The investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case gathered further momentum on Sunday after the Rouse Avenue Court sent accused Shubham Khairnar to judicial custody until June 6, amid continuing efforts by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to unravel a wider organised network behind the alleged examination leak.
The CBI had produced Shubham Khairnar before the court earlier in the day, following the completion of his custodial interrogation. The agency has alleged that Khairnar played a crucial role in obtaining and circulating the leaked NEET-UG examination paper through contacts linked to the National Testing Agency (NTA).
#WATCH | NEET-UG 2026 paper leak | Delhi: CBI produced accused Shubham Khairnar before the Special Judge Ruchi Aggarwal Asrani in the Rouse Avenue court. pic.twitter.com/EMnX51MSEA
— ANI (@ANI) May 24, 2026
CBI probing wider conspiracy behind alleged paper leak
Investigators told the court that the probe is focused not only on the source of the leak but also on tracing the chain through which the examination paper was allegedly circulated to multiple individuals and candidates for money.
According to the CBI, Shubham Khairnar is suspected to have accessed the examination paper through an alleged source within the NTA before passing it on to others connected to the network.
The agency had earlier sought extended custody of Khairnar, arguing that his interrogation was necessary to confront him with electronic evidence and identify additional people allegedly involved in the distribution of the leaked paper.
CBI officials also informed the court during earlier proceedings that parts of the investigation required movement to Maharashtra as investigators attempted to verify links and financial transactions connected to the case.
#WATCH | Maharashtra: A four-member team of CBI arrived at Crime Branch Unit-2 office in Nashik to take custody of an accused of alleged paper leak of NEET-UG 2026 Exam, Shubham Khairnar. He was arrested by Nashik Crime Branch. pic.twitter.com/UEzr6BFtmW
— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2026
Multiple accused already arrested in expanding NEET probe
The case has widened significantly over the past several days, with multiple arrests made by the CBI in connection with the alleged leak racket.
Earlier, the Rouse Avenue Court had remanded five accused, Mangilal Biwal, Vikas Biwal, Dinesh Biwal, Yash Yadav and Dhananjay Lokhande, to judicial custody after their questioning by the agency.
The CBI has alleged that Mangilal Biwal approached Shubham Khairnar to procure the NEET question paper on behalf of Vikas Biwal. Investigators claimed that copies of the leaked examination material were recovered from Mangilal Biwal’s mobile phone during the probe.
According to the agency, Yash Yadav allegedly supplied the leaked paper to Mangilal Biwal for Rs 10 lakh. During questioning, Vikas Biwal allegedly told investigators that he had first come into contact with Yash Yadav during coaching classes.
The CBI further alleged that the leaked paper moved through multiple hands, beginning with Shubham Khairnar before being passed to Yash Yadav and later circulated among other accused persons.
Investigators have also alleged that the leaked paper was later sold to several candidates for large sums of money.
More arrests made as investigators examine money trail
Apart from the main accused already arrested, the CBI has also taken into custody Manisha Waghmare, chemistry expert Prahlad Vithalrao Kulkarni and teacher Manish Mandhare as part of the ongoing investigation.
The agency is currently examining digital evidence, communication records and financial transactions to establish the complete extent of the alleged network operating behind the paper leak.