The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday conducted searches at a coaching centre in Maharashtra's Latur district in connection with the alleged leak of the NEET-UG question paper. The agency's team reached the premises of the private coaching institute early in the morning and carried out a thorough search, seizing several documents and electronic devices.
Details of the Search Operation
The CBI team, accompanied by local police, conducted the search at the coaching centre located in the Ausa area of Latur. The operation lasted for several hours, during which the investigators questioned the staff and examined records. Sources said that the agency was looking for evidence related to the alleged paper leak that occurred during the NEET-UG examination held earlier this year.
Connection to the Paper Leak
The NEET-UG paper leak had created a major controversy, with thousands of students protesting across the country. The CBI had registered a case in connection with the incident and had been conducting investigations at multiple locations. The search at the Maharashtra coaching centre is part of the ongoing probe to identify the culprits and the modus operandi of the leak.
Previous Actions by CBI
Earlier, the CBI had conducted searches at several other locations in Bihar, Gujarat, and Rajasthan in connection with the same case. The agency had also arrested a number of individuals, including some coaching centre owners and middlemen, for their alleged involvement in the paper leak.
The CBI's investigation has revealed that the question paper was allegedly leaked through a sophisticated network involving coaching centres and other intermediaries. The agency is now trying to trace the origin of the leak and the persons responsible for it.
Impact on Students
The NEET-UG paper leak had caused immense distress among students, who had to appear for a re-examination. The National Testing Agency (NTA) had conducted a re-test for the affected candidates, but the incident had raised serious questions about the security of the examination process.
The CBI's action is seen as a step towards ensuring accountability and preventing such incidents in the future. The agency has assured that it will leave no stone unturned in bringing the guilty to justice.
