Arrests at Lakhisarai Examination Centres
Bihar police have arrested several MBBS students believed to be part of a 'solver gang' for impersonating candidates during the NEET re-exam. Most of the arrests took place at three different examination centres in Lakhisarai district, according to officials.
The arrests occurred on the day of the re-exam, which was conducted for candidates who had faced irregularities in the original test. The impersonators, who were MBBS students themselves, were caught after invigilators noticed discrepancies in identification documents.
How the Gang Operated
According to police sources, the 'solver gang' would charge candidates hefty sums to appear for the exam in their place. The impersonators were trained to match the candidates' profiles and used forged documents to gain entry into examination halls.
“We have arrested five individuals so far, all of whom are MBBS students from various medical colleges,” said a senior police officer. “They were part of a well-organized network that has been operating for several years.”
Impact on NEET Re-exam Integrity
The arrests have raised concerns about the security of the NEET re-exam process. The National Testing Agency (NTA) had introduced additional verification measures, including biometric checks, but the gang still managed to breach security.
A spokesperson for the NTA stated, “We are cooperating with the police investigation and will take steps to strengthen exam security further. Any candidate found guilty of malpractice will face strict action, including cancellation of their results and a ban from future exams.”
Ongoing Investigation
Police are now investigating the broader network and have detained several candidates for questioning. They are also looking into whether any exam officials were complicit in the scheme.
“We are examining call records and financial transactions to identify all those involved,” the officer added. “This is a serious offense, and we will ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
