CBI Gives Clean Chit to NEET-UG 2024 'Mastermind' Sanjeev Mukhiya, Says No Evidence Found

NEW DELHI - The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has given a clean chit to Sanjeev Kumar, alias Sanjeev Mukhiya, the alleged mastermind behind the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak, stating that it found no evidence linking him to the theft or distribution of the leaked question paper .

The development has sparked fresh political outrage, with opposition leaders questioning the integrity of the investigation and accusing the Modi government of shielding the accused .

'No Evidence' Against Mukhiya

According to a statement released by the CBI, the agency conducted a detailed investigation into the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case and identified everyone directly involved in stealing, distributing, and benefiting from the leaked paper . The CBI has filed multiple chargesheets against 45 accused before a Patna court but did not include Sanjeev Mukhiya in any of them .

The agency said the case was initially registered by the Bihar Police after the NEET-UG question paper theft was detected in 2024. At the time, Sanjeev Mukhiya was named as an accused because investigators suspected his involvement, given his alleged links to other paper leak cases . However, after the probe was transferred to the CBI, the agency found no evidence to establish his involvement in the NEET-UG paper leak .

"CBI did not come across any evidence to establish the involvement of Sanjeev Kumar alias Sanjeev Mukhiya in the theft or distribution of the stolen NEET-UG question paper in 2024," the agency said in its statement .

CBI Failed to File Chargesheet Within 90 Days

Sanjeev Mukhiya was taken into custody by the CBI in April 2025, days after the Bihar Police Economic Offences Unit arrested him for his alleged role in the paper leak . However, the CBI failed to file a chargesheet against him within the stipulated 90 days, allowing him to secure default bail . According to sources, the chargesheet was delayed because there were "doubts" about his involvement in the syndicate .

Mukhiya's counsel argued before the CBI Special Court in Patna that the probe agency had not filed a chargesheet even after the expiry of 90 days as prescribed by law. The court granted him bail, and Special Judge Sunil Kumar ordered his release .

Despite receiving bail in the NEET case, Mukhiya remains in judicial custody as he faces charges in at least three other cases, including the Teacher Recruitment Examination conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission in early 2024, the Bihar Police Constable Recruitment examination of 2023, and the CGL examination of Jharkhand . According to the Economic Offences Unit, Mukhiya remains behind bars in a total of seven examination paper leak cases .

Political Storm Erupts

The CBI's clean chit to Mukhiya has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the prime minister must first grapple with the truth of how his government has "covered up and enabled paper leaks in the last 12 years" .

"The demands are clear: 1. Sack Mantri Pradhan. 2. Apologise to the students. 3. Take action against those who assaulted them," Ramesh said, referring to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan .

Arvind Kejriwal, convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, questioned the timing of the CBI's clean chit, stating: "2024 mein NEET ka paper leak hua. Modi sarkar ne isko mastermind kahkar giraftar kiya. Phir CBI ne jaanbujhkar time pe chargesheet daayar nahi ki jiski wajah se isko teen mahine mein hi automatic bail dilwa di. Aur aaj usko CBI se Modi ji ne clean chit dilwa di" (In 2024, the NEET paper was leaked. The Modi government had him arrested, calling him the mastermind. Then the CBI deliberately did not file a chargesheet on time, which is why he got automatic bail in three months. And today, Modi ji has got him a clean chit from the CBI) .

Pattern of Paper Leaks and Government Failure

The NEET-UG 2024 paper leak was one of the most high-profile examination scandals in India. The exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 5, 2024, was marred by widespread irregularities and allegations that the question paper had been leaked. The case was first probed by Patna Police, which intercepted a car carrying members of an organised gang involved in the leak of question papers . The investigation was later transferred to the CBI following a recommendation by the Ministry of Education amid protests by students .

The CBI invoked Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 109 (abetment), 409 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 380 (theft), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), and 411 (dishonestly receiving stolen property) of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act against all accused persons .

India's Broken Examination System

The NEET-UG paper leak is part of a broader pattern of examination fraud in India. In recent years, multiple competitive exams have been compromised, including the Teacher Recruitment Examination conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission in early 2024, the Bihar Police Constable Recruitment examination of 2023, and the CGL examination of Jharkhand . Sanjeev Mukhiya is an accused in all of these cases .

The government has faced mounting criticism for its failure to prevent paper leaks and ensure the integrity of examinations. Prime Minister Modi recently announced the establishment of fast-track courts to punish those involved in paper leaks, but opposition leaders dismissed the move as "too little, too late" .