NEET 2024: The Bihar government has communicated to the Centre that their investigation strongly suggests a paper leak in the NEET-UG exam. This conclusion is based on the efforts of the Economic Offences Unit (EOU), which reportedly matched 68 questions from a burnt photocopy with the original question paper provided by the National Testing Agency (NTA). This has led to the arrest of 18 suspects and a handover of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Burnt Scraps and Identical Questions
The key evidence comes from the burnt remains of a purported photocopy of the NEET-UG question paper, retrieved by the EOU from a house where the arrested candidates were staying. Forensic analysis revealed that 68 of these questions matched exactly, including their serial numbers, with the official question paper. This compelling match has reinforced the belief in a deliberate leak.
Delay in Information Sharing
The burnt scraps were discovered on May 5, the day of the exam, during the arrest of the suspects. However, a delay in matching these scraps with the NEET-UG paper occurred due to the NTA’s initial reluctance to share the question paper with Bihar’s EOU. This hesitance was eventually overcome, allowing the EOU to make significant progress in the investigation.
Oasis School’s Role in the Investigation
A significant part of the investigation focuses on Oasis School in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, which was one of the designated exam centers. The EOU’s search of the school revealed tampered envelopes that had been opened from the wrong end, contrary to the standard protocol. This discovery has raised suspicions about the school’s involvement in the paper leak.
Principal’s Statement and School’s Defense
Ehsanhul Haque, the principal of Oasis School and the district coordinator for the exams, has denied any involvement of the school in the leak. He asserted that the question papers might have been compromised before reaching the school. According to Haque, CCTV footage shows that the packet was received and opened as per protocol on the morning of the exam day, in front of students and invigilators.
Despite Haque’s defense, the EOU noted that the sealed packet appeared to have been opened in a sophisticated manner, suggesting possible tampering before it arrived at the school. Haque maintained that if there had been any wrongdoing on the school’s part, the officials would have been taken into custody already.
Current Focus of Investigation
The Bihar EOU is now investigating the precise location and time of the paper leak. The EOU seeks to identify the potential compromise site and method of the question paper by examining the chain of custody as reported by the NTA. Examining the paper’s whole travel from NTA’s control to Oasis School is necessary for this.
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