The investigation into the NEET question paper leak, which witnessed the arrest of 13 people so far, has extended to Maharashtra, with the Nanded Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) detaining two teachers from Latur and Solapur.
The teachers, identified in many reports as Sanjay Tukaram Jadhav and Jalil Umarkhan Pathan, were taken into custody on Saturday night. Though their arrests have not been recorded yet, the ATS suspects both are linked to the question paper leak. The ATS had raided several locations in the state on Saturday.
Both allegedly run private coaching classes in Lathur, said reports.
This comes as the Bihar Police's Economic Offences Unit (EOU) on Saturday arrested six persons from Jharkhand's Deoghar district. They were taken into custody from a house near AIIMS-Deoghar in Devipur police station area. The EOU, which arrested seven others too, has submitted a report suggesting that there was clearly a paper leak in the NEET-UG examination.
'Solver gang and Munna Bhai'
Amid the row, speculations are rife that a Mumbai-based gang is involved in the NEET question paper leak. Though unconfirmed, reports claimed Ravi Atri, the head of a nationwide 'solver gang', is the mastermind behind the leak.
The solver gang reportedly specialises in obtaining solved question papers which they distribute to candidates in exchange for a hefty price. The gang also offered students the option of paying more and getting a 'Munna Bhai', a proxy who would give the exam in their place. The candidates were assured that the 'Munna Bhai' would score high.
Atri is said to have been involved in several question paper leaks in the past. He was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UPSTF) from Meerut in April this year. He had earlier been jailed for leaking the Pre-Medical Test exam paper in 2012 and the AIIMS PG exam paper in 2015.
The EOU has reportedly found links between Atri's gang and the paper leak mafia led by Sanjeev Mukhiya. Both Atri and Sanjeev Mukhiya operate separately. The EUO believes Mukhiya is the kingpin in the NEET question paper leak case and is currently on the run. He reportedly assembled 25 candidates at a boys' hostel in Bihar's Patna on May 4.
The investigation into the alleged irregularities in NEET-UG has been handed over to CBI for comprehensive investigation.
