On 27th July, the Bihar Economic Offences Unit (EOU) arrested an MBBS doctor in connection with the BPSC TRE-3 teacher recruitment examination paper leak case. The agency said Dr Manish Kumar had taken around 30 candidates to Hazaribagh before the examination and was promised Rs 50,000 for each candidate.
Manish, a resident of Nehalpur village in Bihar’s Jehanabad district, was arrested on Monday. His name was not mentioned in the original FIR but surfaced during the investigation. His arrest was the 296th made in connection with the case.
Connection with Sanjeev Mukhiya’s son
According to the EOU, Manish was a friend of Dr Shiv, the son of Sanjeev Mukhiya, who has been identified by investigators as a key figure in examination paper leak networks.
The agency said the group had conspired to obtain the BPSC TRE-3 question paper before the examination and provide it to selected candidates. Manish was reportedly promised Rs 50,000 for arranging each candidate for the group. The TRE-3 examination was scheduled for 15th March 2024.
Candidates taken to Hazaribagh hotel
Investigators said Manish reserved a vehicle in Patna two to three days before the examination and transported around 30 candidates to the Kohinoor Hotel in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.
The candidates were reportedly kept at the hotel and provided with access to the leaked question paper so that they could memorise the questions and answers before appearing for the examination. After leaving the candidates at the hotel, Manish returned to Patna, the agency said.
The EOU is examining his role in arranging the candidates and identifying other people connected with the operation. Investigators are also looking into the wider network involved in procuring, distributing and monetising leaked examination papers.
Had resigned from government service
Manish completed his MBBS from Nalanda Medical College and Hospital in Patna in 2021. He subsequently worked as a government doctor in Kaimur district. He later resigned from government service and was preparing for postgraduate medical entrance examinations at the time of his arrest.
The EOU said further investigation was under way and the roles of other individuals linked to the paper leak network were being verified.
