Shubham Khairnar is one of the several accused arrested by the CBI in connection with the 2026 NEET-UG paper leak case. (File photo)

NEET paper leak case: Key accused's CBI custody extended, 5 sent to judicial remand

Six accused were produced before the Rouse Avenue Court after their CBI remand came to an end. The CBI agency had sought judicial custody of five of them.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Mangilal, Vikas, Dinesh Biwal, and 2 others sent to judicial custody
  • Shubham Khairnar's CBI custody extended by five more days by court
  • The court granted five additional days to question Shubham Khairnar

A Delhi court on Wednesday extended the CBI custody of Shubham Khairnar, one of the accused in the 2026 NEET-UG question paper leak case, and sent five others to judicial custody.

The six accused were produced before the Rouse Avenue Court after their CBI remand came to an end. The central agency had sought judicial custody of five of them.

Allowing the plea, Special Judge Ajay Gupta sent Mangilal Biwal, Vikas Biwal, Dinesh Biwal, Yash Yadav, and Dhananjay Lokhande to judicial remand until June 2.

Meanwhile, Khairnar's CBI custody was extended by the court by five more days. The CBI had told the court that the extension was required to identify other accused persons and trace those who purchased the 'leaked paper.'

The central agency submitted that financial transactions involved in the alleged scheme need to be investigated. It argued that it is necessary to uncover how, when, and by whom the larger conspiracy was planned.

It is also necessary to take Khairnar to Maharashtra so he can be confronted with evidence, witnesses, and co-accused, the CBI told the court. His lawyer opposed the arguments, saying that the probe agency has already seized several devices and that the accused is cooperating in the probe.

Khairnar, a 30-year-old Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) student, was taken into custody by the CBI from Maharashtra's Nashik last week.

He allegedly bought the "guess paper" that is at the centre of the 2026 NEET-UG question paper "leak" scandal for Rs 10 lakh from another suspect based in Pune, and sold it further for Rs 15 lakh to a Haryana-based buyer, according to sources.

The CBI has also sought the court’s permission to obtain signature specimens of Manisha Mandhare and Shivraj Motegaonkar, two others arrested over the past week in connection with the ongoing probe.

- Ends
(With inputs from PTI)