Pune, 13th May 2026: Police have arrested Manisha Waghmare from Bibwewadi in connection with the NEET paper leak case which leads to exam cancellation. Investigators suspect she helped students establish contact with members of the paper leak racket.
Police searched her residence and seized her mobile phone and laptop. Officials are examining chats, contact details and financial transactions stored in the devices to trace further links in the case.
Investigators believe some middlemen approached students by offering 'guess papers' before connecting them to the accused involved in the racket. Waghmare is suspected to have played a key role in this process.
Officials are now analyzing digital evidence to identify more people linked to the network and track money transactions connected to the leak.
In a related development, Nashik Crime Branch detained 27-year-old student Shubham Khairnar from the Indiranagar area after receiving information from Rajasthan Police.
Investigators suspect Khairnar purchased the NEET question paper for Rs 10 lakh and later sold it for nearly Rs 15 lakh. Police believe he received the paper from a Pune-based contact and circulated it in PDF format.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has now taken custody of Khairnar and is continuing the probe.
The investigation has revealed that leaked question papers were allegedly circulated through WhatsApp and Telegram groups operating under the name 'Private Mafia'.
Officials suspect the racket has links across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Kerala and Bihar. Several students and parents have also been questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.
