CBI sleuths are investigating the NEET-UG question paper leak case at Oasis School in Hazaribagh district. (PTI file)
CBI source: “The accused knew that if the paper was leaked on any app, it could go viral and lead to cancellation of NEET-UG exam… They entered the room at 8:02 am and took the exam at 9:23 am leave.
According to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sources, the alleged NEET-UG paper leak was extremely discreet and targeted only 120 candidates to whom initial funds and post-dated checks amounting to Rs 20 lakh were provided , in preparation for selection.
“The defendants did this job very carefully and were aware of the potential for a large-scale leak. They deliberately kept a large group of people away. They knew that if the paper was leaked on any messaging app, it could go viral They also did not contact any institution,” the source said.
Also Read | CBI arrests 'mastermind' of NEET-UG paper leak, 2 MBBS students who acted as 'solvers'
Sources said the accused entered the room at 8:02 am and left at 9:23 am after taking photos of documents, repackaging and resealing the package. “There were no social media transmissions or printouts. One person came and completely solved the paper,” the source said.
CBI sources said that except for four locations, the leak would not have caused much damage, but in this case, students could not make full use of it as they were not very smart and did not have enough time. “The role of the National Testing Agency (NTA) will be decided by a committee. We have completed part of the round-up investigation and will start investigating the larger conspiracy.
The central investigation agency, which is probing the alleged irregularities in medical examinations, has filed six First Information Reports (FIRs). The FIR in Bihar relates to document leakage, while the FIRs in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra relate to candidate impersonation and cheating.
According to a reference from the Union Education Ministry, the agency's FIR relates to a “comprehensive investigation” into alleged irregularities in NEET-UG 2024.
Actions so far
The CBI on Saturday arrested an NIT-Jamshedpur B-Tech graduate and two MBBS students in the thesis leak case. The two MBBS students – Kumar Mangalam Bishnoi (second year) and Deepender Sharma (first year) – are from a medical college in Rajasthan. The agency believes they have solved the problem of question papers stolen from the suitcase of NTA in Hazaribagh by engineer Pankaj Kumar.
The arrested accused were part of the solver module in which five MBBS students have been arrested. According to the CBI, the answers have been given to NEET-UG aspirants who availed the services of the gang. Preliminary investigation also revealed that the two “solvers” were present in Hazaribagh on May 5, the date for the nationwide NEET-UG examination.
Also Read | No systemic glitch, limited leakage, conspiracy to sabotage exam process: CBI NEET-UG probe sources
The arrests bring the total number of people detained by the agency for alleged medical examination violations in six cases to date to 21.
NEET-UG is conducted by NTA for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions. This year's exam was held on May 5 at 4,750 exam centers in 571 cities, 14 of which were abroad. More than 2.3 million candidates took the exam.
