NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case: Multiple arrests made across 3 states; cops uncover multi-state network of at least 45 people | India News
NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case: Multiple arrests made across 3 states; Police 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-organized multi-state network of at least 45 people spread across the states of Maharashtra, Kerala, Haryana, Bihar, Rajasthan.Investigation revealed a network involving paper solvers, impersonators, coaching center counselors and even MBBS students.
Nashik Arrest: Medical student detained
A medical student from Maharashtra’s Nashik has been arrested for allegedly leaking NEET-UG 2026 papers. The student, identified as Shubham Khairnar, a graduate student of medical science from Bhopal, allegedly received a physical copy of the ‘Anuman’ paper in Nashik days before the May 3 exam and sent a soft copy to a person in Haryana.“A request was received from the Rajasthan Police this morning to take a person into custody. Accordingly, Crime Branch Unit 2 of the Nashik Police has arrested one person,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Kirankumar Chauhan. A team of Rajasthan police will come to the city to take him into custody.The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) had earlier said that the ‘Anuman’ paper was leaked from a printing press in Nashik and used in Haryana or Rajasthan.
Rajgir arrested: Cash, multiple admit cards seized
On the exam day itself, the police made an important catch in Bihar’s Rajgir. Rajgir DSP Sunil Kumar Singh said that on May 3, the police came across two vehicles during a vehicle check.“The person driving the car, who claimed to be an MBBS student, had stacks of cash inside his car. After checking their mobile phones, we found multiple access cards. Three people were arrested,” Singh said.The arrest was made as the police were on high alert based on intelligence.
Dehradun Arrest: ‘Mastermind’
The Rajasthan Police SOG arrested five people, including the alleged mastermind, Sikar-based career counselor Rakesh Kumar, from Dehradun on May 7. Four NEET candidates were arrested the next dayRakesh Kumar allegedly received a question bank containing 410 questions from an examinee in Kerala. Of these, 150 questions correspond to the actual NEET exam held on May 3. He initially sold the paper at Rs 5 lakh, later reducing the price to Rs 30,000 per candidate as the exam date approached.A counselor at a coaching center in Sikar was arrested for allegedly paying Rs 5 lakh to buy ‘assumption’ papers and sell them to NEET candidates through WhatsApp.120 out of 150 questions in Biology and Chemistry from the original paper were matched in the handwritten ‘Assessment’ paper.
What the investigation found
A senior official of SOG said that the investigation revealed a well-organized nationwide network with paper solvers to impersonators.SOG has so far interrogated 13 suspects from Dehradun, Sikar and Jhunjhunu in the case.The National Testing Agency on Tuesday canceled the NEET-UG 2026 exam, affecting over 22 lakh candidates. The central government has referred the matter to the CBI for a comprehensive investigation.The NTA said the decision was taken “in the interest of maintaining transparency and preserving confidence in the national examination system.”
