Amid the turmoil over suicides by students in Tamil Nadu, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sources, on Wednesday, revealed details about the scam involved in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2021. CBI sources said that the use of proxies to pass the exams was attempted and payments of Rs 50 lakh per student were also discovered.
According to reports, the CBI started its search with a Nagpur-based education centre that sent out proxy candidates to give the NEET 2021 and was charged around Rs 50 lakhs per candidate for the same. As of now, R.K. Education Career Guidance run by Parimal Kotpalliwar is being investigated, along with several other students.
CBI probe also revealed that the parents of the students set to appear for NEET were asked to deposit a post-dated cheque for the given amount.
The coaching centre also asked for the medical aspirants to submit their original mark sheets for Class 10 and Class 12 as security which would be returned after receiving the amount of up to Rs 50 lakh.
The CBI FIR said, "They also use the process of mixing/morphing photographs to facilitate the use of proxy candidates for appearing in the examination. Copies of e-Aadhar cards of candidates are being collected for the purpose of making forged ID cards. He also assures candidates of providing answer keys and manipulating OMR sheets."
The CBI probe further revealed that the parents of the medical aspirants were asked to deposit post-dated cheques of the agreed amount and original mark sheets of the candidate for Class 10 and Class 12 as security which the coaching centre would return after realising the agreed amount which is up to Rs 50 lakh.
NEET 2021: Tamil Nadu passes a bill
Earlier this month, the Tamil Nadu assembly passed a bill seeking a permanent exemption to the state from NEET. NEET is the all-India level entrance examination for undergraduate medical courses. This year, the exam was held on September 12 across the country. The bill would be passed and take effect only after President Ram Nath Kovind signs it.
NEET 2021: Maharashtra government to review medical entrance exam
Days after Tamil Nadu scrapped the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET), the Maharashtra government, on Wednesday, said that it will review the medical entrance exam and see whether it is good for students.
Speaking to ANI, Maharashtra Minister Amit Deshmukh said, "The scrapping of NEET by Tamil Nadu government has given rise to new discussions if the common medical entrance test is right for states or not and what will be better for students' future."
The Minister informed that they will present the stand of the Maharashtra government regarding by same by correctly analyzing the pros and cons of the concerned exam.
NEET 2021: NTA issues statement
Amid the uproar, the National Testing Agency (NTA) also spoke about the alleged paper leak and said that the NEET question paper was distributed via messaging app WhatsApp around 37 minutes after the exam started, and therefore it cannot be called a leak as of now.
(With Agency Inputs)
