A Delhi court on Tuesday rejected the bail application of one of the main accused in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, Manisha Waghmar, while observing that the accused had “sabotaged” the examination process to “satisfy their greed” and eroded the confidence of many honest students in the examination process.
In a 12-page order, Special Judge Ajay Gupta of Ross Avenue Courts dismissed Wagmire’s bail application, stating that she was an active conspirator in the “organised paper leaking gang”.
The court also noted that Waghmare used to distribute the paper in exchange for money from teachers and parents of NEET aspirants by providing them with a guess sheet containing the exact questions that matched the NEET paper. “She also made all possible efforts to destroy the incriminating materials (guess paper/related study materials) before arresting her,” the court said.
The court went on to emphasize how many NEET aspirants who had “burned the midnight oil” to compete with fellow candidates through their skills and aptitude, were left questioning the examination process due to paper leakage.
“In order to satisfy their greed, they (accused) sabotaged the NEET (UG) 2026 examination which was supposed to be conducted fairly and flawlessly,” the court observed.
“Not only have they caused huge loss to the exchequer, but their obnoxious and illegal actions have eroded the confidence of the sincere students in the process of this examination, who are preparing for the examination with full enthusiasm, honesty and burning the midnight oil, in order to compete with their fellow candidates on the basis of their sheer skill and competence,” the court added.
The court also stressed that sincere students prepare for the examination, assuming that there will be a level playing field for all, however, candidates who have already been provided with the relevant examination materials, the court noted, qualify for the examination using unfair means, leaving behind the deserving students.
The court noted that the investigation into the case was at an early stage and there was a possibility that evidence would be destroyed and witnesses could be influenced if Waghmar was released on bail.
During the bail proceedings, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) strongly opposed the bail application, describing Wagmar as a “conspirator” who had allegedly obtained and distributed the leaked examination paper.
Senior public prosecutor Neetu Singh argued before the court that Waghmare played a central role in the wider exam leaking racket. “We have statements from students who said they were donating money in exchange for question papers,” the CBI told the court.
The agency further stated that it possesses bank transaction records that confirm the alleged financial trail.
According to the CBI, Waghmare was part of a conspiracy involving PV Kulkarni – a retired chemistry teacher and alleged leader – to obtain the leaked NEET-UG paper and circulate it. Kulkarni allegedly circulated the paper through Waghmar, who in turn passed it to one of the other accused, Dhananjay Lokhande of Pune.
Lokhande allegedly collected examination materials from Waghmare and subsequently forwarded them to accused Shubham Madhukar Khairnar.
Attorney Shreyas Gashi, who represents Waghmare, reported that Waghmare worked as a certified educational consultant who referred students to “good teachers” and earned a commission through these referrals.
