NEET question paper leak; probe extends to Kerala, 13 in custody

JAIPUR: 13 people have been taken into custody on suspicion of leaking the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) question paper. The Rajasthan Police have taken them into custody from Sikar and Dehradun. The owners of a coaching centre in Sikar, the owner of a paying guest accommodation facility and two students from Dehradun are among those taken into custody. Their arrests have not been recorded. The police said that they have been taken into custody only for questioning.

The NEET exam was held on May 3. The question paper circulated among students in Sikar, Rajasthan is suspected to be similar to some parts of the original question paper. An investigation conducted by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group revealed that 600 out of 720 questions in the NEET exam are similar to the question paper.

The authorities are wondering whether this was a coincidence or if the question paper was leaked. The question paper was circulated in Sikar two days before the NEET exam. It was sold for Rs 20,000 to Rs 2 lakh. About 30,000 question papers were sold before the exam. The Rajasthan Special Operations Group says that the question paper was leaked by an MBBS student from Churu, Rajasthan, who is studying in a medical college in Kerala. It is reported that the investigation is also extending to Kerala.