Guwahati/New Delhi, May 13, 2026:
The CBI has widened its investigation into the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, detaining suspects across Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
- Maharashtra Detentions: In Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar), the CBI took three individuals into custody, including a key suspect identified as Dhananjay Lokhande. These detentions followed disclosures made by Shubham Khairnar, a BAMS student arrested in Nashik who is suspected of circulating the paper via WhatsApp.
- Pune Arrest: A woman named Manisha Waghmare, who reportedly runs a beauty parlour in Pune’s Bibwewadi area, was detained and handed over to the CBI. She is suspected of acting as a mediator between students and the paper leak syndicate.
- Rajasthan and Haryana Links: The CBI has arrested two brothers, Dinesh and Mangilal Biwal, from Jaipur. They allegedly purchased a “guess paper” for ₹30 lakh from a doctor based in Gurugram, Haryana, and sold it to students in Sikar.
- Coaching Center Scrutiny: Investigations are also looking into a “mock test” nexus in Latur, where several questions in the final NEET exam reportedly matched those provided in private coaching institute tests.
The NTA has stated that new exam dates will be announced soon, and candidates will not be required to pay additional fees for the re-conducted test.
