The investigation into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak has taken a political turn in Rajasthan after the names of two brothers, including a local BJP youth wing leader, surfaced in the probe being conducted by the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
According to police officials cited in reports, Dinesh Biwal and his brother Mangilal Biwal were detained in connection with the circulation of a so-called “guess paper” that allegedly matched a large number of questions from the NEET-UG examination held on May 3. The brothers are reportedly from Rajasthan’s Sikar district and were later taken into custody by the CBI after the central agency assumed control of the investigation.
A senior SOG officer told Hindustan Times that the accused had allegedly purchased the paper from a contact in Haryana for around ₹15 lakh before distributing it to students in Rajasthan. “They purchased it for ₹15 lakh and then sold it to several students in Sikar,” the officer said.
Investigators also claimed that five members of the Biwal family had qualified NEET together last year, raising suspicions during the probe. According to the police officer, the candidates are currently studying in government medical colleges.
The controversy intensified after Congress leaders alleged links between the accused and the BJP. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot claimed that one of the detained individuals was associated with the BJP and questioned the handling of the investigation by the Rajasthan government. Gehlot reportedly alleged that despite complaints and early warnings, authorities failed to register an FIR promptly.
Social media photographs allegedly showing the accused with BJP leaders and ministers further fueled the political confrontation. Congress leaders described the developments as “serious and shocking” and demanded a transparent investigation into possible political connections.
The BJP, however, has rejected the allegations and maintained that the investigation is being carried out independently. The party has accused the opposition of attempting to politicise the issue while the probe remains ongoing.
The NEET-UG 2026 examination was cancelled earlier this week after investigators uncovered evidence suggesting widespread leakage of question papers across multiple states. Rajasthan Police reportedly found that a “guess paper” circulating before the examination had over 100 questions matching the actual NEET paper.
The probe later expanded to several states, including Maharashtra, Haryana and Uttarakhand. Investigators alleged that the leaked papers were sold to candidates for amounts ranging between ₹10 lakh and ₹25 lakh.
The scandal has triggered nationwide outrage among students and parents, with opposition parties attacking the BJP-led central government over repeated examination irregularities. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government was “rewarding” officials responsible for failures in the examination system, while several opposition leaders demanded judicial monitoring of the investigation.
The CBI is now probing the larger network allegedly involved in the leak, including the source of the papers, the role of intermediaries and the financial transactions linked to the racket. Investigators are also examining whether organised “solver gangs” and coaching-linked networks operated across states to distribute the leaked material before the examination.
