NEET paper leak mastermind Sanjeev Mukhia arrested from Patna

NEET paper-leak prime accused Sanjeev Mukhiya was arrested by the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) team in Patna, Bihar, on Thursday night, said Naiyar Hussain Khan, ADG, Bihar Economic Offences Unit.

Mukhiya, a former technical assistant at a government college in Nalanda, is alleged to be the mastermind behind the NEET (UG) 2024 paper leak, news agency PTI reported.

He is also accused in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) Teacher Recruitment Exam (TRE-3) paper leak case held in March 2024.

The NEET (UG) paper leak case is currently being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

According to the report, investigations revealed that Mukhiya’s gang operates across multiple states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan.

The gang is also believed to be responsible for previous paper leaks in recruitment exams for veterinary doctors and English teachers in Haryana, as well as various exams conducted in Uttar Pradesh.

NEET UG paper leak case

The NEET UG exam 2024 for admission to MBBS and other medical courses was held on May 5 across 4,750 centres. Nearly 24 lakh students had appeared in the exam.

Controversy over the NEET UG Exam 2024 erupted after allegations were made about paper leak and grace marks given to more than 1,500 students.

Sanjeev Mukhiya, the accused, allegedly housed around 25 candidates at a boys' hostel linked to Learn Play School in Patna on May 4, 2024, just before the NEET-UG exam. 

According to reports, the candidates were given access to leaked question papers and answer sheets during their stay at the hostel.

Earlier in April, the Bihar Police had announced cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of three criminals. One of then was Sanjeev Mukhiya.

A cash reward of ₹3 lakh was announced for the arrest of Mukhiya. Meanwhile, a cash reward of ₹1 lakh each was announced for providing information leading to the arrests of Shubham Kumar and Rajkishore Kumar.

The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) is interrogating Mukhiya, ADG Nayyar Hasnain Khan was quoted by news agency IANS as saying.

The NEET-UG exam, administered by NTA, is the key gateway for admissions into MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other allied courses in both government and private institutions nationwide.