CBI Makes First Arrests In NEET-UG Paper Leak Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday made its first arrests in the NEET-UG paper leak case in Bihar.

Two people identified as Manish Prakash and Ashutosh have been arrested in Patna, multiple reports say.

Manish Prakash, allegedly assisted by Ashutosh, reportedly arranged accommodation for candidates at a boys' hostel linked to the Learn Play School in Patna, Bihar, on May 4. The candidates were provided with leaked NEET exam papers and answer keys ahead of the scheduled exam on May 5, India Today reported citing sources.

Following interrogation by CBI officials, both accused individuals were subsequently arrested.

The CBI iled an FIR regarding alleged irregularities in NEET-UG 2024 on Sunday, a day after the Ministry of Education transferred the investigation to the central agency. The decision to hand over the probe came in response to demands from protesting students.

Prior to the CBI arrests, police in Bihar, Maharashtra, and Delhi had detained several individuals, including an aspirant who claimed to have obtained a copy of the NEET-UG 2024 question paper a day before the exam.

NEET-UG, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is an entrance examination for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other medical courses in government and private institutions across India. This year, the examination took place on May 5 at 4,750 centres in 571 cities, including 14 centres located abroad.

The results, originally scheduled for June 14, were unexpectedly announced on June 4. However, allegations of question paper leaks and the awarding of grace marks to over 1,500 students led to widespread protests.