NEET Paper Leak Case: NTA Declares Results of 2 Maharashtra Students After Bombay High Court Order

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has declared the NEET-UG 2026 results of two Maharashtra students whose results had been withheld during the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged paper-leak case. The results were released on August 11, 2026, following a direction from the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court.

The High Court intervened after the CBI informed the bench that the two students were not accused in the case and had instead been cited as witnesses in the investigation. The investigating agency also told the court that it had no objection to NTA declaring their results.

The court directed NTA to act urgently because August 12 was the last date for filling the relevant medical admission form, making the withheld results a time-sensitive issue for both candidates.

NEET-UG 2026 Maharashtra Students Result Case: Key Highlights

Why Were the Two NEET Results Withheld?

The results of the two students had been withheld after their names surfaced during the CBI investigation into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.

Both students had studied at a coaching institute in Latur linked to an accused in the paper-leak case.

During the investigation:

• The students were questioned by the CBI.

• Their electronic devices and examination-related materials were seized.

• NTA subsequently issued show-cause notices concerning alleged use of unfair means.

• Their results were not published with the regular result process.

However, the crucial development before the High Court was the CBI's clarification that neither student had been made an accused in the chargesheet.

CBI Says Students Are Witnesses, Not Accused

The CBI told the Bombay High Court that the names of the two candidates appeared in a list attached to one of its communications.

But after completing the relevant investigation and filing its chargesheet on July 28, 2026, the agency clarified that:

• The students were not chargesheeted as accused.

• They had been cited as witnesses.

• The CBI had no objection to their NEET results being declared.

This distinction became central to the High Court's decision.

Bombay High Court Orders NTA to Release Results

A division bench comprising Justices Nitin Suryawanshi and Abasaheb Shinde heard petitions filed by the two students—one from Beed and the other from Jalgaon.

After the CBI clarified that the students were witnesses rather than accused persons, the court directed NTA to declare their results without further delay.

The court specifically took note of the ongoing medical-admission process and the August 12 deadline for filling the admission form.

Why the Admission Deadline Mattered

The timing of the judgment was particularly important because the students could have lost their opportunity to participate in the medical-admission process even if they were later cleared.

The High Court therefore ordered NTA to release the results by the following morning.

NTA subsequently declared the two results on August 11.

Students Had Appeared for the NEET Re-Examination

Both candidates had appeared in the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination held on June 21 after the earlier May 3 examination was affected by the paper-leak controversy.

Their results were nevertheless withheld while the CBI investigation continued.

This created a situation in which the candidates had participated in the re-test but could not access their scores while medical counselling and admission deadlines approached.

Beed Student's Case

The first petitioner was a student from Beed.

According to the court proceedings reported by The Times of India:

• She belongs to the OBC category.

• She had scored 82% in Class 12.

• She joined the Latur-based Renukai Coaching Classes in June 2025.

• She appeared in the original May 3 NEET examination.

• She later appeared in the June 21 re-examination.

• Her OMR sheet was missing when NTA uploaded candidate response sheets in July.

• Her final result was subsequently withheld.

She denied using unfair means.

Jalgaon Student's Case

The second petitioner was from Jalgaon and also had an OBC validity certificate.

The student had previously appeared in NEET and reportedly scored:

NEET-UG 2024: 603/720

NEET-UG 2025: 456/720

but had not secured admission.

He later joined the same Latur coaching institute and appeared for NEET-UG 2026.

After receiving a show-cause notice from NTA, the candidate denied indulging in unfair means and maintained that he had routinely solved questions supplied by teachers as part of his coaching preparation.

Why the High Court Intervened

The court noted that the students' results had effectively remained blocked because of the continuing criminal investigation.

Once the CBI clarified that:

The students were not accused + They were cited as witnesses + CBI had no objection to result declaration

the principal basis for continuing to withhold the results weakened significantly.

The approaching admission deadline added urgency.

Being Questioned in an Investigation Does Not Automatically Mean Guilt

The case highlights an important distinction in criminal investigations.

A person may be:

• Questioned

• Asked to provide documents

• Asked to provide electronic devices

• Named in an investigative record

• Called as a witness

without necessarily becoming an accused person.

In this case, the CBI's own submission before the court established that the two students had not been chargesheeted.

Witness vs Accused: Why the Difference Matters

Witness

A witness may possess information relevant to an investigation.

Being a witness does not itself mean that the person committed an offence.

Accused

An accused person is formally alleged to have committed an offence and may face prosecution.

In the present case, the two candidates were placed in the witness category, according to the CBI's statement before the High Court.

What Happens to the Students Now?

With their NEET results released, the two candidates can proceed according to their:

• NEET score

• Rank

• Category

• Counselling eligibility

• Applicable medical-admission deadlines

The High Court's urgency was specifically linked to ensuring they were not deprived of the chance to submit admission forms merely because their results remained withheld.

Does the Court Order Guarantee an MBBS Seat?

No.

The order only required NTA to declare the withheld results.

Final admission still depends on the normal NEET admission process, including:

NEET Rank + Category + Counselling + Choice Filling + Seat Availability + Eligibility

The students do not automatically receive an MBBS or BDS seat merely because the court ordered publication of their scores.

NEET Paper Leak Investigation Continues Separately

The declaration of these two students' results does not end the broader CBI investigation or prosecution involving those who have actually been named as accused.

The CBI filed a chargesheet in the NEET-UG 2026 leak case on July 28, while the two petitioning students were not included among the accused persons.

Their individual result dispute was therefore distinct from the criminal proceedings against those allegedly involved in the leak.

Why NTA Had Issued Show-Cause Notices

NTA had issued show-cause notices after the students' names surfaced during the investigation and questions arose regarding possible unfair means.

A show-cause notice generally gives the recipient an opportunity to explain why adverse action should not be taken.

Both candidates responded by denying wrongdoing.

The CBI's later clarification that they were witnesses, not accused, became important when the matter reached the High Court.

Can NTA Withhold a Candidate's Result?

Examination authorities can take action where there are concerns about:

• Unfair means

• Impersonation

• Examination fraud

• Eligibility

• Malpractice

• Ongoing investigation

However, such decisions can also be challenged before a court where candidates believe that withholding the result is unjustified or disproportionate.

In this case, the High Court intervened after receiving the CBI's clarification about the candidates' legal status.

Why This Case Matters for NEET Candidates

The order establishes an important practical distinction between:

being connected to an investigation

and

being accused of wrongdoing.

Candidates whose names appear during an investigation should not automatically be treated as guilty merely because investigators questioned them or seized materials.

At the same time, examination authorities can investigate suspected malpractice where credible concerns exist.

The court's role is to assess whether continued action against an individual remains legally justified based on the evidence and circumstances before it.

NEET Result Withheld: What Can a Candidate Do?

Candidates whose examination result is withheld should first check:

1. Whether NTA has issued a notice.

2. The reason stated for withholding the result.

3. Whether a show-cause notice requires a reply.

4. Whether supporting documents need to be provided.

5. Whether there is an official grievance mechanism.

6. Any counselling deadlines that may be affected.

Where a serious dispute remains unresolved, candidates may seek appropriate legal advice.

Keep All Examination Records

Candidates involved in any result dispute should preserve:

• Application form

• Admit card

• OMR/response sheet

• NTA communication

• Emails

• Show-cause notices

• Replies submitted to NTA

• Court documents, where applicable

• Counselling deadlines

These records can become important when challenging or explaining an examination-related decision.

NEET Counselling Deadlines Can Make Result Disputes Urgent

Medical admissions follow strict timelines.

A delayed result can affect a candidate's ability to:

• Register for counselling

• Fill choices

• Submit admission forms

• Claim reservation

• Participate in seat allotment

This is why the Bombay High Court specifically considered the August 12 admission deadline while directing NTA to declare the results quickly.

Result Declaration Does Not Clear Other Accused Persons

The High Court order concerns only the two petitioning students.

It should not be interpreted as:

• A finding that no NEET paper leak occurred

• A closure of the CBI case

• An acquittal of other accused persons

• A ruling on the entire investigation

The CBI investigation and criminal case involving chargesheeted individuals remain separate proceedings.

Important Timeline

Frequently Asked Questions

Did NTA declare the NEET results of the two Maharashtra students?

Yes. NTA declared the two withheld NEET-UG 2026 results on August 11, 2026, after the Bombay High Court directed the agency to do so.

Why were their NEET results withheld?

Their names had surfaced during the CBI investigation into the alleged NEET paper leak, and NTA had issued show-cause notices concerning suspected unfair means.

Were the two students accused in the NEET paper-leak case?

No. The CBI told the High Court that they had not been made accused in its chargesheet and had instead been cited as witnesses.

Did the CBI object to their results being released?

No. The agency told the court that it had no objection to declaration of their results.

Which court ordered NTA to release the results?

The order was passed by the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court.

Why did the court order immediate action?

The court noted that August 12 was the last date for filling the admission form, making further delay potentially harmful to the students' medical-admission opportunities.

When did NTA declare their results?

Their results were declared on August 11, 2026.

When did the CBI file its chargesheet?

The CBI told the court that its chargesheet was filed on July 28, 2026.

Did the students appear in the NEET re-examination?

Yes. The two candidates appeared in the re-conducted NEET examination held on June 21, 2026.

Does release of the result guarantee MBBS admission?

No. Admission still depends on the candidate's NEET rank, category, counselling rules, choices and available seats.

What’s Next?

For the two students:

Download Result → Complete Admission Form → Participate in Counselling → Fill Choices → Check Seat Allotment

For the broader NEET leak case:

CBI Prosecution → Court Proceedings → Evidence and Witness Examination → Judicial Outcome

The two processes should not be confused.

Final Update

The NTA has declared the NEET-UG 2026 results of two Maharashtra students after an order from the Bombay High Court's Aurangabad bench, ending a period in which their scores had remained withheld because their names surfaced during the CBI's paper-leak investigation.

The decisive development was the CBI's statement before the court that neither student had been made an accused in the chargesheet; both were cited only as witnesses, and the agency had no objection to publication of their results.

With the medical-admission form deadline falling on August 12, the court directed NTA to act immediately. NTA released the results on August 11, allowing both candidates to proceed with the admission process according to their scores, ranks and counselling eligibility.

The ruling concerns only these two students and should not be interpreted as ending the wider NEET-UG 2026 paper-leak investigation or clearing individuals who have been formally chargesheeted in the case.