New Delhi, May 22: In a significant development in the NEET-UG 2026 exam paper leak case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested another key accused. With this latest arrest, the total number of individuals apprehended in connection with the case has reached 11.
The CBI identified the arrested individual as Manisha Sanjay Hawaldar, who was employed at Seth Hiralal Saraf Prashala in Pune, Maharashtra. She was involved in the examination process as an expert appointed by the National Testing Agency and had access to the Physics question papers.
According to the agency, in April 2026, Hawaldar shared some Physics questions with co-accused Manisha Mandare, who was arrested earlier on May 16. The CBI confirmed that the shared questions matched the actual exam paper.
The investigation has seen the CBI conducting raids across the country, resulting in the seizure of laptops, mobile phones, bank documents, and other materials. The examination of the seized digital and documentary evidence is ongoing. The CBI initiated this case on May 12, based on a complaint from the Ministry of Education’s higher education department, which alleged serious charges of a paper leak in the NEET exam.
Following initial actions, the CBI detained several suspects nationwide for questioning. This led to the uncovering of networks linked to Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, Latur, and Ahilyanagar.
The CBI’s investigation has also revealed that certain intermediaries connected students who paid large sums to attend special coaching classes, where questions allegedly expected to appear in the exam were provided. The agency has assured that the investigation is being conducted in a completely fair and professional manner, with efforts to identify all levels of the paper leak network.
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