NEET UG 2026 Paper Leak Case: Key Accused Shubham Khairnar Sent to Judicial Custody Until June 6

A special Delhi court on Sunday, May 24, remanded Shubham Khairnar, a key accused in the NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak case, to judicial custody until June 6. Special Judge Ruchi Aggarwal Asrani approved the application filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which stated that keeping the accused in judicial custody is necessary at this initial stage of the investigation to prevent the destruction of crucial evidence and the intimidation of potential witnesses.

CBI Remand and Investigation Targets

The federal agency has accused Khairnar of being "actively" involved in leaking and distributing the confidential medical entrance test papers prior to the national examination. Seeking his judicial remand, the CBI argued that the measures are vital to stop the network from expanding or executing similar offenses. Who Is Shubham Khairnar? BAMS Student Who Bought NEET UG 2026 Exam Paper for INR 10 Lakh and Sold It for INR 15 Lakh.

"For the purpose of conducting investigation, the arrested accused persons are required to be in judicial custody to prevent tampering with evidence and influence upon witnesses connected with the investigation," the CBI stated in its remand application. The agency further added, "The case is currently at the initial stage of investigation, and judicial custody is required in the interest of the case. It is further submitted that the police custody remand may be required (of Kairnar) in the investigation again, as per the legal provisions, depending on developments in the case."

Unearthing a Nationwide Syndicate

Khairnar's transition to judicial custody follows an intensive phase of interrogation. He was initially sent to CBI custody for seven days on May 14 alongside four other suspects, with the court noting the involvement of an "organised gang" trading confidential papers for monetary gain. On May 20, the court extended Khairnar's custodial interrogation by five days to help investigators unearth a network spanning multiple states. CBI teams have taken Khairnar to various locations, including Nashik in Maharashtra, to pinpoint sites where question papers were revealed to select candidates. The investigation is currently analysing digital devices, tracking communication logs, and mapping the financial trails linking sellers to buyers.

Expanding Scope of Arrests

The agency's crackdown has led to 10 arrests so far. Court sources confirmed that Pune-based physics lecturer Manisha Sanjay Havaldar, who was arrested on Friday, is currently under transit remand and will likely appear before the designated court on Monday. Additionally, five other co-accused individuals whose CBI remand concludes on May 25 are scheduled for production before the court on Monday. NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak: CBI Gets 2-Day Transit Custody of Accused Shubham Khairnar (Watch Video).

Background of the NEET UG Paper Leak Crisis

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026, which regulates admissions to undergraduate medical courses across India, was conducted on May 3. Amid escalating protests and preliminary findings pointing to an organised paper leak syndicate, the central government canceled the pan-India exam two days later and handed over a comprehensive inquiry to the CBI to address the structural irregularities.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 24, 2026 11:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).