The NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case has raised fresh concerns over examination security. CBI’s charge sheet claims the paper did not escape from any printing press. Instead, subject experts working with NTA allegedly misused authorised access and shared confidential questions. The Delhi Rouse Avenue Court will examine the charge sheet on August 10.
Experts Allegedly Misused Translation And Review Access
According to CBI, experts leaked the paper during confidential translation, back-translation, and proofreading work. The investigation identified three experts linked to the alleged leak. Botany-Zoology expert Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, Chemistry expert Prahlad Vitthalrao Kulkarni, also called PV Kulkarni, and Physics expert Manisha Sanjay Hawaldar appeared in the probe.
Furthermore, CBI stated that PV Kulkarni and Manisha Mandhare organised secret revision sessions in Pune during April 2026. They allegedly told candidates questions, options, and correct answers verbally. Candidates wrote these details manually in notebooks to avoid creating digital records.
Questions Allegedly Reached Coaching Networks Before Exam
Meanwhile, CBI claimed Manisha Hawaldar shared physics questions with Pune-based APMA physics lecturer Tejas Harshadkumar Shah. Shah allegedly photographed handwritten notes and sent them to Professor Shivraj Motegaonkar. He runs Renukai Career Centre in Latur.
Additionally, CBI alleged Shah transferred online money to Manisha Hawaldar’s husband’s mobile number. The agency also claimed PV Kulkarni and Manisha Mandhare worked with Latur paediatrician Dr. Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure.
According to the investigation, candidates gathered at Siddhivinayak Hospital before the examination. There, they allegedly memorised the complete question bank before appearing for NEET-UG.
Leaked Questions Allegedly Spread Through Telegram And Payments
The investigation found that Nashik resident Shubham Khairnar contacted Gurugram resident Yash Yadav. The leaked questions were converted into a PDF file and sent through Telegram.
Later, Yash Yadav allegedly provided the PDF to Jaipur resident Mangilal Biwal, also known as Mangilal Khatik. The transaction reportedly involved ₹10 lakh to ₹12 lakh.
Moreover, CBI claimed Mangilal printed the question paper copies. He allegedly distributed them among family members, coaching students, and private tutors. As a result, several candidates allegedly accessed the leaked material before the examination.
Digital Records And Handwriting Tests Provide Evidence
CBI stated that forensic handwriting analysis produced important evidence. The agency compared recovered candidate notebooks with the actual NEET-UG paper held on May 3.
The investigation found that questions and answers in both records matched completely. Additionally, CBI recovered digital payment records connected with online transactions. These records included transfers involving Manisha Hawaldar’s family bank account.
Furthermore, investigators recovered ₹5 lakh cash from a family member of Dr. Manoj Shirure. CBI described these findings as important evidence in the ongoing investigation.
