CBI Finds No Evidence Against Sanjeev Mukhiya in NEET-UG 2024 Paper Leak Case; Kejriwal Questions Probe

Investigating agency says no proof linked Mukhiya to the NEET-UG 2024 paper theft, while AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal alleges the government is protecting the accused.

New Delhi, July 23: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday said its investigation into the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak found no evidence establishing the involvement of Sanjeev Kumar, also known as Sanjeev Mukhiya, in the theft or distribution of the examination question paper, despite his name appearing in the original FIR registered by Bihar Police.

In an official statement, the CBI said Bihar Police had initially named Sanjeev Mukhiya as an accused based on preliminary suspicion because of his alleged involvement in other examination paper leak cases. The investigation into the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak was later transferred to the CBI.

According to the agency, the investigation identified all individuals allegedly involved in the theft and circulation of the leaked question paper, along with candidates who benefited from it. However, investigators said they did not find any evidence connecting Sanjeev Mukhiya to the NEET-UG 2024 conspiracy.

The CBI stated that Mukhiya remained absconding during the initial phase of the investigation and was later arrested by Bihar Police in separate examination-related cases. Since he had been named in the NEET-UG FIR, the agency took him into police custody for questioning but said no material evidence emerged during the investigation to justify filing a chargesheet against him.

The agency added that because no chargesheet was filed in the NEET-UG 2024 case, Mukhiya obtained bail in that matter. However, he continues to face legal proceedings in other cases being investigated by Bihar Police.

The CBI maintained that its investigation into the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak had identified the complete conspiracy and all those allegedly involved, asserting that no accused had escaped legal scrutiny. It also rejected claims that Mukhiya was deliberately excluded from the investigation, describing such allegations as factually incorrect.

Reacting to the development, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal accused the Centre of shielding the alleged mastermind. In a post on social media platform X, Kejriwal claimed the government had failed to file a chargesheet within the prescribed period, enabling Mukhiya to secure bail, and alleged that the subsequent findings of the CBI were intended to protect him.