07 August,2026 10:37 AM IST | New Delhi | IANS
CBI. File pic
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has concluded that the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak was the outcome of a well-organised, multi-state criminal conspiracy involving National Testing Agency (NTA) subject experts, coaching operators, brokers and candidates.
The agency has filed a chargesheet before the Special CBI Court at Rouse Avenue in Delhi, naming 13 accused, including three NTA-appointed subject experts, alleging they played key roles in leaking confidential examination papers in exchange for large sums of money.
According to the chargesheet, the accused include Botany expert Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, Chemistry expert Prahlad Vithalrao Kulkarni, and Physics expert Manisha Sanjay Havaldar, all of whom were appointed by the NTA for the conduct of NEET-UG 2026.
The CBI alleged that the three experts misused their official positions to gain unauthorised access to confidential question papers before the examination and shared them with members of the alleged conspiracy.
The agency has invoked provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
According to the CBI, the leaked question papers moved through a structured chain involving coaching operators, middlemen and brokers before reaching candidates.
The chargesheet names private accused Tejas Shah, Shivraj Motegaonkar, Dr Manoj Shirure, Manisha Sanjay Waghmare, Dhananjay Lokhande, Shubham Khairnar, Yash Yadav, Mangilal Biwal, Dinesh Biwal and Vikas Biwal, alleging that each played a role in distributing the leaked papers or arranging payments.
Investigators claim the conspiracy extended across multiple states, with confidential examination material allegedly being circulated several days before the test.
The CBI said forensic examination of seized mobile phones, pen drives and other electronic devices uncovered PDF and image files allegedly containing leaked NEET-UG 2026 question papers.
According to the agency, the files were exchanged through messaging platforms, including Telegram and WhatsApp, before the examination.
Investigators said the digital trail established how the leaked papers moved between different accused.
The agency alleged that Mangilal Biwal received the leaked questions from co-accused Yash Yadav through Telegram before handing over educational certificates and a signed blank cheque as security to one of Yadav's associates. These documents were later recovered during searches, the CBI claimed.
The investigation further alleges that Yash Yadav received the leaked question papers from Nashik-based accused Shubham Khairnar, whose chats with Yadav and copies of the leaked questions were recovered during forensic analysis.
The CBI claimed Khairnar purchased the leaked papers from Dhananjay Lokhande in a deal allegedly worth Rs 25 lakh.
According to the chargesheet, Lokhande obtained the papers through Manisha Sanjay Waghmare, who allegedly arranged for physical copies to be supplied through intermediaries.
Searches conducted at Waghmare's residence reportedly led to the recovery of a mobile phone containing a WhatsApp group titled "NEET 2026", which investigators believe was used in connection with the alleged conspiracy.
The CBI also referred to statements recorded from candidates during the investigation.
According to the chargesheet, one candidate and her father were allegedly offered access to the leaked NEET-UG 2026 question papers for Rs 4 lakh, along with coaching support and offline revision classes allegedly conducted by one of the NTA subject experts.
The agency said these interactions took place during late 2025 and early 2026 as part of the alleged conspiracy.
The CBI has maintained that forensic analysis of electronic devices, recovered documents, chat records and witness statements collectively establish the alleged criminal conspiracy, abuse of official position by public servants and the illegal circulation of confidential NEET-UG 2026 examination material before the test was conducted.
(With inputs from ANI)
