In a major breakthrough, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police arrested Sanjeev Mukhiya, the alleged mastermind behind the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) 2024 question paper leak, in Patna on the intervening night of April 24 and 25.

Mukhiya, who had been on the run for 11 months, was nabbed in an apartment in Danapur following a meticulously planned operation by the EOU’s Special Operations Group (SOG).

EOU Additional Director General Nayyar Hasnain Khan revealed that intelligence inputs pinpointed Mukhiya’s hideout. “The SOG gathered credible information that Mukhiya, a notorious criminal with a ₹3 lakh bounty and wanted in multiple paper leak cases, was in Danapur. After verification, we coordinated with the Patna Senior Superintendent of Police and the Danapur Police Station for a joint raid,” Khan told The Hindu. The operation culminated in Mukhiya’s arrest, a significant victory in the fight against exam malpractices.

Mukhiya, also known as Sanjeev Kumar, is implicated in several cases, including EOU Police Station Case Nos. 27/2024, 16/2023, and 06/2024, and has been previously charge-sheeted in cases from 2012 and 2013. His role in the NEET-UG paper leak, which occurred before the exam on May 5, 2024, prompted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to join the probe. “Mukhiya is currently being interrogated by the EOU. We will seek five days’ custody in court before handing him over to the CBI for further questioning,” Khan added. He also announced that the EOU would recommend rewards for the raiding team to the Bihar government.

The CBI, which took over the NEET-UG case, has arrested 45 individuals and filed five chargesheets, with the latest on November 22, 2024. An arrest warrant against Mukhiya was issued on January 27, 2025. Earlier, an EOU official disclosed that Mukhiya received the leaked NEET-UG question papers and answer sheets from an unidentified ‘professor’ via his mobile.

A resident of Nagarnausa village in Nalanda, Mukhiya has been involved in paper leaks for two decades. Previously a low-grade employee, he rose to become a Panchayat head, amassing significant wealth and influence. His son, Shiv Kumar, a doctor, is imprisoned in a separate paper leak case, and his wife, Mamta Devi, unsuccessfully contested the 2020 Assembly election from Harnaut on an LJP ticket. Mukhiya’s prior arrest in 2016 for leaking a Bihar Public Service Commission constable recruitment exam paper underscores his long-standing criminal network.

In a decisive victory, BJP leader Raja Iqbal Singh was elected the new mayor of Delhi on Friday, April 25, securing 133 votes against the Congress candidate Mandeep Singh’s eight.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) opted to boycott the election, paving the way for the BJP’s return to power in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) after a two-year hiatus. Jai Bhagwan Yadav of the BJP was elected deputy mayor after Congress’ Ariba Khan withdrew her candidacy.

Addressing the media, Singh, a former mayor and the erstwhile Leader of the Opposition in the MCD, vowed to transform Delhi’s civic landscape. “The city has been reduced to a garbage heap. My top priority is to clean it up within three months, and residents will witness a dramatic improvement in services,” he declared.

Singh promised to scrap the recently introduced garbage user charge and expedite the formation of the MCD’s standing committee, which has been stalled for over two years, causing policy gridlock.

The MCD session began with a condolence resolution for the 26 victims of the tragic Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, reflecting the somber national mood. The mayoral election, overseen by an electoral college of 238 councillors, 10 MPs (seven Lok Sabha, three Rajya Sabha), and 14 MLAs (11 BJP, three AAP), saw one vote declared invalid.

The BJP’s triumph follows its landslide victory in the recent Delhi Assembly elections, where it clinched 48 of 70 seats, slashing AAP’s tally from 62 to 22. With the BJP also ruling at the Centre, the party’s dominance has sparked talk of a ‘triple-engine government’ in the capital.

The MCD currently has 238 councillors, with 12 seats vacant due to some councillors becoming MLAs and one an MP. The BJP’s councillor strength has risen to 117 from 104 in 2022, while AAP’s has dropped to 113 from 134. Congress holds eight seats.

Singh, speaking to a news agency on Thursday, expressed confidence in addressing Delhi’s long-standing issues. “The people have entrusted us to fix the capital. We will root out corruption and complete all stalled projects,” he said.

AAP’s Shelly Oberoi, a former mayor, and Leader of the House Mukesh Goyal, announced their boycott, accusing the BJP of manipulating the polls with its “triple-engine might.” With Singh at the helm, the BJP aims to revitalize Delhi’s infrastructure and restore public trust in civic governance.

In the wake of the deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked all chief ministers across India to locate and deport any Pakistani nationals currently residing in their states. The Home Ministry’s directive follows what has been described as the deadliest attack on Indian soil since the Pulwama bombing in 2019.

According to sources, Shah personally reached out to state heads to ensure urgent action, as tensions continue to escalate between India and Pakistan over the latest incident.

India cancels all Pakistan visas, suspends Indus Waters Treaty

On Wednesday, India revoked all visas granted to Pakistani citizens, announcing that the cancellation will come into effect from April 27. Medical visa holders have been granted a brief extension of 48 hours. This decision is one of five strong diplomatic measures taken by the Indian government in response to the Pahalgam assault.

In another significant move, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a longstanding agreement governing water sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries. The action marks a sharp downturn in bilateral relations.

India has accused Pakistan of direct involvement in the Pahalgam attack and has presented evidence to senior diplomats from major global powers including the US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, Italy, and China. The information was shared by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during a high-level diplomatic briefing.

Pakistan retaliates with its own measures

Reacting sharply, Pakistan declared India’s suspension of the IWT an “act of war” and countered by suspending the Simla Agreement. Additionally, Islamabad has shut down its airspace for flights owned or operated by Indian airlines.

The Pahalgam attack: A brutal act of terror

The assault in Baisaran Valley on Tuesday afternoon left 26 people dead, including civilians and tourists. Among the deceased was a newlywed Navy officer on holiday. Visuals circulating on social media showed terrorists targeting only male victims, while one of them mocked a woman survivor, telling her to “go tell Modi”.

The attackers, reportedly five in number and armed with automatic weapons, are believed to be part of an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Intelligence sources suggest they were possibly directed by Lashkar chief Hafeez Saeed and his deputy Saifullah, both of whom are believed to be operating from Pakistan.

Political reactions and internal concerns

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in Bihar, addressed the global community in English, stating firmly that India would “identify and punish every terrorist and those behind them”. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reinforced this message, declaring that not just the attackers, but their handlers and conspirators would also be held accountable.

An all-party meeting was held on Thursday where opposition leaders questioned the absence of adequate security at the attack site. Government officials explained that the Baisaran area is only fortified ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra in June, when the route is formally opened.