New Delhi/Jaipur, May 13: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested five people and carried out searches across multiple locations in connection with the NEET UG paper leak case, as nationwide protests intensified over the cancellation of the exam and demands grew for accountability from authorities, including Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The controversy erupted after the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the NEET UG 2026 examination held on May 3, following allegations of a question paper leak. The decision has impacted over 22 lakh medical aspirants across India and triggered widespread anger among students, parents, and political groups.
In response to the leak, the CBI launched a large-scale investigation, taking over from state police units, including Rajasthan’s Special Operations Group (SOG).
The agency arrested Mangilal Biwal, Vikas Biwal, Dinesh Biwal from Jaipur, Yash Yadav from Gurugram, and Shubham Khairnar from Nashik. Several other suspects are being questioned and may face arrest.
Officials confirmed that digital devices such as mobile phones and laptops were seized during raids and will undergo forensic analysis to trace how the leaked material was circulated.
Investigators believe the leak involved a “guess paper” containing questions similar to those in the exam.
According to Rajasthan SOG findings, the material originated with a medical student from Sikar district studying in Kerala, who received it from a friend and shared it further through acquaintances and hostel networks.
The document reportedly spread across coaching circles in Rajasthan, reaching students in Jaipur and nearby areas before the exam date.
Officials suspect the leak may have originated in Nashik, with the material passing through multiple intermediaries, including a Gurugram-based link.
One hostel owner in Sikar reportedly distributed the paper to students but later informed police after realizing its seriousness.
CBI teams also visited the NTA headquarters in Delhi to collect relevant documents. Investigators are examining messaging applications and digital trails to determine how widely the material circulated and whether organised networks were involved.
The scandal has triggered political uproar. Opposition parties, including the Congress and Trinamool Congress (TMC), alleged that some of the arrested individuals have links to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), though BJP leaders have denied these claims.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot alleged that one of the accused, Dinesh Biwal, is associated with the BJP and accused the state government of initially attempting to suppress the case.
BJP leaders rejected these accusations, stating that the individuals have no party role.
Tamil Nadu political leaders also criticised the exam system. State voices, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin’s administration, argued that NEET disadvantages rural and government school students and demanded its abolition in favour of admissions based on Class 12 marks.
Meanwhile, protests erupted across multiple states, led by student wings of various political parties, including NSUI, IYC, ABVP, and SFI.
Demonstrators demanded the resignation of the Education Minister and called for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the incident.
Legal pressure also mounted, with the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) filing a petition in the Supreme Court seeking a complete overhaul of the National Testing Agency and the creation of a more autonomous and technologically advanced examination body to restore credibility in medical entrance exams.
Political reactions further escalated tensions. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal urged students to lead accountability movements and cited past exam leak cases, accusing systemic failures since 2014.
Rajasthan minister Jhabar Singh Kharra apologised to students on behalf of governments concerned, acknowledging the hardship caused.
However, counter-accusations continued, with rival parties trading blame over alleged links between arrested individuals and political leaders.
Rajasthan police earlier traced the leak’s spread through a chain involving a Sikar student, coaching networks, hostel distribution, and intermediaries across districts including Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, and Alwar.
Authorities questioned over 150 candidates and associates during the initial probe.
As investigations continue, authorities are focusing on reconstructing the digital trail and identifying the full network behind the leak.
The case has become a major national controversy, raising serious concerns about examination security, institutional accountability, and the future of millions of students affected by the cancellation. (PTI)
