NEET-UG 2024 paper leak: Court orders Sanjeev Mukhiya's release as CBI files no chargesheet
Synopsis
Sanjeev Mukhiya, a prominent name in the 2024 NEET-UG paper leak probe, walked out of judicial custody after the CBI chose not to chargesheet him — even as the agency has already chargesheeted 45 others. He remains behind bars in a separate case, and the broader investigation is far from over.
Key Takeaways
A Patna special court ordered Sanjeev Mukhiya's release from judicial custody on 1 September in the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case .
The CBI did not file a chargesheet against Mukhiya, citing absence of sufficient evidence to proceed against him at this stage.
Mukhiya will remain in jail in connection with a separate case .
The CBI has so far filed chargesheets against 45 accused persons in the NEET-UG leak case.
The CBI registered its case on 23 June 2024 as RC-224/2024 ; the Bihar Police had earlier registered Case No.
358/2024 at Shastri Nagar police station, Patna.
The court's order does not amount to a judicial finding that the broader NEET-UG paper leak allegations have been disproved.
A special court in Patna ordered the release of Sanjeev Mukhiya from judicial custody on 1 September in the 2024 NEET-UG question paper leak case, after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) did not file a chargesheet against him. The order came during a Monday evening hearing in which Mukhiya appeared before the court via video conferencing.
What the Court Ordered
The special court directed Mukhiya's release after reviewing the current status of the CBI investigation and noting the absence of a chargesheet against him. The court's order took effect after the required bail bonds were furnished. Notably, the relief is limited to the NEET-UG case — Mukhiya will remain in jail in connection with a separate case.
Mukhiya's Role in the Investigation
Mukhiya's name surfaced prominently during the probe into the alleged leakage and distribution of the NEET-UG 2024 question paper. The CBI interrogated him and examined his purported links to the network allegedly responsible for leaking and circulating the paper. He was subjected to remand proceedings, prompting widespread speculation that a chargesheet was imminent. However, the agency ultimately did not proceed against him, citing the absence of sufficient evidence at this stage.
Scale of the CBI Probe
The CBI registered its own case on 23 June 2024 under case number RC-224/2024. A separate case had earlier been registered by the Bihar Police at Shastri Nagar police station in Patna as Case No. 358/2024. According to reports, the agency has so far filed chargesheets against 45 accused persons, examining the alleged chain of events from the initial leak to the distribution of the question paper among candidates.
Background: How the Case Unfolded
The NEET-UG paper leak came to light in 2024, triggering a national controversy over the integrity of the country's premier medical entrance examination. The Bihar Police initially investigated the matter before the Centre handed over the probe to the CBI. The agency subsequently questioned multiple suspects, examined documents, and mapped the alleged distribution network.
What the Order Does Not Mean
The court's direction to release Mukhiya should not be read as a judicial finding that the broader allegations in the NEET-UG paper leak case have been disproved. The CBI investigation into other accused persons in the case remains ongoing, and the agency retains the option to file further chargesheets as the probe progresses.
Point of View
The decision to exclude a name that had surfaced 'prominently' in the probe will invite scrutiny. The NEET-UG controversy exposed systemic vulnerabilities in India's high-stakes examination infrastructure; the legal proceedings must be equally rigorous, or the credibility of the entire probe risks being questioned by the millions of students whose futures were disrupted.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Sanjeev Mukhiya released in the NEET-UG paper leak case?
Sanjeev Mukhiya was released from judicial custody because the CBI did not file a chargesheet against him in the 2024 NEET-UG paper leak case. A Patna special court ordered his release on 1 September after reviewing the investigation status and finding no chargesheet had been filed.
Will Sanjeev Mukhiya walk free after the court's order?
No. While Mukhiya has been released from judicial custody in the NEET-UG paper leak case, he will continue to remain in jail in connection with a separate case. The court's order applies only to his custody in the NEET-UG matter.
How many people has the CBI chargesheeted in the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak?
According to reports, the CBI has filed chargesheets against 45 accused persons in the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case. The agency examined the alleged chain of events from the initial leakage of the question paper to its distribution among candidates.
When did the CBI register its case in the NEET-UG paper leak?
The CBI registered its case on 23 June 2024, under case number RC-224/2024. The Bihar Police had earlier registered a separate case — Case No. 358/2024 — at Shastri Nagar police station in Patna before the Centre handed the probe to the CBI.
Does the court's order mean Mukhiya is innocent in the NEET-UG case?
No. The court's order to release Mukhiya from judicial custody reflects only the current status of the CBI investigation and the absence of a chargesheet against him. It is not a judicial finding that the broader allegations in the NEET-UG paper leak case have been disproved.
