NEET 2026 Leak Case: CBI Chargesheet Likely This Week Against PV Kulkarni, 12 Others, Say Sources
NEET 2026 Leak Case: CBI Chargesheet Likely This Week Against PV Kulkarni, 12 Others, Say Sources Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 23, 2026
NEET 2026 Leak Case: CBI Chargesheet Likely This Week Against PV Kulkarni, 12 Others, Say Sources Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 23, 2026, 13:01 IST The CBI is likely to file its chargesheet this week in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case against PV Kulkarni and 12 others, sources said. Sources say the CBI is likely to file its chargesheet this week against PV Kulkarni and 12 others in the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case after uncovering a multi-state network. (Photo: PTI) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to file its chargesheet this week in the high-profile NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, naming retired professor PV Kulkarni and 12 others as accused, sources told CNN-News18. According to sources, the agency has completed its investigation into the alleged conspiracy and is ready to place before the court the evidence it claims establishes the role of the accused in leaking and circulating portions of the NEET-UG 2026 Chemistry paper ahead of the examination. The development comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the investigation into the alleged paper leak would be fast-tracked, with the government promising swift action against those responsible. The forthcoming chargesheet is expected to detail the alleged roles of the accused, the digital trail uncovered during the investigation, forensic findings and the manner in which the leaked material was allegedly circulated across multiple states. NO EVIDENCE OF INSTITUTIONAL CORRUPTION IN NTA Earlier this month, while opposing the bail plea of one of the accused before a Delhi court, the CBI said it had not found evidence of institutional corruption within the Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the NEET examination.
According to the agency’s submissions and sources familiar with the investigation, investigators examined the functioning of the NTA extensively to determine whether any officials had accepted money or other benefits in exchange for leaking the examination paper. However, no evidence of financial corruption or quid pro quo involving NTA officials was found. Instead, the agency is understood to have concluded that the alleged leak was made possible because of serious procedural lapses and negligence rather than an organised criminal conspiracy within the testing body. Sources had earlier indicated that the CBI was expected to recommend strict departmental action against officials found negligent and suggest a comprehensive overhaul of the NTA’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to strengthen examination security. MULTI-STATE LEAK NETWORK ALLEGEDLY UNCOVERED According to the investigation, the alleged paper leak was orchestrated through a network operating across several states. Among those expected to be named in the chargesheet is PV Kulkarni, a retired professor, translator and former member associated with the NTA. Investigators allege that Kulkarni dictated Chemistry questions during exclusive coaching sessions organised for select students after allegedly receiving around Rs 5 lakh. The material was allegedly circulated as a “guess paper", but investigators claimed forensic analysis showed that nearly 90 per cent of the questions matched those that eventually appeared in the Chemistry section of the NEET-UG 2026 examination. The CBI also alleged that the batches were organised with the assistance of co-accused Manisha Waghmare, who allegedly worked as an education consultant. COACHING OPERATOR, DOCTOR ALSO NAMED The chargesheet is also expected to name Shivraj Motegaonkar, owner of Renukai Chemistry Classes in Latur, Maharashtra, as one of the principal accused.
The BriefWire