NEET Paper Leak – Court Sets August 6 Timeline for Charge Sheet Process
NEET Paper Leak – A Delhi court handling the NEET UG paper leak case has instructed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to complete scrutiny of its charge sheet by the following evening and ensure copies are supplied to all accused by August 6, as the matter moves toward the next stage of judicial consideration.
The Special Fast Track Court at Rouse Avenue, designated to hear paper leak cases, directed the investigating agency to finish examining the extensive charge sheet within the prescribed timeline. The court also postponed the bail applications of Dinesh Biwal and Vikas Biwal until August 6 after their legal representatives sought copies of the charge sheet before arguments could continue. All accused are expected to be produced before the court following the completion of their current period of judicial custody.
Court Seeks CBI Response on Fresh Application
During the hearing, advocate A. P. Singh submitted an application requesting lie detector, brain mapping and polygraph examinations of Mangilal Biwal, Dinesh Biwal and Vikas Biwal. Special Judge Ajay Gupta directed the CBI to submit its response to the application before the court considers the request.
The judge also questioned the legal basis of the application, observing that the applicant may not have the authority to seek such relief. The court clarified that it would first determine whether the application is legally maintainable before taking any further decision.
Daily Hearings to Continue
The court reiterated that proceedings in the matter would continue on a day-to-day basis. As the Special Fast Track Court constituted under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, it is responsible for hearing cases related to examination paper leaks and other connected offences with greater speed.
Earlier, on July 29, the court had noted deficiencies in the filing of the charge sheet, observing that certain supporting documents, witness statements and listed articles were not available in accordance with the records submitted alongside the case papers.
Massive Charge Sheet Under Review
The CBI informed the court that the charge sheet and related documents together comprise nearly 20,000 pages. The agency explained that the records were being scanned and processed before copies could be supplied to all 13 accused, making additional time necessary.
Previously, Special Fast Track Court Judge Anu Grover Baliga had granted the agency three days to complete the documentation process and had initially listed the matter for August 3. The hearing has now been rescheduled for August 6.
According to the CBI, the charge sheet names 13 accused and includes allegations of criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, destruction of evidence and other offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additional charges have been invoked under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. Investigators have listed 360 witnesses, 422 documentary exhibits and 43 material objects in support of the prosecution. All 13 accused remain in judicial custody.
Investigation Expanded Across Multiple States
The agency stated that the Department of Higher Education under the Government of India submitted a written complaint on May 12, 2026, alleging irregularities and a possible paper leak in the NEET UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3, 2026.
Following the complaint, the CBI registered an FIR on the same day and formed multiple investigation teams consisting of 72 officers along with eight cyber forensic experts. Searches were carried out at 92 locations across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and several other states. During these operations, investigators seized digital devices, communication equipment and documents believed to be linked to the case. The agency added that forensic examination and analysis of the seized material are ongoing.
Arrests and Financial Investigation
The first arrest in the investigation was made on May 13, 2026. So far, the CBI has arrested 13 individuals, including three National Testing Agency (NTA) subject experts from Chemistry, Biology and Physics. The investigation also identified and arrested several alleged middlemen accused of sourcing and distributing leaked examination questions. Additionally, two individuals connected with coaching institutes have been taken into custody for allegedly obtaining the leaked papers from the subject experts.
The agency further stated that it has traced financial transactions connected to the alleged conspiracy. As part of the investigation, several bank accounts, bank lockers and one demat account belonging to the accused have been frozen while authorities continue examining the money trail.