The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, director of Maharashtra-based Renukai Career Centre (RCC), on charges of circulating leaked NEET-UG 2026 questions through coaching networks and mock tests conducted before the examination. This marks the 10th arrest in the case, with the probe now widened to include more than 60 suspected beneficiaries.
Arrest and Investigation Details
Motegaonkar was detained in Latur on Sunday night, questioned at the CBI's Pune office, and flown to New Delhi on Monday after formal arrest. Investigators allege he received chemistry questions and answers on April 23, nearly 10 days before the exam, and distributed handwritten copies to candidates and intermediaries. Leaked questions were reportedly found on his mobile phone.
Key Source Identified
Motegaonkar is linked to retired chemistry lecturer Prahlad Vithalrao Kulkarni of Latur, described as the source of the leak. Kulkarni, who worked as a Marathi translator for the National Testing Agency (NTA) and had access to questions, was arrested on May 15. Investigators are probing whether Kulkarni leaked papers in previous years.
Widespread Malpractice Allegations
The NEET-UG exam, taken by over 22 lakh students on May 3, was cancelled on May 12 following allegations of widespread malpractice and paper leak, triggering one of the country's biggest entrance test probes in recent years. The CBI told a court that Motegaonkar circulated handwritten copies of questions and answers through select coaching networks in Maharashtra.
Evidence Seized
Searches at Motegaonkar's institute and residence led to the confiscation of a chemistry question bank containing questions identical to those in the NEET-UG exam. Laptops, mobile phones, and documents from five locations are being analyzed. The CBI stated that Motegaonkar ran RCC coaching centres at nine locations, including Latur, where students who paid large sums attended special coaching classes where expected questions were allegedly dictated and discussed beforehand.
Special CBI judge Ajay Gupta remanded Motegaonkar in nine days of CBI custody.
