NEET-UG Paper Leak: Delhi Court Extends Custody of 10 Accused as CBI Probe Intensifies

A Delhi court on Monday extended the judicial custody of 10 individuals arrested in connection with the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case until July 11. The order was passed by Special Judge Vijeta Singh Rawat at Rouse Avenue Court, following an application by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking an extension of custody.

The accused, including Yash Yadav, Mangilal Biwal, Dinesh Biwal, Vikas Biwal, Dhananjay Lokhande, Tejas Harshad Shah, Shubham Khairnar, Manisha Waghmare, Manisha Havaldar, and Dr. Manoj Shirure, were produced before the court via video conferencing after the expiry of their previous judicial custody period.

Among the remaining accused, alleged kingpin P.V. Kulkarni and Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar remain in judicial custody until July 8, while Manisha Gurunath Mandhare's custody is scheduled to end on June 30.

The alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination came to light following reports that the question paper had been leaked prior to the test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The examination, one of the largest entrance tests in the country, was taken by over 22 lakh aspirants seeking admission to undergraduate medical courses.

In response to nationwide protests, the government ordered a CBI probe into the matter. The investigation has so far led to multiple arrests as agencies continue to examine the network allegedly involved in the leak and distribution of examination material. The CBI has invoked charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, theft, destruction of evidence, and provisions of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

Following the allegations of a question paper leak, the NTA cancelled the examination on May 12 and conducted a re-examination on June 21. The case continues to be closely monitored as authorities work to ensure the integrity of the examination process.