NEET leak: CBI arrests coaching centre founder

PUNE/NEW DELHI: CBI arrested Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, the director of Maharashtra-based Renukai Career Centre (RCC), alleging he circulated leaked NEETUG 2026 questions through coaching networks and “mock tests” conducted before examination, report Gitesh Shelke, Rajshekhar Jha & Koushiki Saha.

This is the 10th arrest by CBI, which has now widened its probe, bringing more than 60 suspected beneficiaries under scrutiny. CBI detained Motegaonkar in Latur Sunday night, questioned him at its Pune office and flew him to New Delhi Monday after formally arresting him.

Ex-chemistry lecturer Kulkarni named key source, Motegaonkar under scanner
Motegaonkar is allegedly linked to retired chemistry lecturer Prahlad Vithalrao Kulkarni of Latur, whom investigators described as source of the leak. Kulkarni, who worked as a Marathi translator for National Testing Agency (NTA) and had access to questions, was arrested on May 15. Investigators are probing whether Kulkarni leaked papers in previous years.

More than 22 lakh students across India wrote NEET-UG on May 3. Exam was cancelled on May 12 following allegations of widespread malpractice and paper leak, triggering one of country’s biggest entrance test probes in recent years. CBI told a court in New Delhi that Motegaonkar received chemistry questions and answers on April 23, nearly 10 days before exam, and circulated handwritten copies to multiple candidates and intermediaries. Investigators alleged leaked questions were found in his mobile phone. “Motegaonkar appeared in a video at his coaching centre claiming questions he gave students later appeared in final exam paper,” a CBI officer said.

Agency suspects leaked questions were distributed through select coaching networks operating across Maharashtra. Searches at Motegaonkar’s institute and residence led to confiscation of a chemistry question bank containing questions identical to those in NEET-UG held on May 3, officials said, adding laptops, mobile phones and documents seized from five locations are being analysed. CBI said Motegaonkar ran RCC coaching centres at nine locations, including Latur headquarters, training NEET aspirants.

Investigators alleged students who paid lakhs of rupees attended “special coaching classes” where questions expected in exam were allegedly dictated and discussed beforehand. Special CBI judge Ajay Gupta remanded Motegaonkar in nine days of CBI custody.

(Inputs from Ashish Mehta in Jaipur & Mohammed Akhef in Sambhajinagar)