Kamal Ghorui
NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case: Multiple arrests made across 3 states; cops uncover multi-state network of at least 45 people (Image credit: ANI)
NEW DELHI: In a major breakthrough in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, investigators have made multiple arrests across the country — from Nashik to Dehradun to Rajgir — uncovering a well-organised multi-state network of at least 45 persons spanning Maharashtra, Kerala, Haryana, Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.The investigation has revealed a network involving paper solvers, impersonators, coaching centre counsellors and even MBBS students.
Nashik arrest: Medical student held
A medical student from Maharashtra’s Nashik has been arrested in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. The student, identified as Shubham Khairnar, a bachelor of medical sciences student in Bhopal, allegedly obtained a physical copy of the ‘guess’ paper in Nashik a few days before the May 3 exam and forwarded a soft copy to a person in Haryana.“A request from Rajasthan Police was received this morning for taking an individual into custody. Accordingly, Nashik police Crime Branch Unit 2 has nabbed a person,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Kirankumar Chauhan. A team of Rajasthan Police will arrive in the city to take his custody.The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) had earlier said the ‘guess’ paper leaked from a printing press in Nashik, and was used in Haryana or Rajasthan.
Rajgir arrests: Cash, multiple admit cards seized
On the day of the exam itself, police in Rajgir, Bihar made a crucial catch. Rajgir DSP Sunil Kumar Singh said that checking vehicles on May 3, police came across two cars.“The person driving, who claimed to be an MBBS student, had a stack of cash inside his car. Upon checking their mobile phones, we found multiple admit cards. Three people have been arrested,” Singh said.The arrests came as police were on high alert following intelligence inputs.
Dehradun arrests: The ‘mastermind’
The Rajasthan Police SOG arrested five persons from Dehradun, including the alleged mastermind, Sikar-based career counsellor Rakesh Kumar, on May 7. Four NEET aspirants were arrested the following day.Rakesh Kumar allegedly received the question bank containing 410 questions from an examinee in Kerala. Of these, 150 questions matched the actual NEET exam held on May 3. He initially sold the paper for Rs 5 lakh, later reducing the price to Rs 30,000 per aspirant as the exam date approached.A counsellor from a coaching centre in Sikar was also detained for allegedly paying Rs 5 lakh to buy the ‘guess’ paper and selling it to NEET aspirants through WhatsApp.The handwritten ‘guess’ paper matched 120 of the 150 questions for biology and chemistry from the original paper.
What the investigation found
A senior SOG official said the investigation has revealed a well-organised nation-wide network with paper solvers to impersonators.The SOG has so far interrogated 13 suspects from Dehradun, Sikar and Jhunjhunu in connection with the case.The National Testing Agency on Tuesday cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination, affecting over 22 lakh candidates. The Union Government has referred the matter to the CBI for a comprehensive inquiry.The NTA said the decision was taken “in the interest of maintaining transparency and preserving trust in the national examination system.”
