Two Arrested in Maharashtra Exam Paper Leak Incident

Incident Overview

New Delhi: Just before the commencement of the Maharashtra State Secondary and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination in Nagpur, two individuals were apprehended following the leak of a chemistry question paper on a WhatsApp group. Authorities clarified that this incident does not constitute a leak of the question paper, and no re-examination will be conducted.

Ongoing Investigation

According to police reports, one of the suspects is linked to a small tutoring center, while the other was a member of the WhatsApp group where the question paper was shared.

Authorities stated that the identities of the accused cannot be disclosed until the main source of the material's dissemination is identified. As the board examinations are still ongoing, students have not yet been questioned.

Details of the Incident

This situation came to light on February 18 in the Mankapur area of Nagpur. An inspector at St. Ursula College became suspicious when a student spent nearly 20 minutes in the restroom during the chemistry exam, which was scheduled to start at 11 AM.

Discovery of the Phone

Phone Found During Search

Upon searching the student, a mobile phone was discovered, which is prohibited inside the examination hall. A review of the phone revealed that a picture of the chemistry question paper was sent to the WhatsApp group between 10:37 and 10:40 AM.

Officials also learned that the physics exam paper, conducted on February 16, had been shared in the same group earlier that day. It is reported that around 12 students were part of that group.

No Advantage Gained

No Benefit to the Student

During the preliminary investigation, it was found that while the student received the message, she did not open it and did not use her phone during the exam. This indicates that she did not gain any advantage from the incident.

Subsequently, another student from the same group was interrogated, and it was confirmed through her phone that she was a member of the group, prompting police to continue their investigation.

Board's Statement

No Re-examination Planned

Officials from the board have confirmed that the HSC examinations will proceed as scheduled, as the issue was confined to a single WhatsApp group involving only a few students.