The Economic Offences Unit has expanded its investigation into the alleged NEET-UG re-examination fraud by seeking critical candidate data from the National Testing Agency. Investigators are focusing on a suspected multi-state impersonation network following the registration of three first information reports in the Lakhisarai district of Bihar. The Special Investigation Team has requested candidate address details from the testing agency to verify specific roll numbers and identify individuals whose identities may have been misused by dummy candidates during the examination.
Cross-State Racket Draws Medical Students and Verification Staff
The fraudulent operations came to light following coordinated law enforcement raids at three examination centres in Lakhisarai during the re-examination held on June 21. Raids conducted at K.R. College, Kendriya Vidyalaya, and Hasanpur High School resulted in the arrest of 30 individuals, including 12 medical students and 18 biometric verification staff members. Investigators allege that nine of the detained medical students actively impersonated genuine candidates, while another student coordinated proxy writers. The arrested medical students are enrolled in institutions across multiple states, including Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand, indicating a wide geographic reach.
Special Team Examines Internal Collusion and Racket Masterminds
The Economic Offences Unit formally assumed control of the investigation from the Lakhisarai Police on June 25, establishing a 12-member Special Investigation Team to spearhead the inquiry. This specialised team, led by a Superintendent of Police along with five Deputy Superintendents of Police and five inspectors, is scrutinising the exact role of the arrested biometric staff. These workers, employed by a private company contracted by the National Testing Agency for candidate verification, are accused of facilitating fraudulent authentication to bypass security measures. Authorities believe the entire operation was masterminded by a fourth-year medical student from Muzaffarpur studying at the A.N. Magadh Medical College and Hospital in Gaya, alongside three associates who reportedly intended to deploy over 100 fake candidates across the state.
Probe Broadens to Verify Earlier Examination Integrity
As the investigation progresses, the special team will issue formal notices to the candidates linked to the disputed roll numbers, requiring them to clarify whether they appeared for the test in person. Officials noted that failure to respond to these notices will prompt direct residential inquiries by investigators. Furthermore, the scope of the probe is expanding beyond the recent re-examination, as authorities look into whether similar identity theft and proxy tactics were utilized during the original nationwide NEET-UG test held on May 3. Biometric records, electronic devices, and financial transactions are undergoing forensic analysis to map out the full extent of the conspiracy. Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Professor Triveni Singh observed that modern examination fraud heavily integrates identity theft and digital manipulation, requiring deep data analysis to ensure complete accountability.
