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The Maharashtra Police on Saturday arrested the prime accused in the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak case from Patna, Bihar, and brought him to Maharashtra for further investigation, officials said.
The main accused, identified as Bijendra Kumar Baleshwar Shah, along with his associate Indrajeet Singh alias Piku, was brought to Bhiwandi after being arrested by the Bhiwandi Police in Patna. Both accused were taken to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Zone-2 office in Bhiwandi, where they are being interrogated as part of the ongoing investigation. According to the police, Bijendra Kumar had been absconding for nearly a month before his arrest. With these latest arrests, the total number of accused apprehended in connection with the TET paper leak case has risen to 14. Police added that the investigation is now focused on unearthing the entire paper leak network and identifying the roles of other individuals involved in the racket. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, had earlier criticised the Maharashtra government, alleging that around six lakh candidates have been left in limbo with no fresh examination date announced even two weeks after the cancellation. In a post on X, the LoP wrote, "Maharashtra TET paper leaked, exam cancelled. 6 lakh candidates left in limbo. Two weeks have passed, no trace of a new date. The leakers roam free, the system remains spotless, and the one paying the price is the one who toiled with honesty." Rahul Gandhi alleged that those responsible for the paper leak had not faced action, while students and aspirants who prepared for the examination were suffering due to the disruption. "These are the country's working and future teachers, the ones who hold India's future in their hands--these are the very people who prepared year after year, filled out forms, paid fees, and travelled to far-flung centers. And now they're just waiting, without a date, without answers," he added. Seeking immediate steps from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Gandhi demanded the announcement of a fresh examination schedule, strict action against those involved in the alleged leak, and age relaxation for candidates affected by the cancellation. The Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) had postponed the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), which was scheduled for June 28 across the state, after an alleged question paper leak surfaced during a police investigation in Bhiwandi. According to the Council, the examination was scheduled to be held across 1,028 centres in Maharashtra. In its public notice, the MSCE stated that despite implementing security measures following irregularities reported during the NEET examination, confidential information received early on Saturday indicated that certain individuals in Bhiwandi were allegedly in possession of information related to the TET question paper. (ANI)
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