Patna: The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar Police has arrested two doctors accused of masterminding a network allegedly involved in manipulating the NEET-UG and Re-NEET examinations, along with a third person suspected of supporting the operation.
The agency identified the two alleged masterminds as Dr Ujjwal Raj and Dr Ravishankar, also known as Samrat. Both are final-year MBBS students at Mahavir Institute of Medical Sciences in Pawapuri, Nalanda.
The EOU said Ujjwal was arrested on August 11 and Ravishankar on August 12 outside the MBBS supplementary examination centre at Aryabhatta Knowledge University in Patna. They had gone there to appear for their third-year supplementary examination.
The arrests were made with the assistance of Jakkanpur police and the university administration, according to the agency.
Proxy Candidates And Biometric Manipulation
The EOU alleges that the network manipulated competitive examinations by replacing genuine candidates with ‘solvers’ or proxy candidates, altering biometric information and arranging forged documents.
Investigators said the substitution process was allegedly planned from the time examination forms were filled. Biometric data of proxy candidates was allegedly substituted for that of genuine candidates with the assistance of some authorised Aadhaar agents and Common Service Centre operators.
The gang allegedly also used photo-morphing techniques to bypass biometric verification, after which proxy candidates appeared for examinations in place of the actual candidates.
According to the EOU, candidates were charged between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 30 lakh for the service.
Forged Certificates Also Allegedly Arranged
The investigation found that the alleged network’s activities extended beyond impersonation during examinations.
The EOU said the gang allegedly arranged forged income, caste and disability certificates for use during NEET counselling.
Investigators also found evidence that the network allegedly organised travel arrangements for proxy candidates appearing in the Re-NEET examination, suggesting that their movements and verification procedures were planned in advance.
Cash And Documents Recovered
The EOU said a Scorpio vehicle and Rs 2.95 lakh allegedly collected for arranging a proxy candidate in NEET were recovered from Ujjwal.
His name had also emerged during an investigation into a 2024 NEET-UG case involving the alleged use of about seven proxy candidates. The EOU said he is currently on anticipatory bail from the Patna High Court in that case. His wife was also a candidate for the Re-NEET examination, according to investigators.
Acting on information allegedly provided by Ravishankar, the EOU arrested his brother Ashwini Kumar from Sandhya Heights Apartment in Ramkrishna Nagar.
Kumar, who works as a sales executive, is accused of providing support to the alleged network. The agency subsequently searched his rented accommodation at Sunaina Apartment near Jakariyapul.
Investigators said they recovered blank MBBS examination booklets from Aryabhatta Knowledge University, along with admit cards for candidates appearing in examinations including AEDO, NEET, BPSSC and CBSE.
School marksheets, original certificates, transfer certificates and Rs 2 lakh in cash belonging to several candidates were also allegedly recovered. Nearly two dozen blank bank cheques bearing signatures and substantial amounts were also seized, according to the EOU.
35 Arrested So Far
An FIR concerning alleged NEET-UG irregularities was registered at Pawapuri on May 3, while another FIR relating to the Re-NEET examination was registered in Lakhisarai on June 21.
The investigations into the two cases led the EOU to information about the alleged network and its members.
The agency said 35 people have so far been arrested in connection with irregularities in the NEET and Re-NEET examinations.
The EOU is now examining the documents and material recovered during the latest arrests and investigating the alleged roles of other individuals and candidates linked to the network.
