On Friday, the Patna High Court granted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) permission to take custody of 13 individuals accused in the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case.

On July 2, a CBI Exclusive Magistrate rejected the CBI's application for the remand of the accused individuals. However, Justice Sandeep Kumar of the Patna High Court recognized the gravity of the case and stayed the Magistrate's order.

"Considering the seriousness of the case and in the interest of justice, the operation of the order dated 02.07.2024 passed by the Exclusive Magistrate, C.B.I., Patna in F.I.R. No. RC.2212024E0006-CBI/EO-III/New Delhi shall remain stayed," the Court stated in its July 12 order.

The Court granted the CBI fifteen days of custody of the accused individuals.

The Court also directed the Superintendent of the Jail, where the accused are currently lodged, to hand them over to the CBI on Friday, July 12, without any delay.

Advocate Avanish Kumar Singh represented the CBI, while Advocate Jharkhandi Upadhyay represented the thirteen accused.

During a Supreme Court hearing on Thursday, the Central Government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) argued that there was no need to cancel the NEET exam or hold a re-examination, as there was no evidence of large-scale breaches of confidentiality. The NTA specifically informed the top court that no question paper was reported missing and no breaches were found in Patna.