New Delhi: A special court in Delhi on Tuesday permitted NEET-UG paper leak case accused Yash Yadav to keep study books while in judicial custody so that he can prepare for the upcoming NEET-UG re-examination scheduled for June 21.

The order was passed by Special Judge (CBI) Ajay Gupta of the Rouse Avenue Court while hearing an application filed on behalf of Yadav.

The court also extended the judicial custody of five accused in the case, including Mangilal Biwal, Vikas Biwal, Dinesh Biwal, Yash Yadav and Dhananjay Lokhande, until June 15.

Court grants request for study books

Yash Yadav had approached the court seeking permission to access books required for preparing for the NEET-UG re-examination.

Advocate Ambika, appearing for Yadav through video conferencing, informed the court that her client needed study material to prepare for the medical entrance examination scheduled later this month.

She also told the court that Yadav had appeared for the NEET-UG examination conducted on May 3.

During the proceedings, the judge sought clarification from the defence regarding Yadav's eligibility to take the examination in light of his status as an accused in the case.

The court asked whether the National Testing Agency (NTA) had confirmed that he would be permitted to appear for the examination and whether an admit card had been issued to him.

Judicial custody extended for five accused

The court simultaneously extended the judicial custody of five accused persons after considering an application moved by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Deputy Superintendent of Police Pawan Kumar Kaushik, the investigating officer in the case, sought continuation of judicial custody.

Senior Public Prosecutor Neetu Singh represented the CBI during the hearing.

Advocate AP Singh appeared for accused Mangilal Biwal, Vikas Biwal and Dinesh Biwal, while advocate Vikram represented Dhananjay Lokhande.

Background of the case

The case stems from an FIR registered on May 12, 2026, following a complaint filed by a government official.

The FIR invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Prevention of Corruption Act and laws relating to the use of unfair means in examinations.

According to the investigation, Mangilal Biwal allegedly approached Shubham Khairnar in an attempt to obtain the NEET-UG question paper for his son, Vikas Biwal.

Investigators claim that this contact led to the formation of a wider network involving several other accused persons.

Alleged leak and money trail

The CBI has alleged that Shubham Khairnar first shared the leaked examination paper with Yash Yadav, who then passed it on to Mangilal Biwal. The paper was subsequently circulated to Vikas Biwal and Dinesh Biwal, according to the agency.

Investigators have alleged that Mangilal obtained the leaked paper from Yash Yadav as part of a deal worth ₹10 lakh.

During questioning, Vikas Biwal reportedly told investigators that he had come into contact with Yash Yadav while attending coaching classes in Sikar, Rajasthan.

The agency has further alleged that Mangilal later sold the leaked examination paper to several candidates for ₹12 lakh.

Multiple arrests made by CBI

Apart from the five accused whose custody was extended on Tuesday, the CBI has arrested several others in connection with the alleged paper leak.

Those arrested include Shubham Khairnar, Manisha Waghmare, Prahalad Kulkarni, Manisha Mandhare, Manisha Sanjay Hawaldar, Shivraj Raghunath Motegaonkar, Dr Manoj Shirure and Tejas Harshad Kumar Shah.

All of them are currently lodged in judicial custody following interrogation by the investigating agency.

Agency inputs