Dharmendra Pradhan Announces CBT-Based NEET UG Amid Crackdown After Paper Leak

The Central Bureau of Investigation has reportedly sought 14 days’ custody of the accused arrested in the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, informing a Delhi court that the investigation could expand across several states. The agency said investigators may need to take the accused outside Delhi as the probe widens. According to the CBI, accused Dhananjay Nivrutti Lokhande was in regular contact with co-accused Manisha Waghamare and allegedly passed confidential material to another accused, Shubham Khairnar. The agency is also examining Prahlad Vitthal Kulkarni, described as a “subject expert” linked to the preparation of the NEET-UG paper. Investigators alleged that leaked questions were circulated through coaching sessions in Pune. The examination was cancelled after allegations emerged that the paper had been leaked and circulated across multiple states.