Ahmedabad: A city sessions court in Ahmedabad has denied regular bail to Jaipur resident Sumer Singh Meena and Kota resident Akash Meena, who were arrested by Ahmedabad Cybercrime Branch in June in connection with the NEET paper scam. The two are accused of promising access to Re-NEET question papers through Telegram channels.After their arrest in June, police officials said they had allegedly contacted more than 1,000 mobile numbers and Telegram IDs within a month and collected money by promising question papers and other confidential exam-related information.Police claimed that no NEET question papers or confidential examination material were recovered from them, suggesting the racket may have been based entirely on fraudulent claims.In their bail application, the accused submitted that there was no evidence to show that they had earned money by selling exam papers through Telegram channels. They said their role was limited to creating channels on the application and receiving money through scanners after fixing rates for the papers. They also argued that the complaint did not disclose any commission deposited into their accounts.Public prosecutor Sudhir Brahmbhatt opposed the bail pleas and submitted that the investigation had revealed that the accused lured students by claiming to provide Re-NEET papers through Telegram channels and charged amounts ranging from Rs 60,000 to Rs 10 lakh.After hearing the submissions, sessions judge J I Patel refused bail to the accused, and said, “The prosecution has expressed apprehension that if released on bail, the accused might flee. Considering all the details, pending investigation, and looking at the gravity of the alleged offence, the court does not find it proper to exercise its discretion.”
