Patna: Sanjeev Mukhiya, the alleged mastermind behind the NEET paper leak scandal, was sent to judicial custody on Sunday after the expiry of his four-day remand with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), during which he reportedly revealed crucial details about the cheating network.
Mukhiya, who was earlier taken into custody by the CBI on the orders of a special court, had been under continuous interrogation since Thursday. According to CBI sources, he divulged significant information about the modus operandi of the paper leak syndicate, including how individuals were inducted into the network and the financial transactions involved.
Investigators also questioned Mukhiya about the number of candidates who had allegedly been passed through this illicit system. The CBI is expected to expand its probe into the NEET-UG scam based on Mukhiya’s testimony, focusing on new leads and potentially widening the scope of its FIR.
Prior to the CBI’s involvement, Bihar’s Economic Offences Unit had interrogated Mukhiya in two phases, totalling three days of custodial questioning.
During questioning, Mukhiya is said to have admitted to being in Gujarat on the day of the NEET-UG paper leak last year. He was reportedly stationed just 1.5 kilometres from the Godhra examination centre, where the paper was allegedly leaked. Investigators have also linked a relative of a senior police officer to the deal that facilitated the leak.
Gujarat Police had earlier arrested several individuals in connection with the case, including school principal Purushottam Sharma, teacher Tushar Bhatt, education consultant Parshuram Rai from Vadodara, his associate Vibhor Anand, and broker Arif Vohra.
An officer familiar with the case revealed that Vibhor Anand, who is originally from Lakhisarai district in Bihar, was apprehended from his in-laws’ residence in Darbhanga. He is reportedly related to a police officer of DIG rank. Initial findings indicate he was in contact with Sanjeev Mukhiya. The CBI may now bring Mukhiya to Ahmedabad for further questioning in the Godhra leg of the NEET-UG scam.
