NEET paper leak: No evidence found against Sanjeev Mukhiya | Patna News

Patna: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday clarified that its investigation into the theft and distribution of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test- 2024 examination question paper found no evidence linking Sanjeev Kumar alias Sanjeev Mukhiya alias Lutan, to the crime. Consequently, the agency did not file a chargesheet against him in the case.The NEET-UG 2024 paper leak was initially uncovered by Bihar police, which registered an FIR after suspecting that Mukhiya might have been involved due to his alleged links to other examination paper leak cases. Based on this suspicion, he was named as an accused in the FIR.The case was later transferred to the CBI for a comprehensive investigation. During its probe, the agency identified the entire network involved in the theft, distribution and use of the stolen NEET question paper. It also identified candidates who benefited from the leaked paper and has filed multiple chargesheets against a total of 45 accused before the jurisdictional court in Patna.According to the CBI officials, its detailed investigation established the roles of all individuals involved in the conspiracy, but did not uncover any evidence showing that Mukhiya participated in the theft or distribution of the leaked question paper. As a result, no chargesheet was filed against him in the case.The agency stated that although Mukhiya had remained absconding for a period and was later arrested by Bihar police from a rented flat in Danapur in April 2025, in connection with other cases, the CBI had taken his police custody only because he had been named in the original FIR. After finding no evidence against him in the NEET-UG case, he secured bail in the matter. However, he continued to remain in judicial custody as he is an accused in other cases being investigated by Bihar police.

The CBI also said that the matter had been clarified during 2024 itself and asserted that claims suggesting Mukhiya was deliberately omitted from the chargesheet are factually incorrect. It maintained that its investigation into the paper leak case was thorough and ensured that all persons involved in the conspiracy were identified and brought within the ambit of the law.Economic Offences Unit (EOU) DIG Manavjit Singh Dhillon said Mukhiya remains behind bars in seven examination paper leak cases. “Out of the seven cases registered against him, he has already been chargesheeted in six cases, while an application seeking his remand in the remaining case is pending before the court,” Dhillon said.The cases include the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE-3), the Bihar Police Constable Recruitment Examination (CSBC), NEET-2017, the 2012 Mahadalit Mission examination, and the Jharkhand Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination.