![\"NEET](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-133038539,imgsize-710264,width-400,height-225,resizemode-75\/criminal-breach-of-trust-by-a-public-servant-under-section-3165-of-the-bns-carries-the-maximum-punishment-of-life-imprisonment.jpg\" "\\"Criminal")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: Three National Testing Agency<\/a> (NTA) subject experts accused in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case breached their “obligation of secrecy” and circulated confidential question papers despite signing confidentiality undertakings, the CBI has alleged in its charge sheet filed before a Delhi court, news agency PTI reported.According to the charge sheet, the accused \u2014 biology subject expert Manisha Gurunath Mandhare, chemistry subject expert P V Kulkarni, and physics subject expert Manisha Sanjay Havaldar \u2014 have been booked under provisions that could attract life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 crore.PTI reported that the CBI has treated the three as “public servants” while invoking provisions of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, saying they had been entrusted with confidential property, namely the NEET-UG question papers, by the NTA in their capacity as subject experts.The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG, is conducted by the NTA for admissions to undergraduate medical courses. The agency cancelled the examination held on May 3 after allegations of a paper leak and conducted a re-examination on June 21. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan later resigned following nationwide protests over the controversy.According to the charge sheet, all three experts had signed a “certificate of confidentiality”, declaring that they were “not directly or indirectly involved in coaching for any entrance examination conducted by NTA, that the question\/question paper would not be written or typed personally by them, that it would be kept under lock and key while in their possession, and that they would not retain any note, copy or rough draft of questions”.However, the CBI alleged that the trio violated these commitments.The agency’s final report stated that Mandhare conducted coaching classes from her residence in Pune, Kulkarni held “special classes” for candidates shortly before the examination at his residence and elsewhere in Pune, while Havaldar allegedly circulated confidential question papers herself and through her associates.“Thus, the investigation establishes that, despite being entrusted with confidential work as a Biology subject expert for NEET UG 2026, accused Manisha Gurunath Mandhare was involved in coaching candidates, was connected with the circulation of confidential questions prior to the examination, received and handled such material through electronic means and through coaccused persons, facilitated the printing and onward handing over of question notes for unlawful gain,” the charge sheet said.The report further alleged that despite being entrusted with confidential work as a chemistry subject expert, Kulkarni “conducted special classes immediately before the examination, shared leaked Chemistry questions with candidates for monetary gain, remained in contact with candidates, parents and co-accused persons, participated in the collection and receipt of money, and was part of the wider conspiracy for leaking confidential examination material before the exam”.According to the CBI, Havaldar, despite being bound by a confidentiality undertaking, was involved in leaking and circulating physics questions before the examination, either directly or through associates.The charge sheet alleged that Havaldar transmitted and handled confidential material electronically, facilitated the printing and delivery of leaked question notes, remained in contact with co-accused persons and acted for monetary gain.PTI reported that the CBI has invoked provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act relating to criminal misconduct by a public servant. Under the Act, a public servant commits criminal misconduct if they dishonestly or fraudulently misappropriate property entrusted to them or permit another person to do so. The agency argued that since the trio had been entrusted with confidential question papers by the NTA, they were deemed public servants for the purpose of the law.Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the accused face imprisonment of up to 10 years along with a fine.The charge sheet also invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including criminal conspiracy, causing disappearance of evidence, criminal breach of trust by a public servant, receiving stolen property and cheating.Among these offences, criminal breach of trust by a public servant under Section 316(5) of the BNS carries the maximum punishment of life imprisonment.In addition, the three have been booked under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, including provisions relating to “organised paper leak”, which prescribe imprisonment of not less than five years, extendable to 10 years, along with a fine of not less than Rs 1 crore, according to the charge sheet.(With agency inputs)<\/span><\/div>\n Criminal breach of trust by a public servant under Section 316(5) of the BNS carries the maximum punishment of life imprisonment. 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