NEET-UG paper leak: CBI nabs second mastermind

CBI has identified another mastermind who was the source for leak of NEET-UG 2026 Examination Biology questions.  Another key accused namely Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, a Senior Botany Teacher from Pune, has been arrested in Delhi after thorough interrogation by CBI. She was involved in the NEET UG 2026 Examination process and appointed by NTA as an expert. She had complete access to the Botony and Zoology question papers. According to CBI statement, during April 2026 she had mobilized prospective NEET examination candidates through Manisha Wagmare of Pune (already arrested on 14-05-26) and conducted special coaching classes for these students at her Pune residence. During these classes she explained and disclosed various questions from Botany and Zoology subjects and made the students note down the same in their notebooks and also mark in their text books. Majority of these questions tallied with the actual question paper of NEET UG 2026Examination held on 03-05-2026, it said.
In the last 24 hours, CBI has also conducted searches at 6 locations across the country and seized several incriminating documents, Laptops, bank statements and mobile phones. Detailed analysis of the seized items is going on. So far 09 accused have been arrested in this case from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nasik, Pune and Ahliyanagar. Out of these, 05 accused have already been produced before the court and taken into 7 days police custody remand for detailed interrogation. Other 02 accused who were arrested yesterday have produced before the court in Pune and shifted to Delhi after taking Transit Remand. They are being produced before the Delhi court.
The CBI has registered a  case on May 12 based on the written complaint given by Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, pertaining to alleged paper leak of NEET-UG 2026 Examination. Immediately after registration of the case, special teams were formed and searches were conducted at various locations across the country and several suspects were picked up and interrogated. 
The agency has so far has brought out the actual source of the leakage of Chemistry and Biology papers as well as the middlemen involved in mobilizing the students who paid lakhs of rupees to attend the special coaching classes where the questions which would come in the NEET UG-2026 exam were dictated and discussed. 

(Freelance Journalist)