NEET 2024 Paper Leak: Mastermind Sanjeev Mukhiya Caught After 11-Month Nationwide Hunt
In a major breakthrough, Sanjeev Mukhiya, the alleged mastermind behind the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak, was finally arrested during a midnight raid in Patna’s Danapur. The arrest marks a significant success for the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Bihar’s Economic Offences Unit (EOU) and Patna’s Special Task Force (STF), after nearly a year-long chase across multiple states.
Who is Sanjeev Mukhiya?
Sanjeev Mukhiya, a 51-year-old resident of Nalanda, worked as a technical assistant at Udyan Vidyalaya in Noorsarai. He has been accused of orchestrating an “organized and professional” interstate solver gang that exploited vulnerabilities at every level of the examination system — from printing presses to exam centres.
According to Additional Director General (ADG) Nayyar Husnain Khan, Mukhiya charged desperate parents between ₹8 lakh to ₹15 lakh per candidate, promising guaranteed success for their children in the highly competitive NEET-UG examination.
How the Scam Was Operated
Investigations reveal that Mukhiya’s gang:
- Collaborated with insiders at printing presses and transportation teams.
- Leaked photographs of NEET question papers from centres like Hazaribagh.
- Confined students overnight in guest houses, forcing them to memorize answers without any written materials.
- Dropped students at exam centres fully prepared with leaked content.
The scam first came to light on May 5, 2024, when Patna police uncovered irregularities during the NEET-UG exam. By June 23, 2024, the case was handed over to the CBI, naming Sanjeev Mukhiya as the principal accused or “kingpin.”
A Criminal History of Exam Manipulations
This was not Mukhiya’s first involvement in examination scams. His criminal record dates back to the 1990s, under the mentorship of Ranjeet Don, another infamous paper leak operator. Over the years, Mukhiya was linked to:
- Bluetooth device cheating scandals (2010, Bihar)
- Constable recruitment exam leak (2016, Uttarakhand)
- SC/ST targeted block-level exam scams (2016, Bihar)
Despite previous jail terms, he continued to find and exploit loopholes in the examination system.
Widespread Impact
Mukhiya’s gang wasn’t limited to NEET:
- Bihar Teacher Recruitment Exam (TRE-3)
- Uttar Pradesh Constable Recruitment Exam
- Haryana veterinary and English teacher recruitment tests
Patna police and the EOU had already arrested over 18 people, including students, parents, and middlemen, connected to this racket. Raids at his properties exposed a disproportionate wealth, including luxury vehicles, gold and silver ornaments, and heavy bank deposits.
Family Connections
Interestingly, Mukhiya’s family also has links to the educational and political sectors:
- His son, Dr Shiv Kumar, an MBBS graduate from PMCH, was arrested in 2024 for involvement in the TRE-3 leak.
- His wife, Mamata Devi, served as a Mukhiya (village head) and even contested the Bihar Assembly elections in 2020.
Conclusion
The NEET paper leak scandal of 2024 has once again raised serious concerns about examination security in India. With the arrest of Sanjeev Mukhiya, authorities hope to dismantle the broader network that threatens the dreams of thousands of aspiring students.
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