Patna: A large-scale cheating operation was exposed during the NEET (UG) re-examination in Bihar after officials detected several alleged impersonators at multiple centres in Lakhisarai district, prompting the arrest of people believed to be part of a solver gang.
Media reports say the impostors were found sitting in for registered candidates during Sunday’s re-examination.
Fake Candidates Caught At Verification
The fraud was uncovered during identity checks at Lakhisarai exam centres, where mismatches in photographs, fingerprints and documentation led officials to identify individuals suspected of taking tests for others, as reported by Business Upturn.
Officials reported nine suspected impostors were found across three exam venues — seven at Kendriya Vidyalaya and one each at Hasanpur High School and KRK High School.
The re-exam was held at four centres in the district: Kendriya Vidyalaya, Hasanpur High School, KRK High School and DIET Lakhisarai.
Probe Exposes Organised Racket
Following the initial arrests, security teams launched a probe that appears to have revealed a larger organised scheme behind the cheating.
Preliminary evidence suggests the network arranged substitute candidates to take tests on behalf of registered students, and investigators are examining the middlemen and methods used to set this up.
Sources said the case has alarmed authorities because of the scale and apparent level of planning involved.
Police Make Multiple Arrests
Officials said roughly 30 people have been arrested in connection with the probe.
Those detained include five medical students who are suspected of links to the alleged cheating operation. Investigators are trying to determine whether the accused arranged substitutes, facilitated impersonation, or coordinated other exam-related wrongdoing.
This, officials added, was followed by the uncovering of a separate alleged network in Muzaffarpur accused of cheating students by selling fake question papers.
NTA Demands Comprehensive Report
Sources said the NTA has requested information on the solver gang and updates on the probe. Authorities will examine evidence recovered from the suspects to establish the network’s full extent.
The move comes after the NEET (UG) re-examination was held under enhanced security and monitoring to protect fairness.
Investigations into both incidents are continuing.
