Delhi HC Designates Special Judge Anu Baliga For Fast-Paper Leak Trials

The Delhi High Court has designated Judge Anu Grover Baliga as the Special Judge of a newly created fast-track court to exclusively hear criminal cases related to paper leaks and the use of unfair means in public examinations.

According to an order issued on July 23, Justice Baliga has been transferred from her current posting as Judge-in-Mediation at the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre to preside over the special court at the Rouse Avenue Court Complex with immediate effect.

The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of examination integrity following recent paper leak controversies and is aimed at ensuring the speedy trial of such cases.

The development comes hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the creation of a special

fast-track court to exclusively hear cases related to paper leaks and the use of unfair means in public examinations, describing it as a step towards ensuring faster justice and greater accountability in examination-related offences.

The announcement comes amid the ongoing CJP-led protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the welfare and future of the country’s youth remain the government’s top priority and announced the setting up of fast-track courts to ensure “swift and stringent punishment” for those involved in paper leak cases.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard. This continues our series of steps for safeguarding the interests of students. Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared.”

The development also came on the same day the Centre appointed senior IAS officer Naresh Pal Gangwar as the new Higher Education Secretary, replacing Vineet Joshi, amid heightened scrutiny over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. The appointment was part of a broader bureaucratic reshuffle announced by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.