The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police has unearthed a significant development in the ongoing investigations surrounding the purported NEET-UG 2024 exam paper leak. In what is being described as a breakthrough, officials recovered six post-dated cheques suspected to have been issued to members of a criminal syndicate, allegedly demanding more than Rs 30 lakh from each candidate for leaked question papers ahead of the exam held last month.
“During the course of the investigation, EOU sleuths recovered six post-dated cheques that were issued in favor of criminals who reportedly facilitated question papers to the aspirants ahead of the examination,” said Manavjit Singh Dhillon, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), EOU, in a statement on Sunday.
Investigators are now deciphering the bank account details to determine the cheques’ issuers and recipients. It is speculated that these transactions were part of an elaborate scheme to provide unfair advantages to candidates seeking entry into India’s esteemed medical institutions.
So far, the EOU has arrested 13 individuals involved in the case, including four examinees and several members of their families. “All accused belong to Bihar,” confirmed the DIG. In addition to the arrests, the EOU has issued formal notices to nine candidates – seven from Bihar, and one each from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra – requesting their participation in the probe.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2024 was administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) across 4,750 centers in 571 cities, attracting more than 24 lakh applicants. The results, declared on June 4, were met with immediate turbulence as numerous students alleged discrepancies. As suspicions grew, a cohort of candidates petitioned the Supreme Court to demand a re-examination due to alleged paper leaks and concerns about the test’s overall integrity.
Investigation sources have indicated that evidence shows five examinees from Bihar, already detained, received the exam’s question paper and answers at a ‘safe house’ near Patna on the evening of May 4, a day before the exam’s national administration. During interrogation, these aspirants revealed that their parents had paid upwards of Rs 30 lakh for the questions. “The evidence of the transaction has been found and six post-dated cheques have also been recovered during the course of investigation. EOU sleuths also recovered partially burned question papers from the safe house,” noted Dhillon.
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The discovery of these cheques is likely to open new avenues in the ongoing investigation, putting further pressure on the facilitators of such egregious frauds. As part of due diligence, the EOU has requested reference question papers from the NTA, which have so far not been furnished. “Once we get reference question papers from the NTA, we will send the burnt question paper to the appropriate forensic laboratory for examination,” added the DIG.
The NEET-UG examination is of paramount importance in India, being the gateway for admissions into MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses offered in both government and private institutions nationwide. The stakes associated with NEET have repeatedly made it a target for unethical practices and subversion, prompting stringent oversight and frequent interventions.
Sources within the EOU further disclosed that current investigations have implicated a larger number of candidates than previously thought. It is now believed that the leaked NEET-UG question papers and their answers were provided to approximately 35 aspirants before the May 5 exam date. Candidates from varying locations in Bihar were transported to a rented accommodation in Patna’s Ramkrishna Nagar locality, where they were provided with the question papers and answers. During a police raid on this rented premise, officials recovered mobile phones, admit cards, and other significant documents, thus cementing their suspicions.
Further responses are awaited from the NTA and other educational authorities even as the Supreme Court is being petitioned to look into the matter. Meanwhile, the EOU’s ongoing probe continues to reveal the depth of this multi-faceted scam, as more candidates and facilitators come under scrutiny. This development marks another chapter in the perennial challenge of maintaining the sanctity and fairness of India’s highly competitive entrance examinations.
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