CBI Makes First Arrests in NEET-UG Exam Leak Investigation
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested two people from Patna on Thursday in connection with irregularities in the NEET-UG exam, the first arrests in the current investigation. Ashutosh Kumar and Manish Kumar are accused of providing a site where certain examinees received the leaked NEET question paper and answer keys. Both were brought before a special court in Patna and then placed under judicial detention.
Details about the arrests
Ashutosh Kumar rented the Learn Boys Hostel and Play School buildings in Patna, where applicants who paid for access to the leaked NEET-UG exam were taken. This so-called “solver gang,” allegedly commanded by 53-year-old Sanjeev Kumar (alias Luthan Mukhia), used these locations to distribute the hacked documents. During their inquiry, Bihar police found a photocopy of a half-burned question paper laid on their premises. Manish Kumar, the second accused, was responsible for negotiating arrangements with hopefuls and transporting them to the dormitory.
Ongoing Investigations and Protests
The CBI is currently investigating various suspects, including 17 people previously arrested by Bihar police, to learn more about Mukhia, his co-accused, and the parents who paid for the leaked article. The arrests follow a week of protests by student groups and political parties, which resulted in the cancelation of the UGC-NET exam and the postponing of two other crucial national exams. The scandal has resulted in the dismissal of the National Testing Agency (NTA) chief, who oversaw the NEET-UG exam on May 5.
Legal proceedings
Several petitioners have addressed the Supreme Court with varied demands, including pleas to cancel the exam outright or postpone the upcoming counseling procedure, which is set to begin on July 6. The Supreme Court refused to provide any interim orders and will hear the case again on July 8. To guarantee openness in the test process, the Union Education Ministry handed over the matter to the CBI.
Scope of the Investigation
The NTA held the NEET (UG) 2024 examination on May 5 in 4,750 centres throughout 571 cities, including 14 overseas sites, with approximately 2.3 million candidates. The Ministry of Education has tasked the CBI with undertaking a thorough inquiry into the alleged irregularities, which include conspiracy, cheating, impersonation, violation of trust, and destruction of evidence. The probe will also look into the responsibilities of public servants involved in the examination, as well as the bigger conspiracy behind the leaks.
The CBI is also looking into the leak of the UGC-NET 2024 question paper, which was postponed a day after it was scheduled on June 18 due to government intelligence indicating that the questions had been leaked on the dark web.
Conclusion
The arrests and ongoing investigations highlight the gravity of the violations in the NEET-UG examination. As the inquiry continues, more information is expected to emerge, providing light on the entire scope of the plot and the people involved. The education ministry and the CBI are dedicated to preserving the integrity of the test process and holding those responsible accountable.
Source: HT
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