NEET UG Re-Exam Scam Busted: 24 Arrested In Bihar, Major Solver Gang Exposed

Patna: A major solver gang has been exposed during the NEET UG re-exam in Bihar. A total of 24 accused, including seven solvers, were arrested in a joint operation by the administration and police at three examination centers in Lakhisarai district.

How many people were arrested?

After the NEET UG re-exam on Sunday, a group of solvers have been arrested in Lakhisarai district of Bihar, where 24 persons, including 14 workers of a biometric verification firm engaged to verify the candidates at exam centres, were arrested. 

Initial investigations showed that a deal was struck for Rs 30 lakh or more to replace the actual candidates to sit for the exam.

What did the officials say?

Investigating agencies alleged that Arpit Raj, who is said to be a student of Gaya Medical College, is the brains behind this whole scam. Arpit's name also came into light in the infamous NEET paper leak case of 2024, when he was then questioned by the CBI. Now, his name has once again surfaced in a case related to exam fraud, raising many questions.

How was the gang exposed?

Mayank Kashyap, a student of PMCH, resident of Hajipur, was caught up in a suspicious activity, which led the police to trace the gang, the police said. He was allegedly posing as an employee of a biometrics company when he got into the examination centre. He was detained, questioned and his actions were suspected. From the clues gathered at the interrogations, raids were made at three examination centers, resulting in the arrest of other solvers and company staff.

Did medical students get arrrested?

The investigation also found that one nursing student Poonam Kumari, at BHU, had appeared for the exam in place of a candidate. Saurabh Jha, a student from AIIMS, Rae Bareli, Sanjeet, a student from the national medical college, Patna and Aman Agarwal, a student from medical college in UP, were among other students found to be involved in the racket.

An investigation is underway by police and investigative agencies into the entire network. This gang's operation is suspected to be across several states. The names of many additional accused could be unearthed in the investigation, police said.