CBI Arrests Four AIIMS Patna Students in NEET-UG Paper Leak Scandal

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested four medical students from AIIMS Patna in relation to the NEET-UG paper leak case. Several individuals, including the mastermind, are in custody as investigations continue. The scandal has led to widespread criticism of the National Testing Agency and postponed exams.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday detained four medical students from AIIMS Patna over allegations of involvement in the NEET-UG paper leak case. According to CBI sources, the students—Karan Jain, Kumar Sanu, Rahul Anand, and Chandan Singh—allegedly solved test papers for the primary suspect, Pankaj Singh.

The accused have been remanded to four days of CBI custody. Two additional suspects, identified as Pankaj Kumar Singh and Raju Singh, were taken into custody on July 16 from Patna and Hazaribagh, respectively. A senior CBI official indicated that Pankaj managed to acquire the question paper while it was being transferred in a sealed iron trunk from Hazaribagh. Pankaj holds a civil engineering degree from NIT Jamshedpur.

Earlier, the Patna High Court had granted CBI custody to 13 individuals involved in the case. CBI officials are set to interrogate them alongside Rocky, another key figure in the scandal. Rocky, alias Rakesh Ranjan, was arrested in Bihar's Nalanda following an orchestrated operation by the CBI.

A recent series of coordinated raids in locations like Patna and Kolkata aims to unravel the complex network tied to the scandal. The NEET-UG exam, held on May 5, 2024, has faced allegations of cheating and impersonation, leading to a heated controversy.

In the wake of the scandal, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has come under immense scrutiny. Amid protests and legal actions, the Union Health Ministry announced the postponement of the NEET-PG 2024 examination, with new dates pending. The NEET-UG examination serves as a crucial pathway for admissions into medical colleges across India.

On May 5, 2024, around 24 lakh candidates appeared for the NEET-UG exam across 4,750 centres. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)