Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, May 22: Fresh revelations have surfaced in the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) uncovering what investigators believe to be a highly organised interstate network involving doctors, coaching operators, middlemen, parents and students.
The investigation took a major turn following the arrest of Latur-based paediatrician Manoj Shirure, who allegedly purchased the leaked NEET question paper for his son ahead of the May 3 examination.
According to investigators, Shirure allegedly bought the leaked paper from Shivraj Motegaonkar, founder of RCC Classes, for Rs 12 lakh. He is also accused of circulating the PDF version of the question paper to others through Telegram in an attempt to recover the money.
Sources said the CBI questioned Shirure for several hours after conducting raids at his hospital and other premises in Latur. Mobile phones, digital devices and documents were seized during the operation.
Investigators believe Shirure could turn into a key government witness in the case. Agencies hope his statement will help expose the complete modus operandi of the alleged paper leak network before the court.
Based on leads emerging from the interrogation, the CBI is reportedly questioning at least five more doctors from Latur, Nanded and Sambhajinagar. Sources said those under scrutiny include two paediatricians, two gynaecologists and one doctor working in the OPD section of a government hospital.
The arrest of Shirure marked the first instance of a parent being arrested in connection with the NEET 2026 paper leak case.
CBI officials suspect that several parents allegedly paid amounts ranging between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh to retired chemistry professor P V Kulkarni and Motegaonkar to obtain leaked question papers for their children.
Investigators are now examining the role of several parents and students across Maharashtra who may have benefited from the leaked examination material.
The agency’s technical teams have reportedly recovered deleted digital data linked to the alleged racket. Officials claimed that several files were deleted from mobile phones after the examination, but forensic experts managed to retrieve the material.
According to sources, the leaked questions were initially memorised manually and later converted into PDF files before being circulated through mobile phones and Telegram channels.
Investigators suspect that the leaked papers were circulated across at least five states through a carefully coordinated network. Agencies now believe the operation was run by an organised syndicate rather than a single gang.
The probe has reportedly expanded into Rajasthan, Bihar and other states, involving solver gangs, brokers and coaching-linked middlemen.
Officials claimed that candidates were allegedly charged anywhere between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 50 lakh for access to leaked papers and related arrangements.
The investigation has also revealed sophisticated methods allegedly adopted by the accused to execute the conspiracy. Instead of directly contacting candidates, the syndicate reportedly relied on local middlemen to coordinate operations. On the night before the examination, students were allegedly gathered at secret locations, including hotels and farmhouses.
Following the latest developments, central agencies have intensified raids and financial investigations linked to the accused. Several coaching centres, examination officials and education department employees in Maharashtra and Rajasthan are now under scrutiny as investigators attempt to uncover the full extent of the alleged network.