CBI officials stated that these arrests were made based on the interrogation of the alleged masterminds behind the NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak—Manisha Gurunath Mandhar, a Botany teacher from Pune, and P.V. Kulkarni, a retired Chemistry professor—as well as other accused individuals. The CBI had sought a 14-day remand from the court but was granted a 10-day remand.
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CBI Arrests NEET-UG paper leak kingpins
In connection with the NEET-UG question paper leak case, the CBI had previously arrested Chemistry Professor P.V. Kulkarni. The CBI has now arrested another ‘mastermind.’ A Botany teacher—also a resident of Pune—has been arrested on charges of leaking the Life Sciences section of the NEET-UG question paper. The CBI stated that the accused teacher, Manisha Gurunath Mandhar, had been summoned for questioning. She was arrested in Delhi following a lengthy interrogation.
Botany Professor Manisha Mandhare has been identified by the CBI as the source of the leak of 2026 NEET-UG biology questions. (Photos: PTI/Reporter)
The CBI further stated that Manisha had been appointed as an expert at the National Testing Agency (NTA). She was involved in various processes related to the NEET-UG examination. In April, Manisha established contact with NEET aspirants through another teacher who was subsequently arrested in Pune. The coaching classes for these aspirants were conducted directly at her own residence!
The CBI alleges that Manisha leaked the questions within that very coaching center. According to sources among the central investigative officers, she distributed crucial questions related to Botany and Zoology among the examinees at her own coaching institute. Subsequently, the students were instructed to transcribe those questions into their personal notebooks. The CBI has stated that the majority of these questions matched verbatim with the question paper of the NEET-UG examination held on May 3.
The CBI searched six locations nationwide in the last 24 hours. Numerous damning documents, laptops, bank statements, and cell phones connected to this case have been confiscated by investigators. These things are being examined right now. Nine suspects from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, and Ahlyanagar have been detained thus far in this investigation.
The CBI added that the real source of the NEET Chemistry and Biology exam papers that were leaked has been found. Additionally, the brokers responsible for the paper leak have been identified. In exchange for lakhs of rupees, these brokers used to “sell” the exam papers to applicants getting ready at different coaching facilities.
It has been alleged that Latur, Maharashtra resident Professor P.V. Kulkarni leaked the NEET question paper. He was taken into custody by the CBI on Friday. The “mastermind” behind the question paper leak controversy, according to investigators, is this professor. According to the CBI, Manisha was connected to Kulkarni.
Manisha’s lawyer raised an objection.
In the meantime, Manisha Mandhar’s attorney questioned the arrest process and rejected the CBI’s request for custody. The defense claimed that Manisha had been wrongfully imprisoned by the Pune Police for more than twenty-four hours. The attorney argued that since the cell phone is already in the CBI’s possession, there is no need for additional custody and that the agency only had one statement as tangible proof.
Kulkarni was said to be unrelated to the leak.
P.V. Kulkarni’s attorney contended that his client had only formulated and submitted the questions. He was unaware of whether the final exam paper contained those questions or not. The defense argued that framing questions alone does not prove complicity in a paper leak.
The CBI rejected these claims, claiming that Manisha Mandhar was arrested on May 14 and placed under transit remand the next day. The agency made it clear that this arrest was made strictly in compliance with the law.