CBI Arrests Latur Chemistry Tutor in NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case

The investigation into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak intensified on Sunday after the Central Bureau of Investigation arrested a chemistry coaching teacher from Maharashtra’s Latur district for allegedly obtaining and circulating the medical entrance examination paper before the test date.

The accused, Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, runs Renukai Chemistry Classes in Latur and operates a popular YouTube channel, “Motegaonkar Sir’s RCC,” which has more than 1.68 lakh subscribers. According to the CBI, Motegaonkar allegedly received the leaked NEET-UG 2026 question paper and answer key on April 23, nearly 10 days before the examination conducted on May 3.

Investigators claimed that digital copies of the leaked paper were recovered from Motegaonkar’s mobile phone during searches carried out on May 14. The agency produced him before a Pune court on Sunday evening, where the court granted a two-day transit remand for his transfer to Delhi for further questioning.

According to court submissions made by the CBI, Motegaonkar was allegedly part of an organised network involved in the leakage and distribution of the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper. The agency alleged that he conspired with others linked to the examination system and distributed handwritten copies of the leaked questions and answers to several individuals ahead of the exam.

The CBI further alleged that the accused attempted to destroy evidence after the examination and did not fully cooperate during questioning. Investigators claimed that he failed to disclose the identities of all individuals who allegedly received the leaked material from him.

The case has drawn nationwide attention because NEET-UG is India’s largest medical entrance examination, conducted for admission to MBBS, BDS and other undergraduate medical courses across government and private institutions. The exam is overseen by the National Testing Agency.

Motegaonkar’s lawyer, Ganesh B. Shirsat, questioned the basis of the arrest and said the agency had not clearly explained the exact role attributed to his client. According to the defence, the allegations currently remain broad and lack detailed clarification regarding the nature of the purported conspiracy.

The latest arrest comes days after the CBI arrested two other individuals linked to the case — Manisha Mandhare, a botany professor from Pune, and P.V. Kulkarni, a chemistry professor from Latur. Investigators suspect both had institutional access to confidential examination material through their association with subject expert panels linked to the NTA.

Sources associated with the investigation indicated that Latur and Pune have emerged as major centres in the alleged paper leak network. Authorities are now examining whether coaching institutes, intermediaries and insiders within the examination ecosystem worked together to illegally distribute the question paper before the exam.

The NEET-UG 2026 controversy has triggered massive outrage among students and parents across the country, raising fresh concerns about the integrity and security of India’s competitive examination system. Following reports of the leak, the NTA cancelled the examination last week and announced that a fresh NEET-UG exam will now be conducted on June 21.

The CBI is continuing its probe into financial transactions, digital evidence and communication records connected to the alleged racket. More arrests are expected as investigators attempt to trace the full chain of distribution and identify beneficiaries of the leak.