The Enforcement Directorate is preparing to widen its money laundering investigation into alleged examination paper leaks across Rajasthan, Bihar, Assam, Karnataka and Maharashtra. The agency is seeking case records from state police authorities to determine whether suspected leaks generated illegal financial gains and whether proceeds were subsequently moved or invested. The ED is also expected to examine the NEET-UG case, where the CBI has already filed a chargesheet. Meanwhile, its Jharkhand probe continues amid arrests, searches and student protests.

ED Expands Exam Paper Leak Probe to Rajasthan, Bihar, Assam, Karnataka and Maharashtra

The Enforcement Directorate is intensifying its money laundering probe into the leak cases of examination papers in five states and preparing to probe the NEET-UG case and alleged proceeds of crime.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is planning to widen its money-laundering probes to examination paper leak cases in Rajasthan, Bihar, Assam, Karnataka and Maharashtra, officials said.

The agency is preparing to register cases related to alleged leaks in examinations from university entrance tests to government recruitment examinations, many of which have led to student protests. The ED is also expected to file a money laundering case in the NEET-UG paper leak in which the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) already filed its first chargesheet.

The CBI chargesheet names 13 accused in the NEET-UG matter, all of whom are in judicial custody, the report said. The ED, as part of the wider investigation, is seeking first information reports, case records and other related documents from state police agencies handling suspected examination leak cases.

The agency will look into whether such offenses generated illegal financial gains and investigate how alleged proceeds of crime were subsequently transferred, channeled or invested. The Center has directed the ED to probe a string of high-profile cases of examination papers being leaked from different states as part of its larger focus on financial networks.

Jharkhand recruitment case comes under ED lens

The ED is investigating money laundering allegations in various recruitment examinations in Jharkhand, especially the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination. The agency has started proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after taking cognizance of Jharkhand CID FIR and other complaints and chargesheets.

The probe followed prolonged student protests demanding a CBI inquiry, overhaul of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and JSSC, and cancellation of some recruitment exams. Former JPSC chairperson L Khiangte was arrested by the Jharkhand CID on Monday and has been interrogated four times since July 28 in connection with the case.

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The CID also carried out searches at 18 places in Ranchi, Palamu, Hazaribag, Bokaro and Dhanbad, widening investigations into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.

In its probe earlier, the Jharkhand CID had arrested 14 people, and the authorities were still investigating the charges of irregularities in the recruitment examination process and suspected paper leaks.

According to the supplied report, the JPSC has postponed the Combined Civil Services Mains Examination from July 25 to 27 due to “unavoidable circumstances”. Three JPSC members, Ajeeta Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda and Jamal Ahmad, resigned on Sunday after they were summoned by CID for questioning.

They are being questioned for alleged irregularities, including claims involving examination paper leaks. But the allegations are still under investigation and should not be treated as facts.

What the ED investigation could examine next

The ED is likely to collect evidence, summon those linked with the cases and probe whether the alleged proceeds of crime were used to acquire assets. 

Where investigators determine that assets were obtained with proceeds connected with scheduled offenses, the agency may consider whether such assets are subject to attachment under relevant provisions.

Financial transactions are also considered part of the underlying cases being investigated, which could make the overall investigation wider than just those accused of directly aiding or participating in the alleged leaks.

The probes come amid ongoing concerns about examination integrity, recruitment processes and the fallout from canceled or postponed competitive examinations, for students and job aspirants.

Sprouts News will be monitoring developments involving the ED, CBI, state police agencies, JPSC, JSSC, and examination authorities as investigations proceed. The next stage is anticipated to comprise documentary evidence, financial transactions, statements from individuals linked to the cases, and the possible identification of alleged proceeds of crime.