New Delhi: In a major judicial reshuffle, the Delhi High Court has transferred the judge presiding over the special fast track court established for hearing paper leak cases. Special Judge Anu Grover Baliga has been reassigned, and Special Judge Ajay Gupta will now take over the legal proceedings related to the paper leak matters.
The reshuffle is part of a large scale transfer order issued by the Delhi High Court, affecting 138 judges belonging to the Delhi Higher Judicial Service. This administrative move aims to streamline the judicial process and enhance the efficiency of courts handling sensitive and high profile cases across the national capital.
As part of the new appointments, thirteen judges have been posted to the special courts at the Rouse Avenue Court complex. These judicial officers will be responsible for hearing serious offences registered under stringent legislations, including the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, the National Investigation Agency Act, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.
The official notification also detailed that six judges have been specifically designated as special exclusive NIA judges at the Rouse Avenue Court. This panel includes Anu Grover Baliga, Vikas Dhull, Prashant Sharma, Amit Bansal, Kiran Bansal, and Pulastya Pramachala. They are scheduled to assume their new responsibilities on August 4. The newly constituted NIA courts at the Rouse Avenue complex are slated for a formal inauguration on Monday.
Previously, the NIA matters were being heard at the Patiala House Court, while cases under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act were distributed across various district courts in Delhi. By consolidating these courts at a single location, the judicial administration expects better coordination, improved security protocols, and faster disposal of complex cases.
The transfer of the judge overseeing the paper leak trials comes at a crucial juncture. These cases have sparked massive public outrage and intense scrutiny across the nation. Thousands of students and job aspirants are closely following the legal developments, hoping for swift justice. With Special Judge Ajay Gupta stepping in to lead the fast track court, the public and legal experts will be keenly observing the pace and direction of these highly sensitive hearings.