Highlighting the ongoing NEET question paper leak case, the thirteen individuals arrested in connection with the scandal filed bail applications today. This move comes even as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) formally assumed control of the investigation earlier on Monday.
The bail pleas, including one for the absconding main accused Sanjeev Mukhiya, filed through his lawyer, were presented at the Patna civil court. However, the court rejected their petitions, citing the transfer of the case's responsibility to the CBI. The presiding judge directed all parties to file their bail applications before the Special CBI court, which will handle future proceedings.
Uday Shankar Singh, the lawyer representing Mukhiya, informed reporters that the court had scheduled a consolidated bail hearing for all fourteen accused on July 15th at the Special CBI Court.
For context, the NEET exam was conducted on May 5th, 2024. The Patna police promptly exposed the leak on the same day, leading to the arrest of thirteen individuals. Those arrested reportedly included members of an alleged education mafia, exam candidates, and their parents. The case was initially handled by the Shastri Nagar Police Station (FIR No. 358/24) before being transferred to the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar on May 15th. The EOU made further arrests in Deoghar, Jharkhand, on June 23rd. Following a recommendation by the Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, the case was transferred to the CBI for a more comprehensive investigation, also on June 23rd.
The upcoming bail hearing on July 15th will likely be a crucial juncture.