NEET 2024: Delhi Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to Accused Aspirant’s Father

NEET Paper Leak Case: Delhi Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to Accused Aspirant’s Father

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has granted anticipatory bail to Shambhu Sharan Ram, the father of a NEET UG 2024 aspirant, for whom an impersonator allegedly appeared in the exam.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is investigating the case related to the NEET UG Paper incident.

Special Judge Ankit Singla granted anticipatory bail to Shambhu Sharan Ram, who will be released on a bail bond of Rs 50,000 and one surety in the event of his arrest. Ram’s son, Abhishek Raj, was a NEET UG 2024 aspirant for whom Keshav allegedly appeared in the exam in Delhi.

The CBI opposed the anticipatory bail for Shambhu Sharan Ram, stating that his son is evading arrest. However, the court ruled that the son’s evasion of arrest cannot be grounds for arresting the father, thus granting him anticipatory bail.

Meanwhile, the court granted interim protection from arrest to accused Bishu Kumar for 30 days, stipulating that he must join the investigation. According to the CBI, Bishu Kumar is the alleged mastermind of the conspiracy. He was the roommate and senior of Keshav, who appeared for Abhishek Raj in NEET UG. Both Keshav and Bishu Kumar are medical students from Bihar’s Champaran.

Advocate Ankit Kishore, arguing for bail applications, submitted that Bishu Kumar is a 20-year-old medical student with no role in the case, who merely accompanied Keshav to the exam center. Kishore emphasized that Kumar is an MBBS student with a promising future, and that Keshav has already been granted bail.

Conversely, the Special Public Prosecutor for CBI noted that a notice had been issued to Bishu Kumar to join the investigation, but he did not comply. An NBW was also issued against him, and there were multiple suspicious money transactions in his bank account.

Delhi Police had arrested Keshav from a school at Dhaula Kuan, and an FIR was registered in this regard. Keshav has since been granted bail by the court. Following the takeover of the investigation, the CBI has registered an FIR under sections related to criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, and other offenses.