CBI Clears Chandrapur Student in NEET Paper Leak Probe, Result to be Released

The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has directed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to release the NEET-UG result of Chandrapur student Atharva Donadkar after the Central Bureau of Investigation found no evidence linking him to the examination paper leak. His result had been withheld after investigators conducted a search at his residence during the probe into the NEET-UG paper leak case.

Donadkar appeared for the NEET-UG examination on May 3 and subsequently took the re-test on June 21. However, his result was withheld after the CBI raided his residence on May 15 as part of its investigation. The action followed concerns over material found at the student's home, prompting authorities to examine whether he had any connection with the alleged leak.

During the search, investigators seized study material and a question paper carrying a roll number different from Donadkar's. The recovery raised questions about whether the material could have been connected to the leaked examination paper. The CBI subsequently examined the circumstances surrounding the material and its possible connection to the student.

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The National Testing Agency later issued a show-cause notice to Donadkar on July 15 based on information received during the investigation. The notice sought an explanation from the student regarding the material recovered from his residence. Donadkar responded on July 17, stating that the papers seized by investigators were mock practice papers supplied by his coaching institute for preparation.

According to Donadkar's explanation, the material found at his home was not related to the actual NEET-UG examination paper. The CBI's investigation ultimately found no evidence of wrongdoing against the student. With the investigating agency finding no basis to implicate him in the paper leak, the matter came before the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court.

The court has now directed the NTA to release Donadkar's NEET-UG result, providing relief to the student after months of uncertainty over his examination status. The case highlights the impact that investigations into large-scale examination irregularities can have on students who may be questioned because of material found during searches. The release of Donadkar's result will allow him to know his performance and proceed with the next stage of his medical education plans.

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