Jammu: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has designated two Special Fast Track Courts in Jammu and Srinagar for the trial of offences related to unfair means and malpractices in public examinations, in a move aimed at ensuring speedy judicial proceedings and strengthening accountability in examination-related cases.
According to a notification issued by the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs on Friday, the Lieutenant Governor, in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu &Kashmir and Ladakh, designated the Court of the 1st Additional District and Sessions Judge, Jammu, and the Court of the 1st Additional District and Sessions Judge, Srinagar, as Special Fast Track Courts.
The decision has been taken in exercise of the powers conferred under sub-section (2) of Section 12A of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
The notification, issued under S.O. 275, provides a dedicated judicial mechanism for the trial of offences covered under the legislation, which seeks to curb unfair practices in public examinations and protect the integrity of the examination process.
The legislation is aimed at tackling examination-related irregularities, including question paper leaks, organised cheating and other fraudulent practices that compromise the fairness of competitive examinations.
With the designation of the two courts, offences falling under the Act will be tried by the designated judicial authorities in Jammu and Srinagar.
The move is expected to facilitate focused judicial proceedings in examination malpractice cases and reinforce the legal framework for dealing with those involved in such offences.
The decision assumes significance in view of concerns over transparency and fairness in recruitment examinations, particularly those conducted for government employment.
The notification was issued by Commissioner Secretary to the Government, Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Achal Sethi, by order of the Lieutenant Governor.
