CBI Arrests Gangadhar, Key Accused in NEET Paper Leak Case, From Mussoorie

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a key accused of NEET paper leak, Gangadhar, from Mussoorie. The Latur police had earlier filed an FIR against Gangadhar, and the case was later transferred to the CBI. This development comes after the Latur police had already arrested two individuals in connection with the case. With Gangadhar's arrest, the total number of accused arrested has risen to three, while one remains at large.

Gangadhar was a key player in the paper leak racket and had connections with other accused in the case. He was allegedly responsible for obtaining the question paper and answer key from a source and then selling it to students through his network.

Moreover, a CBI team arrived at Beur Jail in Patna to interrogate 13 accused in the case. The accused's lawyers will also be present during the questioning. Another CBI team will interrogate Ashutosh and Manish Prakash, who were remanded to judicial custody yesterday. The court had granted permission for a five-day remand.

Earlier this week, CBI arrested two individuals from Patna, Manish Prakash and Ashutosh, for their alleged involvement in providing leaked question papers and answer keys to students. The duo was accused of operating from a boys' hostel, where they furnished accommodations to students and facilitated the paper leak.

The CBI is investigating six cases related to the NEET paper leak, including one each from Bihar, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, and three from Rajasthan. The agency has registered six FIRs in connection with the case, which has sparked widespread protests and demands for a re-examination.

The NEET-UG examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 5, was marred by allegations of paper leaks, with over 23 lakh candidates appearing for the test at 4,750 centers in 571 cities, including 14 abroad. The examination is a gateway to admissions in MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country.

The CBI probe has revealed evidence of tampering with question papers at a school in Hazaribagh, which was a center for both the NEET-UG exam and the UGC-NET exam conducted on June 18. The agency has questioned the school's principal in connection with the case.

On Thursday, the President of India in parliament expressed concern over the issue, assuring a fair investigation and strict punishment for those found guilty