A Delhi court on Friday, 24 July rejected the regular bail application of Dr Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure, an accused in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court accepted the agency's contention that the charges prima facie establish his involvement in an organised examination fraud and that the investigation is at a critical juncture.

Court's Ruling

Special Judge (CBI) Ajay Gupta of the Rouse Avenue Court dismissed the bail application filed under Sections 480 and 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The order had been reserved the previous week following arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.

What the CBI Alleged

The CBI had strongly opposed bail, describing Shirure as an 'active conspirator' in the procurement and dissemination of leaked Chemistry questions ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 examination. According to the agency, Shirure acted at the instance of co-accused P.V. Kulkarni and facilitated the son of co-accused Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar in accessing the leaked paper at his hospital in April 2026. An amount of ₹5 lakh was allegedly obtained in connection with this arrangement.

The CBI further alleged that Shirure referred two other doctors whose children reportedly obtained leaked Chemistry questions from Kulkarni after payment of ₹3 lakh each.

Scale of the Fraud and Its Impact

The CBI told the court that the offence affected more than 22.05 lakh candidates, resulted in the cancellation of the examination, caused a loss to the public exchequer, and eroded public confidence in the examination system. 'The commission of the offence by the applicant/accused has not only affected more than 22.05 lakh students in the NEET UG 2026 Examination but it has also jeopardised the future of these students,' the agency stated in its reply. It also argued that the conspiracy had caused the loss of 'millions of working hours' of students and their aspirations.

The agency contended that releasing Shirure at this stage — given his professional standing and local influence — risked witness tampering and could prejudice both the investigation and the eventual trial.

Background and Investigation Status

The CBI registered the case on 12 May following a complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Union Ministry of Education, which alleged that confidential NEET-UG 2026 question papers were circulated on WhatsApp before the examination. The agency has so far arrested 13 accused and is probing an alleged nationwide network involving candidates, middlemen, coaching operators, and others.

Earlier this month, the Rouse Avenue Court had extended the judicial custody of 10 accused, including Shirure, while the CBI continued its probe. The original NEET-UG 2026 examination was subsequently cancelled, and a re-examination was conducted on 21 June under heightened security arrangements.

What Happens Next

With the investigation still focused on digital evidence, call records, and financial trail analysis, the CBI has indicated the scope of the alleged conspiracy remains wide. The bail denial keeps Shirure in custody as the agency works to establish the full network. Legal observers note that further bail pleas are unlikely to succeed as long as the probe remains at a sensitive stage and the trial has not commenced.