Bihar's 'Solver Gang' Hacks NEET Biometric Devices: Fake Candidates Cleared Security Checks To Write Exam; 30 Arrested

Jagran Correspondent, Lakhisarai: A solver gang has been exposed in the NEET UG re-exam held on June 21 with new clues emerging during police investigation. The probe has revealed that the gang hacked the biometric verification system at the examination centres in Bihar. With the connivance of the personnel involved in biometric verification, fake candidates were allowed entry into the examination centre in place of the actual candidates.

Student Chief Operator of Pavapuri Medical College

Police sources told Jagran that the investigation so far has revealed that Ravi Shankar, a student at Pawapuri Medical College in Nalanda’s Rajgir, was the mastermind of this network. He had planned to groom students studying at various medical colleges to pose as solvers and allow them to appear in the exams. The gang searched for such candidates who wanted to succeed at any cost in getting admission in medical college.

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Patna Medical College Student Turns Out To Be Biometric Staff

Investigation has revealed that Mayank Kashyap, a fourth year student of Patna Medical College and a resident of Hajipur, worked as biometric staff on the identity of Ankit Kumar.

The gang manipulated the biometric verification process and successfully allowed the solvers to enter the exam centre. The fake candidates then appeared for the exam in place of the actual candidates.

30 People Arrested

A total of 30 people, including employees of the biometric agency and other gang members, have been arrested. Those arrested include an original candidate. The nine solvers arrested by the police are all medical students. Police are interrogating several other suspects in custody. Authorities believe that as the investigation progresses, new names linked to the gang's network and its financial transactions may emerge.

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Rs 10 To 12 Lakh Deal Per Student

Lakhisarai SDPO Shivam Kumar said that preliminary investigations have revealed that a deal was struck between Rs 10 to 12 lakh per candidate. Rs 1-2 lakh was taken in advance, with the remaining amount to be paid after passing the exam and enrolling. Police are now also investigating bank accounts, mobile call details, and digital transactions.

The process of filing an FIR at the police station has been initiated based on an application from Dinesh Kumar Bhagat, the acting principal and city coordinator of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Lakhisarai.