New Delhi, July 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A Delhi court on Friday dismissed the regular bail plea of Dr Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure, an accused in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Special Judge (CBI) Ajay Gupta of the Rouse Avenue Court rejected Shirure’s bail application filed under Sections 480 and 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), accepting the CBI’s contention that the allegations prima facie indicated his involvement in an organised examination fraud and that the investigation was still at a critical stage.
The CBI had opposed the bail plea, alleging that Shirure was an active conspirator in the alleged leak of Chemistry questions before the NEET-UG 2026 examination. The agency claimed that the offence affected more than 22 lakh candidates, led to cancellation of the examination and damaged public confidence in the examination system.
According to the CBI, Shirure allegedly helped in procuring and circulating leaked question papers at the direction of co-accused P.V. Kulkarni. The agency further alleged that he facilitated access to the leaked Chemistry paper for the son of another accused, Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, at his hospital and that money was exchanged in connection with the arrangement.
The probe agency also alleged that Shirure referred other doctors whose children allegedly received leaked questions after payments were made to intermediaries.
Opposing the bail plea, the CBI told the court that the investigation involved examination of digital evidence, call records, financial transactions and the wider conspiracy network. It argued that releasing Shirure at this stage could affect the probe and trial, citing the possibility of influencing witnesses.
The CBI registered the case on May 12 following a complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Union Ministry of Education, alleging that confidential NEET-UG 2026 question papers were circulated through WhatsApp before the examination.
The agency has so far arrested 13 accused and is investigating an alleged network involving candidates, middlemen, coaching operators and others. The original NEET-UG 2026 examination was cancelled and a re-examination was conducted on June 21 under enhanced security arrangements.
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