Rouse Avenue Court Orders Extra CBI Custody in NEET Leak Probe

The high-profile NEET paper leak investigation took a decisive turn on Monday when a Delhi court extended CBI custody of prime accused PV Kulkarni by two days. Co-accused Manisha Waghmare, however, was transferred to judicial custody for two weeks. CBI submitted that ongoing interrogation had revealed new digital footprints and documentary evidence that still needed detailed cross-verification. Lawyers for the accused countered that searches conducted at Kulkarni’s Pune home had already yielded all pertinent material. The court balanced investigative needs against individual liberty and granted a short extension of police remand only for Kulkarni. The NEET UG 2026 examination, held on 3 May, was scrapped after reports of leaked question papers surfaced across multiple states. The episode prompted the Union Education Ministry to order a CBI inquiry to determine whether a larger organized network facilitated the breach. Officials are examining call records, bank transactions, and possible collusion between staff at exam centers and coaching institutes. With only two days left before the next hearing, the agency is racing to complete preliminary questioning. The episode has reignited debate on the security protocols used for high-stakes national tests. Students and parents await swift closure and assurance that future exams will be conducted fairly.