Amid allegations of a paper leak in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) (UG) 2024, hundreds of students staged protests on Saturday demanding a re-examination. Demonstrators gathered at the Dinkar roundabout, blocking the road and burning effigies of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Patna police responded with mild baton charges to disperse the crowd. Similar protests have been reported across the country, reflecting widespread discontent over the alleged exam irregularities.The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police, which is investigating the paper leak claims, issued notices on Saturday to 11 candidates suspected of involvement in the crime. These notices were based on the discovery of names and roll codes in the possession of examination mafias. Of these 11 candidates, seven are girls from various districts in Bihar. The National Testing Agency (NTA), which had initially dismissed any irregularities, provided the EOU with details of the suspects.Previous Arrests and Evidence CollectionEarlier, the EOU had arrested 13 individuals, including six exam mafias, four candidates, and three parents, all of whom were jailed. During the investigation, the EOU uncovered partially burnt question papers at Learn Play School in Patnas Ramakrishna Nagar police jurisdiction. The papers, found in booklet number 6136488, matched the NEET (UG) 2024 exam content. Despite multiple requests, the original copy of the booklet has not been provided by the NTA.Candidate Statements and Result AnnouncementThe arrested candidates claimed they received the question paper on May 4, a day before the exam. The NEET results, originally scheduled for June 14, were announced early on June 4. Notably, 67 candidates achieved perfect scores, and thousands scored over 700 marks. Out of 24 lakh candidates, over 13 lakh passed the exams. Additionally, grace marks were randomly awarded to 1,563 students, despite no mention of this provision in the exam notification. The NTA has since announced that these grace marks will be canceled, requiring the affected students to retake the exam on June 23. However, the petitioner remains dissatisfied with merely the cancellation of grace marks.Further Tensions in JaoraIn a related incident, Jaora town in Madhya Pradeshs Ratlam district experienced tension after bovine body parts were found at a local temple. Hindu groups protested, prompting police to use teargas and lathi charges to restore order. Two suspects, Salman Mevati (24) and Shaqir Qureshi (19), were arrested for their involvement, and the illegal portions of their houses were demolished.These events highlight the growing unrest and the serious implications of the alleged NEET 2024 paper leak, affecting both the examinations credibility and the broader social fabric.
