MPSC Paper Leak: Candidate Was Told to Answer 10 Questions Wrong, Say Police
MUMBAI — The Mumbai Crime Branch has uncovered WhatsApp chats showing that a candidate, Rutuja Patil, was allegedly instructed to deliberately answer 10 questions incorrectly after receiving leaked questions for the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Drug Inspector examination to avoid arousing suspicion.
According to investigators, the leaked study material contained 294 questions, of which 77 matched those in the actual examination paper. Rutuja, who cleared the March 22 test after receiving the advance material, remains absconding.
Six people have been arrested in connection with the paper leak so far. The arrested individuals include Rutuja’s father Amrit Patil; her former partner Lokesh alias Gaurav Rajendra Patil; Kautilya Academy director Pravin Patil; MPSC under secretary Abhijit Lendve; and MPSC assistant cell officers Vishweshwar Nakate and Gopal Marathe.
Investigators recovered WhatsApp conversations in which Rutuja allegedly told a friend that she had paid Rs 50 lakh for the question paper. When asked how she prepared for the exam, she allegedly replied that she did not study and warned her friend not to disclose the leak to workplace colleagues.
Police said the paper leak came to light after Gaurav Patil approached the MPSC following the breakdown of his relationship with Rutuja. Gaurav had allegedly obtained questions before the test and shared them with Rutuja, but later reported the matter after refusing a request to arrange Rs 5 lakh for officials, which was subsequently paid by Rutuja's father.
A complaint registered by Crime Branch inspector Mangesh Desai alleges that academy director Pravin Patil obtained the paper through Mayur Thackeray and handed a photocopy to Amrit Patil at Pathardi Phata in Nashik. The complaint further alleges that three MPSC officials received financial benefits.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Raj Tilak Roshan said the inquiry found only one candidate received and benefited from the question set, ruling out a mass leak. However, the MPSC has scrapped the entire recruitment process as a precautionary measure.
Crime Branch teams have searched residences of the accused in Nandurbar and are scrutinising bank accounts and digital communications. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that stern action will be taken and confirmed that a committee has been formed to recommend reforms in the conduct of state examinations.
