NEET paper leak: CBI searches homes of 3 students in Nagpur, Chandrapur

Nagpur: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday searched the residences of three students in Maharashtra’s Nagpur and Chandrapur districts as part of its investigation into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.

According to The Hindu, a team from New Delhi, along with CBI personnel in Nagpur, raided the homes of two students in Nagpur and one student from Brahmapuri taluka in Chandrapur district. Officials seized documents and handwritten notes, which are being examined to determine whether they match the leaked question paper.

The searches were carried out after investigators obtained mobile phone numbers linked to some students in Nagpur, the report said.

The CBI’s Economic Offences Wing in New Delhi has registered a case relating to the leak of the NEET biology and chemistry papers.

As part of the same probe, the agency has taken into custody Prof. Shivraj Motegaonkar, director of RCC Classes in Latur. Investigators suspect that as many as 1,000 students may have purchased the leaked paper.

The agency is examining whether the three students whose homes were searched had bought the leaked paper or forwarded it to others.

CBI teams are conducting searches across the country, including in Maharashtra, as they trace the extent of the alleged leak network. However, sources quoted by The Hindu said Nagpur is not believed to be the central hub of the operation.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination, held on May 3, after findings from central agencies and law enforcement authorities indicated that the integrity of the examination process had been compromised.

The exam, taken by more than 22 lakh candidates, will be reconducted on fresh dates to be announced by the NTA. The Centre has also ordered a comprehensive CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities.