NEET Papers Sold for Rs 30-32 lakh, Cops Traced Burnt Documents’, admit Mastermind & students
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) 2024 paper leak scandal took a dramatic turn on Thursday, with the accused confessing to the police about their involvement. Four individuals, including a NEET aspirant and his uncle, were arrested by the Bihar Police. The shocking revelation detailed how question papers were sold for a hefty sum of Rs 30-32 lakh to certain candidates a day before the exam, which was held on May 5.
The primary accused, Anurag Yadav, his uncle Sikandar Yadavendu, and two others, Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand, admitted to the police that they were involved in the scheme. Anurag Yadav, a student at the Allen Institute in Kota, confessed that his uncle arranged for the NEET papers in advance. This early access allowed him to memorize the answers, which matched the questions in the actual exam.
Sikandar Yadavendu, a junior engineer at the Danapur Municipal Council, disclosed that Amit Anand and Nitish Kumar informed him about the paper leak. They proposed a deal, stating that the leaked papers would cost Rs 30-32 lakh. Yadavendu, motivated by greed, inflated the amount and demanded Rs 40 lakh from each of the four students he was in contact with.
On May 4, a day before the exam, Yadavendu took Anurag Yadav and three other students, Ayush Kumar, Shivanand Kumar, and Abhishek Kumar, to a location where they were given the leaked questions and answer keys. The students spent the day cramming the answers. When Anurag sat for the exam the following day, he found the questions identical to those he had memorized.
However, the scheme unraveled when the police arrested Anurag Yadav after the exam. This arrest led to the detention of his uncle and subsequently, the masterminds Amit Anand and Nitish Kumar. The latter two admitted their roles in the paper leak during police interrogation. They also guided the police to the site where the leaked papers were distributed and some of the remaining burnt documents were found.
The incident has cast a shadow over the NEET exam, which was taken by about 24 lakh aspirants nationwide. Allegations of the paper leak have significantly tarnished the credibility of the exam process. Moreover, the results, announced on June 5, were already controversial due to the awarding of grace marks to over 1,500 candidates.
This paper leak scandal highlights the pervasive issue of corruption and malpractice in competitive exams in India. It underscores the need for stricter measures and surveillance to ensure the integrity of such critical examinations. As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge, potentially implicating further individuals in the conspiracy.
