Pune Principal Arrested in NEET Leak Case Allegedly Burned Handwritten Physics Notes
Pune, 23rd May 2026: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), probing the alleged NEET-UG paper leak case, has reportedly discovered suspicious conversations linked to a mobile number saved as “God” in the phone of the husband of arrested school principal Manisha Hawaldar.
According to CBI sources, investigators are now intensifying efforts to identify the alleged “mastermind” or “godfather” behind the paper leak network.
The agency has carried out digital extraction of mobile data using advanced forensic technology, including Cellebrite Premium. Officials believe that additional crucial evidence may emerge from deleted chats recovered during the forensic analysis.
During a raid conducted at Hawaldar’s residence in Sadashiv Peth, the CBI allegedly recovered several incriminating documents and digital evidence.
Sources said Hawaldar admitted during questioning that she had deleted WhatsApp chats exchanged with co-accused Manisha Mandhare. She also allegedly confessed to destroying handwritten notes containing physics-related questions by burning them.
According to investigators, Hawaldar admitted that in April 2026 she recreated NEET-UG Physics questions from memory and shared them with certain students and co-accused individuals. These questions were allegedly circulated further through WhatsApp messages and printed copies.
The accused also reportedly told investigators that printouts of the questions were taken using an official computer at Seth Hiralal Saraf School.
During the search operation, the CBI seized 23 pages of handwritten notes related to Physics questions, original NEET-UG question papers of different sets, National Testing Agency (NTA) attendance certificates, and other documents.
Officials also recovered original question booklets in multiple language combinations, including Marathi-English and Hindi-English versions.
According to information submitted by the CBI in court, Hawaldar initially stated that she had received Rs 20,000 in cash from Tejas Shah and Rs 25,000 from a person identified as Dr Usha in exchange for the questions. She reportedly said the money was received in the presence of co-accused Manisha Mandhare.
However, investigators told the court that Hawaldar later changed her statement and denied accepting money.
During the raid, the CBI also recovered cash amounting to Rs 1,01,930 from the house.
After her arrest, Hawaldar was produced before a local court around midnight on Friday for transit remand proceedings, following which the CBI sought permission to take her to Delhi for further investigation.
Investigators suspect that Hawaldar had prepared handwritten notes related to NEET examination questions and study material, preserved them, and later used them to allegedly distribute examination-related content to students.
