The then Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA), Pradeep Singh Kharola, testified before a special CBI court in Patna on Thursday in the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case.
The CBI presented him as its first witness in the case, following which the defence counsel for accused Aisanuhak cross-examined the witness. With this, the trial proceedings against 52 accused have formally begun after charges were framed by the special court.
The case is being heard by Special Judge Mohammad Rustam at the special CBI court in Patna. The court had framed charges against the accused in the case recently. The prosecution has now begun the process of presenting witnesses and evidence before the court. Kharola’s testimony marks an early stage of the trial, with facts relating to the conduct of the NEET examination and the examination process being placed before the court.
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The NEET-UG 2024 examination was conducted on May 5, 2024. Allegations of a paper leak emerged after the examination, prompting investigations in Bihar and several other states. In Patna, the first FIR in the case was registered at Shastrinagar police station. Subsequently, the Central government handed over the investigation to the CBI, and the Delhi unit of the agency took charge of the probe.
During its investigation, the CBI examined various aspects of the alleged paper leak conspiracy, the circulation of the question paper and the alleged delivery of the paper to candidates before the examination. Based on its investigation, the agency filed chargesheets against the accused. So far, chargesheets have reportedly been filed against 54 accused in the case.
After charges were framed by the special court, the prosecution has begun presenting its witnesses. Their statements and cross-examination will form part of the evidence considered during the trial. During Thursday’s hearing, the NTA Director General was questioned by the defence on behalf of an accused. The CBI is expected to present additional witnesses during subsequent hearings.
The investigation into the alleged paper leak in Bihar has focused on the alleged unauthorised access to the question paper and claims that it was made available to candidates before the examination. The CBI has collected evidence concerning the alleged roles of the accused, their interactions and the process through which the question paper was allegedly obtained and circulated. The court will examine the admissibility and evidentiary value of this material during the trial.
Meanwhile, a second special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been constituted at the Patna Civil Court for hearing terrorism-related cases connected with Bihar. One NIA special court was already functioning in Patna. District and Additional Sessions Judge Vivek Rai has now been appointed as the judge of the second NIA special court.
Both special courts will hear cases related to terrorism and alleged terror incidents connected with Bihar. The creation of the second special court expands the judicial framework for handling NIA cases in the state and is expected to allow pending matters to be distributed between the two designated courts.
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