New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a significant action in the NEET-UG paper leak case arrested two individuals from Patna, identified as Manish Kumar and Ashutosh.
According to reports, Manish Kumar allegedly facilitated the transportation of students in his car and provided the use of an empty school where leaked papers were accessed and memorized by at least two dozen students. Ashutosh, on the other hand, provided lodging for these students at his residence. Both were detained after being questioned by the agency on Thursday.
The CBI has filed six First Information Reports (FIRs) in connection with the NEET paper leak case, with the initial FIR registered on Sunday following the Ministry of Education’s decision to hand over the investigation to the central agency.
Prior to the CBI’s arrests, local police had also detained several individuals in Bihar, Maharashtra, and Delhi. Among them was an aspirant who admitted to receiving a copy of the question paper a day before the exam.
The NEET-UG 2024, which saw nearly 24 lakh students appearing for undergraduate medical courses, was conducted by the National Testing Agency on May 5. The results were announced on June 4, ten days ahead of schedule, but controversy erupted over allegations of question paper leaks and the awarding of grace marks to over 1,500 students, prompting protests and legal actions including cases filed in the Supreme Court, which criticized the NTA’s handling of the matter.
President Droupadi Murmu addressed the issue in her joint sitting of both houses of Parliament on Thursday, stating that the government is committed to ensuring a fair investigation and that those responsible will face severe punishment. “The recent irregularities and paper leaks are being dealt with firmly, and the government is focused on enhancing the examination process,” she assured.
The President’s remarks sparked heated reactions from opposition benches, which are gearing up to challenge the government on the issue during the ongoing parliamentary session.
