NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak: Delhi Court Sends Five Accused to Seven-Day CBI Custody
In a significant development in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, a Delhi court on Thursday remanded five accused individuals to seven-day custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court's decision came after the CBI sought their custody for further interrogation into the alleged leak of the medical entrance examination paper.
The five arrested individuals have been identified as Shubham Khairnar from Nashik, Mangilal Biwal from Jaipur, Vikas Biwal and Dinesh Biwal, also from Jaipur, and Yash Yadav from Gurugram. They were produced before the court, which granted the CBI's request for custodial interrogation until May 21.
Details of the Arrests
The CBI had taken over the investigation from local authorities after the paper leak came to light earlier this month. The accused are believed to have played key roles in the conspiracy, which allegedly involved unauthorized access to the question paper and its distribution to candidates. The agency has been probing the network of individuals involved, including those who may have facilitated the leak and those who benefited from it.
Shubham Khairnar, a resident of Nashik, Maharashtra, is suspected to have acted as a middleman. Mangilal Biwal and his associates Vikas and Dinesh Biwal, all from Jaipur, Rajasthan, are alleged to have been involved in the distribution chain. Yash Yadav, from Gurugram, Haryana, is believed to have coordinated with candidates seeking unfair advantages.
Investigation Progress
The CBI has been conducting raids and collecting digital evidence, including mobile phone records and financial transactions, to establish the full extent of the leak. The agency has also questioned several students and coaching center operators. The court's order for CBI custody allows investigators to confront the accused with each other and with evidence gathered so far.
The NEET-UG 2026 examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is a crucial gateway for medical and dental admissions across India. The leak has caused widespread concern among students and parents, with demands for a thorough investigation and stricter security measures for future exams.
The CBI has assured the court that it will conduct a fair and transparent investigation. The next hearing in the case is expected after the custody period ends.
