A man was arrested in Nashik on Tuesday in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak case. Sources told News18 that the accused allegedly altered his appearance and cut his hair in an attempt to evade detection.
Sources further said that the accused, pursuing a BAMS degree, has been identified as Shubham Khairnar, a 30-year-old resident of Indiranagar in Nashik and originally from Nandgaon taluka. He was taken into custody around 12:00 pm while he was on his way to visit a temple.
Initially, investigators only had his name, but later tracked him down using technical intelligence inputs. Officials also said he had attempted to avoid identification by changing his physical appearance, including cutting his hair.
However, a police official reportedly identified him by matching his facial features with old photographs, leading to his arrest.
Speaking about the arrest, Deputy Commissioner of Police Kirankumar Chauhan told the media that Nashik Police’s Crime Branch Unit 2 detained the accused after receiving a request from Rajasthan Police for assistance in the case.
“A request from Rajasthan Police was received this morning for taking an individual into custody in connection with the NEET examination paper leak issue. Accordingly, Nashik police Crime Branch Unit 2 has nabbed a person,” Chauhan said, adding that a Rajasthan Police team would arrive to take custody of the accused.
Political Row And Student Protests
The arrest comes after the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the NEET (UG) 2026 exam held on May 3 amid allegations of a paper leak and other irregularities, with the government ordering a CBI probe into the matter.
The exam will now be conducted afresh on dates to be announced later.
The cancellation has triggered a sharp political backlash, with several Opposition leaders accusing the government of administrative failure and questioning repeated lapses in national-level entrance examinations. They have also demanded accountability from the NTA over the recurring controversies.
Meanwhile, protests also erupted in New Delhi, where the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) staged a demonstration near Shastri Bhawan, demanding justice for students affected by the alleged leak.
The case is being investigated by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) along with central agencies, as scrutiny intensifies over one of the country’s most important medical entrance examinations.
(With inputs from agencies)
