MUMBAI: Maharashtra’s examination system faced fresh scrutiny on Monday as NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar stepped up allegations of irregularities in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examination for recruitment of drug inspectors, while the number of arrests in the separate Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak case rose to 15.Rohit Pawar on Monday stepped up his attack over alleged irregularities in the MPSC examination for recruitment of drug inspectors, demanding an independent probe into the matter.The MPSC, however, said it had found inconsistencies in the complaint and announced that it would lodge an FIR to protect the credibility of the commission.The controversy intensified after Pawar met food and drug administration commissioner tukaram Mundhe along with competitive examination aspirants.In a post on X, Pawar said he urged Mundhe to ensure an “independent, impartial and time-bound inquiry” into the alleged paper leak.Pawar said a memorandum had been submitted to Mundhe and expressed confidence that the MPSC, which conducted the examination, would take appropriate action after receiving all relevant documents.According to news agency PTI, MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar issued a detailed clarification on the allegations.The MPSC had conducted the drug inspector examination on March 22 for around 31,000 candidates and declared the results on June 12. Interviews were held from July 1 to July 12, following which the provisional merit list was published, Bhimanwar said.“The commission received an email on July 21 alleging malpractice and seeking cancellation of the examination but found the complaint vague and asked the complainant to furnish evidence. Another email received on July 23 contained screenshots of WhatsApp chats claiming the March 22 question paper had been circulated on March 20,” he said.The complainants were contacted and asked to submit evidence and visit the MPSC office, but no one turned up, Bhimanwar said.He said the commission had also summoned candidates whose names figured in the complaint.“On July 26, the complainant sent another email claiming the allegations were based on incorrect assumptions and admitting he had attempted to create doubts over the examination after failing to qualify because the recruitment was being held after 12 to 14 years and might not be conducted again for another decade,” he said.“However, to maintain the stature of the Commission, we are in the process of filing an FIR. Whatever the police probe reveals, we will take action accordingly,” Bhimanwar said.He identified the complainant as Gaurav alias Lokesh Patil and the candidate as Rushikesh Gangurde.“However, Gangurde has posted a statement on Instagram saying he is firm on his complaint. We will hear him out and police will carry out their probe. We want students to have confidence in MPSC,” Bhimanwar added.In a post on X, Gangurde said he had not withdrawn his allegations.“I have not withdrawn my complaint. Gaurav and his father came to me. They said they want to live there. They are under pressure,” he said in a social media post.Gangurde urged students to file their complaints with the MPSC and seek clarification.Addressing a press conference earlier, Pawar alleged that the recruitment process had been compromised and demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).“The entire MPSC paper may not have been leaked, but the person who set the paper was compromised. The question paper was allegedly shared with candidates through WhatsApp and deleted within five minutes. The matter came to light after one of the recipients forwarded the questions to a friend,” he claimed.Pawar alleged that students had submitted a complaint to the MPSC on July 21 but no action was taken and that they were instead threatened with police action.He also questioned how the son and daughter of a deputy tehsildar secured 13th and 16th ranks in the examination. His party had found a “Barshi connection” in the alleged irregularities, he added. Barshi is a tehsil in Solapur district.Pawar also said one of the accused in the TET paper leak case was associated with the BJP.Responding to the allegations, Kautilya Academy director Pravin Patil denied any wrongdoing.“I have committed no offence. I have never heard of an MPSC paper leak. The students concerned visited me only for guidance on interview preparation. The WhatsApp chats and recordings are being presented in a misleading manner. I am ready to face any inquiry. The allegations against me are false,” Patil said.Later in the day, Pawar questioned a handwritten statement purportedly by some students claiming that the complaint about the alleged paper leak had been made in jest.In a post on X, he asked how the authorities could describe the complaint as a joke while simultaneously acknowledging screenshots of the question paper.He also questioned why an inquiry had been initiated if the complaint was not genuine.“Students may have been threatened into writing the statement, but the truth can never be hidden. Every attempt to suppress it only exposes more inconsistencies. The youth are intelligent and will ensure that the truth comes out,” Pawar said.The Maharashtra Congress, in a post, sought a thorough probe, adding that the party would stand with students if the MPSC was using pressure tactics against them.Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare alleged that pressure had been exerted on the complainant and claimed he was not reachable.She also questioned why Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had not spoken on the issue.TET paper leak case: Accused surrenders, arrests reach 15Meanwhile, in the separate TET paper leak case, a suspect surrendered before a court in Bhiwandi on Monday and was subsequently arrested, taking the total number of those held to 15, an official said, according to news agency PTI.Defence counsel advocate Shailesh Gaikwad said Sonu Kumar Diwakar surrendered following the arrest of the alleged main kingpin, Bijendra Gupta.Following his surrender, the court directed the police to submit their plea regarding custody, after which Bhiwandi police formally took custody of Diwakar for further interrogation, Gaikwad said.Of the 14 persons arrested earlier, 12 are in judicial custody, while alleged mastermind Gupta and his aide Indrajit Singh are in police custody.Gaikwad said the bail applications filed on behalf of Gupta’s wife Suman Kumari and co-accused Naresh Kumar Mahaur, Sanjay Kumar Sharma and Mithun Kumar will be heard by the Bhiwandi court on July 29.The initial FIR in the TET paper leak case was registered by Bhiwandi police on June 26.The racket was allegedly exposed a day before the TET 2026 examination after Bhiwandi police received specific information that a gang from Delhi had arrived in the area to sell TET question paper sets for Rs 1.5 crore.Under the guidance of DCP Pawan Bansod, a police team laid a trap along the Mumbai-Nashik Highway under Kongaon police station and intercepted three persons, seizing mobile phones, cash and four sets of TET question papers.Subsequent verification by the Maharashtra State Council of Examinations confirmed that the seized papers matched the actual examination papers, leading to the registration of an FIR at the local police station, officials said.(With agency inputs)
