NEET question paper leak was not widespread, CBI tells SC; hearing of pleas seeking re-test deferred to July 18

NEW DELHI: The CBI on Thursday submitted a status report of its probe into the alleged irregularities in the NEET Exam 2024 to the Supreme Court. In its report, the CBI stated that the source of the NEET UG question paper leak was from Hazaribagh in Jharkhand and that the question paper was not leaked nationwide.

Although the Supreme Court heard the petitions seeking a re-test of the NEET yesterday, it deferred the hearing of the petitions to July 18. The Centre informed the court that the counselling will start in the third week of July. The case was deferred after the petitioners' lawyers informed that they did not receive copies of the replies submitted by the central government and the National Testing Agency (NTA). The court allowed time for all parties to receive their replies.

According to CBI's report, the leaked question paper came to Bihar from Jharkhand and only 30 students received it. The dealers took Rs 30 to 40 lakh each from each student for this question paper. The CBI informed the court that the investigation was continuing on the findings of the Financial Crimes Investigation Department of Bihar. It also stated that the question paper was not circulated through social media.

NTA replied that the question paper was leaked in Patna in Bihar and Godhra in Gujarat. It also told the court that the sanctity of the examination was not affected as the question paper got leaked only in two places. NTA further stated that the question papers circulating on social media were fake. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud is considering the petitions.

Meanwhile, the Center made it clear in its response that the counselling will be finished in four stages, beginning the third week of July. If the students are found to have gained an advantage by irregularity, then their counselling will be cancelled immediately. It also pointed out that there was no need to conduct a re-test.