The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended the suspected key conspirator involved in the irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-UG case, according to an official statement. The suspect, Aman Singh, was apprehended in Dhanbad, Jharkhand.
Previous Arrests and Alleged Involvement
Previously, on 29th June, the CBI detained two other accused individuals, Dr. Ehsaan Ul Haq and Imtiaz Alam, who were serving as the principal and vice principal of the Oasis School in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. Dr. Haq had been appointed as the city coordinator for the NEET-UG exam 2024.
Additionally, the central agency had made two more arrests in Patna, Bihar. A senior CBI official confirmed the apprehension of Manish Prakash and Ashutosh, who were allegedly operating from Patna. According to the official, Ashutosh arranged safe houses for the students, while Manish transported candidates to a school for exam preparation. “Manish Prakash transported the students in his car, and they were accommodated in Ashutosh’s house,” the CBI officer noted.
Government and Supreme Court Actions
Last month, the central government assigned the CBI to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the NEET-UG irregularities. Consequently, the CBI registered multiple FIRs related to reported paper leaks, candidate impersonation, and cheating.
The National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting the NEET-UG examination, is facing criticism due to the alleged irregularities, leading to nationwide protests. Demonstrators and political parties are demanding the disbandment of the NTA.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is set to hear a batch of pleas on July 8 concerning the alleged paper leak and irregularities in the NEET-UG exam. According to the court’s cause list, the pleas are listed before a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had sought a response from the NTA regarding the pleas for a fresh NEET-UG 2024 examination, amid allegations of a paper leak. The court emphasized the need to address the “sanctity” of the exam and demanded an explanation from the testing agency. The court also instructed the NTA that any negligence in conducting the NEET-UG 2024 exam should be thoroughly addressed.
On June 13, the Centre and the NTA informed the Supreme Court that they had cancelled the grace marks awarded to 1,563 candidates and offered the option of a re-test on June 23 or forgoing the compensatory marks. A total of 813 students took the re-test held on June 23 across seven centers.
