Jairam Ramesh targets Centre over CBI’s absence at first NEET-UG fast-track court hearing

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh on Monday accused the Centre of failing to match its claims of expediting action against examination paper leaks after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) allegedly did not send a legal representative to the inaugural hearing before a Special Fast Track Court hearing the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case.

In a post on social media platform X, Ramesh said the Delhi High Court had established a Special Fast Track Court at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court complex on July 23 to hear the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case.

“On 23rd July, the Delhi High Court set up a Special Fast Track Court in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue complex to hear the NEET-UG 2026 Paper leak case,” he said.

The Congress leader alleged that the CBI’s failure to depute a legal representative for the court’s first hearing resulted in an immediate adjournment of the proceedings.

“Tellingly, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) failed to dispatch a legal representative to the inaugural hearing of this fast track court. It forced an immediate adjournment of the case,” Ramesh said.

He further questioned the government’s repeated emphasis on fast-track courts as a solution to examination paper leaks, alleging that the investigating agency itself was not displaying the urgency needed to prosecute such cases.

“With what face is the Modi Government tom-toming fast-track courts as a solution to the crisis of paper-leaks? Its own CBI is showing zero initiative in investigating and prosecuting these cases,” he added.

The NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy has become one of the most contentious political issues in recent months, sparking nationwide student protests and repeated disruptions during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. Opposition parties have accused the Centre of failing to protect the integrity of public examinations and have demanded greater accountability, while the government has announced a series of measures—including legislative amendments, time-bound investigations and the creation of Special Fast Track Courts—to strengthen the legal framework against paper leaks and expedite the trial of examination-related offences. The Centre has maintained that these initiatives are aimed at restoring public confidence in the examination system.