07 August,2026 11:52 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak was orchestrated through an extensive digital network in which confidential examination papers were circulated via WhatsApp, Telegram and electronic files several days before the examination.
In a chargesheet filed before the Special CBI Court at Rouse Avenue, the agency claimed that forensic analysis of seized mobile phones and other electronic devices uncovered chats, PDF documents, photographs of question papers and other digital records that helped investigators trace the alleged movement of the leaked paper from National Testing Agency (NTA) subject experts to intermediaries and eventually to candidates.
According to the chargesheet, forensic examination of electronic devices recovered during the investigation revealed digital evidence that the agency claims established the circulation of confidential examination material before the NEET-UG examination.
The CBI alleged that the electronic trail enabled investigators to reconstruct how the leaked question paper was shared among members of the alleged conspiracy using messaging applications and digital documents.
The agency said the digital evidence forms a key part of its prosecution and has been used to corroborate witness statements and other material collected during the investigation.
The CBI claimed that forensic examination of accused Yash Yadav's mobile phone recovered PDF files containing the alleged leaked NEET-UG 2026 question paper along with Telegram conversations with a contact saved as "AP Broker".
According to the agency, the contact was later identified during the investigation as co-accused Shubham Madhukar Khairnar.
The chargesheet alleges that these digital records demonstrate that confidential examination material had been transmitted before the examination was conducted.
The investigation also uncovered WhatsApp conversations and other digital evidence from electronic devices seized from several accused, the CBI said.
According to the chargesheet, a mobile phone recovered from accused Manisha Sanjay Waghmare allegedly contained a WhatsApp group titled "NEET 2026", which investigators claim was used as part of the communication network among the accused.
The agency alleged that the leaked question papers were routed through multiple intermediaries instead of being passed directly from NTA subject experts to candidates.
Investigators claim the confidential material moved from subject experts to private operators and brokers before reaching aspirants who had allegedly agreed to pay substantial sums for access to the leaked paper.
The CBI said it relied on call detail records, mobile phone extraction reports and forensic examination of seized electronic devices to support witness statements and establish communication among the accused.
According to the agency, these electronic records correspond with the timeline of meetings and exchanges described by witnesses during the investigation.
The chargesheet further alleged that original educational certificates, blank signed cheques and other documents were exchanged among members of the alleged network as security for payments promised after delivery of the leaked question papers.
The agency has treated these recoveries as corroborative evidence of what it described as a commercial arrangement behind the alleged leak.
Based on the digital evidence, witness statements and material recovered during the investigation, the CBI has chargesheeted 13 accused, including three NTA-appointed subject experts.
They have been charged under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
(With inputs from ANI)
