KOTA/JAIPUR: Students from Jhalawar Government Medical College in Rajasthan are under scrutiny by investigation agencies in connection with the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak scam. Eight students were interrogated by Delhi Police in May, while two others were detained by Mumbai police on June 13.
On Friday, college authorities confirmed that Mumbai police, following a day-long interrogation, had taken the two students to Mumbai. These students have not returned to the college since their detention.
Dean Dr. Subash Chandra Jain stated that Mumbai police had requested information and documents about the two students via email on May 11. On June 13, an officer arrived with a letter of authority and conducted an inquiry about the two students, one of whom is a woman residing in the campus hostel.
“Mumbai police informed the college authorities that they would be taking the students to Mumbai, after five to six hours of questioning on the same day. Subsequently, the college reported the matter to local police,” Jain said.
There has been no further communication from Mumbai police regarding the two students, and they have not returned to the college. Dean Jain speculated that they might still be in police custody. He did not confirm whether the college had followed up with the Mumbai police about the students’ status.
Jhalawar Superintendent of Police Richa Tomar said that the district police were unaware of any arrests or detentions from the medical college last month. “After media inquiries, we sent a team to the college on Friday and were informed that a Mumbai police team had visited the institute and taken the two students,” Tomar added.
In May, Delhi Police had interrogated eight students from the college but released them afterward. “On May 8, a Delhi Police officer approached Jhalawar Medical College with a letter of authority, seeking information and documents about the eight students, who live in rental accommodations outside the campus,” Jain said.
These students were picked up from their respective locations, not from the college campus. “These students have since returned to the college and resumed their classes. When questioned, they revealed that the police had called them to Delhi for inquiry and later released them,” he added.
College authorities have not disclosed any further communication with Delhi Police regarding the eight students or the NEET scam investigation.
All 10 students questioned are from the 2019-2022 batch. The dean refused to disclose their identities, citing directions from the police and department officials. It is not known if any of the 10 students have been officially charged in the case.
Sources suggest that some students from Jhalawar Government Medical College are suspected of having appeared as dummy candidates in the NEET-UG examination for Rs 15 lakh each. The college authorities have remained silent on these allegations and the roles of the students questioned by the police.
