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NEET-UG paper leak: Teacher arrested in Pune was set to retire in 7 months
Pune-based biology teacher Manisha Gurunath Mandhare was arrested by CBI on Saturday in connection with alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case.
Seven months before her retirement, Pune-based senior Biology teacher Manisha Gurunath Mandhare was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday in connection with the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case.
Mandhare, 58, has been identified by investigators as one of the key suspects in the alleged leak of Botany and Zoology questions from the medical entrance examination.
A resident of Ganga Osian Park in Bibwewadi, a residential neighbourhood in south Pune, Mandhare had been teaching Biology to Classes 11 and 12 students at Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce (Autonomous), Shivajinagar, since 2002, the college administration said in a statement.
“Over nearly 24 years, she taught in the junior college section and was reportedly due to retire in seven months,” it said.
According to college principal Nivedita Ekbote, Mandhare had been associated with the NTA for the past five years. “The work was entirely confidential in nature and all communication regarding the assignment took place directly between the concerned individual and the NTA without keeping our institution in the loop,” Ekbote said.
The college administration termed the matter “serious, unfortunate and condemnable”. “The institution and college administration have taken serious note of the matter. As per the provisions of the Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools (Conditions of Service) Regulation Act, 1977 (MEPS Act), the necessary disciplinary process against the concerned teacher will be initiated immediately and action will be taken as per rules,” the administration said in a statement.
People close to Mandhare said she had been living alone in the housing society for several years after allegedly separating from her husband long ago. Co-accused Manisha Waghmare, who was arrested earlier by the CBI in the same case, reportedly lives in another wing of the same residential complex. Mandhare’s neighbour, requesting anonymity, said, “Mandhare and Waghmare knew each other well, and Waghmare frequently visited Mandhare’s flat.”
Mandhare’s colleagues at the institution described her as a regular teacher with no prior complaints against her. “She had knee problems and had requested ground-floor classrooms because she faced difficulty climbing stairs. She was very regular in her duties and mostly took only medical leave,” one of her colleagues, who did not wish to be named, said.
Also Read: CBI questions parents who bought leaked NEET paper for their children
People aware of the matter also confirmed that Mandhare had travelled to Delhi in November and December 2025 after taking leave, allegedly for work related to NEET paper-setting.
The probe has so far led to the arrest of nine accused across multiple states, including Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Haryana. Investigators are examining the role of middlemen, coaching operators and possible involvement of public servants in the alleged scam.
