Patna High Court Grants Bail to NEET-UG 2024 Leak Case Accused Sikandar Yadavendu
Bail Granted in High-Profile NEET-UG Case
In a notable development, the Patna High Court has granted bail to Sikandar Yadavendu, who is implicated in the high-profile NEET-UG 2024 question paper leak case, on Wednesday.
This decision comes as a significant relief for Yadavendu and his family, who have faced intense scrutiny and allegations from various investigative bodies over the past months.
The case was initially filed under Shastri Nagar Police Station Case No. 358/2024, later transferred to the Economic Offence Unit of Bihar Police, and subsequently handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on June 23, 2024.
During the court proceedings, Yadavendu's lawyer, Apoorv Harsh, contended that the accusations against his client lacked substantial evidence.
He emphasized that Yadavendu's only involvement was arranging accommodation for his family members, denying any participation in the alleged conspiracy or the leaking of the exam paper.
While granting bail, the High Court instructed Yadavendu to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation and law enforcement agencies.
This case has garnered significant media attention since its beginning, with Yadavendu being labeled as the 'mastermind' in early reports, which adversely affected his and his family's reputation.
The court's bail order offers a degree of vindication for Yadavendu.
The CBI's initial FIR named eight individuals, including Sanjeev Mukhiya, Ayush Raj, Rocky, Amit Anand, Nitish Kumar, Bittu, Akhilesh, and Sikandar Yadavendu.
Yadavendu is the first among these accused to receive bail from the High Court, while over 30 suspects have been arrested in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak.
The investigation is ongoing under the oversight of central agencies, with the primary suspect, Sanjeev Mukhiya, still at large since the case emerged on May 5, 2024.
Mukhiya hails from Nalanda district, and the CBI has conducted multiple raids and interrogated his relatives in search of leads regarding his whereabouts.