The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) confirmed before the Supreme Court that the NEET-UG paper leak occurred at Hazaribagh’s Oasis School on May 5, the day of the exam. This marks the first official claim by the CBI since it began investigating the case in June. The CBI revealed that not only was the exam paper leaked, but it was also solved within the same school premises.
Key Figures in Custody
Oasis School principal Ehsanul Haque and center superintendent Imtiyaz Alam are currently in CBI custody in connection with the case. Both have denied any involvement in the wrongdoing. The CBI stated they have substantial evidence, including post-dated cheques, indicating that Haque and Alam accepted money for their roles in the leak. The payments were made in multiple transactions rather than a single lump sum, highlighting the premeditated nature of the conspiracy.
Modus Operandi of the Leak
The CBI detailed the alleged modus operandi during the hearing. One of the alleged kingpins, identified as Pankaj Kumar alias Aditya, gained unauthorized access to the school’s strongroom on the morning of the exam. Armed with a toolkit, Kumar managed to photograph the question paper and transmitted the images to a “Solver Gang” in Hazaribagh. This gang comprised medical students who were specifically called upon to solve the paper.
The CBI presented CCTV footage as evidence, showing Kumar entering the school campus at 7:12 AM. Despite the front door of the strongroom being locked and the key held by the center superintendent, the inside bolt of the rear door was deliberately left unfastened. This arrangement was part of a broader conspiracy involving the center superintendent and the city coordinator. Kumar entered the strongroom at 8:02 AM through the rear door and exited at 9:23 AM after completing his illicit task.
The Solver Network
Following Kumar’s entry and exit from the strongroom, he sent the photographs of the question paper to another accused individual. This person then disseminated the images to a group of solvers. The solvers printed the photos, solved the questions, and scanned the completed papers. The scanned copies were subsequently distributed to various locations in Hazaribagh and Patna, facilitating the cheating process.
Scale of the Leak
Responding to Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud’s inquiry, the CBI confirmed that their investigation identified only four locations in Bihar, specifically Patna and Hazaribagh, where the solved papers were sent. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, informed the court that a total of 155 students benefited from the leak: 30 in Patna and 125 in Hazaribagh. This revelation underscores the widespread nature of the malpractice and raises significant concerns about the examination’s integrity.
Continuing Investigation
The Supreme Court hearing is still ongoing, with the CBI continuing its investigation to uncover more details and potential broader implications of the leak. The agency’s revelations have sparked significant concern regarding the integrity of the examination process and the extent of corruption within the system. The ongoing probe aims to identify all individuals involved in the conspiracy and ensure that justice is served.
Impact and Future Directions
The Supreme Court is expected to deliver further directions based on the findings and ongoing investigations by the CBI. The case has highlighted the vulnerabilities within the examination system and the need for robust measures to prevent such incidents in the future. As the investigation progresses, it is hoped that comprehensive solutions will be implemented to safeguard the credibility of competitive exams like NEET-UG, ensuring a fair and transparent process for all candidates.
(With inputs from agencies)
