New Delhi [India], April 25: In a major breakthrough in the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police arrested Sanjeev Mukhiya, the alleged mastermind behind the leak, on Thursday night, officials confirmed.
“Sanjeev Mukhiya was arrested by our team last night,” said Naiyar Hussain Khan, Additional Director General, Bihar EOU.
Mukhiya, who had been on the run for several months, was declared a wanted man with a ₹3 lakh reward announced for any information leading to his arrest.
🕵️♂️ Background: A Coordinated Conspiracy
Earlier investigations led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) exposed an elaborate network involving school officials, middlemen, and coaching centers. The paper was allegedly stolen from the OASIS School control room in Hazaribagh on May 5, 2024, just ahead of the national-level medical entrance test.
As per the CBI:
- Pankaj Kumar, one of the accused, entered the control room with the help of Principal Ahsanul Haque and Vice Principal Imtiyaz Alam.
- Kumar tampered with the trunk, photographed the entire question paper, resealed it, and exited undetected.
- Solved question papers were distributed at Raj Guest House in Hazaribagh and sent digitally to prearranged locations.
- Students who had paid hefty sums in advance were provided access to the paper.
- The CBI recovered half-burnt pages of the question paper from Learn Play School in Patna, which ultimately led them back to the OASIS School.
🔒 What Happens Next?
With Sanjeev Mukhiya in custody, the EOU and CBI are expected to:
- Interrogate him to identify the full extent of the network.
- Track the financial transactions and digital trails.
- Possibly make more high-profile arrests, including other facilitators and candidates’ guardians.
This high-profile arrest comes amid rising public concern over the integrity of competitive exams and the safety of students’ futures. Mukhiya’s arrest is likely to provide further insight into how such a sophisticated racket operated across state lines and breached the tight protocols of a national exam.
The NEET-UG exam, which determines admission to undergraduate medical courses in India, is taken by over 20 lakh students annually and is considered one of the most competitive and high-stakes tests in the country.