The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two more individuals in connection with the alleged NEET UG 2026 paper leak case, bringing the total number of arrests to 13. Investigators continue to unravel what they describe as a widespread network involved in the leakage and distribution of examination questions prior to the national medical entrance test.
Details of the Arrests
Among those arrested is Dr Manoj Shirure, a doctor based in Latur, who the CBI alleges played a pivotal role in facilitating access to leaked Chemistry questions for three students, including the son of a coaching institute owner who is already in custody. According to investigators, the questions were sourced from another accused, P V Kulkarni.
The second arrest is that of Tejas Harshadkumar Shah, a physics faculty member at Pune-based Dr Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy (APMA). The CBI stated that Shah allegedly obtained leaked Physics questions from Manisha Havaldar, one of the previously arrested accused.
Ongoing Investigation
Officials said the probe is now focused on uncovering the larger distribution chain and the broader conspiracy behind the leak. The agency has conducted searches at 49 locations across India and seized several documents, laptops, and mobile phones, which are being examined in detail.
The case was registered by the CBI on May 12 following a complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Union Ministry of Education regarding alleged irregularities and leakage of the NEET UG 2026 question paper. Shortly after the FIR was filed, multiple special teams were formed and raids were carried out across several states, leading to detentions and interrogations.
Geographical Spread
So far, the 13 accused arrested in the case hail from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, Latur, and Ahilyanagar. Investigators claim that the probe has already identified the “actual source” from which the leaked Chemistry, Biology, and Physics questions were circulated ahead of the examination.
The agency maintained that the investigation is continuing on multiple fronts, with several teams working simultaneously to establish the complete sequence of events and identify all those involved in the alleged leak network.
