In a significant development in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, the CBI has made more arrests in states, taking the number of accused to 10. The controversy has triggered countrywide outrage and student protests, leading to the cancellation of the May 3 exam and announcement of re-examination on June 21.
The latest person to be arrested in connection with the case is Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, a founder of a Maharashtra-based Renukai Chemistry Classes in Latur, who is famous among students as 'M Sir'. He has been arrested by the CBI on allegations that a leaked copy of the NEET-UG paper was found on his mobile phone during raids at his coaching institute and his residence, where he allegedly played a crucial role in the circulation of the question paper.
So far, 10 people have been arrested from various parts of the country in the NEET paper leak case, out of which 6 are residents of Maharashtra.
Key Accused Include
Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, the coaching institute director from Latur, was accused of circulating the leaked question paper. A leaked question paper was allegedly found on his mobile.
P V Kulkarni, a chemistry professor from Pune allegedly one of the key masterminds. According to the investigators, Kulkarni dictated the questions and answers to the students before the examination.
Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, biology lecturer and alleged co-mastermind. The CBI told the court that the accused had access to the Biology papers and had leaked the questions to students. She has been remanded to 14-day CBI custody by the Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court.
Manisha Waghmare, a beautician from Pune, was accused of recruiting students from the lower strata of society for money and contacting them with the accused for the leaked papers.
Dhananjay Lokhande - Accused of buying the paper from alleged leak perpetrators and further selling it at higher prices.
Shubham Khainar - Accused of circulating the leaked question paper through various Telegram groups for lakhs of rupees.
Mangilal Binwal - Accused of buying the leaked paper through a multi-lakh deal with the brokers for his son.
Dinesh Binwal - Also allegedly involved in the racket and arrested during the investigation.
Vikas Binwal - Mangilal Binwal's son is accused of benefiting from the question paper leak.
Yash Yadav - Accused of demanding a leaked PDF in place of Rs 15 lakh.
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CBI is investigating on multiple teams and conducting raids across several states, including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana and Uttarakhand. The investigations further revealed that the gang is spread across numerous states, with over 45 people involved in the leak. CBI has seized electronic devices, admit cards, cash and mobile phones from different locations for analysis.
Further to that, CBI has also informed the court that it is simultaneously investigating the case in different parts of the country and questioning several people. More arrests are likely to be made by the investigation agency in the coming days.