NET paper likely leaked June 16, sold for over Rs 5 lakh, finds probe
The exam held on June 18 was cancelled the next day after an input of the alleged leak was generated by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the MHA.
3 min read
Congress workers protest against alleged irregularities in NEET-UG exams in Mumbai, Friday.(Image source: PTI)A CBI investigation into the UGC-NET paper leak has found that the question paper might have leaked June 16, two days before the exam, which was released on the darknet and an encrypted social media channel and is suspected to have been sold for more than Rs 5 lakh, sources said.
However, sources said it is not known how and from where the paper was leaked and for this, the CBI is looking at the role of those who handled the question paper at various levels from the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the exam, to the examination centres.
Following a complaint from the Ministry of Education, the CBI on Thursday registered an FIR in the matter against unknown suspects for cheating and criminal conspiracy. The central agency is coordinating with the ministry and the NTA for its investigation.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had on Thursday said that the paper was leaked on darknet. “Soon after it was clear that the UGC-NET question paper on darknet matches the original question paper of UGC-NET, we decided to cancel the examination. We take responsibility and have to rectify the system,” Pradhan had said.
The exam held on June 18 was cancelled the next day after an input of the alleged leak was generated by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the MHA.
“A written complaint was received on 20.06.2024 from K Sanjay Murthy, Secretary, Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi alleging that UGC NET-2024 was conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) on 18.06.2024 in two shifts across different cities of the country… that on 19.06.2024, the University Grants Commission (UGC) received inputs from National Cyber Crime Threat Analysis Unit of Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (14C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs on the examination that the integrity of the aforesaid examination may have been compromised,” the CBI FIR said.
“The facts of the complaint prima facie disclose commission of offences punishable u/s 120-B and 420 of IPC against unknown accused persons,” the FIR added.
The paper leak in UGC-NET and its subsequent cancellation comes amid countrywide protests by NEET aspirants and activists over alleged irregularities. The Congress is already holding protests across the country in the matter and has demanded a thorough investigation into the allegations apart from cancellation of the NEET exams.
You May Like
Photos
