Delhi Court Sends NEET-UG Paper Leak Accused Manisha Mandhare to 14-Day CBI Custody

New Delhi, May 2026 : A Delhi court on Sunday sent NEET-UG 2026 paper leak accused Manisha Gurunath Mandhare to 14 days of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) custody as the probe agency intensified its nationwide investigation into the alleged examination leak racket.

Mandhare, a senior Botany teacher from Pune appointed by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is suspected to be one of the key conspirators behind the leak of the Biology section of the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper. Investigators believe Chemistry professor P.V. Kulkarni played the role of the alleged “kingpin” in the larger conspiracy.

During the hearing before the Rouse Avenue Court, the CBI informed the bench that Mandhare possessed specialised expertise in translating botany and zoology question papers and had direct access to the examination material.

According to the agency, Mandhare worked closely with co-accused P.V. Kulkarni and Pune-based consultant Manisha Waghmare to orchestrate the leak.

“Manisha was part of the conspiracy along with P.V. Kulkarni and Manisha Waghmare. She passed on the question paper to another accused, Shubham. Simultaneous investigations are underway across the country, and we need to take her to different locations for further probe,” the CBI submitted before the court.

The agency further stated that Mandhare had direct access to the Biology paper while serving as an expert associated with the examination process conducted by the NTA.

Defence raises objections over arrest

During the proceedings, Mandhare’s counsel objected to the manner in which the arrest was carried out, describing it as “illegal”.

The defence argued that the accused was arrested after sunset and subsequently brought to Delhi during late-night hours.

“She was arrested after sundown and brought to Delhi at around 1 a.m.,” the defence counsel told the court.

The court directed the defence to file a separate application regarding the legality of the arrest process. At the same time, the court allowed Mandhare to meet her lawyer daily for 15 minutes during the custody period.

CBI details alleged coaching operation

According to a statement released by the CBI on Saturday, Mandhare allegedly played a critical role in leaking Biology questions to selected students ahead of the NEET-UG examination conducted on May 3, 2026, which was later cancelled following allegations of a paper leak.

The agency said Mandhare, using her position and access within the examination process, collaborated with Pune consultant Manisha Waghmare — who was arrested earlier on May 14 — to identify and mobilise prospective candidates willing to pay large sums of money.

Investigators alleged that Mandhare conducted “special coaching sessions” for selected candidates at her residence in Pune in April 2026.

During these sessions, she allegedly dictated and explained important Biology questions that later appeared in the actual examination paper. Students were reportedly instructed to note down the questions in notebooks and mark them in their textbooks for focused preparation.

The CBI claimed that a majority of those questions matched the actual Biology section of the NEET-UG 2026 paper.

Nationwide investigation underway

The probe agency said it has intensified searches and interrogation across multiple states. Over the last 24 hours, the CBI conducted raids at six different locations and seized several incriminating materials, including laptops, mobile phones, bank documents, and financial records.

Officials said detailed forensic and digital analysis of the seized devices and documents is currently underway.

The case was officially registered by the CBI on May 12 following a complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education.

Since then, special investigation teams have been formed to track the network allegedly involved in leaking both Chemistry and Biology papers.

So far, nine accused have been arrested from various cities, including Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, and Ahilyanagar. Five of the accused were earlier sent to seven-day police custody for detailed interrogation.

Two other accused arrested in Pune were subsequently brought to Delhi after obtaining transit remand from a local court.

Middlemen under scanner

The CBI said the investigation has now uncovered the alleged source of the paper leak as well as the network of middlemen involved in approaching students and arranging illegal coaching sessions.

According to investigators, students allegedly paid lakhs of rupees to gain access to the leaked questions through these coaching classes.

The agency stated that the probe is continuing and more arrests are likely as investigators examine financial transactions, communication records, and the broader network behind the examination leak scandal.