NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak: CBI Files Chargesheet Against 13 Accused, Makes Big Finding On NTA's Role

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday filed a chargesheet against 13 accused in the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case before the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi.

The chargesheet, filed by the Economic Offences Wing of the CBI, will be placed before the special Fast Track Court constituted to hear paper leak cases on Wednesday.

The agency has cited 360 witnesses, 422 documents and 43 material objects in support of its case.

The case has been registered under Sections 315(5), 318(4), 61(2), 238 and 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 10 read with Sections 3, 4, 5 and 11 of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means)

Act, 2024.

13 accused named in chargesheet

The accused named in the chargesheet are Yash Yadav, Mangilal Biwal, Dinesh Biwal, Vikas Biwal, Subham Khairnar, Dhananjay Lokhande, Prahalad Kulkarni, Tejas Harshad Kumar, Dr Manoj Shirure, Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, Manisha Waghmare, Manisha Mandhare and Manisha Sanjay Hawaldar. All the accused are currently in judicial custody.

1. Manisha Mandhare – NTA Biology expert
2. Pralhad Vithalrao Kulkarni – NTA Chemistry expert
3. Manisha Sanjay Havaldar – NTA Physics expert
4. Manisha Sanjay Waghmare – Middleperson
5. Dhananjay Nivrutti Lokhande – Middleman
6. Shubham Madhukar Khairnar – Middleman
7. Yash Yadav – Middleman
8. Mangilal Biwal – Middleman
9. Vikash Biwal – Middleman
10. Dinesh Biwal – Middleman
11. Dr. Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure – Middleman
12. Shivraj Raghunath Motegoankar – Owner of RCC Coaching Institute, Latur
13. Tejas Harshadkumar Shah- Physics faculty and COO at APMA Coaching Institute, Pune

CBI rules out institutional corruption in NTA

According to the CBI, its investigation into the National Testing Agency (NTA) did not find evidence of institutional corruption within the examination body.

The agency told the court that it examined the functioning of the NTA in detail to determine whether any official had accepted money or any other benefit in exchange for leaking the examination paper. However, investigators found no evidence of financial corruption or any quid pro quo involving NTA officials.

According to sources, the CBI concluded that the paper leak was made possible because of serious procedural lapses and negligence rather than a criminal conspiracy involving NTA personnel.

“While there is no evidence of institutionalised corruption, the sheer negligence displayed is unacceptable,” a source familiar with the investigation said.

The agency is expected to recommend strict departmental action against officials found negligent and suggest a comprehensive overhaul of the NTA’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to address vulnerabilities in the examination process.

Paper leak network allegedly spread across states

While ruling out institutional corruption within the NTA, the CBI said it had uncovered a sophisticated paper leak network operating across several states.

According to sources, the chargesheet names several accused who conspired to obtain and circulate the leaked Chemistry paper days before the examination.

Among the key accused is PV Kulkarni, a retired professor, translator and former member associated with the NTA. According to the investigation, Kulkarni allegedly dictated Chemistry questions during special coaching sessions conducted for selected students after receiving around Rs 5 lakh.

The material was allegedly circulated as a “guess paper”, but investigators found it matched nearly 90 per cent of the actual Chemistry questions in the examination.

The CBI has also alleged that the coaching sessions were organised with the help of co-accused Manisha Waghmare, who allegedly worked as an education consultant.

Coaching operator, doctor named

The agency has also named Shivraj Motegaonkar, owner of Renukai Chemistry Classes in Latur, Maharashtra, as one of the principal conspirators.

According to the CBI, Motegaonkar allegedly paid Rs 5 lakh to obtain the leaked questions and used the assistance of co-accused Dr Manoj Shirur, a paediatrician, to access the examination paper.

The agency alleged that Motegaonkar received the questions on April 23, 2026, at Siddhivinayak Hospital in Latur, before the examination. Investigators further alleged that he attempted to destroy evidence after the examination.

According to investigators, his son Aditya Motegaonkar attended Kulkarni’s special classes, prepared handwritten notes and allegedly helped circulate PDF copies of the leaked questions through Telegram.

Digital evidence forms key part of case

According to sources, the CBI’s case relies heavily on digital and forensic evidence recovered during the investigation.

Forensic analysis of seized electronic devices allegedly traced the circulation of leaked PDF files through Telegram across Pune, Latur, Nashik, Kota and Gurugram.

Investigators recovered 36 images, including five duplicates, from Shivraj Motegaonkar’s mobile phone. According to the agency, the images contained 132 handwritten Chemistry questions photographed on April 23, nearly a week before the NEET examination.

111 questions matched NTA master papers

According to the CBI’s submissions before the court, forensic analysis found that 111 of the leaked questions matched the NTA’s master question sets for NEET-UG 2026.

“Prima facie, it was found that approximately 111 of these questions match with questions in the NTA master question sets prepared for NEET UG 2026,” the agency said while opposing Motegaonkar’s bail.

According to sources, the CBI has also relied on handwriting experts to establish that the handwritten notes originated from Kulkarni.