CBI files chargesheet against 13 in NEET paper leak case; no NTA official named yet, probe and forensic analysis continue

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Tuesday said that it has filed a chargesheet against 13 accused persons in the NEET UG paper-leak case. The federal agency filed its chargesheet in Rouse Avenue Court.

Those chargesheeted are: Yash Yadav, Mangilal Biwal, Dinesh Biwal, Vikas Biwal, Subham Khairnar, Dhananjay Lokhande, Prahalad Kulkarni, Tejas Harshad Kumar, Dr Manoj Shirure, Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, Manisha Waghmare, Manisha Mandhane, Manisha Sanjay Hawaldar. The thirteen include the alleged "kingpin" and "another mastermind" of the paper leak.

It should be mentioned that the instant chargesheet does not name any NTA official. The counsel for the federal agency in May had told a local Court that the "entire NTA process" and alleged involvement of NTA officials behind the leak is under the CBI scanner. Underlining the "larger conspiracy" in this case, the agency in May had submitted that other members of "this syndicate" need to be identified and arrested.


"There is a larger conspiracy angle present in the case and as per CBI several other accused who are active members of this syndicate are yet to be identified and arrested", read the May court order.

The court also recorded CBI's submission that there is an "organised paper leak gang" involved in the instant case. Observing that "the investigation is at its very initial and crucial stage" the court had recorded in its May order remanding one of the co-accused (Manisha Mandhare) to 14 days CBI custody.

As per available information, the CBI has kept open the further investigation to examine the role of NTA officials. Recently, 47 NTA officials were suspended. CBI in its press statement Tuesday said that "further investigation and forensic analysis is continuing in the case".

The CBI has charge sheeted the 13 accused for offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, destruction of evidence and others under BNS, for offence of criminal misconduct under Prevention of Corruption Act and for offences under the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.

The agency in a press statement Tuesday said that it has cited 360 witnesses, 422 documents and 43 material objects in this charge sheet. All 13 chargesheeted persons are in judicial custody as on date.