CBI arrests Latur coaching founder for NEET UG 2026 paper leak

The CBI has detained Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar in Latur. This is part of a larger probe following the cancellation of the May 3 exam for 20 lakh students.
By Newsroom | Education, India |

Latur Businessman Held in Connection With Leaked Papers

Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, the founder of Renukai Chemistry Classes (RCC) in Latur, Maharashtra, has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The arrest is tied to the ongoing investigation into the alleged leak of the NEET UG examination paper. Authorities claim Motegaonkar was an active participant in an organised group responsible for circulating the compromised exam materials.

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The CBI alleges that Motegaonkar, in league with others, obtained the NEET UG 2026 question paper and its answers before the exam took place on April 23, 2026. This was reportedly discovered during searches conducted at RCC's main office and on Motegaonkar's personal mobile device, where officials found a leaked chemistry question bank that matched the May 3 exam.

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Network of Suspects Widens

Sources within the CBI suggest a potential link to medical practitioners in Latur, with suspicions that some doctors might have acquired the allegedly leaked examination paper. The investigation is actively probing the connections between institutional bodies and coaching centres involved in the scandal.

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Separately, on May 18, 2026, the CBI arrested Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, a biology lecturer from Pune and a member of the National Testing Agency's (NTA) paper-setting committee. Her arrest occurred after questioning at the CBI headquarters in Delhi.

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The alleged malpractice came to light on the evening of May 7, 2026, four days after the exam was conducted. This led to the cancellation of the NEET UG examination held on May 3, impacting over 20 lakh prospective medical students. The exam, a crucial gateway for medical admissions in India, was administered across 551 cities nationwide and 14 international locations.

Background

The NEET UG exam is a critical and widely taken examination for admission to undergraduate medical courses in India. Allegations of paper leaks have cast a shadow over its integrity, prompting a significant investigation by the CBI. The agency has registered a First Information Report (FIR) and deployed multiple teams to unravel the full extent of the leak and identify all individuals involved.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was the Renukai Chemistry Classes founder arrested on May 19, 2026?
Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar was arrested by the CBI for his alleged role in circulating the leaked NEET UG 2026 question paper. Officials found evidence of the leaked chemistry paper on his mobile device during a search of his Latur office.
Q: How does the NEET UG 2026 paper leak affect medical students?
The leak led to the cancellation of the exam held on May 3, 2026, impacting over 20 lakh students nationwide. These students must now wait for further instructions regarding a re-examination to secure their medical seats.
Q: Who else has been arrested in the NEET UG 2026 investigation?
On May 18, 2026, the CBI arrested Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, a biology lecturer from Pune. She was a member of the NTA paper-setting committee and is accused of being involved in the malpractice.
Q: What is the CBI doing to stop future NEET UG paper leaks?
The CBI has registered an FIR and is investigating connections between coaching centers and exam officials. They are currently tracing how the paper was accessed before the exam date to identify all members of the criminal network.