PTC Web Desk: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a second alleged key conspirator in the NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak case, widening its probe into what investigators now believe was a coordinated operation involving insiders linked to the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The accused, identified as Manisha Mandhare, is a biology lecturer who was reportedly associated with the NTA’s paper-setting process. Her arrest comes a day after the agency detained retired chemistry lecturer P V Kulkarni, whom investigators suspect played a central role in the leak network.

Lecturers allegedly dictated leaked questions to students

According to officials familiar with the investigation, Mandhare allegedly followed a method similar to that used by Kulkarni. Instead of circulating printed papers directly, the accused reportedly dictated questions, answer choices and correct responses to selected students.

Investigators claim students paid several lakh rupees to gain access to these sessions in the hope of securing admission to top medical colleges.

The CBI believes two versions of the leaked paper, one handwritten and another typed , were circulated before the examination. Officials suspect the material originated from within the NTA system itself.

NTA officials and paper-setting committee under scrutiny

Sources in the investigation said the agency is now examining the role of several members connected to the paper-setting process, along with senior NTA officials.

“This is the first time investigators have traced the suspected source of a leak directly to the examination-setting chain,” a senior officer associated with the probe said.

Officials added that once the papers were shared digitally through messaging platforms, the leak may have reached a much larger network of beneficiaries across different states.

Money trail and student network emerge during probe

The investigation has also uncovered an alleged network that linked students, middlemen and facilitators.

According to the CBI, Kulkarni allegedly began contacting students in the final week of April with the assistance of co-accused Manisha Waghmare, who allegedly collected money from candidates and parents. Waghmare, who operates a beauty parlour, was arrested earlier this week.

At his residence in Pune, Kulkarni allegedly conducted sessions where students wrote down dictated questions and answers in notebooks.

The probe further revealed that Nashik resident Shubham Khairnar allegedly contacted Gurugram-based Yash Yadav regarding prospective buyers for the leaked papers.

Investigators allege that a Jaipur-based man, identified in records as Mangilal Biwal, agreed to pay between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 12 lakh to secure leaked material for his younger son.

Leaked PDFs allegedly circulated through Telegram

CBI officials claim that on April 29, PDF copies containing questions from physics, chemistry and biology were allegedly shared through Telegram before being forwarded further.

The deal, investigators said, depended on whether a substantial number of questions matched the final examination paper.

The agency alleges that Mangilal later distributed printed copies among family members, students known to his son, and a teacher identified as Satyanarayan. Investigators also recovered material considered crucial evidence from Mangilal’s mobile phone.

Eight arrests made so far

So far, the CBI has arrested eight accused from five states within four days as part of the ongoing crackdown.

Those arrested include Kulkarni and Waghmare from Pune, Dhananjay Lokhanda from Ahilyanagar, Khairnar from Nashik, Mangilal Biwal, Vikas Biwal and Dinesh Biwal from Jaipur, along with Yadav from Gurugram.

Officials indicated that further arrests are likely as investigators continue to track digital records, financial transactions and communication trails linked to the alleged leak network.