• Source:JND
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The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police on Sunday recovered six post-dated cheques that were allegedly written out to the mafia asking over Rs 30 lakh from each candidate seeking an alleged leaked question paper ahead of NEET exam conducted last month.

"During the course of investigation, EOU sleuths recovered six post-dated cheques that were issued in the favour of criminals who reportedly facilitated question papers to the aspirants ahead of the examination," Manavjit Singh Dhillon, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), EOU, told PTI on Sunday. He also added that the investigators are obtaining information from the relevant banks regarding account holders.

The EOU has so far arrested 13 people, including four examinees and their family members, in connection with the alleged NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case. All accused belong to Bihar, said the DIG.

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The EOU has also issued notices to nine candidates (seven from Bihar and one each from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra) to join the probe, he added.

The NEET exam was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) last month with over 24 lakh candidates appearing for the test. The results were announced on June 4 after which several students alleged irregularities

A group of candidates has approached the Supreme Court demanding a fresh exam due to alleged paper leaks and concerns about the test's integrity.

The question paper and answers for the exam were allegedly given to nine aspirants along with four other examinees from Bihar—who have previously been taken into custody by the EOU. Reportedly, all nine of them received questions and paper in a "safe house" close to Patna a day ahead of the exam.

During interrogation, the aspirants disclosed that their parents had paid more than Rs 30 lakh for every candidate to those who facilitated question papers ahead of the exam.

"The evidence of the transaction has also been found and six post-dated cheques have also been recovered during the course of the investigation. The EOU sleuths also recovered partially burnt question papers from the safe house.

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"We have sought reference question papers from the NTA. It has not responded to this so far. Once we get reference question papers from the NTA, we will send the burnt question paper to the appropriate forensic laboratory for its examination," the DIG said.

(With inputs from agency)