The two accused were produced before the court after the expiry of their earlier judicial custody period. Special CBI Judge Ajay Gupta passed the order on an application moved by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which sought an extension of their custody as the investigation continues.

Representing the agency, Public Prosecutor Neetu Singh argued for the extension before the court. The matter remains under active investigation by the CBI, which is probing an alleged network involved in obtaining and distributing leaked examination papers ahead of the national-level medical entrance test.

According to investigators, the case has so far led to the arrest of 12 individuals. Those arrested include Mangi Lal Bival, Vikas Bival, Dinesh Bival, Yash Yadav, Shubham Khairnar, Manisha Waghmare, Prahlad Kulkarni, Dhananjay Lokhande, Manisha Mandhare, Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, Manisha Sanjay Havaldar and Dr Manoj Shirure. All the accused are currently lodged in judicial custody.

The case has attracted significant attention due to the seriousness of the allegations and the scale of the examination involved. NEET-UG is one of India’s largest entrance examinations, conducted annually for admission to undergraduate medical courses across the country.

The court has also passed several interim orders in the matter over the past few weeks. Earlier, accused Yash Yadav was permitted to appear in the re-conducted NEET-UG examination held on June 21 and was also allowed to attend his sister’s wedding on June 22. In a separate order, the court rejected the regular bail application filed by accused Manisha Waghmare.

The investigation stems from a complaint filed by a government official on May 12, 2026. Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Prevention of Corruption Act and laws related to the use of unfair means in public examinations.

According to the CBI, Mangi Lal Bival allegedly approached Shubham Khairnar to obtain the NEET-UG question paper for his son, Vikas Bival. Investigators claim that leaked examination material was recovered from Mangi Lal Bival’s mobile phone during the probe.

The agency has further alleged that Mangi Lal Bival procured the leaked paper from Yash Yadav for ₹10 lakh and subsequently facilitated its circulation to other candidates. During questioning, Vikas Bival reportedly admitted that he came in contact with Yash Yadav while attending coaching classes in Rajasthan’s Sikar district.

CBI officials believe the accused were part of a larger conspiracy involving the procurement and sale of confidential examination material. The agency has alleged that leaked papers were sold to candidates for amounts reaching up to ₹12 lakh.

The developments come amid continued scrutiny of examination security mechanisms and concerns over malpractice in competitive recruitment and admission tests. Investigators are examining financial transactions, digital evidence and communication records to establish the extent of the alleged network.

With the court extending the judicial custody of two key accused, the investigation is expected to continue in the coming days. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for July 11.

The NEET-UG 2026 examination, one of India’s most competitive medical entrance tests, has come under intense scrutiny following allegations of a paper leak. According to early findings shared by investigative agencies, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has uncovered what it describes as a possible breach in the examination system involving unauthorized access to confidential question materials.

The case has reportedly led to the arrest of a senior botany teacher based in Pune, identified in media reports as Manisha Gurunath Mandhare. Authorities allege that she was associated with the National Testing Agency (NTA) as an expert and had access to sensitive examination-related content. However, officials have emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing and that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.

Allegations of Misuse of Examination Access

According to preliminary inputs attributed to CBI sources, the accused was part of the academic expert panel responsible for assisting in the preparation and review of biology question papers for NEET-UG 2026. This role allegedly provided her access to confidential material under strict guidelines meant to ensure exam integrity.

Investigators claim that this access may have been misused to share certain questions or patterns with select students prior to the examination. It is further alleged that these questions later appeared in the actual exam paper, raising concerns about how the breach may have occurred and whether it was part of a larger organized network. Officials have not yet confirmed the full scale of the alleged leak or whether additional individuals are involved. The CBI is reportedly examining digital records, communication data, and examination workflow logs to determine the source and extent of the breach.

Examination System Under Scrutiny

The NEET examination system is designed with multiple layers of security, including encrypted question paper storage, restricted access protocols, and monitored distribution channels. Despite these safeguards, the alleged incident has highlighted potential vulnerabilities in the system, particularly in the handling of expert committees and human access points. Education experts note that while technological safeguards are strong, insider access remains one of the most challenging risks to control. If proven true, the case could lead to a major review of how subject experts are selected, monitored, and audited during national-level examinations.

Impact on Students and Public Reaction

The allegations have caused widespread concern among students, parents, and coaching institutions across the country. With NEET being the gateway to medical education in India, even the possibility of a paper leak has triggered anxiety among aspirants who invest years of preparation into the examination. Student groups have demanded a transparent investigation and strict action if wrongdoing is established. Many have also called for reassurance from the authorities regarding the fairness of the examination process and the validity of the results already declared or pending. On social media, the issue has sparked heated debate, with users questioning the integrity of high-stakes competitive exams and demanding systemic reforms to prevent future incidents.

NTA and Government Response

The National Testing Agency has acknowledged awareness of the ongoing investigation but has not issued detailed comments on the specific allegations. Officials have reiterated that the examination process follows strict confidentiality protocols and that any breach is taken seriously.

Government representatives have stated that they are closely monitoring the situation and will take appropriate action based on the final findings of the CBI. They have also assured candidates that the integrity of the examination system remains a top priority.

Broader Implications for Competitive Exams

This case has reignited a long-standing debate about the security of national-level entrance examinations in India. Over the past few years, several examinations have faced allegations of leaks or irregularities, leading to increased calls for reform.

Experts suggest that reforms may include stricter background checks for experts, enhanced digital monitoring systems, blockchain-based paper tracking, and reduced human intervention in sensitive stages of exam preparation. If the allegations in this case are substantiated, it could become one of the most significant exam security breaches in recent years, potentially reshaping policy around examination governance in India.

The NEET-UG 2026 paper leak allegations remain under active investigation, and authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation until official findings are released. While serious accusations have been made, the legal process is still underway, and final conclusions will depend on the outcome of the CBI inquiry.

--------------