CBI nabs 5 from Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik in NEET-UG 2026 paper leak probe

New Delhi: CBI has arrested five people for their alleged involvement in NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. While three have been arrested from Jaipur, one each have been nabbed from Gurugram and Nashik, people in the know said.

The five arrested are: Shubham Khairnar from Nashik; Mangilal Biwal from Jaipur; Vikas Biwal from Jaipur; Dinesh Biwal from Jaipur and Yash Yadav from Gurugram. According to CBI sources, several suspects are under examination.

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The 'special teams' constituted by CBI to probe the alleged leak carried out searches at several locations across the country. The agency claims to have seized incriminating material and electronic devices from the suspects. It is also coordinating with Rajasthan Police special operations group (SOG) that conducted a preliminary enquiry into the case.

According to CBI sources, Dinesh Biwal and his brother Mangilal Biwal, residents of Jamwa Ramgarh, a town in Jaipur, Rajasthan, were tracked down by the SOG.

The duo allegedly procured exam papers from Yash Yadav, an ayurvedic medicine student based in Gurugram and a co-accused. It is suspected that Yash Yadav had previously been linked to paper leak cases.

ROW OVER BJP CONNECTION

A political row erupted in Rajasthan after the arrest of Dinesh Biwal. Former Congress CM Ashok Gehlot said Dinesh had connections with BJP's youth wing. However, local BJP functionaries dismissed the claims, maintaining that Dinesh has not been politically active for years.

The local party members argued that while Dinesh was BJP's youth wing secretary in 2014, he had not been active in the party. They said Dinesh has primarily been involved in a money lending business for some years.

Five members from the Biwal family cleared NEET the previous year and are enrolled in government medical colleges. These include the sons of both the accused brothers and two daughters of their late elder brother. The agency sources said the "success" of Biwal's family members raised eyebrows. The agency is likely to widen the purview of its probe.

Transit remand

CBI also secured two days transit remand of co-accused Shubham Khairnar, a resident of Nashik. He will be brought to Delhi for questioning, people in the know said. Seeking his transit remand from a Mumbai court, CBI told the court that the involvement of other individuals from other states cannot be ruled out.

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Shubham was detained by the crime branch of Nashik Police following a request from Rajasthan Police. According to reports, Shubham is a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery student. He reportedly bought the 'guess paper', almost similar to the actual exam for ₹10 lakh and sold it to aspirants for ₹15 lakh. Shubham has reportedly denied the charges levelled against him.

As per SOG, the case suggests a multi-state link spanning Maharashtra, Haryana and Rajasthan. In a related development, a CBI team visited NTA office to seek details.

1-yr extension for CBI Chief

The Centre has granted an extension of one year to CBI chief Praveen Sood. "The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension in tenure of Praveen Sood ...for a period of one year beyond May 24, 2026," read DoPT notification.