CBI Arrests Key Figure in NEET-UG Paper Leak Scandal

The CBI arrested Rockey alias Rakesh Ranjan, a key figure in the NEET-UG entrance exam paper leak case. Ranjan, a relative of mastermind Sanjeev Mukhia, was captured near Patna after a prolonged chase. The CBI has registered six FIRs and conducted multiple searches in connection with the case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Rockey alias Rakesh Ranjan on Thursday, one of the alleged masterminds behind the NEET-UG paper leak scandal. Ranjan had been evading authorities ever since the probe into irregularities in the entrance exam began.

Ranjan, who hails from Nalanda and is reportedly a relative of the main accused Sanjeev Mukhia, was apprehended by the CBI on the outskirts of Patna. The agency had been trailing him since the case was handed over to them, finally capturing him on Thursday morning.

Following his arrest, Ranjan was produced before a special court in Patna, where he was remanded to 10 days of CBI custody. The agency has conducted multiple searches in Patna, Kolkata, and other areas, unearthing incriminating evidence connected to the case. Earlier this week, the CBI carried out searches at 15 locations across Bihar and Jharkhand.

This crackdown follows the arrests of officials from Jharkhand's Hazaribagh-based Oasis school and others linked to the disposal of burnt question papers. The CBI has filed six FIRs to date, focusing on paper leaks and candidate impersonation across Bihar, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.

NEET-UG, managed by the National Testing Agency, grants admissions to medical and related courses in various institutions. This year’s exam saw participation from over 23 lakh candidates across 4,750 centers.