Patna: The alleged question paper leak in Bihar’s Sub-Inspector recruitment main examination has taken a new turn, with the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) taking over the investigation into cases registered in Purnia and Gaya.
The EOU will examine both cases together and investigate whether there was a connection between the individuals and networks allegedly involved in the two incidents. Investigators are expected to scrutinise WhatsApp groups, mobile phone data, call records and other digital evidence.
The main focus will be on tracing how photographs of the examination question paper were allegedly captured and circulated and whether the material from Purnia eventually reached an alleged solver network in Gaya.
Purnia and Gaya Cases to Be Examined Together
The EOU has taken charge of cases registered at the Purnia Cyber Police Station and Rampur Police Station in Gaya.
Investigating officers associated with both cases have been called to Patna. They are expected to submit case diaries, seizure lists, electronic devices and forensic material collected during the initial investigations.
The EOU will then examine the evidence from both cases together to establish whether the accused individuals had direct or indirect contact and whether the same network was involved.
Investigators will also trace the mobile numbers and WhatsApp accounts allegedly used to circulate photographs of the question paper.
WhatsApp Chats and Digital Evidence Under Scanner
Digital evidence is expected to play a key role in the investigation. The EOU is likely to examine mobile phones, WhatsApp conversations, call detail records, electronic devices and GPS-related timestamps.
Investigators will attempt to establish when the question paper photographs were taken, which device was used to capture them, who received the images and how quickly they were circulated.
An alleged WhatsApp group named ‘XYZ’ has also surfaced in connection with the Gaya case. Investigators will seek to identify its members and determine whether the group was used to transmit examination questions to individuals allegedly involved in solving them.
Purnia Case: Invigilator Accused of Photographing Question Paper
In the Purnia case, Mrityunjay Kumar, an invigilator posted at Government Girls’ High School, has been accused of taking question papers belonging to absent candidates to a storeroom and allegedly photographing them.
The photographs were reportedly sent through WhatsApp to his cousin, Pappu Kumar, a resident of Mansi in Khagaria.
Police are investigating whether Pappu Kumar subsequently forwarded the question paper to an alleged solver network. He is reportedly absconding, and a court notice has been issued against him.
Walkie-Talkie and Digital Devices Recovered in Gaya
The Gaya investigation brought another alleged network to light during the Sub-Inspector recruitment examination.
Police reportedly apprehended Ashutosh, a resident of Nalanda, near a temple close to the examination centre. A walkie-talkie, Bluetooth device and other electronic equipment were allegedly recovered from him.
The investigation has also named Pramod of Chandi and Deepak of Ara, who are reportedly absconding.
Police have also gathered information about an alleged 11-member WhatsApp group that was reportedly being used to facilitate the solving of examination questions. The EOU is expected to examine the group’s digital history and identify its members.
Candidate Allegedly Supplied Digital Devices
Another name to emerge in the Gaya case is Mukesh, a Patna resident and reportedly a candidate in the Sub-Inspector recruitment examination.
According to the police investigation, Mukesh allegedly provided three digital devices to Ashutosh. Arjun has reportedly been identified as an alleged solver involved in answering the examination questions.
Several individuals, including Deepak, Pramod, Mukesh, Aman and Arjun, have been named in connection with the investigation, with some reportedly absconding.
Bihar SI Main Examination Held on May 27
The Bihar Police Subordinate Services Commission (BPSSC) conducted the main examination for the recruitment of 1,799 Sub-Inspectors on May 27.
During the examination, allegations emerged that photographs of question papers had been taken in Purnia. Images of the question paper, question booklet and blank OMR sheets subsequently circulated on social media.
Candidates raised concerns over the alleged irregularities and demanded cancellation of the examination. The matter also reached the Patna High Court, where the state government and the commission were asked to respond to a petition filed by candidates.
Results Declared, Physical Test Postponed
Despite the controversy, the BPSSC declared the results for 10,759 candidates on June 19. The next stage was scheduled to be the Physical Efficiency Test (PET).
However, amid the paper leak allegations and the ongoing legal proceedings, the BPSSC postponed the physical test until further orders following directions from the Home Department.
With the EOU now investigating the Purnia and Gaya cases together, the key question is whether investigators can establish a digital or operational link between the two alleged incidents and determine whether they were part of a wider examination-related network.
