Patna: In a major revelation on Thursday, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha accused leader of opposition and senior RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav of being indirectly involved in the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak scam.
In a hurriedly convened press conference Sinha alleged here on Thursday that a name "Sikandar Yadvendu was prominently figuring in the matter who was utilised by the personal secretary Pritam Kumar of the then minister in a local guest house belonging to the NHAI of irrigation department where a NEET aspirant and his mother had stayed".
Seeking clarification regarding involvement of the "Mantri ji" and on the role of Yaduvendu in the entire matter, Sinha alleged that those caught from the guest house had close links with the former minister Yadav. The guest house was booked without any allotment letter and the people were staying there only on the basis of phone calls.
The guest house was booked for the aspirant by the then minister's personal assistant on a telephonic request made by Sikandar Yadvendu, a close confidant of both the Minister and his PA.
He also alleged that Yadvendu managed everything for RJD chief Lalu Prasad when he was behind the bars in connection with the multi-crore folder scam case.
Exhibiting the documents Sinha said that the room in the inspection bungalow was booked in the name of one Anurag Yadav mentioned as "Mantri ji against his name in the log book". For this booking Sikandar Yadvendu, a close associate of Tejashwi Yadav had messaged the latter's PA who in turn booked the guest house telephonically.
Anurag Yadav was arrested by Patna police in connection with the NEET question paper leak case.
Sinha said that action would be taken against each and every person involved in the matter. The arrested persons will have to reveal the name of the minister and the powerful persons whom they were utilising in the NEET scam.
He alleged that the RJD was patronising the NEET scam accused either directly or indirectly.
The activities of Sikandar Yadvendu appointed in the Irrigation Department who was brought in the Urban Development Department and became in-charge in Danapur locality was being investigated. The power he enjoyed establishes his links with the then powerful minister and RJD leaders, Sinha blamed.
Sinha asked Tejashwi Yadav to reveal the details of his links with Sikandar Yadvendu and Pritam Kumar.
The three other officers including an assistant engineer and a superintending engineer were suspended with immediate effect for allowing the suspects to stay at the guest house even without allotment.
He alleged that all these people were silent even after the matter was doing rounds in every corners across the country. "The Silence was tarnishing the entire image of Bihar," Sinha said.
The Minister said that he has ordered to collect the details of those who stayed in the guest houses during the past one year and asked to take strong action against those who were trying to defame the state. Sinha said that he has also requested Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to take tough stand and maintained that the matter was thoroughly being probed.
Sinha alleged that the RJD leaders did scams and tried to influence the appointment process when they were in power. They played with the future of the people.
He further said that the orders have been issued to investigate into the activities of Sikandar Yadvendu who was picked up by the police from Rajvanshi Nagar area on the day when the NEET examination was being conducted.
While being posted in Danapur Sikandar Yadvendu came in contact with the solver gang's Amit Anand and Nitish Kumar.
Irregularities in the conducting of the NEET-UG 2024 exam on May 5 and its results declared on June 4, have created a row across the nation after 67 students topped the ultra-competitive exam for entrance into medical colleges all scoring 720/720. The matter is in Supreme Court and the next hearing is on July 8. Over 24 lakh students had appeared for the exam.