By The Sampadak Express
In a major breakthrough, Bihar Police’s Economic Offences Unit (EOU) arrested Sanjeev Mukhia, the alleged mastermind behind the NEET-UG 2024 question paper leak, during a late-night operation in Patna. The arrest comes after an 11-month-long manhunt and intense surveillance.
Mukhia, who had been absconding since the leak, was apprehended from an apartment near Sarguna More, close to the Danapur police station. His arrest was confirmed by Nayyar Husnain Khan, Additional Director General, EOU. Officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) were also present during the initial rounds of interrogation.
The NEET-UG question paper was reportedly stolen from the control room of OASIS School in Hazaribagh on May 5, 2024. Investigators say Mukhia’s gang was responsible for orchestrating the theft and distributing the leaked paper to candidates for a price.
Authorities believe Mukhia is a central figure in a larger inter-state examination racket. His network reportedly spans across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab. The gang is also suspected of leaking question papers for several recruitment exams, including tests for veterinary doctors and English teachers in Haryana, and other state-level exams in Uttar Pradesh.
In connection with the racket, EOU had earlier announced cash rewards of ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh for information leading to the arrest of Mukhia and his close associates, Shubham Kumar and Rajkishore Kumar Shah.
According to EOU DIG Manavjeet Singh Dhillon, Shubham has already served jail time in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) paper leak case and is now wanted in the constable recruitment scam. Rajkishore, another key player, is accused of handling finances and collecting money from aspirants, which was then routed to other syndicate members.
So far, two criminal cases have been registered against Shubham and Rajkishore, while four separate cases are pending against Mukhia. In addition, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a case against Mukhia under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after discovering he possessed 144% more assets than his declared income.
Authorities say the crackdown is a major step in dismantling organized exam mafias operating across the country.
