JUNE 27, 2024 : In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its probe into alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG 2024) examination. A special team of the CBI questioned Dr. Ehsanul Haque, principal of Oasis School in Hazaribagh and the district coordinator for the NEET UG examination, on Wednesday. Along with him, several other staff members were also interrogated at the CCL guest house in Charhi, Hazaribagh district. Dr. Haque has firmly denied any involvement in tampering with the question papers, calling the allegations baseless. The investigation, however, has uncovered multiple concerning elements related to the exam's administration.

An eight-member CBI team visited the State Bank of India (SBI) main branch in Hazaribagh. The bank manager, reportedly the custodian of the NEET-UG 2024 question papers, received the papers via courier service in an e-rickshaw, raising security concerns.

A special CBI court in Patna has remanded two accused, Chintu Kumar and Mukesh Kumar, to CBI custody for three days. Chintu Kumar is linked to the notorious Sanjeev Kumar alias Lutan Mukhiya gang and allegedly received the solved answer sheets a day before the exam.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the gang printed and distributed solved answer sheets to students at a safe house in Ram Krishna Nagar, Patna, for memorization on May 4. The leaked papers were traced back to a private school in Hazaribagh.

The CBI is actively searching for other absconding members of the Mukhiya gang. A Delhi CBI team visited a guest house in Patna and the residence of Sikandar Yadavendu, a prime suspect. The guest house was allegedly booked by an individual linked to a prominent Bihar politician. The role of private colleges and institutes in sending solvers on behalf of candidates is under scrutiny. Schools including St. Xavier’s, DAV Public, Holy Cross, and Vivekananda Central are also being investigated.A person from a Kolkata-based educational institute was arrested for taking money from a student's parent, promising a place on the NEET merit list and admission to a medical college.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has urged party MLAs and MLCs to address the NEET irregularities in the upcoming Maharashtra legislature session. Meanwhile, the Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a resolution condemning the irregularities in NEET and NET entrance exams conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The investigation is ongoing, and the CBI is committed to uncovering the full extent of the NEET-UG 2024 exam irregularities. The probe's outcomes are crucial for maintaining the integrity of one of India's most significant entrance examinations.