NEET-UG Case: 2 accused arrested by CBI

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), now handling the NEET-UG paper leak case previously managed by Bihar’s Economic Offences Unit (EOU), arrested two individuals from Patna on Thursday.

These individuals purportedly arranged accommodations for NEET-UG candidates on May 4, the day before the exam, during which they allegedly memorized the solved paper. Among the 13 accused in the case are four examinees, and five more arrests followed later.

Manish Kumar and Ashutosh Kumar supposedly gave a secure place to students before the exam, where they got leaked papers and answer keys, according to officials.

Six FIRs have been registered for this NEET paper leak case by the CBI.

About NEET-UG Exam

The National Testing Agency (NTA) organizes the NEET-UG examination for the students to get admissions into MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and similar courses in both government and private colleges all over the country.

The exam this year took place on May 5 at 4,750 centers across 571 cities, including 14 overseas. More than 23 lakh candidates participated in the test.

Filing of the initial FIR

The initial CBI FIR was filed on Sunday, following the ministry’s decision to transfer the investigation of suspected exam misconduct to the central agency. Some of the protesting students called for a CBI investigation.

The wife of one of the arrested men said that he is a social worker who frequently assisted in arranging accommodations for students.

Who are the 2 people arrested in the NEET-UG paper leak case?

The CBI arrested Manish Prakash in Patna for reportedly organizing accommodation at the request of Ashutosh Kumar, who was subsequently arrested in the state capital.

Archana, Prakash’s wife, mentioned that at about 1:30 pm, the CBI contacted her to let her know that her husband had been taken into custody.. She spoke in favour of him by telling that he is a social worker who frequently assisted in arranging accommodations for students.

She said that she overheard someone on the phone asking him to make arrangements for four or five students. She added that they had no idea of the seriousness of the trouble he is facing now.

On Wednesday, the CBI also attempted to locate the main accused, Sanjiv Mukhiya, who has been evading authorities in his village in Nalanda. The agency believes Mukhiya may have fled to Nepal.

The agency has also obtained additional details regarding another important suspect, Sikandar Yadavendu, who has been previously arrested by the Bihar police. Yadavendu allegedly introduced the four examinees to ‘setters’ Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand.

On Sunday, the National Testing Agency (NTA) issued show-cause notices threatening to debar 17 candidates in Patna. This action was based on a report forwarded to the Centre by Bihar Police’s Economic Offences Unit.

Following the CBI registering the criminal case, both the Bihar and Gujarat governments issued notifications to transfer their respective local NEET-UG “paper leak” cases to the central agency.

On Saturday, the Education Ministry announced the formation of an expert committee led by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan to examine exam reforms and assess the NTA’s operations. The Ministry also fired Subodh Kumar Singh as NTA chief on that very day.