The CBI has revealed shocking details in the NEET paper leak case, alleging a Latur coaching center owner paid Rs 5 lakh to a paper-setter. Digital evidence shows 111 handwritten chemistry questions matched the official exam paper, strengthening the prosecution's argument against bail.

Key Takeaways

  • A Latur coaching owner paid Rs 5 lakh to access exam questions before the test.
  • 111 handwritten questions found on the accused's phone matched the official NEET paper.
  • CBI opposes bail citing concrete digital evidence and a conspiracy involving insiders.

In a significant development in the NEET-UG paper leak scandal, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has presented damning evidence before a special court. The agency revealed that a coaching center owner from Latur, Maharashtra, allegedly paid a bribe of Rs 5 lakh to a paper-setter to secure chemistry questions prior to the examination. This disclosure has come as a major setback for the accused, Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, as the CBI vehemently opposed his bail plea, citing a deep-rooted conspiracy involving insiders.

The Insider Connection

According to the CBI's charge sheet, Motegaonkar obtained the leaked questions from PV Kulkarni, a member of the panel responsible for setting the paper for the National Testing Agency (NTA). The investigation uncovered a conflict of interest, as Motegaonkar's son was a student attending Kulkarni's coaching classes. It was within this academic setting that the allegedly illicit transfer of exam material occurred. The agency stated that Motegaonkar meticulously prepared handwritten notes based on the questions provided during these chemistry tutorials, intending to distribute them to select students for a hefty fee.

Digital Forensics Seal the Case

The strength of the prosecution's case lies in the digital trail left behind. Forensic analysis of Motegaonkar's mobile phone led to the recovery of 36 images containing 132 handwritten chemistry questions. A comparative analysis with the NTA's master question set for NEET-UG 2026 confirmed that 111 of these questions were an exact match. Furthermore, metadata analysis proved that these photographs were taken nearly 10 days before the scheduled exam date of May 3, precluding any possibility of coincidence. The CBI also confirmed that the bribe money paid for sourcing these questions was recovered based on the interrogation of a co-accused, Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure.

Implications for Medical Aspirants

This scandal has sent shockwaves through the academic community, raising serious concerns about the integrity of competitive examinations in India. Following allegations of the paper leak, the NTA was forced to cancel the NEET-UG exam originally held on May 3, necessitating a re-examination on June 21. With 13 individuals currently in judicial custody, the CBI is delving deeper into the nexus between coaching mafia and exam officials. This case highlights the vulnerabilities in the current system and the urgent need for stricter oversight to protect the futures of millions of sincere students.