The NEET paper leak controversy has taken a heated turn. Tejashwi Yadav's private secretary, Preetam Kumar, is now under scrutiny over his alleged involvement. It was revealed that the government guest house in Patna, where the gang and candidates involved in the tampering stayed, was booked by Preetam on the eve of the NEET exam. This information was confirmed by a guest house employee who mentioned that Preetam had made the reservations over the phone.
Deputy CM of Bihar, Vijay Sinha, stated that Tejashwi Yadav's private secretary, Preetam Kumar, secured a room for the assumed mastermind Sikandar through guest house employee Pradeep. Further comments suggest that those apprehended at the guest house have ties with Preetam, who also serves as the personal secretary to the former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. The Deputy CM added that pressure was applied to arrange the booking and that initially, Preetam's calls were not taken seriously. No official letter was provided for the stay, yet people stayed there. The department will take action regarding this issue. The JD(U) party also targeted Tejashwi Yadav by mentioning his private secretary Preetam's involvement.
Preetam became Tejashwi's PS in 2022
Preetam Kumar (52) is an officer of the Bihar Administrative Service. In August 2022, he was appointed as the private (governmental) secretary to Tejashwi Yadav. His father's name is Subhash Chandra Nirala, and he hails from Munger, Bihar.
Preetam, Sikandar, and Anurag... the familial ties revealed
Sikandar Prasad Yadavendu, a junior engineer in Danapur Municipal Council, had booked the guest house rooms under his nephew Anurag's name. The police have already arrested both, Sikandar and Anurag. It is believed that Sikandar was the brains behind the operation. He orchestrated the accommodation of the candidates and had the gang indoctrinate the examination material. Anurag, in his statement to the police, mentioned that Sikandar is his uncle. He confirmed their arrival at the guest house and testified to the activities that took place overnight. Both Sikandar and Anurag have confessed that Amit Kumar Anand and Nitish Kumar, also accused in the paper leak case, informed them that they leak papers for various competitive exams including NEET, BPSC, and UPSC, and coach candidates accordingly.
Read More: NEET Paper Leak: 'PS of Tejashwi Yadav booked the room for the mastermind,' claims Bihar Deputy CM
The guest house belongs to NHAI
As it turns out, Preetam and NEET paper leak mastermind Sikandar Prasad Yadavendu are relatives. Yadavendu had sought Preetam's help for booking the room. It was in this guest house that Yadavendu housed his nephew Anurag Yadav and three other candidates. The provisional billings and register entries have been located at the guest house, which is near Patna Zoo and Patna Airport, and is under the NHAI's Gulzarbagh Division.
Invoices and ministerial references...
In the guest house's bill book, a 'Minister Ji' has been mentioned. Beside the candidate Anurag Yadav's name, the word 'minister' was written in brackets. Employees revealed that they were previously unaware of this detail. Deputy CM Vijay Sinha has assured that action will be taken against the guilty parties.
However, this NHAI guest house is not affiliated with the central government. It is an inspection bungalow of the state government's Road Construction Department. Such guest houses have been constructed across various locations for inspections related to the NH by officials of the Road Construction Department.
