Patna: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday launched simultaneous raids in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal in connection with the police constable recruitment examination paper leak case. The large-scale operation is part of an ongoing investigation into money laundering linked to the scam.According to official sources, the search operation was conducted 11 locations in Bihar and Jharkhand. In Patna, ED officials raided the premises of Shiv, while in Ranchi, the residence of Sikandar Prasad Yadavendu was searched. Both are directly involved in the recruitment scam. Shiv is the son of Sanjeev Mukhiya, alleged mastermind of the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak, according to sources.The ED team began its operations at two separate locations in Nalanda from 7.30am. One raid was conducted at the residence of Shiv in Balwa village while the other targeted the home of Sandeep Kumar in Gosai Math village. Sandeep is said to be a close associate of Mukhiya.The teams, arriving in three ED vehicles accompanied by central security forces, involved about a dozen officials in total. Sources said original certificates of eight to ten candidates were found, along with four blank cheques. Chequebooks, passbooks, certificates, and other documents were also seized.A separate raid was carried out at Sikandar’s residence near RPS Mor under Rupaspur police station limits. However, no official statement from the ED has been released so far.Tension briefly escalated in Gosai Math when around 25 villagers protested the ED action, threatening to disrupt proceedings and raising fears of stone-pelting. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel promptly brought the situation under control, and the raid continued without further hindrance until the afternoon.Sandeep, who owns the largest share of agricultural land in his village, fled before the ED team arrived, adding to suspicions of his involvement.Meanwhile, Shiv, who had been jailed earlier in the same constable recruitment paper leak case, was recently released on bail. He was also the subject of Thursday’s raid in Patna.His father, Sanjeev Mukhiya, is widely considered the key figure behind the NEET-UG paper leak and has allegedly been involved in leaking several other competitive exam papers. In April 2025, he was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) in Patna after absconding since the NEET-UG leak on May 5, 2024. A reward of Rs 3 lakh had been declared for information leading to his arrest. He is currently lodged in jail.Mukhiya, formerly employed as a technical assistant at the Horticulture College in Noorsarai, Nalanda, has once again brought to light the rampant corruption in the education sector.His wife, Mamta Devi, had contested the 2020 assembly elections from Harnaut on an LJP ticket. She is expected to contest the upcoming elections as well, although it is unclear whether she will stand as an independent or represent a political party.