresh examination was subsequently held on June 21. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk.