NEET: CBI has taken over the investigation into the alleged paper leak.
Patna:
The three men arrested in Bihar in connection with the alleged leak of the NEET medical entrance exam, had copies of all the question papers and answer sheets, sources in the HRD Ministry said after the police submitted their investigation report. So far, 13 people have been arrested in Bihar in connection with the case.
The police found photocopies of the admit cards of four NEET candidates, an iPhone 15 Plus and a One Plus mobile of them.
After questioning the men (Sikandar Yadvendu, Akhilesh Kumar and Bittu Kumar), the police found that they had circulated the documents and answer sheets among the four candidates.
The conspiracy involved the arrested men and a few others – Sanjeev Singh, Rocky, Nitish and Amit Anand, sources said.
Questioning of the candidates revealed that apart from them, 25-30 other candidates were also given the solved question paper and answer sheets.
The arrested men said they had charged each candidate between Rs 30 and Rs 40 lakh to help them clear the exam, sources said.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken over the investigation into the alleged paper leak following the filing of a complaint by the Ministry of Human Rights.
They have filed a case of fraud and criminal conspiracy and are expected to also take charge of the people arrested in the case.
The ministry has also asked the CBI to probe the role of public servants, if any, in connection with the holding of the exam and the “broader conspiracy”, sources said.
Student protests have broken out across the country after allegations of multiple irregularities, including cheating and impersonation, emerged following the declaration of results.
Students have been demanding that the exam be rescheduled for everyone and not the approximately 1,500 students who received grace marks.
However, this was not accepted by the government and a new test will be carried out today for 1,563 candidates, who had initially received grace marks.
The issue has become a huge political dispute with the opposition backing the protesting students.