CBI Makes Key Arrests in NEET-UG Paper Leak Case, Marking Crucial Turn in Investigation
News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/29th June 2024
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took a significant step in the ongoing NEET-UG paper leak investigation by arresting three individuals, including Ehsanul Haq, the principal of Oasis School, and vice-principal Mohammed Imtiaz. This development marks a crucial turn in the probe into one of the most competitive exam leaks in India.
Ehsanul Haq, who also served as the district coordinator for NEET in Hazaribag, had consistently denied involvement in the scandal. He pointed fingers at a private courier company responsible for transporting the exam papers and the State Bank of India (SBI), where the papers were meant to be stored securely until the exam day.
Haq, a frequent presence on television channels, claimed that he had encountered issues opening the digitally locked packet containing the exam questions at 1.15 pm on May 5, just 45 minutes before the exam was scheduled to begin. He stated that he had contacted the National Testing Agency (NTA) control room for assistance. Despite being questioned for three days, Haq maintained that since the investigation revealed the leaked paper was accessed by students the night before the exam, he could not be held accountable for the breach.
However, the investigation revealed discrepancies in Haq’s narrative. CCTV footage showed that booklet no. 6136488, containing the exam paper, was taken directly to Oasis School instead of being deposited at the designated SBI branch. Additionally, Haq’s call records indicated frequent communication with members of the leak mafia.
The CBI collected statements from bank officials, scrutinized CCTV footage, and questioned employees of the courier company. The evidence suggested no tampering occurred during transportation, debunking Haq’s claims. His call to the NTA control room appeared to be a premeditated alibi.
The investigation extended to Patna, where CBI interrogated 13 suspects held at Beur Central Jail. Investigators visited Kankarbagh with two accused to probe the potential involvement of Rocky, the nephew of alleged mastermind Sanjeev Mukhia. Rocky, who owns a hotel in Ranchi, is suspected of arranging solvers for the leaked exam. He remains at large, with CBI conducting searches at his residence and gathering further evidence.
Earlier, the CBI had arrested two men, Ashutosh and Manish, in connection with the case. Ashutosh had rented a play school building in Patna, which served as a safe house for handlers to coach approximately 20-25 students using the leaked questions on the night of May 4. Manish managed the location for a day, bringing the students there before burning the question papers and answers. The Bihar Police discovered the charred remains during a raid on May 5.
Before the case was handed over to the CBI, the Economic Offences Unit of Bihar Police had been investigating and had corroborated the findings. The CBI’s recent arrests and evidence collection underscore the complexity and extensive reach of the paper leak operation.
As the investigation progresses, the CBI continues to piece together the intricate details of the NEET-UG paper leak, aiming to hold all responsible parties accountable and prevent future breaches of such critical examinations.
