Inside The NEET Racket: From Seminar Halls To Secret Deals—How 'Weak Performers' Were Hunted As Targets | EXCLUSIVE

The investigation into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak is expanding, according to sources familiar with the early stages of the probe. CBI teams are still camping in Latur and continue to carry out extensive questioning. Sources said officials have questioned Shivraj Motegaonkar of the well-known RCC Institute, while some parents and students have also been called for inquiry as investigators try to understand how the network operated on the ground.According to senior police sources involved in the initial local probe before the case was handed over to the CBI, PV Kulkarni and co-accused Manisha Waghmare allegedly built a well-organised network that reached students across Pune and multiple parts of Maharashtra. Investigators suspect the operation

functioned like a structured chain, where students were approached in a systematic manner based on their academic and financial profiles.Sources claim seminars were allegedly used in some places as a way to identify and reach potential candidates. The network reportedly relied on young agents, many of them older students from engineering backgrounds, who could connect easily with aspirants and gain their trust.Latur was not initially on the radar in the NEET 2026 leak investigation. However, the direction of the probe reportedly changed after a complaint from a parent led district police to flag certain findings to the CBI.

Kulkarni accessed student data, shared it with network: Sources

Investigators suspect Kulkarni’s background may have played a key role. Sources claimed he belonged to Latur and allegedly had access to student-related data. That information was reportedly shared with Manisha Waghmare and others in the network. Latur is widely known as Maharashtra’s medical coaching hub, with students from different regions coming there for NEET preparation, making it fertile ground for such targeting operations.A senior police source claimed investigators discovered suspicious financial transactions linked to Waghmare. According to the officer, nearly Rs 10 lakh was transferred into her account on the day of the NEET examination. Apart from that, several students allegedly transferred amounts around Rs 25,000 to her account.Investigators also suspect that the network selected students based on their circumstances and usefulness. Sources said mock test performance from coaching institutes allegedly helped the group identify students who were academically struggling. Such students were then approached and assessed.Students from financially stronger families were allegedly seen as potential high-paying clients, with some being asked for amounts running into lakhs. At the same time, students from weaker economic backgrounds were allegedly used differently by the network. Sources claim this is one reason the money trail linked to beneficiaries ranges widely, from payments as high as Rs 25 lakh to as low as Rs 25,000.CBI has already questioned several coaching institutes and their operators in Latur. Agencies suspect Kulkarni may have used his position and connections to allegedly facilitate access to examination-related information for select institutions. Investigators are now trying to determine whether the network stretched beyond individuals and involved a larger organised system.Officials have not ruled out more questioning and possible expansion of the probe as new leads emerge.