Odisha Matric exam: School headmaster among 8 arrested for question paper ‘leak’

As many as eight persons including a headmaster were arrested on late Tuesday night in connection with the alleged Matric question paper leak at RK Shakuntala High School in Rupra under Kesinga block in Kalahandi district.

Interestingly, the Odisha government has denied any question paper leak in the High School Certificate (HSC) examination that concluded on March 20.    

Among the arrested was Pranabandhu Sahu, a school headmaster who was appointed as the examination controller. All the arrested persons have been forwarded to the court today. As many as 22 mobile phones, five laptops, one CPU, a pen drive and net cash of Rs 18,950 were seized from their possession.

As per sources, the State Education Department had filed a complaint with Kalahandi SP on March 14 in connection with the alleged Matric question paper leak. Kalahandi police took the matter seriously and following an investigation into the incident nabbed eight persons. 

Further investigation into the incident is underway.

As per reports, all the accused were making photocopies of fake question papers and distributing them among the candidates.

Earlier on March 18, Kesinga police had detained as many as six persons. However, they were later released following questioning.

Notably, Opposition parties including the BJP and Congress cornered the Odisha Government in the Assembly by alleging that the question paper of Class 10 or the matriculation examination was leaked.