Congress slams Modi government over CBI counsel’s ‘no-show’ in fast-track court in paper leak case

The Congress on Monday, July 27, 2026, asked whether the Narendra Modi government was “tom-toming” fast-track courts as a solution to the newspaper leak crisis when its CBI “failed” to send a legal representative to the inaugural hearing of the fast-track court in such a case.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Delhi High Court set up a Special Fast Track Court at Delhi’s Rouse Boulevard complex on July 23 to hear the NEET-UG 2026 Document leak case.

“The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) failed to send a legal representative to the opening hearing of this fast-track court. It resulted in immediate adjournment of the case,” Mr. Ramesh said on X.

“What face is the Modi Government using to fast-track the courts as a solution to the paper leak crisis? Its own CBI is showing zero initiative in investigating and prosecuting these cases,” he said.

Mr. Ramesh’s remarks came after the Special Fast Track Court in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Courts on Monday, July 27, 2026, directed the director of public prosecutions to appoint a public prosecutor to represent the State (CBI) in the NEET UG 2026 paper leak case. The directive came after no one appeared on behalf of the CBI during the hearing.

The Delhi High Court last Thursday (July 23, 2026) issued notice to a designated court to deal with criminal cases arising from paper leaks and use of other unfair methods in public examinations.

The move comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi – following protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar, demanding reforms in the education system and the resignation of then education minister Dharmandra Pradhan, among other things – announced the setting up of fast-track courts to deal with paper leak cases expeditiously.

CJP canceled the protest on July 25 after Mr Pradhan resigned and the government accepted the newly formed organisation’s other demands.

The Supreme Court administration, in a notification, said judicial officer Anu Grover Baliga’s court will function as a “Specially Designated Fast Track Court” to try offenses under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Torts) Act, 2024 and related offenses with immediate effect.

Mr. Modi said the government has decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and strict punishment of those involved in the paper leak.

He said that he has instructed the relevant authorities and officials to take all necessary steps regarding paper leaks.