NEET Paper Leak: Bihar Deputy CM Accuses Tejashwi Yadav of Involvement
Patna, 20th June 2024: The NEET paper leak controversy has escalated into a political dispute, with Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha accusing opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav of being involved in the scandal. During a press conference in Patna, Sinha disclosed that Tejashwi Yadav’s secretary, Pritam Kumar, made calls to arrange accommodations for Sikander Kumar Yadavendu, identified as the mastermind behind the NEET question paper leak.
Sinha revealed, “On May 1, Pritam Kumar contacted guesthouse worker Pradip Kumar to reserve a room for Sikander Kumar Yadavendu. Similar calls were made on May 4, referring to Tejashwi Yadav as ‘Mantri’.” He added that Sikander Yadavendu is a close relative of Pritam Kumar and that a guesthouse booking was made for Sikander’s sister, Reena Yadav, and her son, Anurag Yadav, with the term ‘Mantri Ji’ appearing in the guesthouse diary.
Sinha, who also serves as the Minister of Road Construction, announced an investigation into the NHAI guesthouse bookings, asserting, “I am scrutinizing my department to identify any officials acting under Tejashwi Yadav’s influence. The entire RJD system is riddled with crime and corruption.” Notably, NHAI clarified that it does not have any guesthouse facility in Patna.
The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) has discovered evidence of the NEET 2024 question paper leak, which took place on May 5. The paper was leaked a day earlier, on May 4. Sikander Yadavendu, the alleged ringleader, has been arrested. The EOU claims Sikander helped his brother-in-law’s son and other candidates by providing them with the leaked question paper in advance.
On May 5, police apprehended Reena Yadav at the NHAI guesthouse, where an OMR sheet was found. Reena’s son, Anurag, and the term ‘Mantri Ji’ were listed in the guesthouse register. Sikander, hailing from Samastipur, was previously a contractor in Ranchi before becoming a junior engineer in 2012. He had earlier been involved in a Rs 3 crore LED scam and had served time in prison.
