The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) told a court on Sunday that the NEET UG 2026 paper leak had been orchestrated by an organised paper leak gang. The agency made the submission while seeking custody of one of the key accused in the case. 

Subsequently, the court remanded one of the key accused, Manisha Mandhare to 14 days of CBI custody after the agency contended that the case involved a much larger conspiracy requiring extensive probe. 

The agency also claimed that several persons linked to the alleged exam paper leak syndicate are yet to be identified and apprehended. 

NTA panel expert leaked final question sets

Mandhare, who was allegedly associated with the NTA panel, is now under intense scrutiny. The CBI told the court that Mandhare allegedly had access to the final NEET UG 2026 question sets while the paper was being set, and she subsequently leaked the questions to select students in exchange for significant financial benefits. 

The CBI sleuths also alleged that she was acting in coordination with the co-accused, identified as PV Kulkarni and Manisha Waghmare. The agency further made another revelation, that the accused supplied exam-related questions to chosen candidates as part of a wider organised network allegedly operating for monetary gains. 

8 held so far

The CBI further submitted that eight persons in connection with the paper leak case have been arrested so far, and have been remanded to police custody. Investigators argued that Mandhare’s custodial interrogation was essential to ascertain the identities of the remaining members of the syndicate and trace the full extent of the operation. While pressing for extended custody, the agency said, “Need to arrest all the active members of the organised paper leak gang.” 

Probe focused on larger syndicate

The probe’s face has now turned towards unearthing the alleged organised network behind the leak and determining whether more insiders linked to the examination process were involved. According to officials, investigators are now sifting through financial transactions, communication records and links between the arrested accused and other suspected members of the network, as the probe deepens.