The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged in its chargesheet in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case that the examination questions were leaked by subject experts associated with the National Testing Agency (NTA) during the confidential translation and proofreading process, rather than from the printing press.
The chargesheet, which is expected to be taken up by Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on August 10, outlines an alleged multi-state conspiracy involving education professionals, middlemen and candidates across Maharashtra, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Three NTA Experts Named in Chargesheet
According to the CBI, three subject experts—Manisha Gurunath Mandhare (Botany and Zoology), Prahlad Vitthalrao Kulkarni (Chemistry) and Manisha Sanjay Hawaldar (Physics)—allegedly exploited their authorised access to confidential examination material to leak the question paper.
Investigators claim that in April 2026, Kulkarni and Mandhare conducted private revision sessions at their residences in Pune, where candidates were allegedly told the exam questions, answer options and correct responses orally. Participants were instructed to write the information by hand instead of using electronic devices to avoid leaving digital evidence.
The CBI further alleged that Hawaldar shared Physics questions with Pune-based lecturer Tejas Harshadkumar Shah, who photographed handwritten notes and forwarded them to Professor Shivraj Motegaonkar, director of Renukai Career Centre (RCC) in Latur. The agency also claims that online payments were transferred to the mobile number used by Hawaldar’s husband.
Leaked Material Allegedly Reached Multiple States
The chargesheet alleges that Kulkarni, Mandhare and Latur-based paediatrician Dr Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure gathered candidates at Siddhivinayak Hospital, where they allegedly coached them using the leaked question bank before the examination.
According to investigators, the leaked material was later circulated beyond Maharashtra. The CBI claims that Shubham Khairnar of Nashik contacted Yash Yadav in Gurugram, who allegedly received the questions as PDF files through Telegram.
The agency further alleges that the PDFs were sold to Mangilal Bival alias Mangilal Khatik in Jaipur for Rs 10-12 lakh, after which printed copies were distributed among coaching students, tutors and family members.
Forensic Analysis and Money Trail
The CBI said forensic examination by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) and the Government Examiner of Questioned Documents (GEQD) found that handwritten notes seized during searches matched the actual NEET-UG question paper conducted on May 3, with investigators claiming the questions and answers were identical.
The chargesheet also cites digital payment records as part of the alleged money trail and claims that Rs 5 lakh in cash was recovered from a member of Dr Shirure’s family during the investigation.
The allegations are part of the CBI’s chargesheet and have not yet been tested in court. The matter is expected to come up for further proceedings before the Rouse Avenue Court on August 10.