The alleged leak of NEET-UG 2024 question paper is not a systemic failure nor carried out by an organised gang, but rather includes individual instances of malpractices, sources in the Central Bureau of Investigation told News18. Claims that the whole examination system is compromised were made as part of a conspiracy, the sources added.
The CBI, which is probing the alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam, has submitted a detailed report in a sealed envelope to the Supreme Court. Sources in the agency told News18 that the extent of the leak was “limited” and the report to the top court shall reflect the same.
“We have 100% definite information about what happened and the extent of the leak. The same has been given to the Supreme Court in a sealed cover. It includes what happened, what time it happened, for how long the paper was out and who were the beneficiaries. We’ll submit the list of beneficiaries on July 17, the next hearing,” an official told News18.
“We will soon come to know the main beneficiaries. We are close to finding out and the number is very small. This number is not more than 100. We will give our conclusive investigation report to the SC and then court will take a decision.”
Sources said the irregularities happened at individual levels and were not part of organized activities. “This is not an organised gang. This is different from systemic aberrations because this was done at individual levels. What happened were individual cases of impersonation that were caught. It doesn’t spoil the whole process,” the official added.
“In some instances, people were promised the question papers, but got cheated and never received the papers. In some cases, invigilators tried to help students and were caught red-handed. That too was restricted to one or two rooms but all were caught. So this is not systemic failure as this didn’t affect major part of the system as such,” the source further said.
The CBI’s sealed submission to the Supreme Court will reportedly reflect that printing presses and other services used are safe.
“So far as printing Press and other places are concerned, they are all safe and no lapses happened at the place of origin. Some cases of impersonation happened that can’t be considered systemic failures. This is a major conspiracy to suggest that whole examination system is vitiated. Our role is restricted only to probing the leak and fixing responsibility.”
The CBI has registered six FIRs in the matter so far. The FIR from Bihar pertains to paper leaks, while the remaining, from Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, are linked to the impersonation of candidates and cheating.
The agency’s own FIR on a reference from the Union Education Ministry pertains to a “comprehensive investigation” into the alleged irregularities in the examination.
NEET-UG is conducted by the National Testing Agency for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions.
This year, the exam was conducted on May 5 at 4,750 centres in 571 cities, including 14 abroad. More than 23 lakh candidates had appeared for the test.
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