Crime Branch Details Money Trail in MPSC Drug Inspector Exam Paper Leak Case

The Mumbai crime branch probing the Maharashtra Public Service Commission exam leak revealed that Rutuja Patil, who cleared the exams for FDA inspectors, had asked her boyfriend Gaurav Patil to arrange Rs 5 lakh to pay officials for the question paper. Gaurav reportedly refused due to financial constraints, after which Rutuja's father, Amrit Patil, arranged the money.

Rutuja is currently on the run, while her father Amrit Patil remains in police custody. The crime branch also searched the residences of several accused individuals in Nandurbar and is scrutinising bank transactions, digital communications, and financial records to establish the full money trail.

According to investigators, the plan was hatched in March, and the paper was leaked two days prior to the examination. Police suspect Amrit Patil, a teacher, approached Pravin Patil, who then contacted MPSC official Gopal Marathe. Marathe allegedly took two other officials into confidence.

Investigators allege that Vishweshwar Nakate, who was coordinating the examination, obtained 294 questions prepared by experts and created a separate question set. Nakate allegedly handed the set to under secretary Lendve in the parking area of the MPSC office. Lendve then allegedly passed it to Marathe at the same location, who handed it to Pravin Patil inside the commission premises. Police are also investigating claims that a photocopy was delivered to Amrit Patil at Pathardi Phata in Nashik via intermediary Mayur Thackeray, who is currently absconding.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday that stern action will be taken regardless of political affiliations. Fadnavis stated that while the leak was confined to one individual rather than a mass leak, the MPSC scrapped the entire recruitment process as a precaution. The state government has set up a committee to recommend examination reforms, while MPSC has been instructed to implement internal changes.