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.

Dehradun, Sep 1: Incessant rainfall across Uttarakhand has disrupted normal life, with rising water levels in rivers and drains, landslides and traffic disruptions reported from several parts of the hill state.

The Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms in most parts of Uttarakhand on Tuesday. An Orange Alert has been issued for Dehradun and Tehri districts, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall. A Yellow Alert has been issued for Pauri Garhwal, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital and Haridwar.

Meanwhile, three members of a family were killed after their house collapsed in Vaduyya village in Almora district amid incessant rainfall. The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when the family members were sleeping inside the house.

The structure suddenly collapsed under the impact of the continuous rain. Hearing a loud noise followed by screams, villagers rushed towards the site and immediately informed the police and local administration about the incident.

Soon after receiving the information, teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, revenue department, fire services and disaster management authorities reached the spot. A rescue operation was launched with the assistance of local villagers.

After considerable effort and amid heavy debris, the rescue teams managed to pull the three victims out of the collapsed structure. However, by the time they were rescued, all three had already died.

Heavy rainfall in Almora over the past two days has already affected normal life in several areas. Roads have been disrupted at multiple locations, while the threat of landslides continues to remain high across the hilly regions.

In Dehradun, the water level of the Rispana River rose near the bridge on Mohini Road in Dalanwala at around 1 a.m. The strong current and rapidly rising water level triggered concern among residents living in nearby areas.

Police teams have been carrying out regular patrols in locations considered vulnerable to flooding and are keeping a close watch on rivers, drains and other water bodies. Officials are also monitoring developments closely in view of the forecast for continued rainfall.

The persistent rain also triggered landslides along the Mussoorie-Dehradun route on Monday. Traffic movement was disrupted near Pani Wala Bend after debris, stones and trees fell onto the road, blocking the route.

The road was subsequently cleared by the authorities and reopened for traffic. Another landslide was reported near Galogi Dhar, where debris again spilt onto the roadway and affected vehicular movement.

In view of the prevailing weather conditions, all schools from Classes 1 to 12, along with Anganwadi centres, in Dehradun and Pithoragarh have been closed on September 1 as a precautionary measure.

In Uttarkashi, the Yamunotri Highway was completely blocked near Ranachatti after debris and trees fell from the hillside. A team from the National Highways authorities reached the location and undertook clearance work. Traffic was restored after the debris was removed from the highway.

A landslide was also reported in Bageshwar, where debris blocked the Garud-Bageshwar route near Rawaikhal, disrupting traffic movement in the area. Authorities have been working to clear affected roads and restore connectivity wherever possible.

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.