NEET UG question paper leak case in Bihar; 13 arrested so far

The National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) 2024, India's foremost medical entrance exam, has ignited a nationwide uproar due to alleged paper leaks, leading to a flurry of arrests, investigations, and student protests demanding justice.

Incidents of cheating and the use of unfair methods in NEET UG 2024 have surfaced from various regions across the country. In Bihar, which recently experienced another paper leak, authorities have apprehended 13 individuals, including students and their relatives, in connection with the NEET paper leak case.

The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) has assumed jurisdiction over the matter. These individuals are accused of providing NEET UG 2024 question papers and answers to 35 medical aspirants ahead of the May 5 exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Among the implicated examinees are Ayush Kumar (19) from Danapur, Abhishek Kumar (21) from Ranchi, Anurag Yadav (22) from Samastipur, and Shivnandan Kumar from Gaya. Apart from these four, the police have arrested Anurag's mother Rina Kumari, Ayush's father Akhilesh Kumar, Abhishek's father Awadhesh Kumar, as well as the exam setters and mastermind of the operation, junior engineer Sikander Prasad Yadvendu (Samastipur), his driver Bittu Kumar (Rohtas), Nitish Kumar, and Amit Anand (Munger). Raushan Kumar (Nalanda) and Ashutosh Kumar (Jamui) are purported associates of Amit Anand.

The Patna police received intelligence about the NEET question paper leak from a central agency in Jharkhand, which provided the registration number of a Duster car. Subsequently, the police located the car and detained four individuals, including Sikander and Abhishek. During the inspection of the vehicle, the police recovered four admit cards belonging to different NEET students.