Last Updated on July 1, 2024 by News Desk
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made its first arrests in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak case, detaining two individuals in Patna, Bihar. The CBI has registered six First Information Reports (FIRs) in the case, following allegations of irregularities, cheating, impersonation, and malpractices during the NEET (UG) Examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 5, 2024. The Ministry of Education, Government of India, reviewed the situation and decided to hand over the investigation to the CBI to ensure a comprehensive probe into the matter.
The arrested individuals, Manish Kumar and Ashutosh Kumar, are accused of providing safe premises to aspirants before the examination, where they were supplied with leaked papers and answer keys. This development comes amid public outrage over the allocation of grace marks to students and 67 students achieving perfect scores of 720. The NTA has since revoked the grace marks given to 1,563 students and conducted a re-examination for them on June 23. However, only 52 percent of the affected students participated in the re-test.
The CBI’s involvement began after the government sought a transparent and thorough investigation into the reported irregularities. Special teams were formed by the CBI to delve into the details of the case, highlighting the government’s commitment to addressing the issues surrounding the examination process. Both arrested individuals have been produced in court for further police custody, indicating the ongoing legal proceedings.
The CBI’s arrests mark a significant step in the investigation of the NEET-UG paper leak case, reflecting the authorities’ resolve to uphold the integrity of the examination process. The re-examination results are expected on June 30, and the outcome of the CBI’s investigation will likely have substantial implications for future examination protocols and the credibility of the NEET-UG.
Written By — Athi Venkatesh AVD
