Ahmedabad Sessions Court Rejects Bail Petition of NEET Fraud Accused

An Ahmedabad City Civil and Sessions Court has rejected the regular bail plea of Akash alias Pappulal Meena, an accused in the NEET paper leak and online fraud case.

The court observed that releasing the applicant could disrupt trial proceedings, noting the severe nature of the offence affecting thousands of medical aspirants nationwide. The judge held that Meena appears to be part of an organised online fraud syndicate.

Operational Tactics and Financial Operations

The case stems from an FIR registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station under Sections 318(4), 319(2), and 54 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), alongside Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.

Police investigations revealed that the accused created a network of Telegram channels to circulate misleading advertisements claiming to possess confidential question papers.

Prosecution Oppositions and Accusations

Prosecution counsel strongly opposed the bail plea, revealing that the syndicate demanded between ₹60,000 and ₹10,00,000 per paper, extracting money through payment QR codes under the pretense of providing access to RE-NEET question papers to misleading aspirants.

Defense counsel argued that Meena is innocent, has no prior criminal record, and that the police investigation is complete following the submission of the charge sheet. The defense further claimed Meena did not receive money directly into his personal bank account, maintaining his role was limited to creating channels and setting paper prices.

Court Ruling and Observations

Rejecting these arguments, the court pointed out that a co-accused’s bail plea had already been dismissed on merits after the charge sheet was filed.

Fearing that Meena, a resident of Rajasthan, might abscond or delay trial proceedings if released, the court found no valid grounds to exercise its discretionary judicial powers and dismissed the petition.