In a significant development in the NEET-UG paper leak case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday arrested an NIT-Jamshedpur B.Tech graduate, identified as one of the masterminds, and two MBBS students who allegedly acted as “solvers” for money. These fresh arrests bring the total number of people held in connection with the alleged irregularities to 21.
The two arrested MBBS students, Kumar Mangalam Bishnoi (2nd year) and Deepender Sharma (1st year), are from a medical school in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. They are accused of solving exam papers that were stolen by Pankaj Kumar, an engineer, from a National Testing Agency trunk in Hazaribagh. The arrests reveal that Bishnoi and Sharma were in Hazaribagh on May 5, the day the NEET-UG examination was conducted nationwide.
According to sources, Bishnoi and Sharma were part of a larger “solver module” which included five other MBBS students who had been previously arrested. This module provided answers to NEET UG aspirants in exchange for money. The operation points to a well-coordinated cheating ring that aimed to exploit the high-stakes medical entrance exam.
Sashikant Paswan, also arrested on Saturday, is a B.Tech (Electrical) graduate from the National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur. Paswan was allegedly working closely with Pankaj Kumar and another individual named Rockey, who was previously apprehended. The CBI describes Paswan as one of the kingpins and masterminds behind the paper leak.
The CBI took over the investigation from the Bihar Police and has made several arrests so far. Among those arrested are Pankaj Kumar, who stole the exam paper, Raju Singh, who assisted him, and Rockey, another mastermind. On Thursday, the CBI also arrested Surender Sharma, who was involved in helping Kumar in Hazaribagh.
The CBI has registered six First Information Reports (FIRs) related to the case, covering various allegations from different states including Bihar, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. The allegations range from paper leaks to the impersonation of candidates and other forms of cheating.
The NEET-UG, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is a crucial examination for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in government and private institutions. This year’s exam, held on May 5, saw over 23 lakh candidates appearing at 4,750 centers in 571 cities, including 14 international locations.
As the investigation continues, the CBI aims to uncover the full extent of the cheating network and ensure the integrity of the examination process.