Gujarat Teacher, 2 Others Arrested in NEET Exam Cheating Scam

Gandhinagar: The Gujarat police have taken action against a schoolteacher and two accomplices in Panchmahal district’s Godhra area for allegedly aiding six candidates in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) exam. The accused purportedly promised to solve the exam papers for a hefty sum of ₹10 lakh per candidate.

Following a complaint by District Education Officer Kirit Patel, the Godhra taluka police station has registered a case against three individuals: a physics teacher and the deputy superintendent of exams at the centre, Tushar Bhatt, along with Parsuram Roy and Arif Vora. The allegations include malpractice and cheating at Jay Jalaram School during the May 5 examination.

During the investigation, police discovered ₹7 lakh in cash in Bhatt’s vehicle, believed to be an advance payment from Vora to ensure a candidate’s placement in the merit list.

According to the FIR, the accused instructed candidates to only attempt questions they knew and leave others blank, with the intention of filling them in later. The malpractice was uncovered on the day of the exam when authorities received a tip-off.

Upon interrogation, Bhatt admitted to receiving promises of ₹10 lakh each to solve the papers for six candidates listed in a WhatsApp message sent by co-accused Roy. One aspirant had already paid ₹7 lakh in advance, which authorities seized.

The accused face charges including criminal breach of trust, cheating, and criminal conspiracy. The investigation is ongoing, as confirmed by a Godhra taluka police station official.

NEET (UG) is a crucial entrance test for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate medical, dental, and AYUSH courses in India, both in government and private institutions.