Bihar has been rocked by a scandal involving the alleged paper leak and widespread cheating during the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2024, as Bihar police apprehended over two dozen individuals, including impersonators and candidates, in connection with the incident.
Among those arrested are 14 individuals accused of impersonating registered candidates during the exam. The arrests span various districts, with eight apprehended in Katihar, four in Purnia, two in Vaishali, and one each in Gopalganj and Patna. These "solvers" allegedly took payments ranging from ₹5 to 10 lakh each from a gang orchestrating the cheating operation.
In Patna, two examinees were caught red-handed solving the question papers with the assistance of seized answer sheets. The Patna Police have filed FIRs against the examinees and others involved under Sections 407, 408, and 120 B of the Indian Penal Code, pertaining to criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy.
Patna SSP Rajeev Mishra has stated that investigations are underway to determine whether the question papers were leaked prior to the examination. The police received information about the potential leak a few hours before the exam commenced.
Additionally, the police suspect that the paper leak gang charged many candidates between ₹30 to 50 lakh, providing them with question papers for memorization in lodges across Patna. Raids conducted on Monday morning in various hostels and lodges led to the discovery of incriminating documents.
Further arrests were made in Katihar, where seven solvers were apprehended from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, and in Purnia, where four impersonators were identified and arrested during biometric tests.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has refuted claims of a widespread paper leak, although social media has been flooded with allegations to the contrary. Patna SSP Rajiv Mishra emphasized the severity of the situation, highlighting the disruption caused to the integrity of the NEET-UG exam. All the accused, including those involved in a separate Bihar Public Service Commission's Teachers Recruitment Exam (TRE) - 3 paper leak case, have been remanded to judicial custody.
In light of these developments, the NTA has assured the public of stringent measures to combat malpractice, while confirming that the NEET-UG 2024 examination remains unaffected by the alleged leaks, except for a separate incident in Sawai Madhopur.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has voiced strong condemnation against the alleged NEET UG paper leak, stating that it represents a betrayal of the dreams of over 23 lakh students and their families. In a tweet, Gandhi underscored the gravity of the situation, highlighting the impact on students aspiring for college admissions and government jobs. He criticized the Modi government, asserting that its inefficiency has become a curse for the nation's youth.
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