Patna: Patna has been rocked by revelations of a NEET exam paper leak and the employment of imposters to write the exam on behalf of candidates. The NEET exam, conducted nationwide on May 5, has come under scrutiny following intelligence shared by the Jharkhand Special Task Force (STF) with Patna Police, prompting swift action from the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) and local authorities. An FIR has been lodged, leading to the arrest of five individuals who are currently undergoing interrogation.
The nefarious operation, akin to scenes from the movie “Munna Bhai MBBS,” targeted young candidates, resembling the fictional character Rustam, and enticed them with promises of academic success and wealth. Gang leaders scouted for potential scholars, particularly eyeing first-year medical college students impressed by their lavish lifestyle and expensive motorcycles.
The crackdown initiated from Ranchi, where the STF arrested a solver from an examination center after receiving information about paper leaks. Subsequent leads led to the apprehension of two additional solvers. The intelligence chain extended to Patna, where the first arrest occurred at the DAV Public School examination center. The detained solver, taking the exam on behalf of a student from Chhapra, was found utilizing electronic devices during the examination. Following his arrest, four more individuals were apprehended, as per the solver’s divulgence.
Raids are ongoing not only in Patna but also in Muzaffarpur, Buxar, Bhojpur, and Nalanda. Various localities in Patna, including Kankarbagh, Patrakar Nagar, Ramakrishna Nagar, Ashok Rajpath, and Mahendru, have been targeted in the ongoing operation.
The arrested solver disclosed the intricate workings of the operation, revealing a prearranged deal of Rs 5 lakh with a student. Funds were distributed from the examination center to the solver, whose role was to surreptitiously access answers on electronic devices and transcribe them during the exam.
Among the apprehended individuals, three are identified as medical students pursuing MBBS degrees across different medical colleges. Their involvement underscores the allure of easy money and the exploitation of their knowledge and experience in such nefarious schemes.
