The alleged middleman in the 2026 NEET-UG ‘paper leak’ case, Dhananjay Nivrutti Lokhande, has approached a Delhi court seeking permission to access three texts while in judicial custody. The texts requested include:

  • Shrimaan Yogi, a biographical novel on Shivaji Maharaj spanning over 1,000 pages.
  • The Hanuman Chalisa, a 16th-century devotional hymn composed by Saint Goswami Tulsidas.
  • Texts of the Mangal Strota.

On September 1, a Delhi court granted Lokhande's application. Special Judge Ajay Gupta stated,

“

"Considering the facts and circumstances and the submissions made on behalf of A-8 (accused 8), jail authorities are directed to provide the religious book to the accused… (which shall be supplied by any of his family member/ authorised counsel) subject to security check and jail manual rules…"

Background of the Case

According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is investigating the case, Lokhande allegedly played a crucial role in circulating the leaked examination paper. The CBI's findings indicate that Lokhande was connected to co-accused Shubham Khairnar and received NEET examination materials from another co-accused, Manisha Waghmare, a resident of Pune. After obtaining the leaked paper, Lokhande transmitted it to Khairnar.