Pune Chemistry Professor Arrested As Alleged Kingpin In NEET Paper Leak Case, Says CBI
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Pune, May 16, 2026: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has claimed a major breakthrough in the NEET examination paper leak case after arresting a chemistry professor from Pune who has been identified as the alleged “kingpin” of the racket.
According to officials, the accused, identified as PV Kulkarni, had access to confidential examination papers through his involvement in the NEET examination process on behalf of the National Testing Agency (NTA). Investigators allege that he misused this access to leak questions to students appearing for the highly competitive medical entrance examination.
The NEET exam, which impacts the future of nearly 23 lakh students across the country, was conducted on May 3. Officials stated that Kulkarni is the eighth person arrested so far in connection with the case.
Originally from Latur district in Maharashtra, Kulkarni reportedly conducted private tuition sessions under the name “Raj Coaching Classes” from his residence in Pune. The CBI alleged that during a special coaching session held in the last week of April, just days before the examination, Kulkarni dictated questions, answer options and correct answers to students, who copied them into notebooks.
Investigators later compared the notes recovered from students with the actual NEET question paper and found that several questions matched word-for-word. Officials said this evidence helped establish that the leak originated from someone directly connected to the examination system.
The agency has also arrested another accused, identified as Manisha Waghmare, who allegedly played a role in connecting students to the racket. According to the CBI, Waghmare operated a beauty parlour and allegedly approached students and parents by promising leaked exam papers and guaranteed medical college admissions in exchange for large sums of money.
Officials stated that she would reportedly collect lakhs of rupees from aspiring candidates before directing them to Kulkarni.
The CBI is now investigating the wider network behind the paper leak and attempting to determine how far the racket extended across different states. Over the past 24 hours, the agency has conducted raids at multiple locations nationwide and seized important documents, electronic devices and mobile phones for forensic examination.
The investigation was initiated after the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education lodged a complaint regarding the alleged leak. Special investigation teams were subsequently formed by the CBI to probe the matter.
So far, eight arrests have been made from Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune and Ahilyanagar. Five accused were produced before a court and remanded to custody for seven days as the investigation continues.
