NEET UG 2026 Exam Paper Leak: CBI Arrests 2 More From Maharashtra, 14 Locations Raided As Probe Widens to 7 Arrests

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, arresting two more individuals and conducting coordinated searches at 14 locations over the last 24 hours. The latest arrests from Maharashtra bring the total number of people in custody to seven, as the agency moves to dismantle a suspected multi-state network involved in examination irregularities.

Fresh Arrests in Maharashtra

The two newly arrested accused have been identified as Dhananjay Lokhanda from Ahilyanagar and Manisha Waghmare from Pune. According to CBI officials, these arrests were made following technical leads and incriminating evidence recovered during recent raids. The agency’s operations in the last 24 hours spanned 14 locations across the country, targeting suspected conduits and middlemen. Digital devices, including mobile phones and laptops, were seized during these searches and have been sent for forensic analysis to trace the origin of the leaked materials. NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case: CBI Arrests 5 Suspects, Conducts Multiple Raids Across Country.

Expanding Investigation and Remands

The total number of arrests in the case now stands at seven. This follow-up action comes immediately after the arrest of five suspects on Wednesday:

• Three from Jaipur: Identified as members of a single family (Dinesh, Mangilal, and Vikas Biwal).

• One from Gurugram: Identified as Yash Yadav.

• One from Nashik: Identified as Shubham Khairnar.

A special court in Delhi has already sent the initial five accused to a seven-day CBI remand to facilitate further interrogation. The agency informed the court that the paper was allegedly leaked in PDF format and circulated via messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram before the exam.

Background and Modus Operandi

The CBI took over the probe on May 12, following a complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education. Preliminary investigations suggest an organized racket where "guess papers"—which shared significant overlaps with the actual NEET-UG question paper—were sold to candidates for sums ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh. The NEET-UG 2026 examination, which saw nearly 23 lakh aspirants register, was cancelled earlier this week after the Rajasthan Police's Special Operations Group (SOG) and central agencies confirmed a breach in the examination process. NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak: CBI Gets 2-Day Transit Custody of Accused Shubham Khairnar (Watch Video).

Ongoing Action

CBI officials stated that several other suspects remain under interrogation. The agency is currently focusing on the "Sikar-Jaipur-Maharashtra" link to identify the primary source of the leak, which is suspected to have originated from a printing press or a high-level conduit. Further arrests are expected as the forensic examination of seized digital data continues.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 14, 2026 08:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).