CBI Collects Evidence in NEET-UG 2024 Paper Leak Case as Student Unions Protest Alleged Corruption
On Monday, a two-member Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team collected all material evidence related to the alleged NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case. The team obtained the evidence from the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar police, which had been managing the investigation before the CBI took over. The CBI officials, a DIG and a deputy SP rank officer, also met with officials from the Shastri Nagar Police station in the national capital, where the first case of alleged irregularities in the NEET examination was lodged, according to PTI. Meanwhile, several student unions have organized large-scale protests against alleged corruption in NEET examinations.
The CBI collected material evidence from the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar police, including a partially burnt question paper found in a Patna house, mobile phones of the arrested individuals, laptops, post-dated cheques, and reference question papers provided by the National Testing Agency (NTA), reported PTI.
The two-member CBI team is expected to soon record the statements of the 18 arrested persons in the case, including prime suspect Sikandar Yadavendu, his associates, some aspirants, and their parents. The central agency may also take the accused to Delhi for detailed interrogation by obtaining a transit remand from a court.
Officials have indicated that the CBI is likely to file FIRs related to the destruction of evidence and register disproportionate assets (DA) cases against some of the accused who are public servants, reported PTI.
Reports suggest that the prime suspect, Yadavendu, has a history of criminal activities and has served a jail term. He has allegedly acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Several student body unions, including the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Tribal Students Union (TSU), Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), and Tribal Youth Federation (TYF), have jointly organized large-scale protests against corruption in the NEET examinations.
On Monday, students held demonstrations in several cities, holding placards and chanting slogans, demanding the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The protesting students highlighted the emotional and psychological toll on those who rigorously prepared for the exams, only to find their efforts undermined by corrupt practices.
Earlier on Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged PM Modi to consider abolishing NEET and reverting to the system of states conducting the exam in light of the paper leak row.
The RJD shared several photographs of one of the accused, Amit Anand, Nitish Kumar, and family members of Sanjeev Kumar alias Lutan Mukhiya with leaders of the ruling NDA, demanding a thorough probe into the “links” between the two sides.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha claimed that the arrested prime suspect in the NEET paper leak case is linked to officials associated with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.
Amid the controversy over NEET and UGC NET examinations, Nationalist Congress Party leader (Sharad Chandra Pawar faction) Rohit Pawar led a delegation that met with Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais, demanding the state government enact a law similar to the one adopted by the Centre to curb paper leaks and irregularities.
