‘God’ in contact list: CBI uncovers chilling WhatsApp trail in NEET-UG leak probe

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR/PUNE: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Latur-based paediatrician Dr Manoj Shirure and Pune-based physics teacher Tejas Harshadkumar Shah in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, taking the total number of individuals apprehended in the case to 13 so far.

The agency had earlier conducted multiple rounds of questioning of the two accused before formally arresting them, a statement from the CBI stated on Wednesday morning. Sources within the central agency said investigators had already examined digital evidence, call detail records and financial transactions as part of the probe.

CBI officers said Shirure, who had been questioned by the agency for the past week, was one of five doctors suspected of paying for access to leaked examination papers for their relatives. Shah, who has been associated with Dr Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy since the 2021-22 academic year, is not a student. “The earlier remand report incorrectly identified Shah as a student,” the CBI said.

Sachin Haldavnekar, director of the Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy, told TOI that Shah had been working with the institute for four years and also served as its chief operating officer. “The institute has no connection with his alleged actions. We are cooperating fully with the central agency. Our focus remains on academic activities. The matter is sub judice,” he said.

CBI probe has uncovered WhatsApp chats and financial transactions linking Shah to the husband of co-accused Manisha Havaldar, the now-suspended headmistress of a Pune school. Havaldar was arrested in the case on May 22. “Shah’s number was saved as 'God' in Havaldar’s phone. Shah allegedly received leaked physics questions from Havaldar and passed them on to co-accused Shivraj Motegaonkar (founder of Latur-based RCC Coaching Institute), who then shared them with Shirure,” another CBI officer said.

The officer said, “Shirure, along with another accused, (chemistry lecturer) PV Kulkarni (arrested on May 14), is alleged to have conducted special coaching sessions for children of influential families who reportedly paid between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 10 lakh each.”

Sources within the central agency indicated that CBI was considering turning Shirure and Motegaonkar’s son into approvers. “Motegaonkar’s son has told investigators that his father allegedly had access to questions from a “mock test” nearly 10 days before the NEET-UG exam,” the officer said.

Among those who attended these sessions were relatives of the accused, as well as children of prominent individuals from Latur, the officer said. “the CBI has also traced a money trail involving online transfers from parents of beneficiaries to bank accounts linked to the accused. These financial transactions provide strong evidence against those involved in the racket,” the officer said.

A Delhi court on Wednesday remanded Shirure and Shah in CBI custody for five days. Special judge Vidya Prakash allowed CBI’s plea seeking their further custodial interrogation. They will now be produced before the court on June 1. Co-accused Kulkarni and Motegaonkar were also remanded to 14-day judicial custody.

The investigators have examined digital devices, call records and bank transactions as part of the probe. So far, searches have been conducted at 49 locations, leading to the seizure of several documents, laptops and cellphones, which are currently being analysed.

“Shah had written down physics questions dictated by Havaldar, photographed the handwritten sheet and shared the images with her husband. Havaldar’s phone has since been seized,” the CBI said.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Bakrid wishes, messages and eid 2026