Uttarakhand Technical University (UTU) has cancelled two B. Tech semester examinations due to an alleged paper leak that came to light on Thursday, July 20. The administration took immediate action in response to the possible breach of examination integrity, prioritising the protection of fair assessment standards.

The investigation began after the Dehradun Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) in connection with the incident. The accused, Ashish Kumar Gupta, an Assistant Professor at Shivalik College of Engineering, was reportedly involved in setting the question paper for the subject Machine Learning for Internet of Things.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramendra Dobhal confirmed that Gupta allegedly compromised the confidentiality of the examination process. Reports indicated that several questions from the exam were circulated in a WhatsApp group operated by the college, raising concerns about the integrity of the assessments.

Police Action and Investigation Details

The Premnagar Police Station has registered a case (No. 144/26) that includes charges under Sections 316 (criminal breach of trust), 318(4) (cheating), and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Following a complaint lodged by Vinay Kumar Patel, the Examination Controller of UTU, the police launched a thorough investigation into the matter.

In his complaint, Patel alleged that the question paper for internal examinations scheduled on July 7 and 8 was leaked by Gupta, who is believed to have acted to favour specific individuals. This serious accusation triggered an immediate response from law enforcement, which included seizing all documents related to the examination and the leaked paper.

SSP Dobhal highlighted that the authorities are examining the details comprehensively, and any individual who benefited from the leak will also be scrutinised. The police have indicated that Gupta will be presented in court as part of the ongoing investigation.

Broader Implications and Government Response

The alleged paper leak has not occurred in isolation but comes at a time of heightened scrutiny regarding examination integrity in the region. In recent months, there have been widespread protests related to the NEET-UG paper leak which occurred in May, necessitating a re-examination on June 21.

The Chief Minister has directed that any irregularities be swiftly and decisively addressed, underscoring the government’s commitment to maintaining a transparent educational environment. This directive aims to restore confidence among students and the public regarding the fairness of examinations in higher education institutions.

As investigations proceed, the university administration has pledged to uphold the principles of integrity and fairness in all its examination processes. The incident is likely to prompt further discussions about the measures needed to prevent such occurrences in the future, ensuring that the educational system operates without malfeasance.

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