CBI Arrests Pune Physics Teacher In NEET Paper Leak Case, Total Arrests Reach 13
NTT Desk
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a physics teacher from a private coaching institute in Pune in connection with the NEET paper leak case, taking the total number of arrests from the city to five.
The arrested accused has been identified as Tejas Harshadkumar Shah, a physics teacher associated with a private coaching class in Pune’s Shivajinagar area.
According to CBI officials, Shah allegedly received physics questions and their correct answers from Manisha Sanjay Hawaldar, who is currently in CBI custody.
Sources said another teacher linked to the chemistry subject in Pune is also under investigation, and more arrests are likely in the coming days.
Based on information obtained during the probe, the CBI recently arrested physics teacher Manisha Hawaldar, who was also linked to the examination process. During interrogation, Hawaldar allegedly admitted to providing physics questions and answers to Tejas Shah, following which Shah was arrested.
The agency is also investigating the financial transactions carried out by the accused persons as part of the larger conspiracy.
The investigation has revealed that question papers related to chemistry, biology, and physics were allegedly leaked before the examination.
During the raids, officials seized mobile phones, laptops, and several documents from the accused.
Technical analysis of the seized material is currently underway as the agency continues its investigation to uncover the entire network involved in the paper leak racket.
Earlier in the investigation, the CBI had arrested chemistry professor P.V. Kulkarni from Pune.
Before that, beauty parlour owner Manisha Waghmare was also taken into custody after investigators discovered that biology teacher Manisha Mandhare from Modern College had allegedly conducted special guidance classes for students at Waghmare’s residence.
Mandhare was later arrested after questioning.
The CBI claims that the investigation has now helped uncover the original source of the leaked question papers.
As per Officials, Mandhare and professor Kulkarni were associated with the examination process of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and allegedly shared questions and correct answers with students before the examination.
Meanwhile, the agency has also arrested Dr Manoj Shirure from Latur in connection with the case.
Investigators revealed that Dr Shirure had allegedly received chemistry questions from arrested professor Kulkarni and later passed on the questions, along with correct answers, to three students, including the son of a coaching class operator in Latur.
The NEET paper leak case was officially registered by the CBI on May 12. Following the complaint, CBI teams conducted raids at 49 locations across Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, Latur, and Ahilyanagar.
