The Delhi and Bombay High Courts have designated special fast-track courts to hear cases related to question paper leaks and other malpractices in public examinations, Live Law reported. The move comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that such courts would be set up, amid nationwide youth protests over alleged irregularities in the education system.

While the Delhi High Court issued its notification hours after Modi’s announcement on Thursday, the Bombay High Court followed with a similar order on Friday, Live Law reported.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that the government has decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift punishment for those involved in paper leaks.

“Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard,” he had said.

The special court in Delhi will function from the Rouse Avenue Court Complex and will be presided over by Judge Anu Grover Baliga, Live Law reported.

In Maharashtra, the Bombay High Court has designated two special fast-track courts in Aurangabad and Nagpur to conduct trials under the 2024 Public Examinations Prevention of Unfair Means Act, the legal news outlet reported.

Under the 2024 law, trials of offences under the Act must be completed within three months.

The courts will be presided over by Judge SV Pawar in Aurangabad and Judge Gulshan Kolte in Nagpur.

This comes amid youth protests against alleged irregularities in competitive examinations at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

The protests began on June 6, when the Cockroach Janta Party political campaign started its __demonstration __to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging that he was responsible for paper leaks in national competitive examinations.

A march to Parliament on Monday was met with a brutal crackdown by the police. Dozens were injured by police lathis and had to brave tear gas. The police action widened the support for the agitation, which soon spread to other parts of the country.

Edited by Sara Varghese.

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