Ten people have been arrested in the NEET-UG 2026 papers leak case, and it is being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), as authorities continue to trace how the question paper was leaked and identify people linked to the scandal.
On Monday, the CBI arrested Shivraj Motegaonkar, who runs a coaching institute in Latur, Maharashtra, in connection with the case. He is the tenth person to be arrested in the ongoing investigation.
Where does NEET paper leakage probe stand: List of arrests
PV Kulkarni (Pune)
The first person identified by investigators as the “mastermind” in the CBI probe was retired chemistry lecturer PV Kulkarni, whom officials described as the ringleader.
Originally from Maharashtra’s Latur, Kulkarni was working in Pune, where he was arrested. He was also linked to the NEET screening process through the National Testing Agency (NTA), which allegedly gave him access to sensitive material.
He is accused of sharing questions, multiple choice options and correct answers during private coaching sessions, according to an earlier HT report. Students reportedly noticed these details in their notebooks, and investigators later found that they were “exactly identical” to the original NEET-UG 2026 question paper.
Manisha Gurunath Mandhari (Pune)
The second person identified as the “mastermind” in the case is Manisha Gurunath Mandhari, a senior botany teacher from Pune who was also part of the NTA committee responsible for preparing medical entrance examination papers.
According to the CBI, she had full access to the botany and zoology sections of the exam paper. During coaching classes, she allegedly discussed several questions in botany and zoology and asked students to write them down in notebooks and mark them in textbooks.
Manisha Waghmar (Pune)
Another key accused from Pune, Manisha Waghmar, who runs a beauty salon, was arrested on May 14 on charges of packing students for coaching classes run by Mandhari and Kulkarni.
Investigators suspect that she was responsible for finding parents and students willing to pay the price of assured success on the highly competitive medical entrance exam and connecting them with others involved in the network.
Dhananjay Lokhande (Ahiliyanagar, Maharashtra)
Lokhande was arrested in Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar for his alleged involvement in the paper leak.
Investigators allege Waghmare hooked parents and students up with him in exchange for money.
Shubham Khairnar (Nashik)
Twenty-seven-year-old BAMS student, Shubham Khairnar, was arrested from his home in Indiranagar, Nashik.
Police sources in Nashik said Lokhande sent a package containing NEET question paper to Khairnar, who is believed to have paid the money. $10 lakh for that.
During interrogation, Khairnar allegedly told investigators that he later sent the question paper electronically to an individual residing in Gurugram in Haryana and got it $15 lakh in return.
Yash Yadav (Haryana)
Investigators alleged that Khairnar later passed the material to Yash Yadav, a resident of Gurugram.
Yadav allegedly sold it to Jaipur resident Mangilal Bewal, also known as Mangilal Khatik, for $10 lakh after claiming that nearly 150 questions will match the final paper.
Yadav was also arrested in the case.
Vikas Bewal, Mangilal Bewal, and Dinesh Bewal (Jaipur)
Authorities are also investigating family members of BJP worker Dinesh Bewal, over their alleged long-term association with Haryana-based paper supplier Yash Yadav.
Investigators also became suspicious after several family members gained admission into government medical colleges despite mediocre academic performance.
Last week, the CBI arrested Dinesh Bewal, his brother Mangilal, and Mangilal’s son Vikas.
According to investigations by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) and the CBI, Mangilal allegedly received the leaked question paper from Yash Yadav via Telegram on April 29.
Investigators said Mangilal handed over printed copies of the leaked paper to his son Aman Bewal, Dinesh’s son Rishi, and their elder brother Ghanshyam Gunjan’s niece, who all appeared for examination on May 3.
Dinesh and Mangilal, who belong to Jamua Ramgarh area of Jaipur district, were previously involved in money lending and real estate business. About five years ago, the family moved to Sikar with seven children to prepare them for the NEET exams.
Shivraj Raghunath Motigaonkar (Latur)
Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, founder of one of Maharashtra’s leading coaching networks for medical and engineering entrance examinations, was also arrested by the CBI.
For nearly two decades, Renukai Career Centre, popularly known as RCC or ‘Motegaonkar Sir’s Classes’, has been recognized by students across Maharashtra as a pathway towards medical studies.
CBI officials had earlier told HT that Motigaonkar was a “member of an organized syndicate involved in the paper leak”.
Investigators said they found NEET question paper on his mobile phone. He allegedly received it on April 23, 10 days before the May 3 inspection.
