CBI Files Chargesheet Against 13 in NEET Paper Leak Case Following Education Minister's Resignation

The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a chargesheet against 13 individuals arrested in connection with the 2026 undergraduate National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak case. Among those named are three subject experts from the National Testing Agency: chemistry expert PV Kulkarni, biology expert Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, and physics expert Manisha Sanjay Havaldar. The CBI alleges that Kulkarni leaked the question paper and that Shivaraj Motegaonkar, a professor and owner of the RCC Coaching Institute in Latur, obtained the paper at Siddhivinayak Hospital. Several intermediaries, including Tejas Harshadkumar Shah of APMA Coaching Institute, have also been arrested.

The legal action follows the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who stepped down after nearly two months of agitation led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over irregularities in competitive examinations. The 2026 NEET exam, held on May 3, was cancelled by the National Testing Agency on May 12 due to reports of leaks; a re-examination took place on June 21 with results declared on July 16.

Meanwhile, tensions persist between the government and student protesters. Saurav Das, chief spokesperson for the CJP, stated that the government has failed to provide a written guarantee that FIRs against students and protesters will be withdrawn. While the government reportedly showed Das a Supreme Court order allowing investigations into existing FIRs to continue, the CJP warns that this may constitute a betrayal of the youth. The party has threatened to launch nationwide protests if written assurances are not provided, arguing that the Supreme Court's orders should not be used to target genuine protesters.