Listen To This Post
NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation has alleged that Manisha Sanjay Havaldar, the principal of a Pune-based school, arrested in connection with the NEET UG 2026 paper leak case, shared confidential examination-related questions and content with students in exchange for money.
The allegations were made before a court in Pune while the CBI sought Havaldar’s transit remand, sources said on Sunday.
The principal worked as an NTA empanelled translator
Havaldar, principal of Seth Hiralal Saraf Prashala in Pune, was arrested by the CBI on Friday after investigators identified her as one of the alleged sources of the leaked NEET-UG Physics paper.
According to the agency, she had been working as an empanelled translator for Physics for the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the NEET examination.
Officials said her role in the examination process gave her access to sensitive question paper material.
Following her arrest, she was produced before a Pune court and is currently under transit remand. She is expected to be produced before a court in Delhi on Monday.
Questions allegedly shared with students for money
According to sources, the CBI informed the Pune court that its investigation revealed that Havaldar, allegedly in collusion with Manisha Mandhare, shared NEET-related questions and confidential content with certain students in exchange for monetary benefits.
Mandhare, a botany lecturer at Modern College of Arts and Science in Pune, is already in custody in the case.
Investigators alleged that handwritten notes containing NEET-related questions were prepared and retained by Havaldar during her NTA assignment.
The confidential material was allegedly circulated to students before the examination through WhatsApp messages and printed notes.
Physics questions allegedly leaked
Sources said Havaldar admitted during questioning that she had shared Physics questions from NEET-UG 2026 — including those she had translated or reverse-translated — with one student and with Mandhare.
The CBI further informed the court that Havaldar allegedly received Rs 20,000 from one student and Rs 25,000 from another individual in exchange for sharing examination content.
Evidence allegedly destroyed
Investigators also alleged that after the controversy surfaced, Havaldar attempted to destroy evidence.
According to sources, she allegedly deleted her chats with Mandhare and burnt handwritten notes containing the Physics question bank.
The agency is now carrying out a forensic analysis of digital evidence recovered during the investigation.
Nationwide NEET controversy
The NEET-UG 2026 examination, conducted on May 3 for admissions to undergraduate medical courses across India, was later cancelled amid allegations of paper leaks and organised malpractice.
The controversy triggered nationwide outrage among students and parents and raised serious concerns over the integrity of India’s competitive examination system.
Subsequently, the Centre handed the matter over to the CBI for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged irregularities and the leak network.
Ten accused have been arrested so far
The CBI has so far arrested 10 accused in the case from multiple cities across the country.
Investigators believe the leak involved a wider organised network of insiders, intermediaries, coaching operators and individuals linked to examination processes.
The agency is also probing whether students were recruited through special coaching arrangements where leaked or anticipated questions were shared before the examination.
Probe into larger exam leak syndicate continues
Officials said the investigation is continuing through multiple special teams and is now focused on tracing financial transactions, digital communications, and the wider chain involved in the leaking and circulation of confidential examination material.
The case has intensified demands for stronger safeguards, stricter accountability and reforms in the conduct of national-level entrance examinations.
