The Chhattisgarh High Court has allowed a 21-year-old NEET aspirant lodged in jail to appear for the NEET-2026 examination under police custody, while declining his request for temporary bail. The Court passed the order after an urgent hearing was sought due to the examination being scheduled for June 21.
Background of the Case
Applicant Kunal Tarunakar, a resident of Raipur, is in custody in connection with Crime No. 430/2026 registered at Khamtarai Police Station. Through an interim application, he sought temporary bail to enable him to appear in the NEET-2026 examination at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Raipur.
His counsel informed the Court that the applicant had been preparing for the examination and had already received his admit card. The plea also requested that study material be provided to him while in jail.
The State opposed temporary bail, submitting that material had been collected during the investigation and that allegations against the applicant were serious. However, the State expressed no objection to arrangements being made for him to take the examination.
After considering the circumstances, the Court emphasized the applicant's status as a student and the importance of the upcoming examination.
The bench observed that, "in the interest of justice," it would be appropriate to permit the applicant to appear in the NEET examination under police custody rather than release him on temporary bail.
The High Court directed the Superintendent of Police, Raipur, and the concerned Jail Superintendent to ensure that the applicant is escorted to Kendriya Vidyalaya, Raipur, on June 21, 2026, under proper police custody and allowed to participate in the NEET-2026 examination.
The Court further ordered that the applicant be provided with relevant study material in jail, subject to prison rules. It also directed that immediately after completion of the examination, he must be returned to the jail where he is presently lodged.
With these directions, the Court disposed of the application seeking temporary relief and directed that the matter be listed again after three weeks, noting that the charge-sheet had not yet been filed.
Case Details
Case Title: Kunal Tarunakar v. State of Chhattisgarh
Case Number: MCRC No. 5244 of 2026
Judge: Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha
Decision Date: June 17, 2026
