Mumbai: In the alleged NEET 2025 examination manipulation scam, a special CBI court on Friday extended the police custody of Sandeep Shah, alias Jawahar Shah, and co-accused Salim Patel until June 16. The judge noted that the CBI submitted evidence of substantial progress in the ongoing investigations. On June 10, Shah was initially remanded in police custody until June 13. The CBI submitted that Shah, in furtherance of a conspiracy, contacted vulnerable candidates’ parents for NEET 2025, assuring manipulation of marks to secure admission in govt colleges. Shah allegedly demanded and accepted bribes to influence public servants at the National Testing Agency (NTA). The CBI claimed that dummy parents were used to call Shah, where a demand of Rs 90 lakh was made and later settled at Rs 87.5 lakh.On Friday, the CBI sought further police custody, arguing that significant progress was made during the initial remand period. The prosecution submitted that Patel allegedly sent a list of approximately 15 candidates, along with admit cards and three OMRs, via WhatsApp to an individual named Rajiv Sinha. Patel’s mobile data was voluminous, containing around 1,600 pages of WhatsApp chats from 2025 alone. It was also alleged that Patel accepted Rs 32.50 lakh in cash from one candidate and Rs 75 lakh through hawala from three other candidates. Further, a candidate was reportedly taken to Noida by Shah. The CBI argued that police custody is crucial to unearth a larger conspiracy and to confront the accused with the chat records.Opposing the custody extension, Shah’s lawyer submitted that sufficient police custody was already granted and that there was no substantial progress. The lawyer urged for judicial custody, noting that Shah’s mobile phone was already with the CBI. Similarly, Patel’s advocate submitted that he cooperated with the investigations and that nothing further needed to be recovered at his instance. The lawyer also pointed out that Patel’s mobile was in CBI custody and that the investigating agency was yet to identify any officer from the NTA.The judge observed that witness statements revealed the criminal involvement of both accused, who needed to be confronted with the 1,600 pages of WhatsApp chats, which would require more than four days. The judge also pointed out that the WhatsApp chats revealed names of candidates whose marks were allegedly to be increased in the NEET UG 2025 exam and the serious nature and consequences of the offences. The judge stated that police custody is not confined solely to recovery but is also necessary for proper investigation.During the remand hearing, Patel’s lawyer alleged that the police superintendent asked him to keep his mobile outside a cabin. When called before the court, the superintendent denied the allegations except for confirming that the advocate was asked to keep his mobile outside. The court noted that the pursis was not supported by an affidavit and disposed of it accordingly.In a related development, an application filed by the CBI for intimation of search proceedings and submission of audio and video recordings was taken on record. The investigating officer was permitted to retain seized documents and articles until the filing of the chargesheet. The sessions registrar was directed to accept and keep a sealed envelope in safe custody.
