MUMBAI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two more people in connection with the NEET UCG 2026 paper leak scam.
The arrested include a Latur-based doctor and a physics teacher from a Pune coaching institute.
With these arrests, the total number of accused taken into custody in the NEET UG paper leak case has risen to 13. Both the arrested accused are from Maharashtra.
According to CBI officials, Manoj Shirure, a paediatrician from Latur, was arrested for allegedly playing a key role in helping his son and other medical aspirants gain access to leaked chemistry questions from a NEET paper setter. The investigation also linked him to a coaching network operating in Maharashtra.
Dr Shirure is accused of paying Rs 10 lakh to buy the leaked NEET UCG 2026 question paper from RCC founder Shivraj Motegaonkar and retired chemistry professor PV Kulkarni, who was a NEET paper setter. An official said that the NEET UCG 2026 paper leak scandal has exposed the deep nexus among the coaching networks, paper setters and medical aspirants who are trying to get access to the paper in a fraudulent way.
The CBI also arrested Tejas Harshadkumar Shah, who is a physics faculty member at Dr Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy (APMA), a Pune-based coaching centre. He got the leaked Physics questions of the NEET UG 2026 Exam from the arrested accused Manisha Havaldar.
The investigation agency stated that they are investigating the network of chains, as well as the conspiracy in this case, which is ongoing. CBI has so far conducted searches at 49 locations in various places and seized several incriminating documents, Laptops, and mobile phones. A detailed analysis of the seized items is going on. It added that multiple teams are working to identify all individuals involved in the network.
Officials said the case involves a complex network of students, coaching operators, and intermediaries allegedly facilitating access to leaked exam material in exchange for money.
The NEET UG 2026 examination, conducted for medical admissions, had earlier been cancelled by the National Testing Agency (NTA) amid allegations of malpractice, with a re-examination scheduled for June 21.
