NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak: CBI Chargesheets 13 Accused, Reveals Findings on NTA’s Role

NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case: CBI Files Chargesheet Against 13 Accused in Delhi Court

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 was submitted by the CBI’s Economic Offences Wing and will be presented before the special Fast Track Court set up to hear cases related to examination paper leaks on Wednesday.

As part of its investigation, the agency has cited 360 witnesses, 422 documents and 43 material objects to support its case.

The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Sections 315(5), 318(4), 61(2), 238 and 303(2). Charges have also been filed under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

The filing of the chargesheet marks a major step in the CBI’s probe into allegations of irregularities and unfair practices linked to the NEET-UG examination process.

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

NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak: CBI Finds No Institutional Corruption in NTA, Uncovers Multi-State Leak Network

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has found no evidence of institutional corruption within the National Testing Agency (NTA) in the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, according to its investigation report submitted before the court.

The agency informed the court that it examined the functioning of the NTA to determine whether any officials had accepted money or benefits in exchange for leaking the examination paper. However, investigators found no evidence of financial transactions or any direct involvement of NTA officials in a corruption network.

According to sources, the CBI concluded that the leak occurred due to serious procedural lapses and negligence rather than a planned conspiracy involving NTA personnel.

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

The agency is expected to recommend disciplinary action against officials found responsible for lapses and suggest major changes to the NTA’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to strengthen examination security.

Multi-State Leak Network Under Scanner

While ruling out institutional corruption within the NTA, the CBI said it uncovered a well-organised paper leak network operating across multiple states.

The chargesheet reportedly names several accused who allegedly conspired to obtain and distribute the leaked Chemistry paper before the examination.

One of the key accused identified by the agency is PV Kulkarni, a retired professor, translator and former NTA-associated member. The CBI alleges that Kulkarni dictated Chemistry questions during special coaching sessions for selected students after allegedly receiving around ₹5 lakh.

The questions were circulated as a “guess paper”, but investigators found that nearly 90% of the Chemistry questions matched the actual examination paper.

The agency has also alleged that the coaching sessions were arranged with the help of co-accused Manisha Waghmare, an education consultant.

Coaching Operator and Doctor Named as Accused

The CBI has named Shivraj Motegaonkar, owner of Renukai Chemistry Classes in Latur, Maharashtra, as one of the main conspirators in the case.

According to the agency, Motegaonkar allegedly paid ₹5 lakh to obtain the leaked questions and took help from co-accused Dr Manoj Shirur, a paediatrician, to access the examination paper.

Investigators alleged that Motegaonkar received the questions on April 23, 2026, at Siddhivinayak Hospital in Latur, before the examination. The CBI also claimed that efforts were made to destroy evidence after the exam.

The agency further alleged that Motegaonkar’s son, Aditya Motegaonkar, attended Kulkarni’s special classes, prepared handwritten notes and helped circulate PDF copies of the leaked questions through Telegram.

Digital Evidence Forms Key Part of Probe

The CBI’s case relies heavily on digital and forensic evidence collected during the investigation.

Forensic analysis of seized electronic devices allegedly traced the movement 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. The images reportedly contained 132 handwritten Chemistry questions photographed on April 23, several days before the NEET examination.

111 Questions Allegedly Matched NTA Master Papers

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

While opposing Motegaonkar’s bail plea, the agency told the court:

“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 CBI has also relied on handwriting experts to establish that the handwritten notes containing the questions were allegedly prepared by Kulkarni.