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The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar government said on Sunday (June 24) that it arrested a “solver gang” member who had received a PDF of the solved question paper of the NEET-UG exam on his phone on May 4, a day before the examination. A report by The Indian Express identified this member as Baldev Kumar, alias Chintu.

The report said that Kumar was among five arrested by the EOU from Jharkhand's Deogarh district on Sunday. The EOU then produced them before a court in Patna that sent them to judicial custody. 

Also read | CBI files FIR in connection with alleged irregularities in NEET-UG exam

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Citing a statement from the Bihar police, the report said that Kumar was associated with the alleged kingpin of the solver gang Sanjiv Kumar, who is still at large. 

Who are the other arrested solver gang members?

The other arrested members of the solver gang were identified as Mukesh Kumar, Panku Kumar, Rajeev Kumar, and Paramjit Singh, The Indian Express reported. Before their arrest, Mukesh, Rajeev, and Paramjit had been named as accused in the Bihar EOU's case.

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According to the EOU, the five accused were tracked down based on intelligence inputs and technical investigation. The unit said that partially burnt papers were found at the Learn Boys Hostel and Play School in Patna. These papers were sent to a forensics lab.

The EOU then mapped the trail of the leaked NEET-UG exam question paper. It said that Baldev received the PDF file of the solved question paper on his mobile on the morning of May 5. 

Also watch | NEET-UG probe: Union Secretary Kharola to take charge as new chief of NTA

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The paper's photocopies were taken out from the printer kept in school. Groups of candidates were formed and they were made to memorise them, the unit added. Arrangements were also made to discreetly transport the candidates, it further said.

CBI takes over probe

Facing flak over alleged discrepancies in competitive exams, the Centre on Saturday shunted out National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Subodh Singh and handed over the probe into irregularities in the NEET-UG exam to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). 

The government has assured the strictest possible action against anyone found to be involved in any irregularity. 

(With inputs from agencies)