NEET Paper Leak Case: WhatsApp Chats Reveal ‘500-600 Marks Guarantee’, CBI Uncovers Bigger Network

Digital investigation into the NEET paper leak case has revealed shocking details about the operation run by the accused Shubham Khairnar. According to findings accessed during the probe, Khairnar allegedly assured medical aspirants that they would score between 500 and 600 marks in the examination through the leaked question paper racket.

The case took a major turn after investigators recovered WhatsApp conversations from Khairnar’s mobile phone. These chats reportedly exposed how the accused was coordinating with suppliers and middlemen involved in circulating the leaked paper ahead of the medical entrance exam.

CBI officials investigating the matter found that during April, Khairnar had contacted Pune-based suspect Yash Yadav seeking access to the NEET question paper before the examination. Sources linked to the investigation claim the illegal deal was finalised by the end of April, after which candidates were allegedly approached with promises of guaranteed scores and admissions in reputed medical colleges.

Investigators have reportedly collected several digital records, including chat backups, leaked question paper copies, and communication logs from seized devices. The recovered messages allegedly show that Khairnar remained in regular contact with members of a larger cheating syndicate operating across multiple states.

According to officials, candidates were lured with claims of assured success in exchange for huge sums of money. The chats also indicated that the accused was actively involved in forwarding leaked content to different contacts before the exam.

The investigation has also revealed that the leaked paper network may not have been limited to Maharashtra alone. Agencies suspect the paper reached cities including Gurugram, Jaipur, and coaching hub Sikar, along with possible circulation in Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, and Kerala.

Authorities are now examining whether more students, middlemen, or coaching-related contacts were involved in the wider operation.

Shubham Khairnar, a 30-year-old resident of Nashik’s Indiranagar area, is reportedly pursuing a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery degree. Investigators allege that he purchased the leaked NEET paper from a Pune-based contact for around Rs 10 lakh and later sold it onward for nearly Rs 15 lakh, earning substantial profit through the deal.

The CBI arrested him earlier this week from Nashik. Officials claimed he had altered his appearance, including changing his hairstyle, in an attempt to avoid identification. However, investigators tracked him using surveillance inputs and older photographs before taking him into custody.

The agency is continuing its investigation to identify other members connected to the alleged examination fraud network.