NEET-UG Leak: CBI Arrests Maharashtra Doctor Who Bought Paper For Son, May Turn Govt Witness

Last Updated:May 22, 2026, 16:31 IST

Latur-based paediatrician Dr Manoj Shirure, who allegedly purchased the leaked NEET question paper for his son before the May 3 examination, has been arrested.

NEET-UG 2026 Leak: Fresh revelations have emerged in the investigation into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak scam, with the CBI uncovering what it believes is a highly organised interstate network involving doctors, coaching operators, middlemen and parents.

The probe took a major turn after the arrest of Latur-based paediatrician Dr Manoj Shirure, who allegedly purchased the leaked NEET question paper for his son before the May 3 examination.

According to investigators, Shirure allegedly bought the leaked paper from Shivraj Motegaonkar, founder of RCC Classes in Latur, for Rs 12 lakh and later circulated its PDF to others through Telegram in an attempt to recover the money.

As per sources, the CBI has questioned Shirure for several hours after conducting raids at his hospital and other premises in Latur. Mobile phones, digital devices and documents were also seized during the raids.

According to sources, Shirure could turn a key government witness in the case. Agencies are hoping his statement will help expose the full modus operandi of the paper leak network before the court.

Based on his statements and leads, the CBI is reportedly questioning at least five more doctors from Latur, Nanded and Sambhajinagar. Sources said that those under scrutiny include two paediatricians, two gynaecologists and one doctor working in the OPD of a government hospital.

Parents, Students Also Under Scanner

The arrest of Shirure marked the first instance of a parent being arrested in the NEET 2026 paper leak case.

CBI officials suspected that several parents allegedly paid between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh to retired chemistry professor P V Kulkarni and Motegaonkar to secure 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.

Deleted Data Recovered By Forensic Teams

The CBI’s technical teams have also recovered deleted digital data linked to the alleged racket. Investigators 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 by hand and later converted into PDF files before being circulated through mobile phones and Telegram channels.

Maharashtra, Rajasthan Emerge As Major Hubs

Sources linked to the investigation claim that the leaked papers were circulated in at least five states through a carefully planned network. Agencies now believe the operation was not run by a single gang but by an organised syndicate operating across several states.

Investigators suspect the operation extended into Rajasthan, Bihar and other states through a coordinated syndicate 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 stuff.

The investigation has further revealed the sophisticated methods allegedly adopted by the accused to execute the conspiracy.

Rather than contacting candidates directly, the gangs reportedly relied on local middlemen to coordinate the operation. On the night before the examination, students were allegedly gathered at secret locations, including hotels and farmhouses.

Following the latest revelations, 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 scale of the network.

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