NEET leak: New exam date yet to be decided; alleged Yuva Morcha worker among five arrested by CBI
NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its efforts to combat the NEET-UG question paper leak, arresting five individuals across India as part of an expanding investigation into an interstate cheating syndicate. The arrests took place in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Haryana, representing a significant breakthrough in the case.
Among those apprehended are three individuals from Rajasthan: Dinesh Binwal, his brother Mangilal Binwal, and Vikas Binwal. Investigative findings suggest that the suspects allegedly paid ₹30 lakh to obtain the leaked question paper.
The arrests have ignited a political controversy, particularly as reports identify Dinesh Binwal as a member of the Yuva Morcha, the youth wing of the BJP. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot criticised the BJP for this connection, while the BJP has officially denied the allegations, asserting that the accused have no ties to the party.
In addition to the arrests in Rajasthan, the CBI has taken two other individuals into custody. One of them is Shubham Khairnar, a 30-year-old BAMS student apprehended in Nashik, Maharashtra. A magistrate court has granted the CBI transit remand to bring Shubham to Delhi for further questioning. Another key suspect, Yash Yadav, was arrested in Gurugram, Haryana. The agency is currently interrogating over 100 individuals, including coaching centre owners and career consultants, in order to dismantle the broader network and identify everyone involved.
CBI teams have seized a substantial amount of digital evidence, including mobile phones and laptops, from various locations. These devices have been sent for forensic examination to trace the messaging applications used to distribute the leaked documents.
CBI officials visited the National Testing Agency (NTA) headquarters in New Delhi. During this visit, investigators seized several exam-related documents and recorded statements from key officials to identify any potential internal lapses.
The investigation now spans multiple states, with raids and intelligence gathering actively ongoing across the country. Significant operations are concentrated in Rajasthan, particularly in the coaching hubs of Sikar and Jaipur, as well as in Nashik and Gurugram. In Kerala, state police have commenced a separate intelligence inquiry, and additional probes are underway in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Despite the ongoing arrests and the exposure of the cheating racket, authorities have stated that a final decision regarding a re-examination date has not yet been reached. The CBI continues to follow the money trail and digital footprints to ensure that all beneficiaries and masterminds of the leak are brought to justice.