NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case: CBI Arrests Ninth Accused, Pune Biology Lecturer Sent to 14-Day Custody
- By Thetripurapost Desk, New Delhi
- May 17, 2026
- 247
The Central Bureau of Investigation produced the ninth accused arrested in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case before the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi, where the court remanded Botany teacher Manisha Mandhare to 14-day custody.
Pune Biology Lecturer Arrested in NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Probe
Manisha Mandhare, a biology lecturer from Pune, was arrested after extensive questioning at the CBI headquarters in Delhi as part of the ongoing investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak scandal.
According to the CBI, Manisha Mandhare was allegedly associated with the question paper-setting committee of the National Testing Agency.
CBI Claims Accused Shared NEET-UG Questions Before Examination
Investigators alleged that Manisha Mandhare had prior knowledge of questions that would appear in the NEET-UG 2026 examination.
The CBI claimed that before the NEET exam, Mandhare conducted special coaching classes in Pune where students were allegedly asked to note down Botany and Zoology questions likely to appear in the examination.
Beautician Manisha Waghmare Linked to NEET Paper Leak Network
The investigation further revealed that NEET aspirants were allegedly brought to the coaching network through Manisha Waghmare, a beautician arrested by the CBI from Pune.
According to investigators, Manisha Mandhare and Manisha Waghmare allegedly collected lakhs of rupees from students and parents in exchange for leaked NEET-UG exam papers.
The agency claimed that Waghmare later distributed the leaked question papers to other contacts involved in the alleged examination racket.
CBI Arrests Nine Accused Across Multiple Cities
The CBI has so far arrested nine accused in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case from cities including Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune and Ahilyanagar.
Investigation teams also conducted raids at the residence of one of the accused in Nanded as part of the expanding nationwide probe into the examination scam.
Chemistry Professor PV Kulkarni Named as Alleged Mastermind
The arrest of Manisha Mandhare reportedly followed the interrogation of Manisha Waghmare and alleged mastermind PV Kulkarni.
PV Kulkarni, a chemistry professor from Latur, was allegedly associated with the panel responsible for setting NEET examination papers over several years.
According to the CBI, Kulkarni conducted special coaching sessions at his residence during the last week of April and allegedly shared likely NEET questions, answer options and solutions with students before the examination.
Central Government Reshuffles National Testing Agency Officials
Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 examination, the central government has implemented a major administrative reshuffle within the National Testing Agency.
IRS officers Akash Jain and Aditya Rajendra Bhojgadia have been appointed as Joint Directors of the NTA.
Additionally, Anuja Bapat and Ruchita Vij have been appointed as Joint Secretaries in the agency for a tenure of five years or until further orders.
NEET-UG 2026 Exam Cancelled, Re-Examination Scheduled for June 21
The NEET-UG 2026 examination was conducted on May 3 across 551 cities in India and 14 international centres, with nearly 2.3 million candidates appearing for the medical entrance test.
According to the NTA, reports of irregularities emerged on the evening of May 7, following which the matter was referred to central investigative agencies.
On May 12, authorities officially cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination and announced that the re-examination would be conducted on June 21.
Supreme Court Petition Seeks Dissolution of National Testing Agency
The United Doctors Front has filed a petition in the Supreme Court of India seeking the dissolution of the National Testing Agency over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy.
The petition, filed by Advocates-on-Record Ritu Reniwal and Mahendra Kumawat, requested the formation of a new National Testing Body through legislation passed by Parliament.
The plea also sought the constitution of a court-monitored committee to oversee national-level examinations and ensure a transition away from paper-based examination systems in India.