The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested two people in connection with alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam on Thursday in Patna, Bihar.
The accused in the case have been identified as Manish Kumar and Ashutosh Kumar. The arrests follow the registration of a criminal case by the CBI days earlier.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) issued show-cause notices on Sunday, threatening to debar 17 candidates in Patna based on a report from the Bihar Police’s Economic Offences Unit. The alleged malpractice has sparked strong reactions from both state governments and central agencies.
Following the CBI’s involvement, the governments of Bihar and Gujarat have decided to transfer their local NEET-UG “paper leak” cases to the central agency. A statement from the Gujarat government said,” An FIR has been registered with Godhra Taluka Police Station on the malpractice committed in this exam.”
“The state government has decided to transfer investigation of this case to CBI so that extensive investigation could be held in the entire matter,” the statement further read.
In related developments, the Education Ministry announced the formation of an expert committee, headed by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan, to examine exam reforms and review the NTA’s functioning. Additionally, Subodh Kumar Singh was removed from his position as NTA chief on Saturday.