The Delhi Crime Branch interrogated over 30 people in connection with the CBSE paper leak case, most of whom either study or teach at coaching centres. Over a dozen mobile phones belonging to these people were also seized by the police, reported ANI
The Delhi Crime Branch interrogated the CBSE controller of examination for some four hours over the paper leak case, the police told NDTV. At least 1,000 students could have had access to the examination papers, they report added.
Private coaching institute owner Vicky is being considered as the main suspect behind the alleged paper leak. A woman tutor who ran a coaching centre in south east Delhi and was an administrator of a WhatsApp, is also under the scanner.
Amid the protests, Anita Karwal, chairman of CBSE has said that the board’s decision of taking a re-exam is in the best interest of the students. The police has sought reply from Google about the email that was sent to Karwal from a Gmail ID with images of handwritten questions papers.
We have taken decision in favour of the students. We are working for their good. Dates for re-examination will be announced soon.Anita Karwal, Chairman, CBSE
Karwal has come under attack for not responding to the leak under her administration. Meanwhile, HRD minister Prakash Javadekar said that as a parent, he can understand what thousands of families must be going through. Javadekar vowed to not spare the guilty in the unprecedented paper leak, especially having nabbed the “four accused in the SSC scam”.
Anguished Students Protest at Jantar Mantar
Disbelief, disappointment and anger about CBSE’s decision to re-conduct the Maths and Economics exams motivated a protest by students at Jantar Mantar early morning in the capital on 29 March, News18 reported. While the dates for re-examination will be announced in a week’s time, the fate of students hangs in balance as CBSE officials go on a four-day extended leave on account of the gazetted holidays, the report added.
While appealing for justice to be served, students told ANI, “Either there should re-examinations of all subjects or else of none.”
According to News18, the message for the strike sent to the lakhs of students said:
To all the Class 12 students who gave their best efforts in preparation of their examination, this is to inform you all that we would not be quiet against the unjust move by CBSE to cancel our economics exam. A bunch of non-hard working students indulged in unethical activities, why should we all suffer? Join us for the cancellation of the re-examination.
Blame Game Begins
Congress President Rahul Gandhi attacked the Centre by listing the alleged “leaks" that have taken place during its tenure.
Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that a fair and impartial investigation into the paper leak issue is impossible without removing Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar and CBSE Chairperson Anita Karwal from their current positions.
Pointing out the error with the evaluation of Class 12 exams in 2017, Surjewala asked the government why the “post of CBSE chairman was lying vacant for 2 years?” He also launched a scathing attack on the Centre for its past history of scams, including Vyapam and SSC.
Condemning the incident, Ramesh Chand Jain, President of Delhi School Association, questioned the silence of the CBSE Chairman Anita Karwal and asked for a statement by CBSE chairman.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, at a press conference on Thursday, assured that those involved in the leak will not be spared and will be arrested soon.
This is a very unfortunate development, I understand the pain the parents and students have to go through. Whoever is involved in the paper leak will not be spared, police will soon arrest the culprits.Prakash Javadekar, Union HRD Minister
CBSE Exam Paper Leak: Police Set Up SIT, Try to Connect Dots
As students took the CBSE Economics exam on 26 March, the CBSE Academic Unit at Rouse Avenue received an “unaddressed envelope” containing four sheets of handwritten answers of the economics paper, indicating that the question paper had been leaked and circulated on WhatsApp groups, Indian Express reported, quoting an FIR on 29 March.
Two cases were registered with the Crime Branch after CBSE’s complaints, the report said. The FIR names a tutor and two schools as parties involved in the racket.
In the first case, the Board received a complaint through fax on 23 March. It alleged that a tutor running a coaching institute in Rajindar Nagar is allegedly involved in the paper leak, the report stated.
According to Express, a case was lodged under sections 406, 420 and 120B of the IPC after CBSE approached the Crime Branch with another complaint on 26 March.
Reportedly, a west Delhi-based businessman, who has emerged as a suspect in the Class X mathematics paper leak, is now on the radar of the crime branch team.
A tutor had informed the police that his students had received a handwritten page with math questions. The daily’s report said that on the police’s visit to Madipur, the place where the tutor runs a coaching centre, the paper with the nine questions were found.
After a round of questioning with the eight people, it was discovered that the businessman involved was missing and couldn’t be reached on his phone, Express reported. Delhi Police set up an SIT split into two teams, each headed by a DCP-level officer.
The cases have been registered under charges of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and cheating, on the basis of complaints received from the regional director of CBSE, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Alok Kumar said.
More than 28 lakh students have been affected by CBSE decision on Wednesday to re-conduct examination for two papers of Class X and XII.
(With inputs from Indian Express, PTI, News18 , NDTV)
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