The Nagpur crime branch arrested two individuals in connection with a viral phone call recording, in which someone allegedly asked an aspirant to pay Rs.40 lakh to obtain the 2024 question paper for the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Group B (Non-Gazetted) examination. The police made the arrests after receiving a tip-off from Pune police.
The police apprehended the accused, Deepak Sakhare, 25, from Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, and Yogesh Waghmare, 28, from Bhandara, in Bhandara. Authorities believe they were involved in a scheme to sell the examination question paper ahead of the highly anticipated MPSC exam, scheduled for Sunday. The investigation into the matter is ongoing, with police confirming that two other individuals, Ashish and Pradeep Kulpe, are still on the run.
Authorities first became aware of the situation after receiving a complaint from Pune, where the case originated. Following the alert, the police acted swiftly and made the arrests. The accused individuals were later handed over to Pune police for further legal action.
The Group B (Non-Gazetted) Services Combined Preliminary Examination 2024, scheduled for this Sunday, is expected to be one of the most competitive in recent years. With over 2.86 lakh candidates set to take the exam across Maharashtra, the alleged paper sale raises significant concerns about the integrity of the examination process.
In response to the incident, the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) issued a statement on Thursday. The commission confirmed that it had immediately contacted the Pune police to begin an investigation. The MPSC also reassured the public and candidates that measures are being taken to ensure the examination’s transparency and security.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by examination authorities in preventing cheating and maintaining the fairness of competitive exams. As the investigation continues, the MPSC has pledged to take strict action against anyone involved in compromising the integrity of the examination process.
The arrests of Sakhare and Waghmare serve as a reminder of the serious consequences faced by those who attempt to exploit the examination system for personal gain. With the exam just days away, authorities are on high alert to prevent any further attempts to disrupt the process.
