The Bombay High Court has designated special Fast-Track Courts in Aurangabad and Nagpur to exclusively conduct trials related to offences under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, along with relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices at University, Board and Other Specified Examinations Act, 1982.
The decision was taken by the Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court following a communication from the Union Ministry of Law and Justice dated July 23, 2026, seeking the establishment of dedicated courts for the speedy disposal of cases related to examination malpractices.
According to the order issued by the Registrar (Inspection-I) of the High Court, the Court of Shri S.V. Pawar, 10th Joint Civil Judge (Senior Division) and Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Aurangabad, has been designated as the Special Fast-Track Court for cases arising within the judicial district of Aurangabad. Similarly, the Court of Shri Gulshan R. Kolte, 7th Joint Civil Judge (Senior Division) and Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Nagpur, has been designated for cases within the Nagpur judicial district.
The High Court has directed the Principal District and Sessions Judges of Aurangabad and Nagpur to formally notify these courts for conducting trials under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, as well as related offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices Act.
The order also instructs the district judiciary to immediately transfer all pending cases, if any, falling under the jurisdiction of these designated courts and submit a compliance report to the High Court.
The establishment of dedicated Fast-Track Courts is aimed at ensuring the expeditious trial of cases involving paper leaks, examination fraud and other unfair means in public examinations, strengthening the legal framework for maintaining the integrity and credibility of the country’s examination system.
