Amid a nationwide furore over the NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - Undergraduate) “paper leak”, the CBI (central bureau of investigation) investigating the case has made major developments in their probe to nab the perpetrators.

The CBI reportedly conducted raids and probed several locations in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh, where administerial lapses were suspected.

A school, which was the exam’s district coordinator, and the main branch of the State Bank of India, whose manager was the custodian of the exam papers, were reportedly visited by the CBI team.

Moreover, the two alleged ‘exam mafias’ - Mukesh Kumar and Chintu - are facing charges of leaking the NEET-UG question paper.

During the investigation conducted by the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar police, it was found that Chintu received the question paper on his mobile phone.

The CBI is now expected to grill Chintu and Mukesh to find out how they procured the question paper in advance and how many aspirants were made to memorise the answers before the entrance test was held on May 5. 

EOU probe has revealed that Chintu is married to the sister of Sanjeev Mukhiya, one of the main accused in the case.

The police have recovered 20 ATM cards, 21 blank cheques, and ₹50,000 in cash from Chintu’s possession.

President Droupadi Murmu today asserted that the government was committed to a fair investigation and ensuring strict punishment to the guilty.

Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament, President Murmu said, “Even earlier, we have witnessed many instances of paper leaks in different states. It is important that we rise above party-politics and undertake concrete measures nationwide.”

Nearly 24 lakh students appeared for the NEET-UG 2024 for undergraduate medical programmes on May 5.

The results were released ahead of schedule on June 4. However, controversy arose with claims of question paper leak and the awarding of grace marks to more than 1,500 students, leading to widespread protests and legal actions, including cases filed in various courts, notably the Supreme Court, which strongly criticised the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) handling of the matter.

(Complied from syndicated feed)