A Delhi court on Monday, 15 June extended the judicial custody of 10 accused in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case until 29 June, as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues its probe into an alleged network that procured and circulated question papers before the examination. The accused were produced before the Rouse Avenue Court via video conferencing from Tihar Jail upon expiry of their earlier custody period.

Accused Named in the Custody Extension

The court extended judicial custody of Yash Yadav, Mangilal Biwal, Dinesh Biwal, Vikas Biwal, Dhananjay Lokhande, Tejas Harshad Shah, Shubham Khairnar, Manisha Waghmare, Manisha Sanjay Havaldar, and Dr Manoj Shirure till 29 June. The Rouse Avenue Court also granted the CBI permission to interrogate Shubham Khairnar, Manisha Waghmare, and Dhananjay Lokhande inside jail on 17, 18, and 19 June respectively, with each session capped at one hour.

Key Roles Alleged by the CBI

The CBI has so far arrested 13 accused in the case. According to the probe agency, Chemistry professor P.V. Kulkarni is the alleged kingpin of the paper leak network. Dr Manoj Shirure, a Latur-based doctor, is alleged to have facilitated three students — including the son of an accused coaching centre owner — in obtaining Chemistry questions from Kulkarni before the examination.

Tejas Harshad Shah, a Physics faculty member at Pune-based Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy (APMA), allegedly received leaked Physics questions from co-accused Manisha Havaldar. Manisha Waghmare, described as a Pune-based education consultant, is alleged to have mobilised students who reportedly paid lakhs of rupees to attend special coaching sessions where questions that later appeared in the NEET-UG 2026 examination were dictated and discussed.

The CBI has further claimed that Waghmare facilitated prospective candidates for coaching classes conducted by NTA-appointed senior Botany teacher Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, who is suspected to be the co-mastermind behind the Biology paper leak.

Background: How the Case Unfolded

The CBI registered an FIR on 12 May on the basis of a complaint lodged by the Department of Higher Education under the Union Ministry of Education, following allegations that portions of the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper had been leaked. The original examination, held in May 2026, was subsequently cancelled. This is not the first time India's premier medical entrance test has been mired in integrity concerns — the NEET-UG ecosystem has faced recurring allegations of malpractice over successive years, raising systemic questions about examination security.

Re-Examination Preparations and Security Measures

The Centre has ramped up arrangements for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for 21 June. Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan recently reviewed preparations with National Testing Agency (NTA) officials and warned that the 'full might and weight of the law' would fall on anyone attempting to distort, disrupt, or tamper with the integrity of the examination process.

Enhanced security measures include transportation of question papers by the Indian Air Force and deployment of CRPF and CISF personnel to support local authorities. The NTA has also announced an additional 15 minutes for candidates and increased space for rough work in answer booklets. The Centre has maintained that coordinated action by the Union government, state governments, and district administrations is aimed at safeguarding the credibility of the re-examination.