New Delhi, May 18: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, the director of a coaching center in Maharashtra, in connection with the NEET UG 2026 paper leak case. This brings the total number of arrests in this investigation to ten.
According to CBI sources, Motegaonkar, who allegedly ran coaching classes in Latur, played a significant role in the suspected NEET paper leak network. He was taken into custody for questioning before the formal arrest was made.
Sources indicate that the CBI may soon issue an official statement regarding this latest arrest. This development comes amid a nationwide investigation into the alleged leak of the NEET UG 2026 exam papers, which caused widespread outrage and led to the cancellation of the exam scheduled for May 3.
Meanwhile, a court in Delhi has remanded Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, another accused in the NEET paper leak case, to CBI custody for 14 days. Mandhare, a senior botany teacher appointed by the NTA, is suspected of being involved in the conspiracy to leak the biology question paper. Chemistry professor P.V. Kulkarni is believed to be the mastermind behind this paper leak.
During the hearing at the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi, the CBI informed the bench that Mandhare was skilled in translating botany and zoology question papers and had access to the NEET UG biology paper.
The CBI stated that Mandhare conspired with P.V. Kulkarni and Manisha Waghmare, passing the question paper to another accused, Shubham. Investigations are ongoing across the country, and the agency needs to transport her to different locations for further inquiry.
The agency further alleged that Mandhare had recruited potential NEET candidates through Pune-based consultant Manisha Waghmare, who was arrested earlier this month. She allegedly organized special coaching sessions for students at her home in Pune.
According to the CBI, during these classes, Mandhare reportedly shared several biology questions with students, instructing them to note them down in their books. Investigators claim that most of these questions matched the actual NEET UG 2026 question paper.
Previously, nine other accused individuals have been arrested from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, and Ahilyanagar in this case. Five of these accused have already been presented in court and have been remanded to police custody for detailed questioning. Two other accused, arrested on Friday, were presented in a Pune court and were sent to Delhi after obtaining a transit remand.
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