A Delhi court has sent alleged NEET paper leak kingpin Kulkarni and co-accused Waghmare to 10 days of Central Bureau of Investigation custody in connection with the widening examination scam case. The court order came after the CBI argued that custodial interrogation was necessary to trace the larger network involved in leaking question papers and manipulating examination processes.
Investigators told the court that the accused were allegedly part of an organised racket operating across multiple states. According to the agency, preliminary findings suggest the network used middlemen, digital communication channels and financial transactions to provide leaked examination material to candidates before the medical entrance test.
The NEET controversy has sparked nationwide outrage among students and parents, with concerns growing over the credibility of competitive examinations in the country. The CBI informed the court that several electronic devices, financial records and communication details recovered during raids are currently being analysed to identify additional suspects and possible beneficiaries of the leak.
Opposition parties intensified their attack on the Centre following the court proceedings, demanding strict and time-bound action against everyone involved in the alleged scam. Congress leaders accused the government of failing to protect the integrity of India’s examination system and alleged that repeated paper leak incidents were damaging the future of students.
The BJP defended the ongoing investigation, stating that the government had transferred the case to the CBI precisely to ensure a transparent and impartial probe. Party leaders said strict action would be taken irrespective of the status or influence of those involved.
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test, one of India’s largest competitive examinations, is conducted for admissions to medical colleges across the country. Allegations of question paper leaks and irregularities triggered protests in several states earlier this year, forcing authorities to launch multiple investigations and tighten examination security protocols.
Legal experts say the custody period will allow investigators to examine the financial trail and possible interstate links connected to the racket. Officials are also probing whether coaching centres or other organised groups had any involvement in facilitating access to leaked papers.
The case has now become a major political and administrative issue, with mounting pressure on the Centre to restore public confidence in national-level examinations and introduce stronger safeguards against future leaks.
