Patna: The investigation into the alleged NEET paper leak network in Bihar is expected to intensify after the arrest of several suspects from Nalanda, with officials suspecting links to a wider “solver gang” operating across multiple districts.
Sources said the case could now come under deeper scrutiny by the Central Bureau of Investigation following the Central Government’s decision to hand over the broader NEET paper leak probe to the agency.
Investigators believe the accused were part of a highly organised network involved in examination malpractice.
Several Arrests Made In Connection With Case
Among those arrested so far are:
- Awadhesh Kumar
- Aman Kumar
- Pankaj Kumar
Police are currently examining the role played by each accused individual.
Authorities said the network allegedly operated across several districts and relied on impersonators, commonly referred to as “solvers”, to appear for candidates during the examination.
Medical Student Among Accused
Police are continuing raids to arrest Ujjwal alias Raja Babu, a second-year MBBS student at Pawapuri Medical College who is suspected of facilitating the malpractice operation.
So far, seven accused individuals — including another medical student — have been arrested and sent to jail.
Candidates Allegedly Charged Up To Rs 60 Lakh
According to investigators, the alleged racket extorted between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 60 lakh from candidates in exchange for guaranteeing success in the NEET examination.
During interrogation, accused individuals reportedly told police that:
- advance payments ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh were collected initially
- impersonators were then arranged to appear at examination centres on behalf of candidates
Racket Exposed During Vehicle Check
The case first came to light on the night of May 2 after police intercepted several suspects during routine vehicle checking within the jurisdiction of Pawapuri Police Station.
Police said cash and several important documents were recovered during the search.
Subsequent examination of the suspects’ mobile phones allegedly revealed:
- admit cards
- chats with candidates
- records of financial transactions
Officials said the findings exposed the wider network behind the operation.
Network Spread Across Multiple Districts
Police believe the network extended beyond Nalanda into districts including:
- Muzaffarpur
- Aurangabad
- Jamui
Based on leads gathered from the initial arrests, four more suspects were later apprehended.
Gaurav Kumar Singh said raids were continuing to trace the alleged mastermind and unravel the full extent of the network.
Investigators believe more major revelations could emerge as the probe progresses.
