The Indian government on Thursday unveiled a series of measures as the standoff over recurring examination paper leaks deepened in the national capital, with prime minister (PM) Narendra Modi announcing the setting up of fast-track courts to ensure swift punishment for those involved in paper-leak cases. The Supreme Court indicated it could intervene over the closure of the Supreme Court Metro station after authorities shut 17 Delhi Metro stations amid heightened security around the ongoing student protests. Even as the government sought to reassure students that those 'who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared', the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), spearheading the agitation at Jantar Mantar, refused to call off its protest or negotiate on its key demand for the resignation of Union minister of education Dharmendra Pradhan. Separately, Delhi police clarified that the extension of detention powers under the National Security Act (NSA) to the police commissioner is a routine administrative exercise unrelated to the ongoing demonstrations.
PM Modi announced that the Union government will establish fast-track courts to ensure swift trials and stringent punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks, as protests over recurring irregularities in recruitment and entrance examinations continued to intensify in the national capital.
Stressing that the welfare and future of young people remained the government's highest priority, the PM said authorities had been directed to take all necessary steps to operationalise the decision.
"Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth," Mr Modi said in a post on X.
"We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. Have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard. This continues our series of steps for safeguarding the interests of students."
"Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared," he added.
The announcement comes amid sustained protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where students and supporters of CJP have been demanding the resignation of education minister Pradhan over recurring examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leak.
Meanwhile, the disruption caused by the protests also reached the Supreme Court after the temporary closure of the Supreme Court Metro station was mentioned before chief justice of India Surya Kant.
Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Dr Vikas Singh urged the Court to intervene, saying the closure was causing considerable inconvenience to advocates, registry officials and litigants.
While acknowledging the security concerns, Dr Singh suggested that commuters could be screened at the Metro station exit instead of shutting the station completely, allowing lawyers and authorised personnel to access the Court premises while preventing large gatherings.
Responding to the request, chief justice Surya Kant said the court was closely monitoring the situation and had already directed that no adverse judicial orders should be passed against litigants or lawyers unable to appear because of the disruption.
"If by lunch time something does not happen to open it, I will intervene," the chief justice said, adding that the Court would examine the matter further if the situation remained unchanged.
Security restrictions remained in force across central Delhi for the second consecutive day, with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) closing 17 Metro stations until further notice.
The affected stations include Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhamba Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh and Shivaji Stadium.
Although entry and exit at these stations remained suspended, interchange facilities continued at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat, allowing passengers to change trains.
The restrictions disrupted travel for hundreds of office-goers and commuters, many of whom were forced to take longer and more expensive alternative routes.
Separately, security has been significantly strengthened across the national capital following violence linked to the ongoing protests.
Delhi police said fresh clashes occurred on Wednesday evening near Tolstoy Marg in the Connaught Place area when a group of alleged miscreants threw stones and bottles at security personnel.
Assistant commissioner of police (Connaught Place) Vivek Bhagat sustained injuries in the incident, police said, adding that investigations are underway.
The current agitation follows the violence reported on 20 July 2026, when protesters marching from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament allegedly clashed with police.
Meanwhile, the CJP reiterated that it would not withdraw the agitation until Union education minister Pradhan resigned.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said any future talks with the government would have to take place at the protest venue itself.
"Our protest will continue as it has been. We will not withdraw it until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns," Mr Dipke told reporters.
He also appealed to activist Sonam Wangchuk, who entered the 26th day of his hunger strike on Thursday while undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, to end his fast, saying his life is 'very valuable for the country'.
Mr Dipke criticised the Union government's earlier engagement with protesters, alleging that a meeting with Union minister JP Nadda lasted only 10 minutes after the delegation had waited for nearly five hours.
"Whatever the government wants to communicate, the next meeting will take place at Jantar Mantar," he said.
CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka claimed the movement had gained nationwide support and insisted there would be no compromise on the demand for the education minister's resignation.
He alleged that recurring paper leaks reflected systemic failures and called for accountability at the highest levels of the education system.
Separately, Delhi police dismissed social media claims that the Union government's decision to authorise the Delhi Police commissioner to exercise detention powersunder NSA between 19th July and 18 October 2026 is linked to the ongoing protests.
In a statement posted on X, Delhi police said the notification is a routine quarterly extension issued on 7th July, before the commencement of the CJP protests and had been 'misinterpreted out of context'.
The force said no special request had been made for the extension in connection with the current demonstrations and described it as a standard administrative procedure.
