CBI Arrests NEET-UG Paper Leak Kingpin from Patna

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested the alleged kingpin of the Bihar NEET-UG paper leak case from Patna. The individual, identified as Rakesh Ranjan alias Rocky, has been accused of orchestrating the leak and arranging solvers for the exams. This arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the investigation of one of India’s most high-profile exam fraud cases.

Rocky, a hotel operator in Ranchi, Jharkhand, is alleged to have obtained the NEET-UG question paper and circulated it to students via an accomplice named Chintu. Chintu then printed the papers along with the answers and distributed them to candidates. The CBI’s investigation revealed that Rocky hired several MBBS students from Patna and Ranchi as solvers for the exams, further deepening the conspiracy.

Following Rocky’s arrest, the CBI conducted searches at multiple locations in Patna and Kolkata, recovering incriminating documents that could provide further evidence of the extensive network involved in the scam. Officials stated that these documents would be crucial in unraveling the full extent of the fraud and identifying all participants.

In a related development, a local court has granted the CBI 10-day custody of Rocky for thorough interrogation. This period will be critical for the investigation as it allows the probe agency to extract more information from the accused and possibly make further arrests.

The CBI’s recent actions are part of an intensified effort to clamp down on irregularities in the NEET-UG exams, which have sparked nationwide outrage among students and parents. The agency has registered six FIRs in connection with the NEET-UG case, covering paper leaks, impersonation, and cheating across multiple states, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.

Rocky’s arrest comes just two days after the CBI detained two other individuals from Patna, including a NEET-UG candidate named Sunny from Nalanda and Ranjit Kumar, the father of another candidate from Gaya. These arrests are part of a broader strategy to dismantle the entire network responsible for the NEET-UG exam fraud.

So far, the CBI has arrested nine individuals in Bihar and additional suspects in Gujarat, Latur, Godhra, and Dehradun. The agency took over the investigation following widespread protests and demands for a thorough probe into the alleged exam irregularities.

The NEET-UG exam, a critical gateway for aspiring medical students in India, has been plagued by issues of malpractice, causing significant distress to genuine candidates. The CBI’s ongoing investigation aims to restore faith in the examination process and ensure that only deserving students secure admission to medical colleges.

Rocky’s arrest is expected to lead to further revelations about the modus operandi of the fraudsters and their connections across different states. The CBI’s relentless pursuit of justice in this case underscores its commitment to upholding the integrity of India’s educational system.

As the investigation progresses, more details are likely to emerge, shedding light on the full scale of the NEET-UG paper leak scandal. The CBI’s efforts are crucial in ensuring that such malpractices do not recur, preserving the sanctity of competitive exams in India.