A Delhi court has placed Manisha Mandhare, a senior Botany lecturer at Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Pune, Maharashtra, under 14 days of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) custody due to her involvement in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. Arrested in New Delhi, Mandhare is accused of having access to confidential Botany and Zoology question papers through her association with the National Testing Agency (NTA), which oversees the NEET examination. The CBI argued for her custody, stating the investigation is at a crucial stage, and that her interrogation is necessary to recover incriminating evidence and identify other co-conspirators. Investigators claim that Mandhare has been involved in the NEET paper-setting process for several years, which allegedly provided her access to sensitive exam materials before the test held on May 3. Furthermore, it is alleged that she collaborated with co-accused Manisha Wagmare to assist NEET aspirants in obtaining potential examination questions, conducting sessions at her residence where important Biology questions were discussed. Mandhare's arrest brings the total number of individuals arrested in this case to nine.