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What does a man accused in one of India's biggest medical entrance exam controversies choose to read while behind bars? For Dhananjay Nivrutti Lokhande, currently lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail in the NEET-UG paper leak case, the answer is a mix of devotional texts and a book on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. As per various media report, Lokhande approached a Delhi court seeking permission to read the Hanuman Chalisa, Mangal Stotra and ‘Shrimaan Yogi’, Ranjeet Desai's biographical novel on Shivaji Maharaj. The court allowed his request, subject to prison rules and security checks.According to the Organiser, the order, passed by Special Judge Ajay Gupta on September 1, allows the books to be supplied by Lokhande's family members or authorised counsel after the material is cleared according to jail procedures.Lokhande is an accused in the CBI's investigation into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak. The agency has alleged that he was part of the chain through which the leaked examination material was moved from Maharashtra to other parts of the country. These allegations are yet to be established in court.

What did Lokhande ask the court for?

Dhananjay Lokhande, accused in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case in May. (ANI)

Lokhande's application sought permission to receive the books while lodged in Tihar. The court allowed the request but placed conditions on how the material could reach him. Special Judge Ajay Gupta directed the concerned jail authorities to provide the religious books mentioned in the application, provided they were supplied by a family member or authorised counsel and cleared security checks in accordance with the Jail Manual.The decision allows Lokhande access to both devotional literature and a historical work while his criminal case continues before the special court.

What the CBI has alleged against Lokhande

The book request comes against the backdrop of a serious investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. According to the CBI's case, Lokhande allegedly played a key role in moving the leaked examination material from Maharashtra to other parts of the country.According to Indian Express and various media, Lokhande allegedly collected NEET examination material from Pune-based accused Manisha Waghmare and subsequently transmitted it to Shubham Khairnar. CBI had identified Lokhande as a key point in the alleged transmission chain from Maharashtra to Haryana and then Rajasthan. According to the agency's account, associates of Lokhande allegedly collected the material from Waghmare, after which it was passed to Khairnar. It was then allegedly sent onwards to Yash Yadav in Gurugram before reaching the Biwal family in Rajasthan's Sikar. These are allegations made by the investigating agency and will be tested during the legal proceedings.

22.7 lakh candidates were affected

The CBI has so far arrested 13 accused in the case, according to reports.

The NEET-UG 2026 examination was held on May 3, with more than 22.7 lakh candidates appearing for it, according to media reports.The NTA cancelled the examination following the alleged leak. A re-examination was subsequently conducted on June 21, with the results declared on July 16. The case has since developed into a wider investigation involving multiple people across Maharashtra, Haryana and Rajasthan.The CBI has so far arrested 13 accused in the case, according to reports.

What the court's order means

The permission to receive the books is limited to access to reading material. It does not amount to any finding in Lokhande's favour in the paper leak case. The books will have to pass the jail's security checks and comply with prison rules before being handed over to him. For now, Lokhande remains in judicial custody while the allegations against him are dealt with through the ongoing court proceedings.