The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday secured seven-day custody of five accused in the NEET-UG paper leak case and arrested two more persons as it widened its probe into an alleged organised network involved in leaking and circulating question papers for monetary gain.
A special court granted custody of the five accused after observing that the case prima facie indicated the involvement of an “organised gang” engaged in leaking confidential examination material. The agency is now also probing the possible role of insiders within the National Testing Agency (NTA) and others connected to printing and distribution channels.
The five accused sent to CBI custody include individuals from Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Haryana, while the newly arrested persons have been identified as Dhananjay Lokhanda from Ahilyanagar and Manisha Waghmare from Pune.
According to officials, the alleged racket operated through digital platforms, with question papers reportedly circulated in PDF format over WhatsApp and Telegram before the examination. The agency has recovered chats, documents and other digital evidence, which is now being examined for forensic analysis.
The probe has also raised concerns over possible involvement of public servants, with investigators examining access points linked to printing presses and examination logistics.
Also read: ABVP stages protest outside NTA office in Delhi over NEET row
Meanwhile, the fallout of the alleged leak has triggered widespread unrest among aspirants. In Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri, a 21-year-old NEET aspirant allegedly died by suicide at his home, with family members claiming he was distressed over uncertainty surrounding the exam. Police said no suicide note was recovered.
The incident has intensified protests across several states, with student groups and political organisations demanding the scrapping of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and action against those responsible. Demonstrations were also reported in Ahmedabad, where members of the Congress-affiliated NSUI protested against the Union Education Minister.
Doctors’ associations have also written to the Prime Minister, seeking strict action and a shift towards a computer-based examination system for medical entrance tests.
The NEET-UG 2026 examination, held on May 3, was cancelled earlier this week following allegations of a paper leak, leaving more than 22 lakh aspirants in uncertainty. The CBI has stated that its investigation is focused on identifying the source of the leak and dismantling the wider network behind the operation.
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