An anonymous whistleblower's tip to Patna police exposed a nationwide NEET-UG fraud network. Four suspects were arrested, leading to the discovery of a large-scale operation where candidates paid Rs 30-50 lakh for leaked questions. The investigation revealed a vast network involving coaching institutes, teachers, and students, with significant evidence seized and multiple arrests made.
NEET-UG Scam: Accused Sikandar Yadavendu’s family refutes allegations, alleges conspiracy
An anonymous tip-off to Patna police about "four suspected criminals in an SUV headed to a safe house" on May 5, hours before the NEET-UG exam, led to the unravelling of a nationwide fraud network. This tip plunged the medical entrance test into controversy and created uncertainty for lakhs of aspirants.
Following the tip, a team from Patna's Shastri Nagar police station intercepted four suspects. These suspects led them to a meeting place in Ram Krishna Nagar, where around 30 NEET-UG candidates had allegedly gathered to memorize leaked questions and answers.
Authorities have since gathered dozens of names of medical aspirants and their "handlers".
"It's a deep-rooted network spread across states. We will need time to rein in all the culprits," a top source in Economic Offences Unit said in TOI report.
Police Interception and Discovery
A team from Shastri Nagar police station intercepted the four suspects, who led them to a location in Ram Krishna Nagar, where around 30 NEET-UG candidates had allegedly gathered. These candidates had reportedly paid Rs 30-50 lakh for leaked exam questions and answers, according to TOI.
Authorities revealed that the network was extensive and spread across various states. A top source from the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) stated, "It's a deep-rooted network spread across states. We will need time to rein in all the culprits" (TOI).
TOI.in
Role of the Suspects
The four arrested individuals were tasked with helping students memorize answers and transporting them to exam centers. Amar Kumar, SHO of Shastri Nagar police station, said, "The tip-off turned out to be precise - just that we didn't expect it would lead to a Pandora's box linked to NEET-UG. We worked hard on the case and pieced together each clue" (TOI).
Further Raids and Arrests
During a raid following the initial arrests, police found 13 roll numbers at the safe house. Multiple teams were dispatched to NEET exam centers, resulting in the detention of four aspirants and identifying nine additional suspects, including Sikandar Yadavendu, a junior engineer in Danapur municipal council. Yadavendu allegedly supplied the question papers and answers on May 4 for memorization. On May 6, police recovered burnt question papers from Yadavendu's flat.
Confessions and Key Arrests
Yadavendu, along with Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand, confessed to leaking the exam papers. Police arrested 13 people, including parents of some aspirants, on May 7, and the case was handed over to EOU on May 11. DIG Manavjit Singh Dhillon was deputed to lead the probe.
Investigations revealed the involvement of coaching institutes, teachers, and students in the racket. One arrested student, a 19-year-old from Danapur and Yadavendu's nephew, confessed to receiving identical questions a day before the exam for a fee of Rs 30-40 lakh. "Since then, we have held coaching institute owners, teachers, and some students who were allegedly involved in the racket," a source said (TOI).
Police seized incriminating documents, electronic devices, and a significant amount of cash during the raids. "Photocopies of the question papers were given to the candidates and they were told to memorize the answers. The duplicate question papers were collected later in the morning and burnt," one official said (TOI). The investigation, now led by DIG Manavjit Singh Dhillon, continues to uncover the full extent of the fraud.
TOI.in
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