NEET UG Paper Leak Case: CBI Reveals Rs 5 Lakh Bribe To Paper-Setter, 111 Identical Questions Found On Accused's Phone

NEET UG 2026 Paper Leak: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made a startling disclosure in the NEET-UG paper leak case before a special court. According to the agency, Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, who owns a coaching center in Latur, paid Rs 5 lakh to P.V. Kulkarni, a member of the NTA's paper-setter panel, to obtain Chemistry questions for the exam.

The CBI told the court that Motegaonkar, who runs Renukai Chemistry Classes in Latur, had enrolled his son at Kulkarni's coaching institute, where the leaked questions were reportedly shared with him. Opposing his bail plea, the agency alleged that Motegaonkar, acting in conspiracy with a co-accused, procured the leaked Chemistry paper ahead of the test and paid the amount for it.

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How Were The Leaked Questions Found?

During forensic examination of Motegaonkar's mobile phone, CBI officials recovered 36 photographs containing 132 handwritten Chemistry questions in his own handwriting. Metadata analysis showed these images were captured 10 days before the exam was conducted on May 3. Out of these, 111 questions were found to be an exact match with the NTA's official master question set.

Who Helped Trace The Payment?

The CBI stated that the Rs 5 lakh payment made for acquiring the leaked questions was traced based on information provided by co-accused Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure, helping investigators establish the money trail in the conspiracy.

What Led To The NEET UG 2026 Exam Cancellation?

Following widespread allegations of a paper leak, the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the NEET-UG exam originally held on May 3 and conducted a re-examination on June 21. The controversy triggered a nationwide probe into the integrity of the medical entrance test.

How Many Arrests Have Been Made?

So far, the CBI has arrested 13 individuals in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak case, all of whom remain in judicial custody as the investigation continues.