1 hr ago
Fast-track judge accelerates NEET leak case amid defense delays
A court in Delhi is handling a case about a leaked NEET-UG exam paper.
The case involves 13 people accused of helping distribute the paper.
Judge Ajay Gupta wants the case to move quickly and asks lawyers to arrive on time.
The exam was taken by about 22 lakh students, but it was cancelled after the leak was discovered.
A new exam was held later.
One accused asked the judge to wait before deciding whether the case should go to trial.
Prosecutors said the court could continue even while investigators do more work.
The judge will decide the request on Friday.
Judge Ajay Gupta has expedited proceedings against 13 accused in the NEET-UG paper leak case.
The CBI filed its chargesheet on July 28, and the court took cognizance on August 12.
Defense lawyer Ashneet Singh sought to delay arguments on charges until further investigation and a supplementary chargesheet were completed.
The CBI argued that there was no legal bar to continuing arguments before a supplementary chargesheet was filed.
The court is expected to rule on the delay request on Friday while Judge Gupta also handles three other paper-leak cases.
- Who
- Judge Ajay Gupta, the Central Bureau of Investigation, and 13 accused in the NEET-UG paper-leak case.
- What
- A fast-track court is examining charges in the alleged NEET-UG examination paper leak.
- Where
- The case is being heard at the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi.
- When
- Judge Gupta took charge on August 4; the CBI filed its chargesheet on July 28, and a ruling on the latest delay request is expected Friday.
- Why
- The proceedings concern allegations that the NEET-UG paper was leaked and circulated, prompting demands for swift punishment for examination fraud.
Prosecution position
Defense position
Whether arguments on charges should continue
Prosecution position
The CBI said there was no legal prohibition against hearing arguments on charges before a supplementary chargesheet was filed.
Defense position
Motegaonkar's lawyer argued that proceedings should be deferred while the investigation continued and until a supplementary chargesheet was filed.
Effect of additional applications
Prosecution position
The judge has viewed some requests for additional time as potentially delaying the trial and has pressed for swift proceedings.
Defense position
Defense applications have sought more time for document inspection, discharge applications, and other matters connected to preparing the accused's cases.
Key facts
- Accused
- 13 people were named in the CBI chargesheet.
- Exam date
- NEET-UG was held on May 3.
- Candidates
- Around 22 lakh candidates took the exam.
- Exam cancellation
- The National Testing Agency cancelled the exam nine days after it was held.
- Retest
- The NTA held a retest on June 21.
- Chargesheet
- The CBI filed its chargesheet on July 28, and the court took cognizance on August 12.
- Latest application
- Accused Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar sought to defer arguments on charges until further investigation was completed.
Quotes
Judge Ajay Gupta
Fast Track Special Court judge presiding over the NEET-UG paper-leak case
“Understand my anxiety please. Every minute here is important…you all should be there at 10 am sharp. It can’t go on like this…please be here at 10 everyday”
indianexpress.com
“Time is very precious…We can continue the hearing all day if necessary”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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