On Thursday, Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha alleged a connection between an aide of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav and the purported paper leaks and malpractices in the NEET-UG 2024 controversy.

During a press briefing, Sinha asserted that Preetam Kumar, an aide of Tejashwi Yadav, contacted an employee of the Bihar Road Construction Department (RCD) to arrange accommodation for Sikandar Prasad Yadavendu. Yadavendu, an engineer, had previously disclosed purported connections of a ‘Mantri Ji’ in the entrance exam controversy.

Sikandar Prasad Yadavendu stated that he endorsed the accommodation arrangements for his nephew Anurag Yadav, a NEET aspirant, along with his mother and other associates, at a government bungalow in Patna. Anurag Yadav is presently in custody about examination irregularities.

Vijay Kumar Sinha asserted that he initiated a departmental investigation into the incident, discovering that Preetam Kumar contacted Pradeep, an RCD staffer, to reserve a room at the Bihar NHAI guest house on May 1, four days before the nationwide examination.

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The Bihar Deputy Chief Minister claimed there were call records showing Preetam Kumar contacting Pradeep.

Sinha insisted on a thorough investigation into the issue, emphasizing, “I urge for a high-level inquiry into this matter. Despite being out of power, they seem intent on jeopardizing the futures of countless candidates.”

He also mentioned that he had suspended three employees from the Road Construction Department, including Pradeep, due to their involvement in the room booking incident.

However, the Bihar NHAI dismissed the reports of the accused staying at their guest house, stating in a release that they “do not operate any guest house facility in Patna”.

“Some parts of the media have claimed that the individuals involved in the NEET paper leak case stayed at the NHAI guest house in Patna. NHAI wishes to clarify that it does not possess any guest house facility in Patna,” the statement elaborated.

In his confession letter, Sikandar Prasad Yadavendu disclosed that his nephew informed him of achieving the desired results “as assured earlier.” The engineer also admitted to being in contact with a syndicate specializing in leaking question papers for NEET, UPSC, and other examinations.

Yadavendu additionally asserted that he arranged logistical support for other candidates, namely Ayush Raj, Shivanandan Kumar, Abhishek Kumar, Anurag Yadav, and Anurag’s mother Reena.

Earlier in the day, Anurag Yadav acknowledged in his confession letter that the leaked question paper he received matched the actual exam question paper.

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