Bhadrak: In a crackdown, three persons were arrested today by Rural police in connection with a ‘fake examinee’ appearing the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2024, which was held on May 5 (Sunday) at a private school in Bhadrak town of this district.

Three more persons involved in the illegal activity are absconding, a police source said.

The accused trio was identified as ‘fake examinee’ Ankit Raj, middleman Rajesh Kumar Madhukar, and his aide Prem Shankar Pandey, all hailing from neighbouring Bihar.

According to the official source, a NEET aspirant named Sashwat Tripathy from Mayurbhanj district had initially contacted a member of the racket Aditya Kumar for another examinee.

In turn, middleman Rajesh contacted the medical college student Ankit Raj studying in Kolkata. Ankit was asked to appear NEET UG 2024 and a deal was subsequently finalised for Rs 10 Lakh. Ankit had agreed to the proposal as he was a poor student.

During the conduct of the medical entrance test, an invigilator suspected that Ankit was appearing NEET on behalf of Sashwat, by impersonating him as a bonafide examinee.

The centre invigilator immediately informed an administrative officer about it as a photograph on the admit card was that of the fake examinee.

Upon verification, it was known that fingerprints of the fake examinee were mismatching with Aadhaar Card biometrics as were earlier provided by Sashwat.

The centre superintendent brought the matter to the knowledge of Rural police and had lodged an FIR. Acting on which, a team of cops initiated a probe leading to the arrests.

Rural police have been verifying with a bank for any payment made in this regard. Police did not divulge more information as a detailed probe is underway.