Pune Physics Lecturer in CBI Custody Over NEET Paper Leak Scandal

A Pune-based physics lecturer, Manisha Sanjay Havaldar, has been placed in CBI custody for six days as part of the NEET paper leak investigation. The CBI alleges that she was involved in circulating leaked physics questions intended for the NEET UG 2026 exam. This case has seen multiple arrests, including other educators and individuals linked to the alleged leak. The NTA has since canceled the NEET UG 2026 exam, with a re-examination scheduled for June 21. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 25, 2026, 18:02 IST

CBI Takes Action in NEET Paper Leak Case

In a significant development, a Delhi court has placed Pune-based physics lecturer Manisha Sanjay Havaldar in the custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for six days as part of the ongoing NEET paper leak investigation. Special Judge Ajay Gupta granted the CBI's request for custodial interrogation of Havaldar, who was involved in translating questions for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG 2026).

The CBI claims that Havaldar, along with other suspects, disseminated the physics questions intended for translation. She was apprehended in Pune on May 22 and subsequently brought to Delhi under transit remand.

Havaldar, who worked at Seth Hiralal Saraf Prashala in Pune, is considered a pivotal figure in the NEET-UG physics question leak. She is the 11th individual to be arrested in this case.

Among the other suspects are Shubham Khairnar, the first person arrested from Nashik, and three individuals—Mangilal Khatik, Vikas, and Dinesh Biwal—who were detained in Jaipur. Additionally, Yash Yadav was arrested in Gurugram, and Dhananjay Lokhande was taken into custody in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra.

The alleged mastermind behind the operation, Prahlad Vithalrao Kulkarni, along with Manisha Sanjay Waghmare, was remanded to CBI custody for ten days on May 16. On the same day, biology lecturer Manisha Mandhare, a member of the National Testing Agency's (NTA) paper-setting committee, was also arrested and placed in custody for 14 days starting May 17.

Shivraj Raghunath, founder of Renukai Career Centre (RCC), was arrested in Latur and received a nine-day CBI custody on May 18. Following these events, the NTA canceled the NEET UG 2026 exam, which took place on May 3, due to the allegations of a paper leak, and a re-examination is set for June 21.