NEET-UG paper leak case: CBI seizes burnt documents and electronic devices from Bihar Police
- In Reports
- 04:29 PM, Jun 25, 2024
- Myind Staff
CBI has formally assumed control of the investigation into the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak, gathering significant evidence from the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar police.
Evidence collected includes a partially burnt question paper found at a residence in Patna, along with mobile phones, laptops, post-dated cheques, and reference question papers from the National Testing Agency (NTA). These materials are pivotal to the ongoing investigation.
A two-member CBI team, comprising a DIG and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), arrived in Patna to meet with officials from the EOU and officers from the Shastri Nagar Police Station, where the initial case was filed.
The CBI intends to interview the 18 individuals who have been arrested, including the prime suspect Sikandar Yadavendu, his associates, several aspirants, and their parents. The agency may transfer the accused to Delhi for further interrogation, subject to obtaining a transit remand from a court.
According to a source, the CBI has gathered all pertinent evidence from the EOU pertaining to the case. This includes a partially burnt question paper found at a residence in Patna, mobile phones belonging to those arrested, laptops, post-dated cheques, and reference question papers provided by the NTA.
The NTA administered the NEET-UG on May 5 across 4,750 centres, with approximately 24 lakh candidates participating in the examination.
The CBI is anticipated to lodge FIRs concerning the destruction of evidence and initiate cases of disproportionate assets (DA) against certain public servants implicated in the case. According to a source, a DA case might be filed against Sikandar Yadavendu, a junior engineer at the Danapur Town Council who has been arrested.
It is reported that Yadavendu has accumulated substantial assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The source further disclosed that Yadavendu has a criminal history and has previously served a prison sentence.
Several student unions, including the Students' Federation of India (SFI), Tribal Students Union (TSU), Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), and Tribal Youth Federation (TYF), organised widespread protests against allegations of corruption in the NEET exam.
Demonstrators carried placards and chanted slogans in multiple cities, calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The students highlighted the emotional and psychological impact on candidates who had diligently prepared for the exams, only to face setbacks due to alleged corrupt practices.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to abolish NEET and revert to state-conducted exams in response to the paper leak controversy. Banerjee stated, "In light of the paper leak row, PM Modi should consider abolishing NEET and returning to the system of states conducting the exam.
The opposition RJD shared photographs linking accused Amit Anand, Nitish Kumar, and family members of Sanjeev Kumar alias Lutan Mukhiya with leaders of the ruling NDA, calling for a thorough investigation into these connections. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha asserted, "The prime suspect arrested in the NEET paper leak case is linked to officials associated with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav."
Amidst controversies surrounding the NEET and UGC NET examinations, Nationalist Congress Party leader Rohit Pawar led a delegation to meet Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais. They urged for state legislation akin to central government measures to combat exam paper leaks and irregularities.
The CBI continues its investigation, aiming to uncover the extent of corruption and ensure accountability. The agency seeks to deliver justice to affected students and restore integrity to the examination process.
Image source: ANI
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