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A hearing was held on Tuesday at the Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi on framing of charges against 13 accused in the NEET-UG paper leak case.
During the hearing, advocate Hemant Shah, appearing for accused Prahlad Vitthalrao Kulkarni, challenged the CBI’s claim that his client was a public servant.
Shah argued that a person can be treated as a public servant only when their position has been notified under the relevant law. He said the National Testing Agency (NTA) is a public authority that conducts public examinations, but no such notification exists regarding Kulkarni’s position.
Lawyer denies role in question paper preparation
Kulkarni’s lawyer also questioned the CBI’s allegation that experts, including his client, had been entrusted with preparing the NEET question paper.
He argued that there was no evidence that such responsibility was assigned to Kulkarni. According to the defence, neither criminal breach of trust nor any other offence was established against him.
The lawyer also disputed allegations that leaked question papers were provided to students in exchange for money.
‘No evidence students visited Kulkarni’s house’
The defence claimed that no student had stated that they received a leaked paper or paid money for questions.
Kulkarni’s lawyer also challenged the allegation that students attended special classes at his residence before the NEET-UG examination. He said the case records contain no evidence of students visiting Kulkarni’s house and there were no corresponding MyGate entries.
He further argued that Kulkarni had no role in printing the examination question paper.
Defence challenges NTA confidentiality agreement
The lawyer also referred to the confidentiality certificate signed between Kulkarni and the NTA, describing it as an undertaking or contractual document.
Advocate Vikram Singh, appearing for Dhananjay Lokhande, also presented arguments on behalf of the accused.
The CBI had completed its arguments on framing of charges on Monday. On Tuesday, lawyers representing Prahlad Kulkarni, Manisha Mandhare, Tejas Harshad Kumar Shah, Yash Yadav, Dhananjay Lokhande and Shubham Khairnar presented their defence arguments.
The hearing before Special Judge (CBI) Ajay Gulati will continue, with lawyers for Mangilal Biwal, Dinesh Biwal and Vikas Biwal scheduled to make their submissions.
