CBI probes NEET exam paper from Jharkhand School

Patna, June 24: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered an FIR concerning the NEET question paper leak following a report from the Bihar Economic Offences Unit (EOU). Sources indicate that investigators suspect the paper was leaked from 'Oasis School' in Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand.

Also Read: NEET row: High-level panel being formed, guilty won't be spared, says Dharmendra Pradhan

An EOU source revealed that a NEET question paper, identified by booklet number 6136488, was shared on a WhatsApp group connected to the 'examination mafia' in Patna. This booklet was initially received by Oasis School in Hazaribagh.

Investigations revealed that the box containing the booklet was tampered with. The CBI is determining if the leak occurred during transit to the bank or between the bank and the examination center.

Sources identified Sanjeev Mukhiya, an employee at Nursarai Udyan College, Nalanda, as the ringleader. Mukhiya allegedly collaborated with associates to leak the NEET exam paper over several months.

Prior to the exam, a professor purportedly sent the paper to Mukhiya on WhatsApp. It was then solved by PG medical students from Patna and Ranchi before being forwarded to Chintu Kumar, also known as Baldev, in Nalanda district.

Also Read: NEET 2024 paper leak: Question paper sold at whooping Rs 32 lakh, confesses mastermind

The Bihar EOU discovered a list of selected candidates who received and memorized the paper beforehand. So far, 13 individuals have been arrested, and more are being interrogated.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of EOU conducted raids in Deoghar, Jharkhand, arresting six individuals, including Chintu Kumar, who is reportedly related to Mukhiya. The EOU also identified the PG medical students involved, with 10 students from medical colleges in Patna and Ranchi now under scrutiny.

The involvement of these students was uncovered through WhatsApp chats with the accused, where the question papers were sent to their mobile phones.

Also Read: Bihar top cop to meet Union Education Minister amid NEET controversy 

The CBI initiated its investigation after registering the FIR on Saturday night. The Education Ministry summoned Nayyar Hasnain Khan, Additional Director General of Bihar's EOU, to provide details on the paper leak. Khan met Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Delhi on Saturday to submit the probe reports.

Following the Central government's recommendation, the CBI took up the case. The NEET examination was held on May 5, with the question paper reportedly leaked to the 'education mafia' on May 4.