THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, Jan 30: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a closure report before a special court in the 2024 UGC-NET case, stating that no evidence of a paper leak was found.
The exam, originally conducted on June 18, was cancelled the following day by the Union education ministry after reports suggested that the question paper had surfaced on the darknet and was being sold on Telegram.
Following this, the case was handed over to the CBI, which has now submitted its findings to the ministry.
The special court will decide whether to accept the report or order further investigation.
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Investigation reveals fabricated screenshot
Following an investigation, the CBI determined that a school student had fabricated a screenshot of the exam paper using an app. The manipulated image, with altered date and time stamps, was circulated online to create the impression that the paper had been leaked before the exam. Forensic experts confirmed that the screenshot was doctored.
No actual paper leak found
On the day of the exam, the alleged leaked paper was shared on Telegram in the afternoon before the second shift, further fueling concerns. However, the investigation revealed that the screenshot was created to deceive others and had no connection to an actual paper leak.
With over 11 lakh candidates registered for the test, the exam plays a crucial role in determining eligibility for junior research fellowships, assistant professor appointments, and PhD admissions in Indian universities.
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