Patna, Sep 1: Sanjeev Mukhiya, whose name surfaced prominently in connection with the Patna NEET-UG question paper leak case in 2024, has received relief from a special court, which ordered his release from judicial custody after the CBI did not file a chargesheet against him.

The order was passed during a hearing on Monday evening, when Mukhiya appeared before the court through video conferencing.

The court directed his release after considering the status of the CBI investigation and the absence of a chargesheet against him.

However, he will stay in jail in another case.

Mukhiya had come under the scrutiny of investigating agencies after his alleged links to the NEET-UG paper leak surfaced.

The CBI had interrogated him and examined his possible role in the network allegedly involved in the leakage and distribution of the question paper.

However, during the course of its investigation, the agency did not file a charge sheet against Mukhiya.

The absence of sufficient evidence to proceed against him was taken into consideration during the court proceedings.

The CBI has investigated the roles of several accused in the NEET-UG paper leak case and, according to reports, has filed charge sheets against 45 accused persons.

The agency examined the alleged chain of events from the leakage of the question paper to its distribution among candidates.

The NEET-UG paper leak case came to light in 2024, following which the Bihar Police initially investigated the matter.

The Central government subsequently handed over the investigation to the CBI.

The CBI registered its own case on June 23, 2024, as 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.

After taking over the probe, the CBI questioned several suspects, examined documents and investigated the alleged network involved in the paper leak and the subsequent distribution of the question paper.

Sanjeev Mukhiya’s name emerged during the investigation, leading the agency to examine his alleged role.

He was questioned and subjected to remand proceedings, prompting speculation that he could eventually be chargesheeted.

However, the CBI ultimately did not file a chargesheet against him.

Based on the current status of the investigation, the special court has now ordered his release from judicial custody after the required bail bonds were furnished.

The court’s order provides Mukhiya relief from continued judicial custody in this case.

However, the order should not be interpreted as a judicial finding that all allegations surrounding the broader NEET-UG paper leak case have been disproved.

New Delhi, Sep 1: The Delhi Police on Tuesday apprehended two Bangladeshi nationals for violating the conditions of their respective visas by overstaying beyond the permissible period.

The action was taken by the Foreigner Cell of the Special Staff, Central District, during a special verification drive conducted under Operation VISTA 1.0 (Visa Status Verification).

The apprehended foreign nationals were identified as Jomir Hossen, 25, and Maksuda Akter, 39. Both Hossen and Akter are residents of Bangladesh.

According to the police, both foreign nationals had entered India on Double-Entry Visas that permitted them to stay in the country for a maximum of 15 days per visit. During verification, they were found staying beyond the permissible period, thereby violating the conditions of their visas.

As part of the special verification drive, the Foreigner Cell conducted checks at various hotels and guest houses in the Central District area. During the operation, the police team reached a hotel on Arakashan Road in Nabi Karim, where Hossen was found staying. He had entered India on July 9.

Thereafter, the team conducted verification at another hotel in Chandi Walan Main Bazar, Paharganj, where Akter was found staying. She had entered India on July 27.

The police thoroughly checked and verified the passports, visas and other travel documents of both foreign nationals.

The operation was conducted by a dedicated team of the Foreigner Cell, Special Staff, Central District, under the leadership of Inspector Sandeep Yadav, I/C Special Staff, Central District, and under the overall supervision of ACP/Operations Padam Singh Rana.

The team comprised Sub-Inspectors Ombeer Singh Tyagi and Satish, Head Constables Narender, Yogesh, Vikas and Manish, Constable Lokesh and Woman Constable Kiran.

During questioning and verification, the two foreign nationals were asked about their stay in India and their travel documents were scrutinised. The verification established that both had entered India on Double-Entry Visas carrying a condition permitting a maximum stay of 15 days per visit.

The police said both were found to have exceeded the permissible duration of stay and were consequently apprehended for violation of visa conditions.

Following completion of the verification process, both foreign nationals were produced before the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for further legal proceedings.

Subsequently, the FRRO issued Restriction Orders directing their placement at the Detention Centre, Sewa Dham, Shahzada Bagh, Sarai Rohilla, Delhi.

Accordingly, both foreign nationals were lodged at the detention centre, where they will remain pending further deportation proceedings as per law.

The Delhi Police said the operation was part of its efforts to verify the visa status and compliance of foreign nationals staying in the Central District.

Patna, Aug 31: A Dial 112 emergency vehicle driver was accused of driving under the influence of alcohol and hitting a cyclist and a motorcycle in Muzaffarpur’s Ramdayalu area on Monday.

The incident, which falls under the jurisdiction of Sadar Police Station, triggered anger among local residents.

Police subsequently took the driver, identified as Santosh Kumar, into custody.

According to police, the detained driver underwent a medical examination, which confirmed alcohol consumption.

Further legal action is being taken in the matter. Meanwhile, the injured cyclist has submitted an application at Sadar Police Station seeking registration of an FIR.

According to preliminary information, Santosh Kumar was driving the Dial 112 vehicle through the Ramdayalu area when it allegedly first struck a cyclist.

The cyclist, Shatrughan Rai, a resident of Baramatpur under the Sadar police station area, sustained serious injuries, including injuries to both legs. The vehicle subsequently collided with a motorcycle.

The motorcyclist, identified as Manish Kumar of Chak Chameli village under the Hajipur Sadar police station area of Vaishali district, escaped with minor injuries, but his motorcycle was badly damaged.

The incident led to a gathering of local residents, who raised an alarm and confronted the driver over allegations of drunk driving.

Locals informed the police, following which a Sadar Police team reached the spot and took Santosh Kumar into custody. Manish Kumar said he was travelling from his home in Hajipur to Muzaffarpur when he witnessed the Dial 112 vehicle hit the cyclist.

He said the emergency vehicle then struck his motorcycle with considerable force, causing extensive damage. Manish further alleged that when he and others confronted the driver following the accident, the driver used abusive language.

The situation was subsequently brought under control after police reached the spot and took the driver to the police station.

Muzaffarpur SSP Kantesh Kumar Mishra said the incident had come to the police’s notice and that the accused driver was being questioned.

He said further action would be taken in accordance with the law after completion of the investigation and that steps would be taken to seek judicial custody of the accused.