NEET-UG case: Court extends Hawaldar's CBI custody by 2 days, Mandhare remanded

Two women accused in NEET-UG leak case sent to CBI, judicial custody. Representational Pic

A Delhi court extended the CBI custody of accused Manisha Sanjay Hawaldar by two more days and remanded another accused, Manisha Mandhare, to 14 days' judicial custody in the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case.

Special Judge Ajay Gupta passed the order while hearing the CBl's plea seeking further custodial interrogation of the accused.

The agency told the court that Hawaldar, empanelled as a physics translator by the National Testing Agency (NTA), had allegedly conspired with others to unauthorisedly retain and distribute the NEET-UG question paper for monetary gains.

Special Public Prosecutor V K Pathak submitted that Hawaldar's custodial interrogation was necessary to identify other persons allegedly involved in the conspiracy and to further investigate the case.

Opposing the plea, Hawaldar's counsel argued that she had been arrested on May 22 and had cooperated with the investigation, contending there was no need for further police custody.

The court, however, allowed the CBI's request and extended her custody by two days.

In the case of Mandhare, the CBI alleged that she was part of the NTA paper-setting committee and had retained and distributed the examination paper in conspiracy with other accused. The agency submitted that she needed to be confronted with other accused persons and students allegedly linked to the case.

Meanwhile, the court issued notice to the CBI on the bail plea filed by another accused, Manisha Waghmare, who sought relief on medical grounds. The matter has been posted for hearing on June 5.

The CBI has so far arrested 13 persons in connection with the alleged paper leak. The agency has alleged that Pune-based chemistry lecturer P V Kulkarni, considered the kingpin, had access to the question papers through his role in the NEET process.

The NEET-UG examination held on May 3 was cancelled by the NTA amid allegations of paper leak, and a re-examination has been scheduled for June 21.

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