CBI Arrests First-Year MBBS Student in NEET-UG Paper Leak Case

The CBI has arrested a first-year MBBS student from RIMS, Ranchi, in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak. Further investigations led to the custody of four AIIMS Patna students and two others. Allegations of cheating have marred the NEET-UG 2024 exam, leading to protests and legal actions.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has detained a first-year MBBS student from the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi regarding the NEET-UG paper leak case. The student was questioned on Wednesday and was subsequently taken into custody on Thursday.

'The student belongs to the 2023 batch and is in their first year. She is now under CBI custody,' stated Rajiv Ranjan, Public Relations Officer at RIMS. Ranjan further clarified that the CBI initially sought information from the institution and later proceeded with the student's custody for further investigation.

On Thursday, the CBI apprehended four additional medical students from AIIMS Patna in relation to the same case. The accused, identified as Karan Jain, Kumar Sanu, Rahul Anand, and Chandan Singh, allegedly assisted the main accused, Pankaj Singh, in solving the papers. All perpetrators have been remanded to four days of CBI custody.

Further arrests were made on July 16, with Pankaj Kumar Singh and Raju Singh detained in Patna and Hazaribagh, respectively. The NEET-UG exam, conducted on May 5, 2024, has faced serious allegations of cheating and impersonation.

The National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting the exam, has been heavily criticized, resulting in protests and legal actions. Consequently, the Union Health Ministry has postponed the NEET-PG 2024 exam, with new dates to be announced. The NEET-UG administered by NTA is crucial for admissions into MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and related courses in both government and private institutions nationwide.

The NEET-UG 2024 took place across 4,750 centers with approximately 24 lakh candidates appearing for the exam. (ANI)