ED steps into NEET-UG paper leak case, seeks CBI's records

The Enforcement Directorate has formally requested the Central Bureau of Investigation’s complete case records in the NEET-UG 2024 examination paper leak scandal, according to sources familiar with the development. The financial crimes agency is examining potential financial irregularities linked to the examination fraud, marking the first formal request for CBI documents in this case.

The ED has sought the CBI’s charge sheet, witness statements, and other case materials through official channels. While the CBI has been investigating the alleged conspiracy behind the paper leak—from question paper setting to beneficiary candidates—the ED is focusing on the financial aspects and transactions related to the irregularities. The agency has not yet registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act but is studying CBI materials while awaiting the conclusion of ongoing court proceedings in the CBI case.

“We definitely want to investigate a financial angle in the NEET-UG paper leak, but we will wait for the CBI’s court proceedings to conclude, which are currently ongoing in a fast-track court in Delhi,” an officer told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The officer added that the ED has approached the CBI through proper channels to access its charge sheet, relied-upon documents, and other case files to examine the alleged irregularities.

The CBI filed its charge sheet earlier this month against all 13 accused individuals, detailing how the examination leak allegedly occurred. Three paper setters appointed by the National Testing Agency—Manisha Gurunath Mandhare (Botany and Zoology), Prahlad Vithalrao Kulkarni (Chemistry), and Manisha Sanjay Havaldar (Physics)—were named as accused. According to the CBI’s case, Kulkarni allegedly transcribed 135 Chemistry questions and their answer options onto small pieces of paper and removed them from the confidential area. Mandhare and Havaldar allegedly memorized questions and later reconstructed them with the help of textbooks.

The CBI has invoked provisions related to criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, and destruction of evidence, along with sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The agency’s case relies on 360 witnesses, 422 documents, and 43 material objects. All 13 individuals named in the charge sheet remain in judicial custody, and the CBI continues its investigation.

The CBI has stated that no NTA official has been implicated in the alleged leak. Following the scandal, the government announced changes to the NTA’s examination system, including the removal of more than 50 NTA staff and the revamping of the examination team. The NTA introduced a four-tier question-paper scrutiny system and replaced 600 subject experts.

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