The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday, 14 May transferred four accused persons in the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper leak case from Jaipur to New Delhi for face-to-face questioning at its headquarters, as investigators work to dismantle what officials describe as a wider and more complex examination racket.

Who Are the Accused

The four individuals taken to Delhi are brothers Dinesh Binwal and Mangilal Binwal of Jamwaramgarh, Jaipur, Mangilal's son Vikas Binwal, and Yash Yadav from Haryana. Before their transfer, they were produced late Wednesday night before Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (Jaipur Metropolitan-I) Dharmendra Kumar Sharma at his residence in Durgapura, who granted transit custody to the CBI. Eyewitnesses reported that the accused attempted to conceal their faces from media gathered outside. During proceedings, accused Mangilal allegedly claimed that 'high-profile individuals involved in the case are being protected.'

Searches, Seizures and the Alleged Money Trail

On Thursday morning, a CBI team conducted searches at the Binwal family residence in Jamwaramgarh, questioning family members and recording their statements. The agency also searched the family's farmhouse and other linked properties, seizing documents, electronic devices, and digital records believed to be connected to the case.

One of the most striking aspects emerging from the probe, according to officials, is an alleged sharp and sudden rise in the family's wealth. Local residents claim the family, which reportedly led a modest lifestyle until a few years ago, now owns luxury vehicles and assets worth several crores of rupees. Three residential colonies collectively referred to as the 'Vikas Nagar' series are alleged to have been developed in the name of Vikas Binwal. The family is also said to have invested heavily in multiple land parcels and high-value farmhouses across the region, prompting investigators to scrutinise the scale and pattern of these transactions.

How the Paper Was Allegedly Leaked

Preliminary inputs suggest that hard copies of the NEET-UG question paper were allegedly obtained in advance, handwritten, then scanned and circulated through WhatsApp groups across Rajasthan, Haryana, and Maharashtra, with links reportedly extending to coaching networks. Officials also indicated that a 150-page 'guess paper' was allegedly circulated to students weeks before the examination — a key lead that continues to be examined.

Political Links and Absconding Accused

The CBI is also examining possible political connections alleged to have helped sustain the network. It is alleged that accused Dinesh Binwal has links with the youth wing of a political party, though officials have not made any formal confirmation in this regard. The agency is actively searching for absconding accused Rishi, who is suspected to be a key operational link in the racket.

Scope of the Investigation

The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) had initially launched the investigation after the alleged leak surfaced, detaining multiple suspects and seizing mobile phones and electronic devices. Around 150 candidates and their families were questioned during the initial phase. All evidence collected by the SOG has since been handed over to the CBI, which is expected to widen the probe further, including scrutiny of coaching institutes and financial transactions linked to the accused. Several earlier detainees have since been released after extensive questioning. Investigators also found that multiple members of the arrested family had previously appeared for the NEET examination. The case has sparked widespread public outrage and renewed debate over the integrity of competitive examination security systems across the country.