Maharashtra Student Arrested for NEET Exam Paper Leak

Arrest of Student Linked to NEET Exam Paper Leak

A student from Nashik, Maharashtra, has been apprehended by local police for allegedly obtaining a physical copy of the 'predicted' question paper for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG). The individual, identified as Shubham Khairnar, is currently pursuing a medical degree in Bhopal. He reportedly received this physical copy shortly before the NEET exam scheduled for May 3. A senior officer from the Rajasthan police, who is involved in the investigation led by the Special Operations Group (SOG), indicated that Khairnar had shared a soft copy of the paper with a person in Haryana. The officer noted that the inquiry aims to trace the origins of the physical question paper.

According to a senior SOG official, the leaked 'predicted' paper originated from a printing press in Nashik and was utilized in either Haryana or Rajasthan. They suspect that the actual leaked question paper was used to create the predicted version.

The investigation has revealed a well-organized nationwide network that includes document forgers and exam impersonators. Officials reported that the handwritten 'predicted' paper matched 120 out of 150 questions from the original biology and chemistry papers. This predicted paper was sold to staff at paying guest accommodations and coaching centers for NEET students, containing a total of 410 questions along with answers.

Additionally, the Rajasthan police have detained a counselor from a coaching center in Sikar, who allegedly purchased the predicted paper for 500,000 rupees and sold it to NEET candidates via WhatsApp. Notably, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had previously raided an accountant's office at a prominent coaching center in Sikar in connection with the 2021 REET exam paper leak case. SOG officials confirmed that the academy remains under their scrutiny.

The SOG's investigation has uncovered a network of at least 45 individuals across Maharashtra, Kerala, Haryana, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand who provided 'predicted' papers to NEET candidates. The inquiry was initiated after it was discovered that at least 120 questions from the NEET exam held on May 3 were similar to those circulated in WhatsApp groups as 'predicted' papers. SOG officials believe that someone had access to the actual question paper, which served as the basis for creating the model paper. Narshi Ram, the NEET coordinator for the National Testing Agency (NTA) in Sikar, reported that after the exam concluded peacefully for around 30,000 students, some candidates filed complaints with the police regarding the 'predicted' papers.