{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "CBI Files Chargesheet Against 13 Accused in NEET UG 2026 Paper Leak Case With 422 Documents and 360 Witnesses",
  "summary": "The CBI has filed its first chargesheet against 13 accused in the NEET UG 2026 paper leak case, submitting 360 witness statements and 422 documents.",
  "content": "The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted its first comprehensive chargesheet before the court in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak case. Charges have been framed against all 13 individuals previously arrested in the investigation. To build an airtight prosecution case, the investigative agency has presented 360 witness statements, 422 official documents, and 43 material physical objects as key evidentiary proof. All 13 accused named in the chargesheet currently remain in judicial custody. The agency informed the court that forensic analysis and scientific tools were utilized to dismantle the entire illegal chain of the paper leak.\n\n \n\nNationwide Raids and Forensic Investigation Scope\n\nTo ensure a swift and meticulous investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 examination irregularities, the CBI deployed specialized operational teams. The probe team comprised 72 law enforcement officers and staff alongside 8 cyber forensic experts. Operating across multiple states including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, the teams executed coordinated raids at 92 locations. During these search operations, investigators seized significant digital communication devices and incriminating documents. Technical teams conducted forensic imaging and detailed digital analysis of all seized items, enabling the CBI to pinpoint the exact originating source of the leak within weeks of lodging the initial complaint.\n\n \n\nKey Timeline: From Exam Conduct to Federal Chargesheet\n\nThe sequence of events began on 3 May 2026, when the NEET-UG 2026 examination was conducted nationwide for medical aspirants. Following widespread allegations of question paper leaks and procedural malpractices, the Department of Higher Education under the Government of India formally lodged a written complaint on 12 May 2026. The CBI registered an official FIR on the very same day, 12 May 2026, to launch a federal investigation. Moving rapidly, the agency made its first arrest on 13 May 2026. Subsequent investigative work successfully uncovered the complete trajectory from the source of the leak down to the beneficiary candidates.\n\n \n\nNetwork of Accused: NTA Experts, Intermediaries, and Coaching Executives\n\nThe CBI chargesheet details the specific roles played by National Testing Agency (NTA) subject experts, middlemen, and coaching institute administrators who facilitated the leak network. Among the 13 arrested accused are three subject experts associated with the NTA who allegedly compromised the paper integrity. The list of accused includes\n\n \n• Manisha Mandhare: NTA Biology subject expert.\n\n• Pralhad Vittalrao Kulkarni: NTA Chemistry subject expert.\n\n• Manisha Sanjay Havaldar: NTA Physics subject expert.\n\n• Manisha Sanjay Waghmare: Middleperson involved in handling leaked content.\n\n• Dhananjay Nivrutti Lokhande: Intermediary in the distribution network.\n\n• Shubham Madhukar Khairnar: Intermediary in the leak ring.\n\n• Yash Yadav: Intermediary handling candidate connections.\n\n• Mangilal Biwal: Intermediary in paper distribution.\n\n• Vikash Biwal: Intermediary involved in logistics.\n\n• Dinesh Biwal: Intermediary acting in the leak chain.\n\n• Dr. Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure: Intermediary operating within the syndicate.\n\n• Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar: Owner of RCC Coaching Institute in Latur.\n\n• Tejas Harshadkumar Shah: Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Physics faculty member at APMA Coaching Institute in Pune.\n\n Investigation revealed that intermediaries procured the leaked examination questions from the subject experts and subsequently distributed them through coaching center operators and facilitators.\n\n \n\nFinancial Money Trail, Asset Freezes, and Penal Charges\n\nTracking the financial dimensions of the crime, the CBI financial unit conducted an in-depth investigation into the money trail. Consequently, authorities froze multiple bank accounts, bank lockers, and 1 Demat account linked to the accused. To establish conclusive proof of early compromise, the agency secured digital forensic findings, handwriting expert opinions, and academic expert reports. These evaluations confirmed that the leaked question papers were actively circulated prior to the scheduled examination date of 3 May 2026.\n\n The accused face charges under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, and destruction of evidence. Furthermore, charges have been invoked under the Prevention of Corruption Act for criminal misconduct, alongside statutory provisions of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The CBI reaffirmed that supplementary investigation and ongoing forensic evaluations remain active to ensure all culprits receive maximum statutory punishment under the law.\n\nWhat this means for you\nAcross India: For NEET UG candidates and parents, this chargesheet signals strict legal enforcement under the Public Examinations Act 2024 to restore exam integrity.\n\nIn Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana & Delhi: Local coaching centers and middlemen involved in the racket face severe financial and legal freezes, curbing regional leak syndicates.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. How many accused are named in the CBI chargesheet for the NEET UG 2026 paper leak?\nThe CBI has named 13 accused in its chargesheet, all of whom are currently in judicial custody.\n\n2. What evidence has been filed alongside the chargesheet?\nThe CBI submitted 360 witness statements, 422 official documents, and 43 physical material objects as evidence.\n\n3. Which NTA subject experts were arrested in the paper leak case?\nThree NTA experts were arrested: Manisha Mandhare (Biology), Pralhad Vittalrao Kulkarni (Chemistry), and Manisha Sanjay Havaldar (Physics).\n\n4. When took place the exam and when was the CBI FIR registered?\nThe NEET UG exam was conducted on 3 May 2026, and the CBI registered the FIR on 12 May 2026 following a complaint from the Higher Education Department.\n\n5. Which states were covered under the CBI search operations?\nCBI teams executed raids across 92 locations in states including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi.\n\n6. What financial assets were frozen during the money trail probe?\nThe CBI froze multiple bank accounts, bank lockers, and 1 Demat account belonging to the accused.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/exam/neet-ug-2026-pepara-lika-mamale-men-cbi-ne-dakhila-ki-charjashita-13-aropiyon-ke-khilapha-422-dastaveja-aura-360-gavaha-banae-adha-11528",
  "category": "Exam",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-28",
  "tags": [
    "CBI Chargesheet",
    "NEET UG 2026",
    "Paper Leak Investigation",
    "NTA Experts Arrested",
    "RCC Coaching Latur",
    "APMA Coaching Pune"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}