Telegram video on NEET UG paper leak was fake NTA tells SC

NEW DELHI: The National Testing Agency has told the Supreme Court that a Telegram video alleging the NEET UG, 2024 question paper on May 4 was fake and fabricated.

The timestamp over there was manipulated to create a false impression of an early leak and the comments and discussion on social media highlighted the fabricated nature of claim over there, it said in an affidavit.

In response to the court's questions made on July 8, the NTA claimed the distribution of marks in NEET UG, 2024 at national, state, city and centre levels was found to be quite normal with no external factor affecting it.

Ahead of the apex court's hearing on Thursday, the agency, which conducted May 5 test, marred by allegations of paper leakage and other malpractices, said as on date 16 FIRs have been registered, 14 at its instance while one each by Patna and Godhra police on their own information.

It said after information about 17 candidates were received from Patna police, their performance assessment was carried by the NTA which does not disclose much impact on the conduct of examination at the centre and the performance of the candidates involved is moderate to below average.

"The assessment of their performance does not disclose much impact on the conduct of the exam at the said centre, and the performance of the students involved also is moderate to below average," it said.

Answering the court's question with regard to time lag between paper leakage and conduct of the test, the NTA said, "The incident being a clandestinely committed criminal activity, the information in respect thereof also came through the media circles. The investigation was initially started by the Bihar Police and is now taken over by CBI. As per the Bihar Police report a list of suspected 17 Candidates was furnished to NTA. The NTA after following due process withheld the results of such candidates, after issuance of show cause notices."

It also said a list of 30 candidates was provided by the district authorities in Godhra on suspicious activity and their results have also been withheld after issuance of show cause notice.