NEW DELHI, AUG 9 (PTI): Three National Testing Agency (NTA) subject experts breached their “obligation of secrecy” by circulating NEET-UG question papers, according to a chargesheet filed by the CBI before a Delhi court. The provisions invoked carry penalties of up to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 crore.
The accused– biology expert Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, chemistry expert P V Kulkarni and physics expert Manisha Sanjay Havaldar– had signed confidentiality certificates declaring they would not coach candidates, personally write or type questions, retain copies or drafts, or disclose question papers entrusted to them.
CBI alleged that Mandhare conducted coaching classes at her Pune residence and was connected with circulation of confidential questions, while Kulkarni conducted “special classes” shortly before the examination, shared leaked chemistry questions with candidates for monetary gain and participated in collecting money.
Havaldar allegedly circulated confidential physics questions herself and through associates, handled the material electronically, facilitated printing and delivery of leaked question notes and acted for monetary gain.
CBI said the trio were considered “public servants” because, as National Testing Agency subject experts, they were entrusted with confidential question papers.
It booked them under the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act for criminal misconduct involving property entrusted to a public servant. The offence carries imprisonment of up to 10 years with fine.
The chargesheet also invokes Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions relating to criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence, criminal breach of trust by a public servant, receiving stolen property, and cheating. Criminal breach of trust by a public servant under Section 316(5) carries life imprisonment.
The trio were also booked under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act for organised paper leak, which carries five to 10 years’ imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore.
NEET-UG is conducted by the NTA for medical admissions. The exam was cancelled amid paper-leak allegations, followed by a re-examination. The controversy also triggered protests and political repercussions, with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan later resigning over the issue.
Tuesday, September 8, 2026