The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Rakesh Ranjan, also known as Rocky, a key figure in the NEET-UG paper leak scandal, from Dhanbad, Jharkhand. Following his arrest, he was presented in CBI court, where he was remanded to the agency’s custody for ten days.
Rocky is implicated in the paper leak case linked to Hazaribagh-Patna. Utilizing advanced technology, authorities were able to trace him, prompting searches at four locations in Patna and West Bengal associated with him.
Reportedly, Rocky is related to the mastermind Sanjeev Mukhia. The CBI has been monitoring his movements since it took over the investigation. His attempts to evade capture came to an end on Thursday morning when he was apprehended by the agency.
On the same day, the Supreme Court postponed the hearing regarding the NEET-UG 2024 case, citing that some involved parties had yet to receive the latest affidavits from the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA). The rescheduled hearing date is set for July 18, delaying discussions on petitions calling for a re-examination of NEET-UG 2024 due to alleged paper leaks and misconduct.
Earlier in the week, the CBI executed searches at 15 locations across Bihar and Jharkhand, collecting vital evidence related to the case.
Previously, the agency arrested the principal and vice principal of Oasis School in Hazaribagh, along with two others, for allegedly providing a location for NEET candidates, where burnt question papers were discovered by Bihar Police.
To date, the CBI has filed six FIRs connected to the alleged irregularities in the medical entrance examination. One FIR in Bihar pertains to paper leaks, while additional FIRs from Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra involve incidents of candidate impersonation and cheating.
The investigation by the CBI was initiated following a directive from the Union Education Ministry to thoroughly investigate the exam-related irregularities.
NEET-UG, administered by the NTA, is a crucial examination for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and related courses in both public and private educational institutions. This year’s exam took place on May 5 across 4,750 centers in 571 cities, including 14 international locations, with over 23 lakh candidates participating.