NEET-UG Paper Leak Probe: CBI Makes Two More Arrests, Including Key Accused Who Stole Question Paper

In a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the NEET-UG paper leak case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two more individuals, including a key accused who allegedly stole the question paper from a National Testing Agency (NTA) trunk in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. The accused, Pankaj Kumar alias Aditya, a 2017-batch civil engineer from the National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur, is believed to have stolen the paper from the NTA trunk, while his accomplice, Raju Singh, allegedly helped him in stealing the paper and passing it on to other gang members.

The CBI has made a total of 13 arrests so far in the case, with sources within the agency indicating that they are close to arresting the main accused, Sanjeev Mukhia. The agency has also registered six FIRs, including one from Bihar related to the leakage of the paper, and others from Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra linked to impersonation and cheating.

The investigation began after discrepancies were found in the trunk containing the question papers at Oasis School in Hazaribagh. CNN News18’s investigation revealed that the seals on one of the boxes were broken, and an envelope containing 24 question papers was taken out. A precise cut was made at the bottom of the envelope, and pictures of the question paper were taken and given to the solver gang.

The CBI’s probe has also uncovered a sophisticated operation, with accused individuals providing premises for NEET aspirants to study the leaked question paper and arranging for the paper to be distributed. The agency’s investigation has been ongoing since June 27, when it made its first arrests in the case, detaining two men from Bihar.

The NEET-UG 2024 examination was conducted on May 5 for 23.33 lakh students at 4,750 centers in 571 cities, including 14 cities overseas. The results were released on June 4, but reports of a paper leak surfaced on social media soon after. The case is currently under investigation by the CBI, and the Supreme Court has issued notices to private parties on a batch of pleas filed by the NTA seeking transfer of cases pending against it in various high courts to the top court to avoid multiplicity of litigations.

The NEET-UG is conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country. The case has raised concerns about the sanctity of the exam, with the Chief Justice of India noting that the extent of the paper leak is important to decide whether the exam held on May 5 should be cancelled or not. The matter has been listed for hearing on July 18.