Three held in Rajasthan for attempting to sell NEET paper for ₹40 lakh

Jaipur

The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan Police has detained three men for allegedly attempting to extort ₹40 lakh from a NEET candidate by falsely promising access to the question paper, officials confirmed on Sunday (May 4, 2025). The accused have been identified as Balwan (27), Mukesh Meena (40), and Hardas (38). According to police, on Friday, the trio took the student and his family to Gurugram and demanded the payment. However, when the family asked to see the question paper before handing over the money, the accused refused. Suspicious of their intentions, the family promptly informed the SOG, which led to the trio being apprehended on Saturday. The Incident comes as the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) is being held today for admissions to medical colleges across India. NEET-UG is one of the most competitive examinations in the country, and incidents involving malpractice and attempts at paper leaks often surface around the exam date. Authorities have stated that further investigation is underway to determine if the accused are part of a larger network targeting aspirants during high-stakes entrance exams. The police have reiterated their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the examination process and urged candidates and their families to immediately report any suspicious activities. This case underscores the persistent challenges faced in safeguarding competitive examinations against fraudulent activities.