Court directs Director of Prosecution to depute public prosecutor to represent CBI in NEET paper leak case

A special fast-track court at Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Monday postponed the hearing on the bail pleas of accused Dinesh Biwal and Vikas Biwal in the alleged NEET UG 2026 paper leak case after no prosecutor appeared on behalf of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Special Judge Anu Grover Baliga directed the Director of Prosecution to appoint a prosecutor to represent the CBI in the matter. The court has now scheduled the next hearing for August 3.

The case marked the first hearing before the newly designated Special Fast-Track Court established under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. However, the proceedings could not move forward due to the absence of the investigating agency's legal representative. Advocate A.P. Singh appeared on behalf of the accused. The fast-track court was officially constituted on July 23 to exclusively hear cases involving offences under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, along with related criminal charges. All connected cases have been transferred to this court for speedy trial.

The predecessor court had sought the CBI's response to the bail applications filed by Dinesh and Vikas Biwal. The two are among 13 individuals arrested by the CBI in connection with the alleged leak of the NEET UG examination paper before the exam was conducted. All accused are currently lodged in judicial custody, which has been extended until August 6. According to the CBI, the investigation began after an FIR was registered on May 12, 2026, based on a complaint filed by a government official. The case includes charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Prevention of Corruption Act, and provisions related to the use of unfair means in public examinations.

The agency alleges that Mangilal Biwal sought to obtain the leaked NEET UG question paper for his son, Vikas Biwal, by contacting Shubham Khairnar. During the investigation, the alleged question paper was recovered from Mangilal Biwal's mobile phone. Investigators claim that Mangilal purchased the leaked paper from Yash Yadav for ₹10 lakh. During questioning, Vikas reportedly stated that he had become acquainted with Yash while attending coaching classes in Sikar, Rajasthan.

The CBI further alleges that the leaked paper was circulated through a chain involving multiple accused. According to the investigation, Shubham Khairnar allegedly passed the paper to Yash Yadav, who then shared it with Mangilal Biwal. It was subsequently provided to Vikas Biwal and later to Dinesh Biwal. The agency also claims that Mangilal went on to sell the leaked examination paper to several other candidates, charging ₹12 lakh each.

The court had earlier permitted accused Yash Yadav to appear for the NEET UG examination held on June 21 and attend his sister's wedding on June 22, while remaining under judicial custody. The investigation into the alleged examination leak is continuing, with the CBI examining the wider network involved in the case.