The Maharashtra Police has achieved a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation of the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak case by arresting Suman, the spouse of the alleged mastermind Bijendra Gupta, in Bihar. Reports indicate that Suman had knowledge of the operations surrounding the paper leak racket, and investigators suggest that Gupta conducted numerous financial transactions while she was present.

Preliminary investigations have unveiled that Gupta purportedly earned crores of rupees through this illicit network. Authorities suspect that these financial gains were used to purchase various properties, including a flat in Delhi and a residence in Patna. The police are currently examining the manner in which Gupta acquired these assets given that he reportedly has no identifiable source of regular income.

As the investigation unfolds, Gupta remains at large. Spotlighting the urgency of the situation, the Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) decided to postpone the TET, originally slated for June 28, amid concerns of a potential leak of the question paper.

Arrests and Ongoing Investigations

To date, law enforcement officials have arrested three individuals in connection with the suspected paper leak. The authorities recovered four sets of question papers during a trap operation conducted in the Kongaon region of Thane district. The apprehended suspects—Akash, Rajiv, and Dheeraj—travelled from Delhi to participate in the scheme. Among them, one is a resident of Haryana, while the other two hail from Bihar.

Following the initial arrests, further inquiries identified Gupta as the alleged mastermind behind the operation. Investigators believe that the question papers were sourced from Delhi, with the accused demanding approximately Rs 1.5 crore in exchange for the leaked materials. The demand and the nefarious operations illustrate the deep-rooted challenges faced by the education system in Maharashtra.

As the probe into Gupta’s activities continues, authorities are keen on dismantling the entire network involved in the operation. The ramifications of this investigation have implications for future examinations and the integrity of educational assessments in the region.

Bijendra Gupta: A History of Allegations

Bijendra Gupta, who resides in Samastipur, Bihar, has frequently been embroiled in controversies related to examination paper leaks. Over the years, he has allegedly been associated with numerous such incidents and has reportedly evaded capture on several occasions. The search for Gupta by the Maharashtra Police persists as they aim to bring him to justice for his alleged crimes.

Recent revelations brought to light by a sting operation conducted by India Today in 2024 have further amplified scrutiny around Gupta. In this undercover investigation—following an alleged NEET-UG paper leak—Gupta was filmed discussing his involvement in the paper leak network, making various disconcerting claims about its inner workings.

During the sting, Gupta purportedly claimed to have dedicated over 25 years to the paper leak enterprise, citing involvement in several high-profile leaks, including those related to the Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC), the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), and the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) examinations. He detailed how question papers were allegedly compromised during transport and noted the continued involvement of disqualified firms in securing transportation contracts.

Gupta’s concluding remarks during the sting operation were particularly disturbing, as he suggested that such fraudulent activities would persist despite legal consequences: “We’ll go to jail, get bail, and the game will continue,” he stated, emphasising the ongoing threat to educational integrity.

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