NEET probe traces guess paper to Kerala; CBI nabs 5 suspects

The CBI on Wednesday arrested five suspects and conducted search operations at several locations across the country in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak even as the Rajasthan Police traced the origin of a guess paper, containing questions similar to those asked in the exam, to a Sikar student pursuing the MBBS in Kerala.

The Rajasthan Police’s special operations group (SOG) found that the student had shared the guess paper with his friends and a hostel owner. The document reached the candidates in Jaipur and nearby areas before the exam was held on May 3.

“The police from Sikar, Jaipur, Jhunjhunu and SOG teams have questioned over 150 candidates and their friends. The investigation revealed that the guess paper had allegedly reached certain individuals in Rajasthan before the commencement of the examination. These findings were shared with the National Testing Agency, following which the Centre decided to cancel the examination. The case was later taken over by the CBI,” said Ajay Pal Lamba, IG, SOG.

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The SOG had launched a probe into the allegations of questions being leaked after it received intelligence that a 150-page guess paper had been circulated. Of the 410 questions in the paper, over 120 featured in the examination, sources said.

On Tuesday, the CBI registered a case on the basis of a written complaint received from the Department of Higher Education, Union Ministry of Education, regarding alleged irregularities and a paper leak in the examination. The agency is also coordinating with the SOG, Rajasthan.

The FIR was registered for offences, including criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

So far, the CBI has arrested five suspects in the case — three from Jaipur, one from Gurugram and one from Nashik. Several other suspects are currently being examined.

The agency has also carried out searches at multiple locations across the country. Based on emerging leads, further searches and investigative actions are underway.

During the searches and arrests, incriminating material and electronic devices, including mobile phones, have been seized.

Officials said the material was allegedly routed through the Gurugram-based suspect before reaching Rajasthan.