CBI Files 5th Chargesheet in NEET-UG 2024 Question Paper Theft Case

Patna (Bihar), November 22: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed its fifth chargesheet in the NEET-UG 2024 question paper theft case, implicating five individuals. The chargesheet was submitted to the Court of Special Judge for CBI in Patna, detailing a wide array of charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018).

The accused include Amit Kumar Singh from Dhanbad, Sudip Kumar and Yuvraj Kumar from Bokaro, Abhimanyu Patel from Nalanda, and Amit Kumar from Patna. This brings the total number of chargesheeted individuals in the case to 45, all of whom are in judicial custody.

Key Developments in the Case:

1. Background of the Investigation:
   The CBI took over the case from the Shastri Nagar Police Station, Patna, on June 23, following allegations of a paper leak during the NEET-UG 2024 exam conducted on May 5. The exam is organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for medical admissions.
2. Theft Details:
   The stolen question paper was traced back to the control room of OASIS School, Hazaribagh, where it was tampered with after arriving from a bank vault. As per the CBI, accused Pankaj Kumar entered the control room with the assistance of the school’s Principal, Ahsanul Haque, and Vice Principal, Imtiyaz Alam.
3. Modus Operandi:
   • Pankaj Kumar manipulated the trunk containing the question papers, photographed its contents, and resealed the trunk.
   • The stolen paper was handed to accomplice Surendra Kumar Sharma at a guest house, where a group of MBBS students solved the paper.
   • The solved papers were distributed to candidates who had paid in advance. Digital copies were also sent to various locations for further distribution.
4. Evidence:
   Half-burnt question papers found at Learn Play School in Patna linked the crime to OASIS School.
5. Implications:
   Beneficiaries of the leaked paper, including candidates and impersonators, have been identified and reported to the NTA and the Ministry of Education.

The CBI previously filed four chargesheets in the case on August 1, September 19, October 5, and November 7, naming 40 other accused. The investigation continues to uncover the extent of the conspiracy.