CBI Files First Chargesheet in NEET Paper Leak Case, Names 13 as Accused

New Delhi: The Central  Bureau of Investigation on Thursday filed the first chargesheet in the NEET-UG examination paper leak case, naming 13 individuals as accused. The chargesheet detailed their alleged involvement in the paper leak and related irregularities. The probe agency said it has utilised advanced forensic techniques, artificial intelligence technology, CCTV footage, tower location analysis, etc to gather evidence against the culprits. 

The accused named in the chargesheet are:

• Nitish Kumar
• Amit Anand
• Sikander Yadvendu
• Ashutosh Kumar-1
• Roshan Kumar
• Manish Prakash
• Ashutosh Kumar-2
• Akhilesh Kumar
• Avdesh Kumar
• Anurag Yadav
• Abhishek Kumar
• Shivnandan Kumar
• Ayush Raj

The chargesheet has been filed under sections 120-b, 201, 409, 380, 411, 420 and 109 and substantive offences thereof against 13 accused, the probe agency said. The case was initially registered at Shastri Nagar Police Station, Patna on May 5 and later transferred to CBI on June 23.  

“CBI is continuing further investigation against other accused/ suspects and on other aspects of the case. Several other accused are already in police/ judicial custody. As and when further investigation against these accused/ suspects is complete, supplementary charge sheet(s) will be filed”, the CBI stated. 

The investigative agency has, so far, arrested 40 accused in the case including 15 arrested by Bihar police and conducted searches at 58 locations.

The central probe agency investigating alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam has filed six FIRs.

• The FIR from Bihar is related to a paper leak.
• FIRs from Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra address issues of candidate impersonation and cheating.
• An additional FIR, based on a reference from the Union education ministry, involves a comprehensive investigation into the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024.

The NEET-UG, conducted by the NTA, is used for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in both government and private institutions. This year’s exam took place on May 5 across 4,750 centres in 571 cities, including 14 international locations, with over 23 lakh candidates participating.