Bihar teachers' recruitment paper leak: Doctor extorted Rs 1.2 crore from 30 candidates

The Bihar Economic Offences Unit (EOU) has arrested Dr Manish Kumar in the TRE-3 teacher recruitment paper leak case. Investigators allege he and his aides made about Rs 1.2 crore by giving 30 candidates access to leaked papers.

In Short

• Dr Manish leaked papers to 30 candidates before exam, charged Rs 50,000 each
• He is son of alleged kingpin Sanjeev Mukhiya; 296 arrests made so far
• Bihar sets up 3 fast-track courts for speedy trial of exam fraud cases

A day after the Bihar Economic Offences Unit (EOU) arrested a doctor in the 2024 BPSC TRE-3 teacher recruitment paper leak case, investigators said the accused and his aides allegedly extorted around Rs 1.2 crore from 30 candidates by providing them access to leaked question papers ahead of the exam.

The accused, identified as Dr Manish Kumar, was arrested as part of the EOU's ongoing crackdown on the paper leak racket. According to investigators, Dr Manish was skilled at opening sealed question paper boxes and resealing them without leaving any visible signs of tampering.

EOU officials alleged that Dr Manish charged candidates Rs 50,000 each as commission and, along with his associates, amassed nearly Rs 1.2 crore through the racket. Investigators said he had earlier worked as a government doctor but resigned from his job while preparing for the NEET-PG examination in Patna.

The probe found that Dr Manish allegedly operated the racket with associates Dr Shiv and Dr Shubham. Before the TRE-3 exam was held on March 15, 2024, around 30 candidates were allegedly housed in a hotel in Patna, where they were provided with the leaked question paper in advance.

A raid was conducted at the Kohinoor Hotel in Bhabua on March 14, 2024, a day before the examination, but Dr Manish managed to flee, officials said.

During the investigation, the EOU identified the accused using CCTV footage from the hotel and other technical evidence. Officials said his identity was further established while examining student-related data from Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH).

Investigators also claimed that Dr Manish is the son of alleged paper leak kingpin Sanjeev Mukhiya, while Dr Shiv is said to be his aide.

So far, the EOU has arrested 296 people in connection with the 2024 BPSC TRE-3 paper leak investigation.

FAST-TRACK COURTS SET UP FOR PAPER LEAK CASES

In a parallel move aimed at speeding up prosecution in examination fraud cases, the Bihar government has established three special fast-track courts to exclusively hear cases related to paper leaks, organised cheating and examination malpractices.

Set up on the directions of the Patna High Court, the courts have been established in Patna, Lakhisarai and Purnia under the provisions of the Public Examinations Act, 2024.

The state government aims to ensure that such cases are decided within three months through priority hearings, separate rosters and expedited recording of evidence and witness statements.

Additional District Judge Gaurav Singh will head the Patna court, Seema Bhartiya will preside over the Lakhisarai court, and Aman Kumar Thakur has been appointed to the Purnia court.

The Patna fast-track court is expected to hear several high-profile examination fraud cases, including the TRE-3 paper leak, the constable recruitment examination leak, the 67th BPSC preliminary examination case and the Assistant Education Development Officer (AEDO) paper leak.

The Lakhisarai court will deal with the re-NEET examination rigging case, while the Purnia court will hear matters related to alleged irregularities in the Staff Selection Commission Multi-Tasking Staff (SSC MTS) examination.

- Ends