Who is Sanjeev Mukhiya? The alleged mastermind behind the NEET paper leak

Lina Portman2 weeks ago

0 2 minutes read

New Delhi:

Students across the country have been protesting after allegations of paper leakage and other irregularities in the NEET medical entrance test emerged. New details about the paper leak are emerging every day, but the focus is now on one man believed to be at the epicenter of the leak: Sanjeev Mukhiya.

Hailing from Nalanda district of Bihar, Sanjeev Mukhiya, also known as Sanjeev Singh, has been identified by authorities as the alleged mastermind of the recent medical entrance exam scandal.

A long history of fraud

Sanjeev Mukhiya's involvement in exam fraud goes back two decades, according to reports. Previously employed as a technical assistant at Nalanda College's Noorsarai branch, Mukhiya has been linked to multiple incidents of paper leaks, including the infamous leak of the Bihar Public Service Commission officer recruitment exam in 2016.

He allegedly runs a 'Solver Gang' with Ravi Atri, where they offer leaked question papers or proxies to clear the exam. The investigation revealed a network stretching from police recruitment exams to teacher recruitment exams across several states, illustrating the scale and scope of the operation.

Family and political ties

Mukhiya's wife Mamta Devi is the 'mukhiya' or head of the Bhuthakhar panchayat, a post she assumed after securing a Lok Janshakti Party ticket. His son, Shiv Kumar, is facing legal trouble for his alleged involvement in another exam paper leak case related to the Bihar teachers' recruitment exams.

In his village, opinions on Mukhiya vary, with some residents describing him as a relatively ordinary character involved in agricultural work, downplaying his supposed exploits beyond their local horizon.

Involvement in NEET leak

The controversy erupted after an unusually high number of students scored a perfect score of 720 in the NEET-UG exam. Initially attributed to grace marks due to a faulty question and logistical issues, subsequent investigations by the Bihar Police revealed a different story: the exam paper had been leaked to select candidates a day before the 'exam.

According to authorities, Sanjeev Mukhiya allegedly orchestrated the distribution of NEET-UG questions and answer sheets for the 2024 exam. Reports suggest that he received these sensitive documents via mobile, from an anonymous professor. Efforts to apprehend him continue, with law enforcement intensifying their searches amid a growing crackdown on his alleged network.

Sources say Mukhiya might have fled to Nepal after the controversy snowballed, complicating extradition proceedings due to bilateral agreements between India and Nepal.