CBI Seeks 14 Days, Gets 10-Day Remand for NEET-UG 2026 Leak Accused

The investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case has intensified after two key accused, PV Kulkarni and Manisha Waghmare, were sent to 10 days of CBI custody by a special court in Delhi. The order was passed by the court of CBI Special Judge Ajay Gupta after the Central Bureau of Investigation sought 14 days of custody for further interrogation. According to the CBI, PV Kulkarni, a chemistry professor from Pune, is believed to be one of the main masterminds behind the nationwide exam paper leak scandal. Along with him, Manisha Waghmare was also arrested as part of the ongoing investigation. Both were presented before the special court at Rouse Avenue on Saturday. During the hearing, the CBI informed the court that Kulkarni and Waghmare were in regular contact with other accused individuals, including Dhananjay Lokhande and Manisha Mandhre. The agency claimed that all of them were connected to a larger network involved in leaking and distributing the NEET-UG examination paper across different parts of the country. The investigating agency argued that extended custody was necessary because the accused may need to be taken to various states for further investigation and questioning. The CBI also said it needed more time to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy and identify others linked to the paper leak racket. However, the defense lawyers opposed the demand for long custody. Manisha Waghmare’s lawyer alleged that she had been illegally detained by Pune Police for more than 24 hours before being formally arrested. On the other hand, PV Kulkarni’s lawyer denied the allegations and argued that even if Kulkarni had helped prepare questions, he had no control over whether those questions would actually be selected by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The CBI rejected these claims, stating that the arrests were made according to proper legal procedures. The agency clarified that Waghmare was arrested on May 14 and later brought to Delhi on transit remand. Following arguments from both sides, the court granted 10 days of CBI custody instead of the 14 days requested. The agency is now expected to question both accused further to trace the wider network allegedly involved in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, which has raised serious concerns about the integrity of one of India’s most important medical entrance examinations.