MPSC Drug Inspector Paper Leak: 7th-Rank Holder Arrested Over Alleged Advance Access to Exam Questions

Patil was arrested by the Property Cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch from Nandurbar on Tuesday. According to investigators, she allegedly obtained the examination question paper before the test. Police further allege that she was instructed to deliberately answer 10 questions incorrectly so that her performance would not appear suspicious.

After her arrest, Patil was produced before a court and was remanded to the custody of the Mumbai Crime Branch for further investigation.

Her arrest comes days after the Crime Branch arrested six other people in connection with the alleged leakage of the question paper for the Drug Inspector (Group-B) screening examination, which was conducted on March 22. Among those arrested were three MPSC officials.

The other accused have been identified as MPSC Assistant Section Officers Vishweshwar Dattatraya Nakate and Gopal Bhattu Marathe, MPSC Under Secretary Abhijit Ganpatrao Lendwe, Kautilya Academy Director Pravin Dilip Patil, and alleged co-conspirators Amrut Namdeo Patil and Lokesh alias Gaurav Rajendra Patil.

According to the Mumbai Crime Branch, the accused allegedly managed to access the examination questions before the test. The questions were reportedly compiled into a separate set and then distributed to unauthorised individuals.

The examination was conducted for recruitment to Drug Inspector (Group-B) posts under the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration department. The screening examination was held offline on March 22 at six divisional headquarters across Maharashtra.

A preliminary inquiry subsequently indicated that the confidentiality of the examination process had been compromised. Following the inquiry, the MPSC cancelled the recruitment process and announced that a fresh examination would be conducted.

The commission stated that the decision was taken to ensure that all candidates received a fair and equal opportunity. It also said that the move was necessary to protect the integrity, transparency and impartiality of the examination process.

The original examination results were declared on June 12, after which 506 candidates were found eligible to appear for interviews. Of these, 488 candidates appeared for interviews conducted between July 1 and July 22.

The MPSC later released a provisional general merit list comprising the 488 candidates who appeared for the interviews. Among them, 485 candidates were found eligible for appointment.

However, the commission received complaints alleging irregularities in the screening examination between July 22 and July 26. The complaints were submitted by candidates as well as public representatives.

The complaints alleged that certain candidates had obtained the question paper, or questions taken from it, before the examination. It was further alleged that the leaked material was subsequently circulated through electronic platforms.

The case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices at Competitive Examinations Act and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The allegations include cheating, criminal breach of trust, criminal conspiracy and corruption by public servants.

Times of India reports that the Crime Branch's investigation centres on allegations that the examination questions were accessed before the test and distributed among unauthorised persons, with Patil allegedly receiving the leaked paper and being instructed to intentionally answer 10 questions incorrectly. The Mumbai Crime Branch is continuing its investigation into the alleged examination leak and the roles of the seven arrested individuals. The allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.