The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Shivraj Raghunath Modekonkar, the founder of a coaching centre in Maharashtra, in connection with the alleged leak of the NEET question paper.
NEET, the national entrance test for undergraduate medical courses, was held across India on May 3, with over 22 lakh candidates appearing from several states including Tamil Nadu. Following complaints that the question paper had leaked even before the exam, this year’s NEET was cancelled and the CBI registered a case to investigate the malpractice.
CBI teams have been conducting searches in multiple locations including Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Delhi. Earlier, the agency arrested Shubham Khairnar from Nashik and Dinesh Bhiwal and Mangilal Bhiwal from Rajasthan. Two members linked to the question paper preparation team—former chemistry professor Kulkarni and professor Manisha Mandhare from Pune—were also arrested.
Based on information gathered during the probe, the CBI searched the Renukai coaching centre in Latur. Investigators allege Modekonkar purchased the NEET paper for a price about 10 days before the exam and leaked it to students. A copy of the May 3 question paper was found on his mobile phone, which has been seized and sent for forensic examination.
The agency claims he provided the question paper and answers to students in handwritten form and later destroyed related evidence the day after the exam. With searches continuing across the country, the CBI said further arrests are expected; the total number of arrests in the case has reached 10 so far.
