CBI arrests two from Patna in NEET UG paper leak case

On Sunday, the National Testing Agency (NTA) sent show-cause notices threatening exclusion to 17 candidates in Patna, based on a report sent to the Center by the Economic Offenses Branch of Bihar Police.

Students stage protest over NEET-UG and UGC-NET paper leak scandal. (File Photo)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday arrested two persons in connection with alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam, days after registering a criminal case.

On Sunday, the National Testing Agency (NTA) issued debarment notices to 17 candidates in Patna based on a report sent to the Center by the Economic Offenses Branch of Bihar Police.

The arrested were identified as Manish Kumar and Ashutosh Kumar.

After the CBI registered a criminal case, the Bihar and Gujarat governments issued notifications to transfer local NEET-UG ‘paper leak’ cases to the central agency. “An FIR has been registered at the Godhra Taluka police station in connection with the malpractices committed during this examination. The state government has decided to hand over the investigation into the matter to the CBI so that an extensive probe can be conducted into the entire case,” a statement from the Gujarat government said.

On Saturday, the Ministry of Education announced the formation of an expert committee headed by former ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan to examine exam reforms and review the functioning of the NTA. The ministry also removed Subodh Kumar Singh as NTA chief on Saturday.

First posted: 2024-06-27 15:04 EST