Behind the Curtain: Unmasking the Dark Web of NEET Paper Leaks and Corruption in India"

Samaranand was engrossed in a heated discussion with his assistant, Babulal, about the recent NEET paper leak. The complexity and audacity of the operation intrigued them both. Samaranand speculated that hackers had played a pivotal role in tracking the transport of the question papers across India. Babulal, always resourceful, suggested contacting a hacker through their IT expert, Soumya.

Soumya arranged a video conference with a top hacker based in Bihar, whom they contacted via the dark net. This mysterious hacker, whom they decided to call Joker, joined the call using a deep fake image. Throughout the conversation, Joker kept changing his appearance—from Gandhi to Nehru, Indira, Jayalalithaa, Trump, and Elon Musk, but notably never Bhagat Singh or Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, sending a clear message through his choices.

Samaranand, curious about Joker's background, asked why he chose the path of hacking. Joker revealed that he had studied in a Hindi medium school and excelled in mathematics. He had coached students who made it to IIT and admitted he could have pursued IIT himself, followed by IIM or even cracking the IAS examination. However, the prospect of working under less intelligent or corrupt politicians deterred him. As a hacker, he possessed incriminating

information against many IAS officers, corrupt businessmen, and doctors. For Joker, earning money was not a problem. Samaranand, intrigued, asked where he kept his money since it could be traced if stored in a bank. Joker laughed and explained that he converted his money into cryptocurrency, making it untraceable.

Samaranand then inquired how the NEET paper leak was executed. Joker replied, "It's very easy in India. Everyone has a price. You just need to find the right people in the paper distribution chain. Hack the email system to know when and where the papers are being sent. Take Jharkhand, for instance. Before the consignment reaches its destination, you bribe the guard. For a few lakhs, he'll take a photo of the paper on his mobile and send it to someone like me in Bihar."

Joker continued, "Once I have the paper, I've already identified wealthy students who aren't academically strong. My foot soldiers locate these students and bring them to a designated place. Each might pay 20 to 30 lakhs. It's cheaper than a paid medical seat, which can cost nearly a crore, or studying abroad in places like Ukraine. The night before the exam, these students cram the answers. The next day, we ensure they reach their respective exam centers. Neat, isn't it? But I don't involve myself in such activities. I target the corrupt, who have black money and won't report to the police."

Samaranand, amused, commented, "You are a Robin Hood. Do you run any charity?"

Joker replied, "Yes, some of the cash I collect goes to orphanages and old age homes through my foot soldiers."

Samaranand reflected on Joker's words. The process described seemed entirely plausible. Corruption was rampant, and finding someone willing to cooperate for money was not difficult. He recalled how his insurance agent mentioned a gentleman from the human rights commission who wanted help converting 20 crores of cash. The man likely received bribes to ignore human rights violations, such as child labor in factories.

As the conversation drew to a close, Joker's image morphed into Genghis Khan, the conqueror. Samaranand was left contemplating the depth of corruption and the lengths to which people would go for money. No wonder India ranked 93 out of 188 countries on the Corruption Perception Index for 2023. The encounter with Joker highlighted a stark reality: in a system where every alternate person had a price, such leaks and corruption were disturbingly easy to orchestrate.

Disclaimer ; It has nothing to do with the present NEET paper leak. It is figment of my imagination!