The fresh arrests take the total number of accused held so far to 13 in a case that has triggered nationwide outrage over the integrity of one of India’s biggest medical entrance examinations.
Photo: IANS
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) ramped up action against in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak investigations on Wednesday with the arrest of a doctor from Maharashtra’s Latur and a coaching institute faculty member from Pune, uncovering deeper links in the alleged examination leak network. The fresh arrests take the total number of accused held so far to 13 in a case that has triggered nationwide outrage over the integrity of one of India’s biggest medical entrance examinations.
According to the Central Bureau of Investigation, the latest arrests are linked to the alleged circulation of leaked Physics, Chemistry and Biology questions before the examination conducted earlier this year. Officials said multiple special investigation teams are now working simultaneously to trace the entire conspiracy network and financial trail behind the leak.
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The two newly arrested accused have been identified as Dr Manoj Shirure from Latur and Tejas Harshadkumar Shah, a Physics faculty member associated with Pune-based coaching institute Dr Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy (APMA).
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Investigators alleged that Dr Manoj Shirure facilitated access to leaked Chemistry questions for three students, including the son of an accused coaching centre operator. Officials claimed the questions were sourced from the arrested accused P.V. Kulkarni, who investigators suspect played a central role in the wider paper leak operation.
In a parallel development, Tejas Harshadkumar Shah was accused of obtaining leaked Physics questions from another arrested accused, Manisha Havaldar, before the examination.
The Central Bureau of Investigation said searches have now been conducted at 49 locations spread across multiple cities as part of the ongoing probe. Officials stated that investigators have seized laptops, mobile phones, financial records and several incriminating documents during the operations.
The agency added that forensic examination and digital analysis of the seized material are underway to establish how the examination papers were allegedly accessed and distributed before the test.
According to investigators, the 13 accused arrested so far belong to several cities, including Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, Latur and Ahilyanagar.
Officials said the investigation has helped trace what they described as the “actual source” behind the circulation of leaked questions related to Physics, Chemistry and Biology before the examination was conducted.
The case was formally registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation on May 12 after the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education submitted a written complaint regarding allegations of paper leakage in the NEET-UG 2026 examination.
The examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency on May 3, had witnessed participation from more than 22 lakh candidates across India and overseas centres.
Following allegations of organised malpractice and paper leakage, authorities cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination on May 12, triggering protests and political uproar across the country.
The test had originally been conducted at more than 5,400 centres across 551 Indian cities and 14 international locations.
The Union Education Ministry has now ordered a fresh NEET-UG examination to be held on June 21 under enhanced security arrangements. Officials said stricter monitoring systems, surveillance measures and transport protocols are being introduced to prevent any repeat of the alleged leak.
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