'Why Haven't Payments Been Made?' How A Mid-Interrogation Call Cracked NEET Leak Case | Exclusive

Last Updated:May 19, 2026, 12:30 IST

One of the most critical details to emerge during interrogation relates to the alleged movement of the paper before the examination

The interrogation of student Amit Meena, taken into custody by CBI, has emerged as a major turning point in the investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, with investigators uncovering a complex multi-state network involving MBBS students, middlemen, coaching operators and alleged paper suppliers across Rajasthan, Haryana, Maharashtra and Kerala.

CNN-News18 has accessed details from the Special Operations Group (SOG) case diary, which later became the basis for subsequent arrests made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the paper leak case.

Phone Call During Interrogation

According to investigators, one of the biggest breakthroughs came midway through Amit Meena’s questioning, when he allegedly received a phone call from a young man identified as “Rishi".

During the call, Rishi allegedly asked him: “Why haven’t the payments been made?" He further told Meena: “I will help you earn even more money in 2027."

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Investigators immediately sensed the significance of the conversation and instructed Meena to ask Rishi to come over. However, police sources said the caller grew suspicious and abruptly disconnected the phone.

News18 had earlier reported that Rishi belongs to the Biwal family, which is at the centre of the 2026 paper leak scandal. Officials say the incident strengthened suspicions that a larger organised network was operating behind the leak.

Amit Meena’s Confession

During interrogation, Meena allegedly admitted that he had purchased the NEET paper for Rs 5 lakh and later resold it.

Investigators claim Meena also revealed that Rishi had boasted after the 2025 examination that “five members of my family cleared NEET". According to officials, discussions for the 2026 examination had allegedly been finalised nearly a month in advance.

The disclosures triggered a wider investigation that led officials in several states.

Rajasthan Trail Leads To MBBS Student

Acting on Meena’s statements, SOG teams travelled to Jamwaramgarh in Jaipur and detained Rishi’s father, Dinesh Biwal.

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According to investigators, Dinesh identified his brother Mangilal Biwal, who in turn named his son Vikas Biwal. Vikas, an MBBS student in Sawai Madhopur, allegedly pointed investigators toward Yash Yadav from Gurugram and Shubham Khairnar from Nashik.

Officials claim Mangilal told investigators that the 2025 paper had originated from Nashik, while the current leak was allegedly sourced through a Haryana-based network.

Kerala Link Emerges

One of the most critical details to emerge during interrogation relates to the alleged movement of the paper before the examination.

According to the SOG case diary accessed by CNN-News18, the paper allegedly travelled from Sikar, to Churu, and then reached an MBBS student studying in Kerala.

Investigators allege the student forwarded the paper to his father, who runs a girls’ PG accommodation in Sikar. The alleged leak reportedly surfaced after female students staying at the PG compared the circulated material with the actual examination paper after the test.

“Uncle, the questions in the exam were exactly the same as those in this paper," the students allegedly told the PG operator, according to investigators.

Police sources said the remark triggered panic among those allegedly involved.

Investigators claim a government employee associated with the network later showed the paper to Chemistry teacher Shashikant Suthar. The teacher then allegedly approached administrators of Gurukripa Coaching Institute in Rajasthan.

According to officials, coaching operators warned the government employee that exposure of the matter could endanger both his government job and his son’s MBBS admission.

The employee later indicated he intended to file a complaint at the Udyog Nagar Police Station. Subsequently, on May 7, a complaint regarding the alleged leak was reportedly sent to the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of a teacher from the coaching institute.

Digital And Financial Probe Underway

Investigative agencies are now scrutinising WhatsApp groups, Telegram channels, bank transactions, and communication records to identify the complete chain of beneficiaries and handlers behind the alleged leak.

The developments come amid expanding investigations into alleged organised cheating networks linked to the NEET examination system, with agencies probing the role of coaching centres, intermediaries and medical students in multiple states.

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