NEET-UG Exam: CBI Names 13 Accused In First Charge Sheet In Paper Leak Case

CBI stated that it used advanced forensic techniques, artificial intelligence, CCTV footage, and (mobile) tower location analysis to gather evidence.

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday filed its first charge sheet in the alleged NEET- UG examination paper leak case, naming 13 people as accused. The chargesheet, filed before a special CBI court in Patna, stated that the accused were involved in cheating, criminal consipracy, and destruction of evidence, among others.

The 13 accused named in the chargesheet include: Nitish Kumar, Amit Anand, Sikander Yadvendu, Ashutosh Kumar-1, Roshan Kumar, Manish Prakash, Ashutosh Kumar-2, Akhilesh Kumar, Avdesh Kumar, Anurag Yadav, Abhishek Kumar, Shivnandan Kumar and Ayush Raj.

All the accused were nabbed by Bihar Police during its probe between May 5, the date of examination, and the day CBI took over investigation on June 23, officials told news agency PTI. The agency also stated that it utilised Artificial Intelligence, advanced Forensic Techniques, CCTV footage, and tower location analysis, in order to gather evidence against those involved.

So far, a total of 40 accused have been arrested, including 25 arrested by the CBI, and 15 by the Bihar Police. The central agency has also conducted searches at 58 different locations.

During its investigation in the NEET paper leak case, CBI had arrested the key accused Pankaj Kumar, who had stolen the question paper from Oasis School in connivance with its principal Ehsanul Haque.

Besides him, the National Testing Agency city coordinator, and vice principal Imtiaz Alam, who was also the centre superintendent on examination day was also arrested by CBI.

"All three have been arrested by the agency. Their roles will be part of upcoming charge sheets," the officials said.

The central probe agency, which is investigating the alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam, has lodged six FIRs.

The FIR from Bihar pertains to paper leak while the remaining ones from Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra are related to impersonation of candidates and cheating.

The agency's own FIR on a reference from the Union Education ministry pertains to a probe into the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024.

The NEET-UG is a medical examination conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses, in both government and private institutions.

This year, NTA conducted the exam across 4,750 centres in 571 cities, including 14 abroad. Over 23 lakh candidates appeared for the medical test. 

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