New Delhi— A Delhi court on Monday sent three accused in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case to 14 days’ judicial custody as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continued its probe into the alleged examination scam.
Special Judge Ajay Gupta allowed the CBI’s plea seeking judicial custody of Manisha Sanjay Hawaldar, a physics lecturer empanelled by the National Testing Agency (NTA) as a translator, Latur-based paediatrician Dr Manoj Shirure, and physics tutor Tejas Harshadkumar Shah.
Hawaldar’s CBI custody had been extended by two days on Saturday, while Shirure and Shah were remanded to five days of custodial interrogation on May 27.
According to the CBI, Hawaldar allegedly conspired with other accused persons to unlawfully retain and distribute the NEET-UG question paper in exchange for money. Investigators claim she played a key role in leaking examination material before the test.
The agency further alleged that Dr Manoj Shirure facilitated access to Chemistry questions for three students, including the son of Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, owner of Renukai Chemistry Classes (RCC) in Maharashtra’s Latur. The questions were allegedly obtained from NEET paper setter P. V. Kulkarni.
Motegaonkar and Kulkarni, who has been described by investigators as the alleged kingpin of the racket, were arrested earlier in the case.
Tejas Harshadkumar Shah, a physics teacher associated with Pune-based Dr Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy (APMA), was also arrested for his alleged involvement. The CBI claims Shah received leaked Physics questions from Hawaldar and was part of the wider conspiracy.
So far, the CBI has arrested 13 people in connection with the paper leak investigation.
The controversy erupted after allegations surfaced that the NEET-UG 2026 examination, conducted on May 3, had been compromised. Following the allegations, the National Testing Agency cancelled the examination on May 12.
A fresh NEET-UG examination has been scheduled for June 21, with authorities promising enhanced security measures to ensure the integrity of the test.
