Bihar Probe Suggests NEET-UG Paper Leak Linked to Organised Gangs

Arrest of mastermind Ravi Atri highlights systemic issues in exam integrity  

June 23, 2024

In a six-page report to the Centre, Bihar’s Economic Offences Unit (EOU) has detailed the probable involvement of organized gangs in the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak. The report cites the seizure of burnt remains of purported question papers, interrogation and confessional statements of the accused, and the questioning of examinees as key pieces of evidence.

The investigation began following the arrest of 13 individuals, including four examinees, shortly after the exam. The Centre had sought a comprehensive report from the EOU, which then uncovered connections to the notorious “solver gang” led by Ravi Atri.

Ravi Atri, the alleged mastermind behind the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak, was apprehended by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) amid nationwide student protests demanding an inquiry into the exam’s integrity. Atri, hailing from Neemka village in Greater Noida, is accused of orchestrating the leak by uploading solved question papers on social media platforms through his extensive network.

Atri’s involvement in exam paper leaks is not new; he was previously arrested in 2012 by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for leaking medical entrance exam papers. His modus operandi involves using proxies and leveraging social media to distribute solved papers, implicating him in multiple states.

The NEET-UG exam, held on May 5 and taken by nearly 24 lakh aspiring medical students, was marred by allegations of a widespread leak, despite the National Testing Agency (NTA)’s attempts to control the situation. The results were expedited and released on June 4, but the persistent accusations led to legal actions and protests across the country. The Supreme Court also criticized the NTA for its handling of the matter.

Atri’s background reveals his deep entanglement with the exam mafia. Sent to Kota in 2007 to prepare for his medical entrance exam, he cleared it in 2012 and secured admission to PGI Rohtak. However, he did not appear for the exam in the fourth year, having by then become deeply involved in the illegal exam proxy network and the circulation of leaked papers.

The EOU’s investigation, led by Additional Director General of Police N H Khan, continues to unravel the depth of this organized operation, highlighting the urgent need for robust measures to safeguard the integrity of India’s competitive examinations.