NEET paper leak case: CBI files first chargesheet against 13 accused

New Delhi: In a major update on NEET paper leak case, the CBI has filed its first chargecheet naming 13 accused in the matter.

Speaking to PTI, the officials confirmed, "The CBI has filed its first charge sheet in the alleged NEET UG examination paper leak case naming 13 people as accused. The charge sheet lists that the accused were allegedly involved in the paper leak and other irregularities."

The CBI has kept the probe open, they said.

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

The agency’s own FIR on a reference from the Union education ministry pertains to a “comprehensive investigation” into the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024.

Also Read:NEET paper leak case update: CBI denies speculative, false media reports

Earlier, the CBI officials had said that CBI has come across reports in a section of the media about the CBI investigation of the NEET 2024 Examination case which have been speculative, misinformed and false. It is advised that the publication of such reports may be completely avoided as that creates an unfounded web of misinformation/opinions. This is not only harmful to the esteemed readers/audience in particular but also to the society in general.

NEET Controversy

This year's NEET UG 2024 exam was mired in controversies after a paper leak scam came to light. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that around 13 people, including four examinees and their family members, were arrested in Bihar for their alleged involvement in the paper leak of the NEET-UG exam. Patna police sources had previously claimed that the NEET-UG question papers along with their answers were provided to around 20 aspirants a day before the date of the exam i.e. May 5, 2024.

Then, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police, which took over the investigation, revealed that the brokers involved in the NEET paper leak scam took between Rs 30 lakh to Rs 50 lakh from each of the medical aspirants in exchange for giving them the question paper of the NEET UG 2024 question paper ahead of the examination.

Multiple pleas have been filed before the High Courts and the Supreme Court seeking an investigation into the alleged paper leak scam. Some of the pleas demanded the scrapping of the NEET UG 2024 exam and holding a retest.

Meanwhile, during the case proceedings, NTA earlier decided to withdraw the grace marks awarded to 1563 candidates and hold an optional retest for those candidates. Those who did not opt for the retest were allowed to retain their original marks, without the grace marks.

The matter is now being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Central Government on June 22, 2024, handed over the charge of investigating in the alleged irregularities in the NEET UG 2024 examination to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).