Mumbai, May 18: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, the director of a coaching center in Maharashtra, on Monday in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. With this arrest, the total number of individuals apprehended in this investigation has reached ten.
According to CBI sources, Motegaonkar, who allegedly ran coaching classes in Latur, played a significant role in the purported NEET paper leak network. He was taken into custody for questioning before being formally arrested by the agency.
Sources indicated that the CBI may soon issue an official statement regarding this latest arrest. This development comes amid a nationwide investigation into the alleged leak of the NEET UG 2026 exam papers, which sparked widespread outrage and ultimately led to the cancellation of the exam scheduled for May 3.
Meanwhile, a Delhi court on Sunday remanded Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, another accused in the NEET paper leak case, to CBI custody for 14 days. Mandhare, a senior botany teacher appointed by the NTA, is suspected of being involved in the conspiracy to leak the biology question paper. Chemistry professor P.V. Kulkarni is believed to be the mastermind behind this paper leak.
During the hearing at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, the CBI informed the bench that Mandhare was skilled in translating botany and zoology question papers and had access to the NEET-UG biology paper.
The CBI alleged that Mandhare conspired with P.V. Kulkarni and Manisha Waghmare, providing the question paper to another accused, Shubham. Investigations are ongoing across the country, necessitating her transport to various locations for further inquiry.
The agency further claimed that Mandhare had recruited potential NEET candidates through Pune-based consultant Manisha Waghmare, who was arrested earlier this month, and organized special coaching sessions for students at her Pune residence.
According to the CBI, during these classes, she allegedly disclosed several biology questions to students, instructing them to note them down in their books. Investigators assert that most of these questions matched the actual NEET UG 2026 question paper.
Previously, nine suspects had been arrested from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, and Ahilyanagar in this case. Five of these suspects have already been presented in court and have been placed under seven days of police remand for detailed questioning. Two other suspects, arrested on Friday, were presented in a Pune court and were sent to Delhi after obtaining a transit remand.
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Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.