The connection of Jharkhand to alleged irregularities surrounding the NEET exam has come to light following the arrest of a fake candidate, Poonam Kumari, in Lakhisarai. Poonam, originally from Giridih, was allegedly involved in a scheme to impersonate candidates during examinations. Her family claims she was ensnared by a solver gang.

Poonam previously achieved commendable academic success, having topped the Intermediate Science examination conducted by the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC). She is pursuing a nursing course at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and had enrolled there in August 2025. However, her engagement in the alleged malpractice reportedly occurred during the NEET UG examination.

The scheme was uncovered during the biometric verification process, where it was determined that Poonam sat the exam on behalf of another individual. This revelation has raised serious concerns about examination integrity and the methods employed by solver gangs operating in the region.

Background of Arrested Individuals

In addition to Poonam, another individual named Chanchal Kumari, from Hariharganj in Palamu, has also been implicated in the solver gang. Chanchal is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) at a government college in Odisha. Their arrests have highlighted the prominence of this network within Jharkhand.

Poonam’s family, grappling with the fallout of her arrest, expressed disbelief over her involvement in the alleged activities. Her father, Baleshwar Sharma, a carpenter, emphasised her academic prowess, confirming that she had excelled in her studies. Her mother, Malti Devi, shared her emotional distress over the situation, stating that they were unaware of Poonam’s actions or the motivations behind them.

Baleshwar had last spoken to Poonam on the evening prior to the NEET exam, after which he was unable to reach her as her phone was turned off. He expressed concern that she might have been manipulated or coerced into participating in the scheme.

Ongoing Investigation into Solver Gang Activities

Authorities are conducting an extensive investigation to uncover the extent of the solver gang’s operations and the circumstances surrounding the involvement of Poonam and Chanchal. They are focused on determining how these individuals became associated with the group and the nature of any inducements that may have been offered.

The investigation will also look into whether the suspects had previously engaged in similar activities and the financial arrangements involved in the impersonation scheme. Investigating agencies are scrutinising the backgrounds of both candidates to understand the underlying factors that led to their alleged participation in the NEET exam irregularities.

Law enforcement officials are committed to addressing the issue of examination fraud and ensuring that necessary measures are implemented to prevent such incidents in the future. The inquiry aims to reinforce the integrity of the NEET examination process and hold accountable those involved in undermining its credibility.

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