A seemingly vague tip-off to Patna police about “four suspected criminals in an SUV headed to a safe house” three hours before the NEET-UG exam on May 5 has unraveled a suspected nationwide fraud network, casting a shadow of controversy over the medical entrance test and leaving countless aspirants in limbo.
The Tip-Off
Patna’s Shastri Nagar police station acted promptly upon the tip-off, intercepting the four suspects who led them to a gathering of around 30 NEET-UG candidates. Allegedly, these candidates had paid hefty sums ranging from Rs 30-50 lakh for leaked questions and answers, culminating in a compendium at a location in Ram Krishna Nagar the prior day for memorization.
Uncovering the Network
The investigation following the initial raid exposed a sprawling network across several states, implicating numerous medical aspirants and their accomplices. The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) anticipates a protracted endeavor to dismantle the network entirely.
“The tip-off turned out to be precise – just that we didn’t expect it would lead to a Pandora’s box linked to NEET-UG,” remarked Amar Kumar, SHO of Shastri Nagar police station.
The Investigation Progresses
Subsequent investigations led to the apprehension of more individuals linked to the scheme, notably junior engineer Sikandar Yadavendu from the Danapur municipal council. Yadavendu stands accused of supplying question papers and answers to aspirants for memorization, with the recovery of burnt question papers from his residence corroborating the allegations.
Following Yadavendu’s arrest, police apprehended several other individuals, including parents of implicated aspirants.
The case was handed over to the EOU by May 11, with DIG Manavjit Singh Dhillon leading the intensified probe.
The Confessions
Multiple suspects, including Yadavendu, Nitish Kumar, and Amit Anand, admitted to their roles in the paper leak, outlining the intricate details of the operation. Candidates were furnished with duplicate question papers for memorization, subsequently destroying the evidence to cover their tracks.
Photocopies of the question papers were given to the candidates, and they were told to memorize the answers. The duplicate question papers were collected later in the morning and burnt,” a source divulged.
Legal Ramifications
Revelations from an arrested student from Danapur, Yadavendu’s nephew, substantiated suspicions of a paper leak, highlighting the wider involvement of coaching institutes, teachers, and students in the alleged racket. The police have seized substantial incriminating evidence during the ongoing raids, indicting the vast extent of the fraud network.
A Long Road Ahead
While significant progress has been made in unravelling the NEET-UG exam fraud, the authorities recognize the challenging road ahead to dismantle the entire network and uphold the integrity of future examinations.
Conclusion
The expose of the NEET-UG exam fraud in Patna serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of malpractice in high-stakes examinations. It underscores the critical role of vigilance and stringent enforcement to safeguard the sanctity of academic assessments and the aspirations of deserving candidates.