The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has uncovered significant malpractices in the NEET-UG examination conducted at a centre in Godhra, Gujarat. Candidates from Odisha, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh were allegedly coerced into choosing Gujarati as the language of the examination. The motive behind this was to facilitate Gujarati individuals involved in the exam process to fill out their answer sheets.
During a hearing in a Gujarat court, the CBI disclosed that these candidates were also instructed to list their permanent addresses as Panchmahal or Vadodara. The investigation revealed that the same operators controlled both the examination centres involved in the malpractice.
The accused contacted candidates from various states through different links. Among the six accused, five are now in CBI custody, including Dixit Patel, the owner of Jai Jalaram School in Godhra, a designated NEET-UG exam centre. Patel, who was arrested on June 30, allegedly demanded Rs 10 lakh from each student to ensure they cleared the NEET-UG exam.
The CBI, which took over the investigation from Gujarat police last month, is now delving into the interstate connections as part of a larger conspiracy. So far, the CBI has registered six FIRs and arrested 11 individuals related to the case. The FIR registered in Bihar pertains to paper leaks, while those from Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra involve candidate impersonation and cheating.
This investigation highlights the extensive network and coordination among individuals across states, aiming to manipulate the highly competitive NEET-UG examination.
