New Delhi, July 24 (IANS) A Delhi court on Friday dismissed the regular bail plea of Dr Manoj Bhagwanrao Shirure, an accused in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), accepting the probe agency’s submission that the allegations prima facie disclose his involvement in an organised examination fraud and that the investigation remains at a crucial stage.
Special Judge (CBI) Ajay Gupta of the Rouse Avenue Court rejected the application filed under Sections 480 and 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The order had been reserved last week after hearing submissions from the prosecution and the defence.
During the hearing, the CBI had strongly opposed the bail plea, contending that Shirure was an “active conspirator” in the larger conspiracy relating to the procurement and dissemination of leaked Chemistry questions ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 examination.
According to the probe agency, the offence had impacted more than 22.05 lakh candidates and resulted in the cancellation of the examination, besides causing a loss to the public exchequer and undermining public confidence in the examination system.
“The commission of the offence by the applicant/accused has not only affected more than 22.05 lakh students in the NEET UG 2026 Examination but it has also jeopardised the future of these students,” the CBI said in its reply opposing the bail plea.
The Central agency further submitted that the seriousness of the offence was reflected in the loss of “millions of working hours” of students, their aspirations and trust in the education system, apart from the resources spent on conducting the examination.
The CBI claimed that investigation had revealed that Shirure facilitated the procurement and dissemination of leaked Chemistry questions at the instance of co-accused P.V. Kulkarni and played an active role in the conspiracy.
It further claimed that Shirure facilitated the son of co-accused Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar in accessing the leaked Chemistry paper at his hospital in April 2026 and that Rs 5 lakh was allegedly obtained in connection with the arrangement.
The probe agency also alleged that Shirure referred two other doctors whose children allegedly obtained leaked Chemistry questions from Kulkarni after payment of Rs 3 lakh each.
Opposing the bail plea, the CBI argued that investigation was still at a crucial stage involving collation of digital evidence, scrutiny of call records, financial trail analysis and examination of the wider conspiracy.
It also contended that Shirure’s release could prejudice the investigation and trial, arguing that, given his professional standing and local influence, there was a possibility of influencing witnesses connected with the alleged conspiracy.
Praying for dismissal of the application, the CBI argued that the allegations disclosed the applicant’s prima facie involvement in an organised examination fraud, that the investigation remained sensitive and larger in scope, and that his release at this stage was likely to prejudice both the investigation and the trial.
The CBI had registered the case on May 12 on a complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Union Ministry of Education, alleging that confidential NEET-UG 2026 question papers were circulated on WhatsApp before the examination.
The agency has so far arrested 13 accused and is probing an alleged nationwide network involving candidates, middlemen, coaching operators and others.
Earlier this month, the Rouse Avenue Court had extended the judicial custody of 10 accused, including Shirure, while the CBI continued its investigation into the alleged paper leak.
The original NEET-UG 2026 examination was subsequently cancelled and a re-examination was conducted on June 21 under heightened security arrangements.
–IANS
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