Mumbai: A month after the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) question paper was leaked, the alleged mastermind, Bijendra Gupta, remains at large, fueling ongoing protests and calls for accountability. The delay in apprehending Gupta and announcing a new examination date has intensified pressure on the state government, with student groups demanding the resignation of the School Education Minister. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has so far arrested 12 individuals in connection with the leak, but Gupta, described as a former coaching class teacher with previous paper leak case associations, is believed to have fled the country.
According to investigators, Gupta allegedly lured two employees of an Agra-based printing press, where the TET papers were printed, with promises of land. He also reportedly provided them with cash for a ‘liquor party.’ These employees are accused of exploiting loopholes in the printing press’s security system to smuggle out copies of the question papers. These papers were then allegedly passed on to Gupta, who, through an arrested associate, was arranging to sell them to approximately 50 teacher aspirants. The paper leak was initially foiled on June 27, a day before the examination, when the Bhiwandi police, acting on a tip-off, apprehended three individuals attempting to sell the leaked papers.
The investigation has revealed an alleged interstate network involved in the scam, with teams deployed to multiple states including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Agra. Gupta’s wife was arrested in Patna, and authorities are also searching for individuals who had agreed to purchase the leaked papers and have since gone underground. The Maharashtra government is reportedly considering invoking the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused.
The Maharashtra TET paper leak has come under national scrutiny, drawing parallels with the NEET-UG paper leak controversy. Student organizations have intensified their campaigns, demanding reforms in the examination system and action against those involved. Protests have been staged in Mumbai and other locations, with participants calling for transparency and fairness in recruitment processes. The delayed announcement of a fresh examination date for the TET exam has added to the aspirants’ anxiety, with nearly six lakh candidates awaiting clarity on the way forward.
The investigation into the TET paper leak began when Thane police received information about individuals selling question papers in Bhiwandi. A raid led to the arrest of three suspects, and subsequent verification by officials from the Maharashtra State Examination Council confirmed that the seized documents contained questions matching the actual TET 2026 paper. This led to the registration of a criminal case and the formation of the SIT. The examination, originally scheduled for June 28, was postponed to facilitate the in-depth investigation, as the examination body emphasized the need to uphold the credibility of the process.
The scope of the investigation has broadened, with senior police officials suspecting the involvement of an organized interstate syndicate. The focus is on digital communication channels, intermediaries, and potential links to other examination fraud networks. The alleged deal for the leaked papers is reportedly valued at around ₹1.5 crore. Bijendra Gupta, the alleged mastermind, has a history of involvement in similar paper leak scandals spanning over two decades in various states. An India Today sting operation from 2024, featuring Gupta, has also come into focus amidst the ongoing investigation.
The integrity of competitive examinations in India has been a subject of significant debate, with multiple alleged paper leaks coming to light. The Maharashtra TET case, alongside the NEET controversy, has amplified demands for robust mechanisms to prevent such irregularities and ensure a level playing field for all aspirants. The chargesheet in the TET case is expected to be filed as the investigation progresses, with authorities keen to apprehend the remaining absconding individuals and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Chenab Times News Desk