Latur paediatrician took Rs 5 lakh to facilitate access to leaked NEET 2026 chemistry paper: CBI

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged before a Delhi court that a Latur-based paediatrician arrested in the NEET UG 2026 paper leak case accepted Rs 5 lakh from a candidate's family and facilitated the candidate's access to the leaked Chemistry question paper at his hospital days before the examination.

Opposing the doctor's bail plea, the CBI told the Special Court that the accused doctor allegedly arranged for the candidate to view the leaked paper at his hospital during the third week of April, ahead of the original May 3 NEET UG 2026 examination. T

The agency further alleged that the doctor also introduced two other doctors to co-accused lecturer with their children allegedly obtaining the leaked Chemistry paper after paying ₹3 lakh each.

According to PTI report, the CBI made the submissions before a Delhi court on Thursday. It said "Latur-based paediatrician arrested in the NEET-UG paper-leak case took Rs 5 lakh from a candidate's family and allowed the candidate to access the leaked chemistry paper at his hospital before the examination."

The submissions were made before Special Judge Ajay Gupta, who was hearing a bail plea filed by paediatrician. The federal agency told the court that Shirure had referred two other doctors to co-accused chemistry lecturer and the children of these doctors also allegedly benefitted from the paper “leak”.

Special Public Prosecutor Neetu Singh told the court that the accused doctor facilitated co-accused Latur coaching centre owner to access the leaked chemistry paper at his hospital in the third week of April, ahead of the May 3 NEET-UG examination.

Also Read:NEET 2026 paper leak: Latur coaching centre owner paid Rs 5 lakh for questions from NTA's paper setter, says CBI

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also told the court that an amount of Rs 5 lakh received from the candidate’s family was seized from the house of the doctor's sister and further alleged that he had referred two other doctors to lecturer and the children of these doctors obtained the leaked chemistry paper after paying Rs 3 lakh each.

Opposing the bail plea, the CBI said the investigation is at a crucial stage involving the analysis of digital evidence, financial transactions, call records and the larger conspiracy, and that the accused’s release could prejudice the probe and the trial.

“The plea of absence of criminal antecedents is not decisive in the facts of the present case for bail. 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,” it said, quotes PTI

The agency contended that the petitioner's position as a doctor, hospital owner and office-bearer in educational institutions in Latur gave him the ability to influence witnesses connected with the case.

The CBI also opposed the accused’s plea for bail on medical grounds, saying his hypertension and diabetes are manageable conditions and there is nothing to show that adequate treatment cannot be provided in custody.

The agency relied on Supreme Court and high court verdicts to argue that examination fraud undermines merit and public confidence, and warrants a strict approach while considering bail.

After considering the arguments, the court reserved the order for July 22.

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