The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken Shubham Khairnar into custody in connection with the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, as the probe into the nationwide scandal continues to widen.
Khairnar was detained in Nashik by the crime branch unit of Nashik Police at the request of Rajasthan Police before being handed over to the CBI.
The NEET-UG 2026 examination, conducted on May 3 for undergraduate medical admissions, was cancelled earlier this week following allegations of question paper leaks and irregularities.
Latur coaching institute under scanner
In a related development, a parent of a NEET aspirant filed a complaint with the Superintendent of Police office in Latur, alleging that a private coaching institute had conducted a mock test containing 42 questions similar to those that appeared in the actual NEET examination.
Following the complaint, SP Amol Tambe directed officials to conduct an immediate inquiry and initiate legal action if violations were confirmed.
Police have appealed to students and parents to share any information linked to the paper leak investigation.
Multiple arrests and questioning continue
Earlier, the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group detained 15 individuals while tracking the suspected money trail and network behind the leak.
Officials also detained an alleged mastermind identified as Manish from Jaipur. Previously, several arrests had been made in Dehradun and Sikar involving counsellors and NEET aspirants.
The CBI team has now reached Jaipur and questioned around two dozen individuals detained by Rajasthan Police.
‘Guess papers’ allegedly sold for money
According to investigators, several accused allegedly sold “guess papers” for large sums of money, with many questions reportedly matching those in the final NEET examination paper.
The investigation is focusing on digital circulation, financial transactions, and possible interstate links connected to the leak network#NEET2026 #CBI #PaperLeak #EducationNews #CrimeNews #newskarnataka