NEET Paper Leak Case: Delhi Court Sends Accused Teacher To 14-Day CBI Custody

On Sunday, a Delhi court remanded NEET-UG 2026 paper leak accused Manisha Gurunath Mandhare to 14 days of custody with the Central Bureau of Investigation as the agency intensified its investigation into the examination leak case.

Mandhare, a senior Botany teacher from Pune associated with the National Testing Agency, is suspected of playing a major role in leaking the Biology section of the NEET-UG examination paper.

Investigators have identified chemistry professor PV Kulkarni as the alleged main conspirator in the case.

Inside the Network

During proceedings at the Rouse Avenue Court, the CBI informed the court that Mandhare had specialised knowledge in translating Botany and Zoology question papers and was allegedly connected with other accused persons involved in the operation.

The agency claimed that she shared examination-related material with another accused identified as Shubham and said investigations were continuing in multiple states.

The CBI also sought custody on the grounds that Mandhare may need to be taken to different locations for further inquiry.

According to investigators, Mandhare had direct access to the Biology question paper during the examination preparation process. Her lawyer challenged the legality of the arrest, arguing before the court that she was detained after sunset and later transported to Delhi during the night.

The court asked the defence to submit a separate application regarding the allegations linked to the arrest procedure. It also permitted the accused to meet her legal counsel for 15 minutes daily during custody.

In a statement issued earlier, the CBI alleged that Mandhare conducted coaching sessions for selected NEET aspirants at her residence in Pune after coordinating with another accused, Manisha Wagmare, who was arrested earlier this month.

Investigators claimed students attending those sessions were allegedly told important Biology questions in advance. The questions later closely matched the actual NEET-UG 2026 paper conducted on May 3. The examination was subsequently cancelled.

Case Background

The probe agency said searches were recently carried out at six locations across the country. Investigators seized electronic devices and financial records during the operation. Other documents considered relevant to the investigation were also recovered.

The case was formally registered by the CBI on May 12. The action followed a complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education. The complaint concerned the alleged examination paper leak.

So far, nine people have been arrested from different cities, including Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Pune and Nashik.

Several accused are currently under police remand. Investigators are continuing efforts to trace the source of the leaked Chemistry and Biology papers. Agencies are also trying to identify middlemen linked to the network.

The CBI stated that the middlemen allegedly collected large sums of money from students. The students had attended special coaching sessions. Investigation agencies claimed examination questions were reportedly discussed there in advance.

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