New Delhi, 29 July (H.S.): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet against 13 accused in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak case before the Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi. The case will now be heard by the Fast Track Court constituted specifically to deal with the matter, with Judge Anu Grover Baliga presiding over the proceedings.

The accused named in the chargesheet are Yash Yadav, Mangilal Biwal, Dinesh Biwal, Vikas Biwal, Shubham Khairnar, Dhananjay Lokhande, Prahlad Kulkarni, Tejas Harshad Kumar, Dr Manoj Shirure, Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, Manisha Waghmare, Manisha Mandhare and Manisha Sanjay Havaldar. All 13 accused are currently lodged in judicial custody.

The CBI had registered an FIR against the accused under Sections 315(5), 318(4), 61(2), 238 and 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Sections 13(2) and 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and Sections 3, 4, 5, 10 and 11 of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act.

The first hearing before the Fast Track Court, held on July 27, was adjourned. The court was constituted following directions issued by Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya, who appointed Judge Anu Grover Baliga to exclusively hear cases registered under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act.

The controversy began after allegations surfaced that the NEET question paper had been leaked ahead of the examination conducted on May 3. Following the allegations, the examination was cancelled, and a fresh NEET examination was held on June 21. Subsequently, the Central Government ordered a CBI investigation into the alleged paper leak.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar