The Bombay High Court has designated 23 Special Fast Track Courts across Maharashtra to exclusively hear and decide cases involving examination-related offences under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices at University, Board and Other Specified Examinations Act, 1982.
The decision was notified through a circular issued on August 1, 2026, by the Registrar (Inspection-I) of the Bombay High Court. The move is aimed at ensuring the speedy trial and disposal of cases involving unfair means in public examinations, particularly in the wake of growing concerns over paper leaks, impersonation, organised cheating rackets and other examination-related frauds.
The newly designated courts will exclusively deal with prosecutions arising under the central law enacted in 2024 to curb large-scale malpractices in public examinations, along with offences punishable under the BNS and the State legislation governing examination malpractice. The establishment of dedicated courts is expected to streamline criminal proceedings, reduce delays and strengthen the enforcement of laws intended to preserve the integrity and credibility of public examinations.
The Special Fast Track Courts have been notified in Beed, Chandrapur, Dhule, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Jalgaon, Jalna, Kolhapur, Nashik, Osmanabad, Parbhani, Pune, Sangli, Satara, Solapur, Thane, Wardha, Washim, Yavatmal and Nandurbar, ensuring that cases are handled across major regions of the State.
For Mumbai, the High Court has designated the City Civil and Sessions Court as well as the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court at Vikhroli to hear such matters.
The notification forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the legal framework against examination fraud by ensuring that offences are tried expeditiously in dedicated courts. The move is expected to improve the effectiveness of prosecutions and act as a deterrent against organised examination malpractices across Maharashtra.
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