Maharashtra: NEET-UG paper leak case reaches state

After Bihar, the NEET-UG paper leak case has reached Maharashtra. The Maharashtra ATS has questioned two Zilla Parishad teachers in Latur based on inputs received from sister agencies. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently probing the paper leak case across India.

ATS sources confirmed to mid-day that the two teachers were questioned for several hours and then allowed to leave. As of now, no clean chit has been given to them. The agency, however, refused to divulge more information pertaining to these two teachers. Sources have told mid-day that the Latur police are in the process of registering the FIR based on the information received from the Maharashtra ATS to probe the matter further.

A Congress worker during a protest. Pic/PTI

According to sources, the two teachers questioned by the ATS in connection with the paper leak case have been identified as Sanjay Jadhav and Jalil Pathan. Both are employed at a Zila Parishad school run by the state government and also operate coaching classes in Latur. "Based on information received from sister agencies, the two teachers were questioned for several hours and then allowed to leave. We are inquiring into the matter and will share details at the right time. As of now, the teachers have not been given a clean chit. Our teams are clarifying certain aspects related to the paper leak, and we suspect both have some role to play," said an ATS officer on the condition of anonymity.

The officials also said that as of now they have not registered any case but are conducting an inquiry based on the inputs they have received from the sister agencies. Earlier, the Patna police arrested four people in connection with the paper leak. The said gang also provides dummy candidates to appear in the exams.

However, Jalil Pathan, has claimed that this appears to be a case of mistaken identity. "The ATS officials came to my residence and took me to the SP office where I was questioned. They checked my phone and later respectfully dropped me back at my house. Later, I realised the case. I feel that this is a case of mistaken identity. The media spread fake news of me being arrested, which is traumatising," Pathan said while speaking to the press in Latur.

On Saturday, after massive protests and questions raised by Opposition leaders, the central government shunted NTA Director General Subodh Singh and handed over the paper leak case and irregularities in exams to the CBI. The Union Education Minister also set up a seven-member team to review the agency's functioning and recommend exam reforms in the future. The panel will be headed by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan.

On Sunday, the CBI in a statement said that they have registered an FIR in the paper leak case. "The CBI has registered a criminal case based on a written complaint from the director of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education," the CBI said in a statement.

The allegations in the FIR state that the NEET (UG) 2024 Examination was conducted by the NTA on May 5, at 4,750 centres in 571 cities, including 14 cities abroad, with over 23 lakh candidates appearing for the examination. The complaint further alleges that certain isolated incidents occurred in a few states during the examination.

"Therefore, the Ministry of Education has requested the CBI to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the entire gamut of alleged irregularities, including conspiracy, cheating, impersonation, breach of trust, and destruction of evidence by candidates, institutes, and middlemen. Special teams have been formed by the CBI to investigate the matter on top priority. Special CBI teams are being sent to Patna and Godhra where local police cases have been registered," the statement reads.

The Latur police have registered an FIR in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak case against four people, including three teachers from Latur and one person from outside the state.

Officials have confirmed that the Maharashtra ATS is the complainant in the case. The two suspect teachers questioned by the ATS on Saturday night have also been named as accused in the case.

The FIR has been registered under sections 420 and 120b of the IPC and the relevant sections of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act.