CBI uncovers chilling WhatsApp trail in NEET-UG leak probe (Img: Internet)
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two more individuals in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, taking the total number of arrests in the investigation to 13.
Those arrested include Latur-based paediatrician Dr Manoj Shirure and Pune-based physics teacher Tejas Harshadkumar Shah. The agency said both had been questioned multiple times before their formal arrest.
Investigators have examined digital records, bank transactions and call detail records as part of the ongoing probe into the alleged examination leak network.
NEET Paper Leak Case: CBI arrests two more accused, total reaches 13
According to CBI officials, the investigation uncovered WhatsApp chats and financial transactions allegedly linking Shah to co-accused Manisha Havaldar, the suspended headmistress of a Pune school who was arrested earlier this month.
Officials claimed Shah’s number was saved as “God” in Havaldar’s phone. The agency alleged that leaked physics questions were shared between the accused before being circulated further through the network.
CBI sources said Shah allegedly passed the questions to another accused, Shivraj Motegaonkar, founder of a coaching institute in Latur, who then allegedly shared them with Dr Shirure.
The agency alleged that Dr Shirure and chemistry lecturer PV Kulkarni conducted special coaching sessions for selected students whose families allegedly paid amounts ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
Investigators suspect that several beneficiaries included relatives of accused persons and children from influential families.
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CBI officials also claimed to have traced online financial transactions linked to the alleged racket. The agency said these money trails could serve as important evidence in the case.
A Delhi court on Wednesday remanded Shirure and Shah to five days of CBI custody for further interrogation. The two will next be produced before the court on June 1. Meanwhile, co-accused Kulkarni and Motegaonkar were sent to judicial custody for 14 days.
The CBI said searches have so far been conducted at 49 locations, leading to the seizure of mobile phones, laptops and documents that are currently under forensic examination.
