NEET 2026 Paper Leak Case: Woman Among Two Detained in Maharashtra, Handed Over To CBI
NEET 2026 Paper Leak Case: Woman Among Two Detained in Maharashtra, Handed Over To CBI
Pune/Mumbai, May 14, 2026: Two persons, including a woman from Pune, were detained from different parts of Maharashtra in connection with the alleged NEET 2026 paper leak case and later handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation for further investigation, officials said on Wednesday.
The detained accused include Manisha Waghmare, a beautician by profession, who was picked up from Pune’s Bibvewadi area, and 26-year-old Dhananjay Nivrutti Lokhande from Rahuri in Ahilyanagar district.
Amitesh Kumar confirmed that Waghmare was questioned by Pune Police before being handed over to the CBI for detailed investigation. However, officials have not disclosed her exact role in the alleged examination paper leak.
Lokhande was also detained and subsequently transferred to the CBI for further probe. Authorities said his precise involvement in the case is still being investigated.
The latest action comes a day after the CBI detained Shubham Khairnar, a resident of Nandgaon in Nashik district, over his alleged connection to the paper leak case. He was later produced before a Mumbai court, which granted the CBI transit remand to take him to Delhi for further interrogation.
The controversy erupted after allegations surfaced that the NEET 2026 examination paper had been leaked before the test conducted on May 3. Following widespread outrage and complaints of irregularities, the government cancelled the examination and ordered a comprehensive probe by the CBI.
The cancellation has left more than 22 lakh medical aspirants and their families anxious over the revised examination schedule, admit cards, examination centres, and counselling process for undergraduate medical admissions across India.
