Hyderabad, May 17: A Delhi court on Sunday sent NEET UG 2026 paper leak accused Manisha Gurunath Mandhare to 14 days CBI custody in connection with the alleged examination leak case.
Mandhare, a senior Botany teacher from Pune appointed by the National Testing Agency as an expert, is suspected to be one of the masterminds behind the Biology paper leak. Investigators are also probing the role of Chemistry professor PV Kulkarni, who is believed to be the kingpin of the racket.
During the hearing at Rouse Avenue Court, the Central Bureau of Investigation informed the court that Mandhare played a major role in translating Botany and Zoology question papers and had direct access to the NEET UG 2026 Biology paper.
CBI Probes Coaching Network In NEET Paper Leak Case
The CBI told the court that Mandhare allegedly worked in coordination with co accused PV Kulkarni and Pune based consultant Manisha Waghmare. Investigators said she shared question papers with another accused identified as Shubham.
According to the probe agency, Mandhare conducted special coaching sessions at her Pune residence in April 2026 for selected students. During these sessions, she allegedly dictated important Biology questions and instructed students to mark them in textbooks and notebooks.
Officials said many of the questions discussed during these classes matched the actual NEET UG 2026 question paper conducted on May 3. The examination was later cancelled following allegations of paper leakage.
The CBI also informed the court that simultaneous investigations are underway in different parts of the country and Mandhare may be taken to multiple locations for further questioning.
Meanwhile, the defence argued that her arrest procedure was illegal and claimed she was detained after sundown before being brought to Delhi late at night. The court directed the defence to file a separate application regarding the allegation.
The court, however, allowed Mandhare to meet her lawyer for 15 minutes daily during custody.
The CBI stated that searches were conducted at six locations across the country in the last 24 hours. Investigators seized laptops, mobile phones, bank records and several incriminating documents for forensic analysis.
The agency registered the case on May 12 following a complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Union Ministry of Education. So far, nine accused have been arrested from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Pune, Nashik and Ahilyanagar.
Investigators said middlemen collected lakhs of rupees from students and arranged coaching sessions where leaked questions were discussed before the examination.
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