NEET UG Paper Leak Row: CBI files first charge sheet; names 13 people as accused

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed its first charge sheet in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2024 paper leak case today, August 1. The charge sheet has been filed against 13 people as accused in NEET UG 2024 paper leak case.

The charge sheet lists that the accused were allegedly involved in the paper leak and other irregularities, officials said. So far 40 people including 15 initially arrested by Bihar Police have been arrested in connection with the paper leak row.

The central probe agency, which is investigating the alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam, has lodged six FIRs. The FIR from Bihar pertains to paper leak while the remaining ones from Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra are regarding impersonation of candidates and cheating, news agency PTI reported.

NEET UG 2024 paper leak: Charge sheet against 13 accused

The accused persons named in the chargesheet include Nitish Kumar, Amit Anand, Sikander Yadvendu, Ashutosh Kumar-1, Roshan Kumar, Manish Prakash, Ashutosh Kumar-2, Akhilesh Kumar, Avdesh Kumar, Anurag Yadav, Abhishek Kumar, Shivnandan Kumar and Ayush Raj.

As per CBI, it used advanced techniques and AI in the investigation. "CBI has utilized advanced Forensic Techniques, Artificial Intelligence Technology, CCTV footages, Tower location analysis, etc. to gather evidence against the accused", the agency in a statement said.

NEET 2024 Row: 40 accused arrested so far

The CBI is continuing its investigation against other accused individuals and aspects of the case. Several accused are already in police or judicial custody. Once the investigation against these individuals is complete, supplementary charge sheets will be filed, the agency informed. To date, the CBI has arrested 40 accused, including 15 initially arrested by Bihar Police, and has conducted searches at 58 locations.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the NEET UG 2024 exam was on May 5. The exam was held at 4,750 centres in 571 cities, including 14 abroad. More than 23 lakh candidates appeared the medical entrance test this year.