NEET Paper Leak Scandal Rocks Bihar: Questions-Answers allegedly given to 20 Aspirants Day Before Exam

Patna: In a shocking revelation regarding the alleged NEET paper leak scandal in Bihar, Patna police sources claimed that the question papers of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) exam along with their answers were provided to around 20 aspirants a day before the date of exam i.e. May 5, 2024.

Officials informed that the Bihar Police have so far arrested 13 people, including four examinees and their family members, in connection with the alleged question paper leak of the NEET-UG exam.

Investigation into the "paper leak" was handed over to the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar Police on Friday, they said. An EOU release, as quoted by PTI, stated in this regard, "The case was being investigated by a special team of the Patna Police till now. A total of 13 people, including four examinees and their family members, have been arrested so far. Besides, one of the arrested accused is also involved in the Bihar Public Service Commission's (BPSC) Teachers Recruitment Exam (TRE)-3 paper leak case."

"All the accused are in judicial custody and EOU sleuths will start their custodial interrogation. Police have already seized incriminating documents and electronic devices from the possession of the accused. Investigations so far have revealed that the question papers of NEET-UG and their answers were provided to around 35 aspirants before the May 5 exam," it mentioned, adding that further investigation is underway.

Meanwhile, Patna police sources informed that candidates from different places across the State were brought to a rented accommodation at Ramkrishna Nagar, TOI has reported. The candidates were given the question papers for NEET at the rented place.

Also Read: Over dozen individuals including 14 impersonators held for cheating in NEET 2024

Commenting on the matter, a senior police officer informed the Times of India on the condition of anonymity, "During interrogation, the accused revealed that Sikander Yadavendu (56) — also among those arrested on May 5 — had rented two-three rooms at the two-storey house in Monhanpur locality of Ramkrishna Nagar, close to Patna bypass, where he brought more than 20 medical aspirants on May 4 in two cars. The vehicles were later seized."

The officer further informed that Yadavendu, who hails from the Samastipur District, gave the aspirants the question papers and answers. Mentioning that the search for the other accused was still underway, the police officer added, "We are trying to verify the statement and find out the whereabouts of the other aspirants involved in the matter.” “Ahead of the NEET, he rented the rooms at the secluded house, where a play school used to run before the outbreak of Covid pandemic. From there only, the candidates were taken to the exam centres on May 5."

As per the Daily, the Patna police had received a tip-off about the suspected paper leak about a few hours before the exam. The accused Yadavendu, along with his driver Bittu Kumar, who hails from Rohtas district, were arrested from the Shastri Nagar police station area. Meanwhile, the aspirants and their parents were also held after the exam.

Also Read: NEET 2024 Cheating Scandal: More than 24 culprits including 14 impersonators arrested by Bihar Police

"When the police team raided his rented flat, they recovered some burned question papers, which are being verified by the investigation team. Three others – Roshan Kumar, Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand – were arrested from the flat with laptops and cellphones," the police officer informed.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Bihar Police had arrested more than two dozen individuals, including 14 impersonators and candidates for cheating in the NEET UG 2024 exam. Among those arrested, an FIR was registered against 14 people, who were accused of impersonating registered candidates during the examination. During the interrogation, the accused known as "solvers" had revealed that Rs 5-10 lakh each was given to several centres by the gang members.

Earlier the National Testing Agency (NTA) had issued a clarification ensuring fair conduct of the NEET 2024 examination and it allowed 120 candidates to reappear for the exam after the question papers were distributed incorrectly at an exam centre. While several social media posts claimed that NEET 2-24 question paper was leaked, NTA had denied such claims.

In the notice, NTA stated that "it assures the public that apart from this isolated incident, the NEET (UG) 2024 examination commenced smoothly and is being conducted peacefully at all other examination centres across the country. The NTA emphasizes that this incident has not compromised the integrity of the examination process at other centres."

Also Read: Incorrect distribution of NEET 2024 question paper, NTA allows 120 aspirants to reappear in exam, denies 'paper-leak' claims