The alleged intermediary in the 2026 NEET-UG examination ‘paper leak’ incident has petitioned a court in Delhi, requesting that jail officials supply him with three specific texts while he remains in judicial custody.
Dhananjay Nivrutti Lokhande, the accused, has requested access to “Shrimaan Yogi,” a lengthy biographical novel about Shivaji Maharaj; the “Hanuman Chalisa,” a revered text written by Saint Goswami Tulsidas in the 16th century; and the “Mangal Strota.”
On Tuesday, the Delhi court approved Lokhande’s request. Special Judge Ajay Gupta issued an order on September 1, instructing the jail authorities to allow Lokhande to receive the religious texts, provided they are delivered by a family member or authorized lawyer, and that they comply with security protocols and jail regulations.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is conducting the inquiry, has indicated that Lokhande played a significant role in disseminating the leaked examination materials. According to the CBI, Lokhande, who is acquainted with co-accused Shubham Khairnar, obtained NEET examination materials from another co-accused, Manisha Waghmare, based in Pune. After acquiring these materials, Lokhande transmitted them to Khairnar.
The CBI’s investigation revealed that three subject specialists removed examination questions from the National Testing Agency (NTA) office in Delhi through various methods. One individual allegedly wrote questions on slips of paper and concealed them, while the other two memorized the questions, returning to their hotel rooms to either write them down or highlight relevant sections in NCERT textbooks.
This breach occurred because the individuals were not subjected to searches when departing from the “confidential section” of the NTA office, which is located on the first floor and lacks a dedicated CCTV monitoring facility.
So far, the CBI has made 13 arrests related to this case. Over 2.27 million candidates participated in the exam held on May 3, which was subsequently annulled by the NTA due to the alleged leak. A retest was conducted on June 21, with results released on July 16.
Nirbhay Thakur serves as a Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, focusing on district courts in Delhi and covering numerous high-profile trials since 2023.
Professional Background
Nirbhay holds a degree in economics from Delhi University.
His reporting encompasses trial courts, and he occasionally interviews ambassadors, showing a keen interest in data-driven narratives.
Specializations
He is particularly focused on data stories related to legal proceedings.
Core Strength
Nirbhay is known for meticulously tracking prolonged legal cases and providing detailed updates on significant criminal trials.
Recent Noteworthy Articles
In 2025, he produced extensive articles and two investigations. Alongside breaking numerous court-related stories, he has also conducted various exclusive reports.
- A comprehensive piece on Surender Koli, implicated in the infamous Nithari serial killings of 2006, who was exonerated after two decades in prison. Once labeled as a “cannibal” for his heinous acts, Koli’s case was reviewed by the Supreme Court, which found significant flaws in the investigation.
- An examination of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), which has consistently ranked highly in national standings and has been a hub of campus activism, influencing national discussions through its student leaders.
- An investigation into 700 cases stemming from the Delhi riots, revealing that in 17 out of 93 acquittals, courts identified instances of ‘fabricated’ evidence and criticized law enforcement practices.
Signature Style
Nirbhay’s writing is marked by its procedural detail, adeptly transforming complex legal documents and extensive chargesheets into accessible news for the public.
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