Hazaribagh/Patna: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) made significant strides in the NEET paper leak case, apprehending three individuals from Oasis School on Friday. Among those arrested were Principal Ehsan-ul-Haq, Vice Principal Imtiaz Alam, and journalist Jamaluddin. The arrests follow a previous operation in Patna, Bihar, where two suspects were detained on June 27.
Throughout Friday, CBI officials interrogated the suspects intensively, including Ehsan-ul-Haq, aiming to corroborate evidence gathered thus far. The investigative team plans to conduct on-site verifications to substantiate their findings.
Sources from both the CBI and local police disclosed that the NEET question papers, initially destined for Hazaribagh’s Nutan Nagar Center, were diverted to Oasis School via courier service Blue Dart on May 3. Subsequently, the papers were distributed from the school, raising suspicions of tampering.
Concerns also extend to the UGC NET examination, which was held at Oasis School. Investigators are probing whether the UGC NET question papers might have been compromised under similar circumstances. The CBI seized a mobile phone and laptop belonging to Vice Principal Imtiaz Alam, suspecting their involvement in the alleged leak.
In a parallel development in Patna, CBI operatives accompanied accused individuals Chintu and Mukesh to their associate Rocky’s residence in Kankarbagh. Evidence reportedly recovered from Rocky’s premises is pivotal to the ongoing investigation. Rocky had evaded arrest after Chintu’s apprehension in Deoghar.
Further scrutiny of mobile records belonging to Chintu, Mukesh, Ashutosh, and Manish Kumar revealed a nexus among the suspects spanning six months. Each member allegedly had distinct responsibilities in the operation.
Previously, the CBI arrested Manish Prakash and Ashutosh from Patna on June 27, linking them to the NEET paper leak case. The investigation, which commenced on June 26 following a takeover from Bihar Police’s Economic Offenses Unit (EOU), has led to over 27 arrests across five states.
During interrogation, the school principal faced scrutiny over discrepancies observed in the packet of question papers. Queries about tampering, evidenced by professional sealing anomalies and delayed distribution to exam halls, prompted detailed responses from the principal, who also serves as the city coordinator for the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The CBI’s investigation spans Bihar, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, aiming to trace the mastermind behind the paper leak. Authorities suspect that those apprehended so far may have acted as intermediaries, with the actual orchestrator yet to be identified. Further inquiries will delve into the involvement of known criminal elements in the intricate web of the case.
