Patna: The investigation into the alleged Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) TRE-3 teacher recruitment examination paper leak has widened, with the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) arresting an MBBS doctor accused of helping execute the alleged conspiracy.
The agency said Dr Manish Kumar, a former government doctor, was arrested for allegedly facilitating the movement of candidates who investigators claim were shown the examination paper before the test.
With the latest arrest, the total number of people arrested in connection with the case has risen to 296, according to the EOU.
Alleged Role In Transporting Candidates
Investigators allege that Dr Kumar arranged a vehicle to transport around 30 candidates from Patna to Hazaribagh in Jharkhand two to three days before the examination.
According to the EOU, the candidates were allegedly taken to a hotel where they were shown the question paper in advance in an attempt to improve their performance in the recruitment examination.
The agency claims that after dropping the candidates at the hotel, Dr Kumar returned to Patna.
The allegations have not yet been tested in court.
Alleged Financial Motive
The EOU alleges that Dr Kumar was promised Rs 50,000 per candidate for arranging the transportation.
Investigators claim the broader objective of the alleged conspiracy was to leak the examination paper and enable selected candidates to qualify in the teacher recruitment examination.
The agency is continuing to investigate the financial and organisational aspects of the alleged network.
Link To Alleged Kingpin’s Family
According to the EOU, the investigation has also revealed that Dr Kumar was acquainted with Dr Shiv, who is alleged to be the son of Sanjeev Mukhiya, the alleged kingpin of the examination-rigging network.
Investigators claim the alleged conspiracy to leak the TRE-3 examination paper and facilitate the recruitment of candidates operated through this network.
The EOU has not disclosed whether additional arrests are imminent.
From Government Doctor To Criminal Investigation
Dr Kumar completed his MBBS from Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), Patna, in 2021, according to investigators.
He subsequently worked as a government doctor in Kaimur district before resigning from his post to prepare for postgraduate medical entrance examinations.
His arrest marks another development in one of Bihar’s largest alleged examination fraud investigations.
Investigation Continues
The Economic Offences Unit said its investigation into the TRE-3 paper leak remains ongoing and that action would continue against individuals and organised groups allegedly involved in leaking competitive examination papers for financial gain.
The agency said it would initiate legal proceedings against anyone whose involvement emerges during the course of the investigation.
The BPSC TRE-3 paper leak case has already led to hundreds of arrests, with investigators continuing to examine the roles of alleged facilitators, intermediaries and other individuals suspected of participating in the alleged examination fraud.
