New Delhi, 09 June (H.S.):

The Rouse Avenue Court has rejected the bail application of Manisha Waghmare, an accused in the NEET paper leak case. Special Judge Ajay Gupta dismissed Waghmare’s plea on Tuesday. On the same day, the court issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on the bail application filed by another accused, Yash Yadav. The matter has been listed for further hearing on June 12.

The court had reserved its order on Waghmare’s bail plea on June 5. During the hearing, her counsel argued that she worked as an education consultant, referring students to qualified teachers and earning commissions for doing so. The defence contended that no incriminating evidence or cash had been recovered from her residence. It was also submitted that Waghmare had been admitted to a hospital after experiencing episodes of dizziness.

The CBI opposed the bail application, stating that Waghmare played a significant role in the conspiracy behind the NEET paper leak. According to the agency, she was involved in the scheme along with co-accused P.V. Kulkarni, a chemistry teacher who allegedly distributed leaked question papers through her.

The investigating agency further alleged that Waghmare circulated the leaked papers through Pune-based accused Dhananjay Lokhande. The CBI informed the court that several students had stated they paid money to obtain the examination paper in advance. The agency also cited bank statements and financial transaction records as evidence against the accused.

So far, 13 individuals have been arrested in connection with the case. Following allegations that the question paper for the NEET examination held on May 3 had been leaked, the examination was cancelled. The Central Government subsequently ordered a CBI investigation into the matter. The re-examination is now scheduled to be conducted on June 21.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar