NEET Paper Leak | 'Eroded Trust Of Honest Students; Brought Disrepute To Nation': Delhi Court Denies Bail To Doctor Accused

A Delhi court yesterday denied regular bail to Dr Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure, an accused in the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, observing that if the prosecution allegations are accepted at face value, the accused persons not only ‘sabotaged’ the entire examination process but also “brought disrepute to the Nation” and “eroded the trust of the honest students” in the examination process.

The Court found that the CBI's investigation prima facie indicated the doctor's active role in the alleged paper leak conspiracy, holding that the gravity of the allegations, the crucial stage of the investigation, and the possibility of influencing witnesses outweighed his plea for bail.

Special Judge (PC Act) Ajay Gupta of the Rouse Avenue Courts passed the order while rejecting the doctor's application for regular bail in the CBI case relating to the alleged leak of the NEET-UG 2026 question paper.

What are the CBI's allegations?

According to the CBI, the accused doctor played an active role in facilitating the alleged leak of chemistry questions before the examination. The prosecution alleged that he arranged for a candidate to receive the leaked chemistry questions at his hospital during the third week of April 2026 at the instance of co-accused P.V. Kulkarni.

It further alleged that he received ₹5 lakh in connection with the arrangement, which was later recovered from his sister's house during the investigation.

The CBI further alleged that the doctor referred two other doctors to the alleged kingpin so that their children could obtain leaked chemistry questions on payment of ₹3 lakh each and that he received a share of the money.

According to the prosecution, witness statements and digital evidence collected during the investigation established his role in facilitating the dissemination of the leaked paper as part of a larger organised conspiracy.

Opposing bail, the CBI argued that the investigation remained at a crucial stage involving forensic examination of digital devices, analysis of financial trails, corroboration of witness statements and reconstruction of the chain through which the leaked questions were disseminated.

It also contended that the accused, owing to his social standing and professional influence, could interfere with witnesses and the ongoing investigation if released.

What were the submissions of the accused?

Seeking bail, the accused contended that he had cooperated with the investigation, appeared before the CBI on multiple occasions, had no criminal antecedents, and had been falsely implicated.

He argued that no leaked question paper was recovered from him, his residence, hospital or electronic devices; that the alleged ₹5 lakh could not be linked to him; and that the prosecution case substantially rested on statements of co-accused.

He further submitted that the investigation against him was complete and his continued incarceration served no investigative purpose.

What are the findings of the Court?

Rejecting the submissions of the accused, the Court held that the material collected by the CBI prima facie disclosed the accused's active participation in the alleged conspiracy.

The Court observed that statements of witnesses recorded during the investigation and under Section 183 BNSS (Section 164 CrPC) prima facie showed that leaked questions supplied through the conspiracy matched 42 questions that ultimately appeared in the NEET-UG 2026 examination.

It also noted allegations that the accused facilitated meetings for dissemination of the leaked questions, sourced beneficiaries for the conspiracy, received substantial monetary consideration and attempted to conceal part of the proceeds, which were later recovered by the investigating agency.

On that basis, the Court observed that the CBI's investigation prima facie established the accused as "one of the active conspirators of an organised paper leak gang" who allegedly played an active role in leaking the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper before the scheduled date of the examination.

The Court further remarked that, if the allegations were ultimately found to be true, the accused acted out of “in order to satisfy their greed and to gain illegal wealth, they not only sabotaged the entire process of NEET (UG) 2026 exam which was supposed to be conducted fairly and flawlessly but by their aforesaid illegal acts, they have also brought disrepute to the Nation ”.

Besides, they have also caused huge loss running into several crores of rupees to the Government exchequer, the Court said.

Highlighting the impact of paper leak on the students, the Court remarked: “Further, their abhorrent and illegal acts have also eroded the trust of the honest students in the process of this exam, who prepare for the exam with full zeal and honesty and by burning the mid-night oil, in order to compete with their fellow candidates on the basis of their sheer skill and competence.”

Holding that the allegations concerned an organised conspiracy affecting a national examination, that the investigation was still at a crucial stage and that the possibility of influencing public witnesses could not be ruled out, the Court concluded that no case for grant of bail was made out and dismissed the application.

Case Title: CBI vs. Yash Yadav & Ors.

Date of Order: July 24, 2026

Order By: Special Judge (PC Act) Ajay Gupta