India, July 25 -- The Bombay High Court on Friday has designated two special courts in Nagpur and Aurangabad to fast-track trials in examination paper leak cases, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that such cases would be pursued for "swift and stringent punishment". The move follows a request from the Centre, which had sought special courts in at least two major cities to speed up the prosecution of those accused of examination malpractice.

Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge said the courts would hear only cases under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

The Centre had also requested that experienced judicial officers be appointed to preside ove...