The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: In the latest development in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) (NEET-UG) paper leak scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has conducted searches at seven locations in Gujarat, officials said on Saturday (June 29). The searches were carried out at the premises of suspects spread across four districts — Anand, Kheda, Ahmedabad, and Godhra, news agency PTI reported.
The CBI also arrested three individuals in connection with the case on Friday, officials confirmed. Ehsanul Haque, the principal of Oasis School in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh, and Imtiaz Alam, the vice-principal, were arrested for their alleged involvement in the paper leak. Jamaluddin Ansari, a journalist, was also arrested for allegedly trying to help the principal and vice-principal.
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The CBI has filed six FIRs in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak case so far. One of these FIRs was registered by the CBI itself, following a reference from the Union education ministry. The remaining five FIRs were taken over by the CBI from various states, with one case each in Bihar and Gujarat, and three cases in Rajasthan, the report noted.
The NEET-UG exam was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 5 for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in government and private institutions. This year’s exam was held at 4,750 centers in 571 cities, including 14 abroad, and was attended by over 23 lakh candidates.
The CBI’s investigation into the paper leak case comes after the Union education ministry handed over the probe to the central agency on June 22. The first CBI FIR was registered on June 23, and the agency has been investigating the case since then.
The NEET-UG paper leak case has caused widespread concern among students and parents, and the CBI’s investigation is being closely watched by all stakeholders.