A Delhi court denied bail to pediatrician Dr. Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure, calling him an ‘active conspirator’ in the alleged NEET-UG paper leak case.
The CBI alleged the Latur-based doctor accepted ₹5 lakh to allow a candidate access to a leaked chemistry paper before the May 3 NEET-UG exam.
The court extended the judicial custody of all 13 accused until August 6, citing the ongoing probe and the risk of witness influence.
A Delhi court denied bail to Dr. Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure, a Latur-based pediatrician accused in the alleged NEET-UG paper leak case. Special Judge Ajay Gupta also extended the judicial custody of all 13 accused until August 6, observing that the investigation remains at a crucial stage and that releasing the accused could lead to witness influence.
According to PTI, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleged that Dr. Shirure accepted ₹5 lakh from a candidate's family and allowed the candidate to access a leaked chemistry paper at his hospital before the May 3 NEET-UG examination. The agency also alleged that he referred two other doctors to the suspected kingpin, P. V. Kulkarni, whose children allegedly obtained the leaked paper after paying ₹3 lakh each.
The court said the investigation conducted by the CBI and the evidence collected so far prima facie indicated that Dr. Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure was part of the alleged paper leak. According to PTI, the court observed, "It is prima facie clear from the investigation carried out by the CBI and the incriminating material collected by them till date, that the present accused is one of the active conspirators of an organized paper leak gang."
The court further observed that Dr. Shirure had allegedly sourced candidates for co-accused individuals and received money in return. It also noted that he allegedly attempted to conceal the ₹5 lakh received for the arrangement, which the CBI said was later recovered from his sister's house.
The CBI also alleged that Dr. Shirure referred two other doctors to alleged kingpin P. V. Kulkarni. The agency said their children later obtained the leaked chemistry paper after allegedly paying ₹3 lakh each.
Opposing the bail plea, the CBI said the investigation was at a crucial stage, with investigators examining digital evidence, financial transactions, call records, and the wider conspiracy, The Free Press Journal reported.
The agency alleged that Dr. Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure allowed Aditya Motegaonkar, son of co-accused Shivraj Motegaonkar, to access the leaked chemistry paper at his hospital during the third week of April, ahead of the May 3 NEET-UG examination.
The prosecution argued that Dr. Shirure's position as a doctor, hospital owner, and office-bearer of educational institutions in Latur could enable him to influence witnesses if released.
Opposing bail, the CBI told the court, "Even a first-time accused may be denied bail where the offence alleged is grave, socially harmful and supported by prima facie material indicating conscious participation," according to PTI.
NEET-UG is one of India's largest medical entrance examinations, determining admission to undergraduate medical colleges across the country. Alleged paper leaks can undermine merit-based selection and weaken public confidence in the examination process.
The court said the alleged acts had "eroded the trust of the honest students" who prepared "with full zeal and honesty" and competed "on the basis of their sheer skill and competence,” according to PTI.
The case stems from alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2025 examination held on May 3. Following allegations of a paper leak, the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the examination on May 12 and conducted a re-examination on June 21.
Meanwhile, all 13 accused will remain in judicial custody until August 6 as the CBI continues investigating the alleged paper leak and the wider conspiracy.
(Rh/TP)