Godhra NEET Scam: Gujarat Police To Interrogate 16 Candidates in Cheating Case

Shocking revelations related to widespread cheating have emerged regarding the NEET-UG conducted in Godhra, Gujarat.  Information obtained by the Gujarat Police from the National Testing Agency (NTA) headquarters indicates that efforts were made to assist a total of 16 students in the fraudulent passing of the exam. Out of these, 10 students hail from Gujarat, while the remaining 6 are from various other states.

The Panchmahal District Police, who recently returned from Delhi, have confirmed their intention to interrogate all implicated students. Summons will be issued to each of these individuals to facilitate thorough questioning, aimed at unraveling the full extent of their involvement. This step is crucial in ensuring strict legal action against those arrested in connection with this case. Presently, the Panchmahal police have apprehended five individuals believed to be key players in orchestrating the cheating scandal.

What Happened in Godhra Exam Centre?

The scandal, which surfaced following a raid at a Godhra exam center during the NEET exams, has underscored serious lapses in the conduct of one of India's most critical medical entrance exams. Investigations have revealed a complex network involving a coaching institute, school staff, and students complicit in the scam. According to authorities, the nexus operated by exploiting the gap between the conclusion of the exam and the collection of answer sheets, enabling the alteration of responses.

Also Read: NEET Mess: How Godhra Became the Epicenter of a Massive Controversy

Key figures implicated in the scam include Parshuram Roy, owner of the Roy Overseas Coaching Institute in Vadodara, and Purshottam Sharma, principal of Jay Jalaram School, the NEET exam center involved. Alongside them, arrests have been made of Vibhor Anand, an education consultant facilitating admissions, Tushar Bhatt, the deputy superintendent overseeing exam procedures, and Arif Vora, a collaborator in the illicit operations.

Financial irregularities have also surfaced, revealing exorbitant sums exchanged in exchange for guaranteed results through fraudulent means. Families allegedly paid up to Rs 10 lakh per student, with some reports indicating payments exceeding Rs 2 crore, highlighting the immense financial stakes involved.

The fallout from the scandal extends beyond state borders, with students from Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Karnataka also implicated. Collaborative efforts between Gujarat Police and the NTA are now focused on identifying all beneficiaries of this organized cheating network.