The Maharashtra Police, in a major breakthrough, arrested the mastermind behind the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test paper leak, Vijendra Gupta, who was on the run for several months, officials said. Gupta, who is suspected to have links with multiple examination paper leak cases across the country, had been on the run despite raids conducted at various locations in Bihar. Along with Gupta, another accused believed to be associated with the case was also arrested during the operation, the police said.
Earlier, the Maharashtra police arrested multiple accused in connection to the TET paper leak cases, including Gupta’s wife. Gupta, however, managed to evade the arrest, leading to the launch of an extensive search operation to trace his whereabouts. According to the investigators, Gupta is believed to have played a crucial role in several examination paper leak cases across the country, making him one of the most wanted accused in the TET paper leak case.
Following his arrest, the Maharashtra police is expected to bring Gupta to the state on transit remand for further investigation and interrogation into the case. Besides, his connection with other examination paper leak syndicates operating across the country are also being examined to determine the extent of the network and the possible involvement in similar cases.
Meanwhile, the Union Cabinet on Friday approved a draft bill proposing significant strict actions for paper leaks in competitive exams, shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly committed to introduce fast-track courts and enhance penalties to safeguard students’ futures.
The Cabinet meeting, chaired by the PM himself at the Parliament House complex, approved the amendments of the Public Examination Act 2024. In cases of organized paper leaks under the bill, a jail term of up to 10 years and a maximum fine of Rs 10 crore has been marked.