A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team investigating alleged irregularities in the University Grants Commission - National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) examination was attacked by locals in Nawada, Bihar on June 22. The altercation occurred in Kasiyadih village as the CBI officers tracked down suspects linked to the UGC-NET question paper leak.
The incident, reported by the Superintendent of Police in Nawada, occurred around 4:30 pm when villagers surrounded, manhandled, and assaulted the CBI team. The local police, led by the station house officer (SHO) of the Rajauli police station, responded promptly, pacifying the crowd and restoring order.
During the attack, the CBI vehicle's driver suffered minor injuries. Authorities have arrested four individuals involved in the assault, and they have been placed in judicial custody. It appears the villagers mistook the CBI officers for imposters when they arrived, guided by mobile phone tracking to locate suspects.
A senior Nawada police official, requesting anonymity, confirmed that the CBI was searching for a villager named Phool Chand and seized two mobile phones from his home.
An FIR has been registered against those accused of obstructing government duties and committing assault. Concurrently, the CBI has summoned a youth from Kushinagar to appear at their headquarters in Delhi for further questioning about the UGC-NET paper leak.
The UGC-NET-2024 exam, organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA), was held on June 18 across India to select junior research fellows, assistant professors, and PhD scholars.