CBI makes first arrest in NEET-UG paper leak case

PATNA: In a significant development in the the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-undergraduate (NEET-UG) paper leak case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday made its first arrest, apprehending Manish Prakash and Ashutosh Kumar. The arrest was made after the duo was summoned for questioning.

Manish Prakash's wife was informed about his arrest over the phone.

Manish Prakash, the prime accused in the case, had booked Learn and Play School in Khemni Chak in the city for a night where the leaked question paper was later found, partially burnt.

The school booking was made through his friend Ashutosh, also an accused, a day before the NEET exam. The CBI is investigating how the leaked paper ended up at the school, and the role of Manish Prakash and Ashutosh Kumar in the paper leak.

Meanwhile, the central probe agency also took remand of Baldev Kumar alias Chintu and Mukesh Kumar. They were brought to the CBI office from Beur Jail for interrogation after going through a medical examination.

The government had postponed the NEET-PG 2024 examinations following rising controversy regarding alleged "irregularities" in the NEET-UG exam held on May 5.

The Bihar government issued a notification on Monday regarding handing over the NEET-UG paper leak case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Notably, the Bihar government handed over the investigation of alleged irregularities in the 2024 NEET-UG exam to the CBI for a thorough probe.

The NTA, which conducted the NEET-UG exams, is facing criticism over alleged irregularities in the exams. This resulted in several protests across the country, with protestors and political parties demanding to disband the NTA.

An unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 out of 720, which added to the concerns.

Facing protests in several parts of the country as well as attacks from the opposition, the Centre removed the chief of the National Testing Agency (NTA) from his post amid the controversy over the alleged irregularities in NEET-UG and the cancellation of the UGC-NET Exam.


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