The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a supplementary chargesheet in the NEET UG 2026 paper leak case before a Delhi court. This update adds a new accused to the ongoing investigation into the leak of exam questions for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG, which is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for medical college admissions.
- Who is the new accused in the chargesheet?
- How did the CBI uncover the paper leak conspiracy?
- What arrests have been made so far in the case?
- What actions were taken by the NTA regarding the exam?
Who is the new accused named in the supplementary chargesheet?
The supplementary chargesheet names Sheshrav Bajrang Suryawanshi, also known as Raj Suryawanshi, as the 14th accused. He is a resident of Nanded in Maharashtra and was arrested on September 2. The CBI alleges that Suryawanshi is a close associate of co-accused Shubham Khairnar and played a key role in the paper leak conspiracy.
How did the CBI uncover the paper leak conspiracy?
The CBI's investigation began with arrests on May 13, following the discovery of leaked NEET question PDFs on mobile phones. Forensic imaging of mobile devices helped recover deleted WhatsApp chats and PDF documents containing the leaked questions. This digital evidence was crucial in uncovering the conspiracy behind the leak.
What arrests have been made so far in the NEET paper leak case?
The investigation led to multiple arrests across several states. On May 13, Mangilal, Dinesh, and Vikas Biwal were arrested in Rajasthan after leaked PDFs were found on their phones. Yash Yadav was arrested in Gurugram, and Shubham Khairnar in Nashik on the same day. Dhananjay Lokhande was arrested in Pune after allegedly trying to destroy his phone to hide evidence, followed by Manisha Sanjay Waghmare, identified as a prime conspirator linking candidates and subject experts.
Further arrests included P V Kulkarni, considered the mastermind, on May 15 from Latur; Manisha Mandhare on May 16; Shivraj Motegaonkar, a coaching centre founder, on May 17; and Manisha Sanjay Havaldar, Tejas Shah, and Dr. Manoj Shirure later in May.
What actions did the National Testing Agency take regarding the exam?
Following the paper leak allegations, the NTA cancelled the NEET UG exam held on May 3. A re-examination was conducted on June 21 to ensure fairness and maintain the integrity of the admission process to medical colleges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is NEET UG?
A: NEET UG is the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for undergraduate medical courses in India, conducted by the National Testing Agency.
Q: Why was the NEET UG 2026 exam cancelled?
A: The exam was cancelled due to allegations of paper leaks, which compromised the fairness of the test.
Q: How is the CBI investigating the paper leak?
A: The CBI is using forensic analysis of mobile phones and digital evidence like WhatsApp chats and PDF documents to identify those involved in the leak.
Q: What consequences do the accused face?
A: The accused face legal proceedings in a fast-track court dealing with cases of paper leaks and unfair means in public examinations.
