CBI questions Shubham Khairnar in Pune

Pune: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday brought Shubham Khairnar to Pune for questioning in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. A day earlier, the agency had moved junior college teacher Manisha Mandhare and beauty parlour owner Manisha Waghmare from Delhi to Pune as part of its ongoing effort to join the dots in the case.

CBI is also examining the role of a Latur-based medical practitioner in the case. “We are questioning him to establish his involvement,” a CBI official said.

Khairnar was interrogated at the CBI office on Pune-Alandi Road. According to officials, he ran an educational consultancy that guided students preparing for MBBS, BDS, BHMS and other medical entrance examinations. Investigators are now trying to establish his links with the Pune-based accused arrested earlier.

Meanwhile, Mandhare, the now-suspended teacher at Modern College in Shivajinagar and associated with the National Testing Agency (NTA), was also brought to Pune for further questioning. Waghmare, Mandhare’s neighbour, who had earlier been taken to Delhi for questioning, has also been brought to Pune as the probe deepens.

The CBI officials are currently interrogating both Mandhare and Waghmare to understand their roles, including how the alleged leak was executed, how the question papers were distributed, and the methods used to approach NEET aspirants.