The Bihar Police’s Economic Offences Unit (EOU) has uncovered that the notorious Sanjeev Mukhiya gang colluded with a network of cybercriminals to leak the NEET exam papers. This revelation comes amidst a series of arrests and ongoing investigations.
The EOU disclosed that five individuals apprehended in Jharkhand, connected to the NEET case, included three cybercriminals. Authorities confiscated post-dated cheques and SIM cards from their possession, further implicating their involvement in the scam.
Investigations revealed that the cybercriminals supplied SIM cards and shelter to the Sanjeev Mukhiya gang members. Sanjeev Mukhiya, whose son Shiv is already imprisoned for a similar offense related to the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) teacher recruitment exam leak, allegedly arranged accommodations for nearly 25 candidates at a boys’ hostel linked with the Learn Play School in Patna. This occurred on May 4, just a day before the NEET exam.
At this hostel, candidates reportedly received the leaked question paper and answer sheets. The investigation has also spotlighted Rocky, Sanjeev Mukhiya’s nephew, who allegedly facilitated the leak by providing solvers to tackle the NEET exam paper. Rocky, who runs a hotel in Ranchi, is now a person of interest in the probe.
On Monday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team from Delhi visited the EOU office in Patna to gather evidence related to the case. Following the Centre’s directive for a CBI probe, the EOU had so far arrested 18 individuals. The CBI registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Sunday concerning the alleged NEET-UG irregularities.
“The CBI officers are collecting evidence related to the case from the EOU,” an official told PTI.
The CBI is expected to file multiple FIRs, including those addressing evidence destruction and disproportionate assets (DA) cases against some accused public servants.
In a related development, a Patna court is set to hear Sanjeev Mukhiya’s advance bail plea today. During the previous session, the court requested the submission of the case diary.
The NEET-UG 2024, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), was held at 4,750 centers across 571 cities, with over 24 lakh candidates participating. Following the June 4 results, allegations surfaced when 67 students achieved top scores, prompting claims of question paper leaks in Bihar.
The ongoing investigation continues to uncover the depths of the NEET exam leak scandal, with more arrests and evidence likely to surface.
