In a major breakthrough, Bihar Police’s Economic Offences Unit (EOU) arrested Sanjeev Mukhia, the alleged mastermind behind the NEET-UG 2024 question paper leak, on Friday. His arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation that has shaken the credibility of several high-stakes examinations across India.
A National Network of Examination Malpractice
According to probe agencies, Sanjeev Mukhia is not just a local offender but the head of a widespread examination racket spanning multiple states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan. His arrest was confirmed by Additional Director General (ADG) Nayyar Husnain Khan, who also stated that interrogation is underway, with Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials joining the questioning process.
Mukhia was apprehended while hiding in an apartment near Saguna More, Danapur, a location that had been under surveillance following leads from informants. The EOU had earlier announced cash rewards for anyone providing information on individuals involved in the NEET paper leak and related crimes.
A Pattern of Deceit: Not His First Offense
Sanjeev Mukhia is not new to controversy. A suspended technical assistant from Noorsarai Horticulture College in Nalanda, he has been implicated in several other examination scandals, including the BPSC teacher recruitment exam and the constable recruitment exam. His modus operandi involved leaking question papers in advance and coordinating the distribution through a tightly knit network.
Investigators have linked him to previous leaks in recruitment exams for veterinary doctors and English teachers in Haryana and several other exams in Uttar Pradesh.
The Syndicate: Faces Behind the Network
Alongside Mukhia, authorities are pursuing other key players in this illegal operation. Shubham, a native of Nalanda, previously jailed for the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) question paper leak, is now wanted in connection with the constable paper leak. Similarly, Rajkishore of Arwal, a known associate, played a crucial role in collecting money from aspirants and distributing it among other syndicate members.
According to DIG Manavjeet Singh Dhillon, Shubham and Rajkishore both have multiple criminal cases filed against them, while Mukhia alone has four registered cases to his name.
The Money Trail: ED Steps In
The financial aspect of the racket drew the attention of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has now registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Their investigation revealed that Mukhia possessed assets 144% higher than his known income—a clear indication of illicit earnings through exam leaks and corruption.
From Disciple to Kingpin: Mukhia’s Criminal Journey
Sanjeev Mukhia’s roots in the world of examination fraud date back to the 1990s. He was reportedly mentored by Ranjeet Don, a notorious figure in paper leaks from Hilsa, Nalanda. Don, infamously known for “purchasing” an MBBS degree and leaking the CAT exam in 2003, was arrested over two decades ago. Mukhia appears to have carried forward this dark legacy, eventually building his own nationwide network.
The Next Generation: History Repeats Itself
Shockingly, the criminal streak seems to have extended to the next generation. Mukhia’s son, Dr. Shiv Kumar, an MBBS graduate from Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), was arrested earlier in 2024 in connection with the TRE-3 examination leak, suggesting that the legacy of academic fraud was actively continued within the family.
wrap-up
The arrest of Sanjeev Mukhia is a critical step in dismantling an extensive and deeply rooted network of examination fraud in India. However, with several members of his gang still on the run and the extent of damage to the education system still unfolding, much work lies ahead for law enforcement agencies.
As India continues to grapple with the challenges of ensuring transparency and fairness in competitive exams, this case serves as a grim reminder of how organized crime can erode trust in public institutions—and how urgent reforms are needed to safeguard the future of lakhs of aspiring students.
