CBI clears Mukhiya in 2024 NEET leak case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday said its investigation into the 2024 NEET-UG paper leak found no evidence linking Sanjeev Kumar alias Sanjeev Mukhiya to the theft or distribution of the examination question paper, dismissing the "narrative going around now" over his omission from the chargesheet as "factually incorrect."In a statement, the probe agency said the issue had already been clarified in 2024 and asserted that its investigation had identified the entire conspiracy behind the theft of the NEET (UG) 2024 question paper, along with every individual involved in its circulation and all candidates who benefited from the leaked paper.The CBI said the case originated after Bihar Police detected the theft of the NEET (UG) 2024 examination question paper and registered an FIR.

At that stage, Sanjeev Mukhiya was named as an accused because of a prima facie suspicion arising from his alleged involvement in certain other examination paper leak cases.After the probe was transferred to the CBI, the agency said it carried out a detailed investigation and identified "each and every person" involved in stealing and distributing the leaked paper.

It subsequently filed multiple chargesheets against 45 accused before the competent court in Patna.However, the agency said its investigation did not uncover any evidence establishing Mukhiya's role in either the theft or distribution of the stolen NEET (UG) 2024 question paper.The CBI said Mukhiya had remained absconding during the relevant period before being arrested by Bihar Police in connection with other cases.

Since he had been named in the original FIR in the NEET-UG case, the agency took him into police custody for questioning during its investigation."As no evidence of his involvement in NEET-UG 2024 case emerged during investigation, CBI did not file any chargesheet against him in this case, and he has accordingly availed bail in NEET-UG case," the agency said.It added that Mukhiya continued to remain in judicial custody after securing bail in the CBI case because he is an accused in other cases being investigated by Bihar Police.Reiterating that its probe had been exhaustive, the CBI said it had identified all those involved in the 2024 NEET question paper theft and ensured that "none of them has escaped the process of law."The agency maintained that suggestions of Mukhiya being deliberately left out of the chargesheet are "factually incorrect." ...