Stakeholders suspect more Bamu question paper leaks; demand wider probe

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Even as police have registered a case over the April 11 Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University question paper leak, suspicions have emerged that similar leaks may have occurred since the examinations began on April 7 and possibly for at least two subsequent papers.The leaked question paper originated from Rashtriya College, Hatnur, in Kannad taluka of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. The college was later barred from conducting examinations following the April 11 incident. However, sources claim that malpractice may have been underway earlier as well.A college principal, speaking on condition of anonymity, said suspicious behaviour was noticed among a group of students from the very start of the examinations. "The WhatsApp chats recovered from confiscated cellphones indicate that the leak may not have been limited to a single paper," the principal said.According to the chat details, miscreants allegedly charged 140 per student to share the question paper about one hour before the examination. "Although the amount may seem small, the large number of students appearing for the exams means the total illegal collection could be substantial," the principal added.More than 8,000 students appeared for the April 11 third-year BCom examination in the subject ‘Direct Taxes' across 144 centres in four Marathwada districts under the jurisdiction of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (Bamu).Student activist Tukaram Saraf called for a wider probe, saying it was necessary to ascertain whether multiple subjects and streams were affected. He noted that while the April 11 exam has been cancelled and a re-examination is scheduled for May 4, only a comprehensive investigation would determine if other papers also need to be retaken.The police have registered a case under sections 316(2) (criminal breach of trust) and 318(2) (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices at University, Board and Other Specified Examination Act, 1982, and the IT Act, 2000.Deputy superintendent of police (Kannad) Aparajita Agnihotri did not respond to calls or messages seeking comment. Bamu Vice-Chancellor Dr Vijay Phulari and examination and evaluation board director B N Dole were also unavailable for comment.