2 weeks ago
Delhi court allows CBI to probe additional suspects in NEET-UG leak case
There is a very important exam called NEET-UG that students take to become doctors.
Someone got the secret question paper before the exam day, which is not fair, so the exam had to be cancelled.
Police called the CBI are trying to find out who leaked the paper.
They think three experts who helped make the exam took questions out of the NTA office in Delhi.
One expert is said to have written down all 135 Chemistry questions on small paper slips.
Two other experts reportedly wrote down Physics and Biology questions from memory after returning to their hotel rooms.
The CBI says security at the office was weak because experts were not checked when leaving and CCTV was limited.
The CBI has already named 13 people they believe are involved.
Now a court in Delhi has said the CBI can also investigate other people who might have helped.
The CBI will keep working until they find everyone responsible, and a new exam was held on June 21.
A Delhi court on Friday allowed the CBI's plea to further investigate additional suspects in the NEET-UG paper leak case, citing fresh digital evidence and CFSL reports.
Special Judge Ajay Gupta permitted the expanded probe, noting 'overwhelming incriminating material' against the 13 charge-sheeted accused, including NTA subject experts.
The CBI charge sheet, filed on July 28, alleges NTA subject experts P.V. Kulkarni, Manisha Sanjay Havaldar and Manisha Gurunath Mandhare leaked questions by exploiting security lapses.
The CBI flagged no frisking of experts and only 20-25 days of CCTV backup with no live-feed monitoring at the NTA's Delhi office.
The court took cognisance of the charge sheet on August 12; the CBI has cited 360 witnesses, 422 documents and 43 material objects in the case registered on May 12.
- Who
- The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Special Judge Ajay Gupta at Delhi's Fast Track Court, Rouse Avenue Courts Complex, and 13 charge-sheeted accused including NTA subject experts P.V. Kulkarni, Manisha Sanjay Havaldar and Manisha Gurunath Mandhare.
- What
- A Delhi court allowed the CBI's plea for further investigation into additional suspects in the NEET-UG paper leak case, based on fresh digital evidence and CFSL reports; the court had earlier taken cognisance of the charge sheet against 13 accused.
- Where
- Delhi, at the Fast Track Court, Rouse Avenue Courts Complex, and the National Testing Agency (NTA) office in Delhi.
- When
- The court allowed the further probe on a Friday, after taking cognisance of the charge sheet on August 12; the CBI filed its charge sheet on July 28 and registered the case on May 12.
- Why
- Because the CBI alleged confidential NEET-UG question papers were leaked before the May 3 examination through a network of NTA subject experts, intermediaries and coaching operators, with CFSL reports revealing crucial aspects necessitating a deeper probe.
Probe Expansion Supporters
Accused's Counsel
Further Investigation of Additional Suspects
Probe Expansion Supporters
The CBI argued fresh digital evidence and CFSL reports revealed crucial aspects, making a deeper investigation into individuals not yet listed as accused necessary; it asserted the 13 accused have no locus standi to oppose the application.
Accused's Counsel
Counsel for some accused opposed the CBI's plea to expand the further investigation.
Key facts
- Court
- Fast Track Court, Rouse Avenue Courts Complex, Delhi (Special Judge Ajay Gupta)
- Investigating Agency
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Case Timeline
- Exam held May 3, cancelled May 12; case registered May 12; re-exam June 21; charge sheet filed July 28; cognisance taken August 12
- Charge-sheeted Accused
- 13 accused, including NTA subject experts P.V. Kulkarni, Manisha Sanjay Havaldar, Manisha Gurunath Mandhare
- Alleged Leak Method
- Exploiting security lapses at NTA office: no frisking, limited CCTV backup (20-25 days), no live-feed monitoring
- Legal Provisions
- Sections 315(5), 318(4), 61(2), 238, 303(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988; Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
- Evidence Cited
- 360 witnesses, 422 documents, 43 material objects
- Key Figures
- Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as education minister over the paper leak row
Quotes
CBI prosecutor
Prosecutor for the Central Bureau of Investigation
“"Fresh digital evidence has emerged and the Central Forensic Science Laboratory reports have revealed some crucial aspects"”
thehansindia.com
“"Overwhelming incriminating material"”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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