The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Shivraj Motegaonkar, the founder of Latur-based RCC Classes, in connection with the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. Motegaonkar, a well-known figure in Maharashtra's coaching industry, was taken into custody on Sunday after being questioned for the second time within a week.
CBI Allegations
The CBI claims that Motegaonkar was an active participant in the network responsible for leaking and distributing NEET-UG 2026 question papers prior to the May 3 examination. With his arrest, the total number of accused in the case has risen to ten.
According to a CBI statement, searches conducted at RCC Coaching Institute and Motegaonkar's residence led to the discovery of a chemistry question bank containing questions identical to those that appeared in the NEET-UG 2026 exam. The agency stated, 'Searches conducted at his institute and residence resulted in recovery of Chemistry question bank which contained exactly same questions which appeared in the NEET exam held on 3rd May.'
Investigators have also alleged that Motegaonkar maintained close ties with P V Kulkarni, a chemistry lecturer associated with the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The CBI reported that searches were conducted at five locations within the last 24 hours, resulting in the seizure of several incriminating documents, laptops, and mobile phones. Forensic analysis of the confiscated material is currently underway.
Furthermore, the agency alleged that leaked chemistry and biology papers were circulated before the exam, and middlemen involved in recruiting students for special coaching sessions have also been arrested.
Video Evidence
Days before the arrest, a video from an RCC session surfaced online. In the clip, Motegaonkar is seen asking students how many questions from RCC mock tests appeared in the actual NEET paper. Students responded that most of them did.
The CBI is now examining 42 chemistry questions circulated by RCC as 'guess questions' before the exam, after similarities were found between those questions and portions of the leaked paper.
According to the agency's grounds of arrest, investigators allege that Motegaonkar received copies of NEET-UG 2026 question papers and answers before the examination 'in conspiracy with other accused persons and public servants associated with the National Testing Agency.'
Handwritten copies of leaked questions and answers were allegedly supplied to several individuals, including one Vivek Patil. Searches at Motegaonkar's residence on May 14 reportedly led to the recovery of leaked questions from his mobile phone, which has been sent for forensic examination. The CBI further alleged that leaked papers were destroyed after the exam.
Who is Shivraj Motegaonkar?
Motegaonkar hails from a farming family in Maharashtra's Latur region. He studied locally before starting his career as a chemistry teacher. According to RCC's official website, he earned an MSc in Chemistry and began teaching students preparing for board and entrance exams.
Over time, RCC, formally known as Renukai Career Centre, expanded into one of Maharashtra's largest coaching networks for NEET, JEE, and CET preparation. The institute now operates centers in Latur, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nanded, Solapur, Kolhapur, and Akola, and claims to enroll around 40,000 students annually.
In Maharashtra's coaching ecosystem, especially in Latur, RCC built its identity around entrance exam preparation and rank-focused training. This reputation is why the arrest has drawn attention beyond the investigation itself. For many medical entrance exam aspirants in the state, RCC was a familiar name.
The Case So Far
The CBI registered the case on May 12 based on a complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education regarding the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. The agency formed special teams immediately after the FIR was registered and conducted searches across multiple states.
So far, arrests have been made from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, Latur, and Ahilyanagar. The accused have been booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
The investigation is ongoing. The larger question remains whether the probe will be limited to local coaching operators and middlemen or will delve deeper into the systems responsible for handling the conduct and movement of examination papers.
