The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two more individuals allegedly involved in the NEET-UG paper leak case in Patna.
The arrested individuals, Pankaj Kumar Singh and Raju Singh, were apprehended in Patna and Hazaribagh, respectively.
A senior CBI official stated that Pankaj managed to steal the question paper when it was being transported from Hazaribagh in a sealed iron trunk. Pankaj is a civil engineer who completed his bachelor’s degree in engineering from NIT Jamshedpur.
Earlier, on July 12, the Patna High Court granted CBI custody of 13 individuals arrested in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak case. These individuals were initially arrested by the Patna Police. The CBI will now undertake their custodial examination and confront them with the kingpin, Rocky, who is also in CBI custody.
Previously, the CBI arrested Rakesh Ranjan, alias Rocky, from Bihar’s Nalanda in connection with the case. Rocky is believed to be one of the key players in the NEET paper leak network and was taken into custody following a planned operation by the CBI. This development follows a series of coordinated raids at multiple locations, including Patna and Kolkata, aimed at dismantling the intricate web of individuals involved in the scandal.
The CBI’s investigation has so far resulted in the arrest of over a dozen suspects, each allegedly playing a role in the leak and distribution of the NEET exam papers. The NEET-UG exam, held on May 5, 2024, has been mired in controversy, with allegations of cheating and impersonation.
The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducted the exam, has faced severe criticism, leading to protests and legal actions. The Union Health Ministry has postponed the NEET-PG 2024 examination, with new dates to be announced soon. The government has replaced the chief of the NTA and formed a committee to review and improve its functioning.
The NEET-UG examination, conducted by the NTA, is the pathway for admissions into MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country. The NEET-UG 2024 was held across 4,750 centres on May 5, with around 24 lakh candidates appearing for it.
