Delhi Court Takes Cognisance of CBI NEET Paper Leak Chargesheet Against 13

A Delhi court on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, took cognisance of the Central Bureau of Investigation’s chargesheet filed against 13 accused in the NEET paper leak case. Special Judge Ajay Gupta took cognisance of the central agency’s final report during proceedings in a designated fast-track court in Delhi established to deal with criminal cases arising from paper leaks as well as the use of other unfair means in public examinations.

Following the court taking cognisance of the final report, the judge stated that arguments on the framing of charges against the accused are likely to begin on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The Central Bureau of Investigation recently submitted its final investigation report before the designated court.

During the court proceedings, the central agency informed the bench that portions of the chargesheet were continuously being published in newspapers. The agency specifically pointed out to the court that some of the witnesses whose names are currently being published in the media could even be minors.

The court expressed strong displeasure over news outlets publishing the identities of witnesses in the case. Special Judge Ajay Gupta remarked during the hearing that the publication of unstated materials from the investigation was unacceptable.

"This is very shocking… Whatever has not yet been stated in court and is currently part of the chargesheet… All of that being made public in the media is extremely shocking," the court stated regarding the ongoing media disclosures.

The court observed that a responsible media should refrain from publishing witness names and unstated portions of the final report while the matter remains under judicial consideration.