CBI Takes Charge in NEET-UG Investigation, Arrests Hit 18 Over Paper Leak

The investigation into alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam has gained momentum, with the CBI filing an FIR and taking action against those involved. The Economic Offences Unit of the Bihar Police has arrested five individuals in connection with a paper leak case, bringing the total number of arrests to 18. Additionally, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has taken action against more students, debarring 17 individuals from exam centers in Bihar due to malpractices.Despite demands for the cancellation of the May 5 exam, officials from the Union Education Ministry have reiterated that the incidents of malpractices were localized and should not jeopardize the careers of candidates who cleared the exam legitimately. In response to a matter that reached the Supreme Court, an optional retest was held for 1,563 students whose grace marks were scrapped. However, only 813 students appeared for the retest. These candidates were awarded grace marks by the NTA to compensate for the loss of time at six centers due to a delayed start on May 5.Allegations have been made that the awarding of grace marks led to inflated scores, with six candidates from the same center in Haryana scoring a perfect 720 marks along with 61 others. Over 13 lakh candidates out of approximately 24 lakh qualified in the NEET-UG this year, and they will compete for around 1.8 lakh MBBS/dental seats.Amid allegations of irregularities and bunching of high scorers, the NTA has stated that the top one lakh candidates are spread across 4,500 centers throughout India. Furthermore, nearly two-thirds of these candidates are from rural or semi-rural areas.As protests and litigation continue across the country, the CBI has filed an FIR under IPC sections 120-B criminal conspiracy and 420 cheating, among others. The State Governments of Bihar and Gujarat have also issued notifications to transfer cases of NEET-UG paper leaks to the CBI, allowing the central agency to take over the investigation.The Bihar Police's Economic Offences Unit has arrested five individuals from Deoghar in Jharkhand. These individuals, originally from Nalanda, are associated with the notorious Sanjeev Kumar alias Lutan Mukhiya gang. It is alleged that one of the arrested individuals received the solved answer sheet of the NEET-UG exam in PDF format on his mobile phone a day before the exam. The leaked answer sheet was reportedly obtained from a private school in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, by the Mukhiya gang.The EOU has interrogated several individuals linked to the custody chain of the question papers, including bank officials and employees of a courier company. The NTA has provided the roll code of 15 aspirants for detailed examination, but only four have been examined so far.The CBI will now take over the investigation and conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged irregularities. This includes examining the role of public servants connected with the exam and investigating any larger conspiracy.In response to these developments, opposition parties have criticized the government and demanded resignations. However, the BJP has defended the government's actions, stating that it has taken decisive steps to address the NEET issue.As investigations continue and actions are taken against those involved in the alleged irregularities, it remains to be seen how this will impact future medical entrance exams and ensure fair and transparent processes for all candidates.