CBI has filed a nearly 20,000-page chargesheet in NEET-UG 2026 paper leak (Img: X)
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a nearly 20,000-page chargesheet in the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, naming 13 accused, including National Testing Agency (NTA) subject experts, coaching institute associates, middlemen and beneficiary candidates.
The chargesheet was submitted before Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court and details the alleged conspiracy behind the examination leak that led to the cancellation of the May 3 NEET-UG exam and a re-test on June 21.
Among those chargesheeted are three NTA subject experts—PV Kulkarni (Chemistry), Manisha Gurunath Mandhare (Biology) and Manisha Sanjay Havaldar (Physics). The CBI has also named coaching institute-linked individuals, including Latur-based doctor Manoj Shirure, physics faculty Tejas Harshadkumar Shah and Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar.
According to the agency, middlemen allegedly played a key role in obtaining and distributing leaked question papers to beneficiaries.
The chargesheet includes digital forensic reports, handwriting expert opinions and academic analyses that allegedly establish the circulation of leaked question papers before the examination.
The CBI said it has cited 360 witnesses, 422 documents and 43 material objects as evidence. All 13 accused are currently in judicial custody.
Also Read: Anti-Paper Leak Bill 2026: Gaurav Gogoi And Akhilesh Yadav On Bill
The court has granted the CBI three additional days to file scanned annexures before the next hearing on August 3.
The CBI said it conducted raids at 92 locations across multiple states during its investigation and traced the alleged leak network from the source to beneficiary candidates.
Investigators also examined the money trail, freezing several bank accounts, lockers and a demat account linked to the accused. Charges include criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, destruction of evidence, provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
