CBI’s First NEET Chargesheet Includes Names of Candidates, Parents, and ‘Kingpins’

Submitting its first chargesheet in the NEET-UG paper leak case on Thursday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has mentioned 13 individuals, including four applicants, a young engineer and two masterminds. The paper leak for the medical entrance test had triggered demonstrations in various parts of the nation and provoked requests for a re-examination, but the Supreme Court had ruled against that, indicating that there had not been a systemic breach. 

Asserting that the guardians of some students were also mentioned in the document, authorities from the CBI stated that the agency will also present at least one additional chargesheet as the investigations are in an advanced stage.

Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand are the two masterminds while the four applicants who appear in the chargesheet are Ayush Kumar, Anurag Yadav, Abhishek Kumar, and Shivnandan Kumar. Sikander Yadvendu, a young engineer from Bihar’s Danapur Town Council, is also listed in the document. 

All 13 accused, including the four examinees, were charged under sections dealing with criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy.

During its investigation so far, the CBI believes that Nitish Kumar, a resident of Patna’s Gopalpur, is the primary accused and allegedly one of four “setters”. He, along with Amit Anand and Sikander Yadvendu, planned a conspiracy to leak the paper for a price of Rs 30-32 lakh per student.

The probe also disclosed that Yadvendu had informed Kumar and Anand that he had four learners who were prepared to purchase papers. “Four students were summoned by Amit on the night of May 4 (the eve of the exam) and instructed to solve the leaked question paper and memorize answers,” states the chargesheet.

An official mentioned that the CBI utilized advanced forensic techniques, artificial intelligence, CCTV footage and location analysis, among others, to gather evidence against the accused, which has been laid before the court. 

“The CBI is continuing further investigation against other accused/suspects and on other aspects of the case. Several other accused are already in custody. When the investigation against the other people is complete, one or more supplementary chargesheets will be filed,” the official said. 

So far, the central agency has arrested 40 individuals in this case – including 15 who were arrested by Bihar Police – and conducted searches at 58 locations.

Key Accused

• Nitish Kumar had been imprisoned earlier this year as well in connection with an alleged paper leak in a Bihar Public Services (BPSC) examination.
• Amit Anand, a resident of Mangal Bazar in Munger, has informed the CBI that the question paper was leaked on May 4, a day before the exam.
• Ashutosh Kumar, a Jamui resident living in Rajiv Nagar, Patna, is believed to be an associate of “setter” Amit Anand.
• Roshan Kumar, 35, a resident of Ekangarsarai, Nalanda, also resides in Rajiv Nagar and is an associate of Amit Anand. His role was purportedly to persuade applicants to buy the question paper.
• Anurag Yadav from Danapur, Patna, allegedly approached the “setters”.

Six Cases

The initial case into the alleged NEET-UG irregularities was registered by the Patna Police on May 5 and later transferred to CBI on June 23. The agency filed its first chargesheet in 38 days.

So far, the CBI has registered six first information reports (FIRs). The FIR from Bihar is on the paper leaks while the remaining ones from Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra are regarding impersonation of applicants and cheating. Another, filed on a reference from the Union education ministry, pertains to a “comprehensive investigation” into the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024.

The NEET-UG is conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions. The exam was held across India on May 5 and over 23 lakh learners had appeared for it. 

Accusations of paper leaks and arbitrary grace marks to over 1,500 learners provoked protests, and the opposition has also been criticizing the government over the issue.