Patna: The investigation into the alleged Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak has widened, with Bihar emerging as a key focus of the probe. Maharashtra’s Thane Police, working alongside the Bihar Special Task Force (STF), has launched coordinated operations across the state after three more suspected members of an alleged examination fraud network came under scrutiny.
Officials are conducting raids in Patna, Vaishali and Samastipur following fresh leads indicating that the alleged network operated across multiple states with individuals assigned different roles.
Hajipur Youth Detained for Questioning
A young man identified as Sonu has been detained in Hajipur, Vaishali district, and is being questioned by investigators, according to sources.
Police suspect that Sonu provided his vehicle to the prime accused, Bijendra Gupta, allegedly helping him leave Bihar after the case surfaced. Investigators are examining whether his involvement was limited to providing the vehicle or whether he played a broader role in the alleged paper leak network.
Earlier, Maharashtra Police arrested Suman Kumari, the wife of Bijendra Gupta, from the Gandhi Nagar area under the Agamkuan police station limits in Patna. Following interrogation, she was remanded to judicial custody.
Prime Accused Still Absconding
The two principal accused in the case—Bijendra Gupta, a resident of Samastipur, and Kapil Dahiya of Haryana—remain absconding.
Joint teams of the Maharashtra Police and Bihar STF are conducting searches at suspected hideouts in Patna, Vaishali and Samastipur. Separately, Bihar Police are also searching for Bijendra Gupta in connection with another case registered at Danapur police station.
Investigators believe both accused may have established contacts across several states, prompting a wider investigation.
Probe Reaches Agra Printing Press
Investigators have traced the printing of the Maharashtra State Council of Examination’s TET question papers to a printing press in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
According to the investigation, the papers were transported under security to examination centres in Washim, Jalna and Latur districts of Maharashtra. Police are now examining whether the alleged leak occurred during printing or at some point while the papers were being transported.
Hotel Arrests Led to Major Breakthrough
The investigation gathered momentum after Thane Police arrested three suspects from a hotel in the Kongaon area of Bhiwandi on June 27.
The arrested individuals were identified as Rajiv Shah and Akash, both from Patna, and Dheeraj from Haryana. Police said four sets of TET examination question papers were recovered during the operation.
Interrogation of the three accused reportedly led investigators to Bijendra Gupta and Kapil Dahiya, expanding the investigation into Bihar and Haryana.
Financial Records and Contacts Under Examination
According to investigating agencies, Bijendra Gupta had been living with his family in a rented flat in Patna’s Gandhi Nagar area while presenting himself as a businessman.
Residents told investigators that he frequently travelled for work and had not attracted suspicion. Police are now examining his financial transactions, mobile phone records and personal contacts to establish the full extent of the alleged network.
Lookout Notices Under Consideration
Investigative agencies suspect the absconding accused may attempt to leave the country. Officials are preparing to issue lookout notices against Bijendra Gupta and Kapil Dahiya to prevent any possible escape.
Police are also considering invoking stricter legal provisions relating to organised crime as the investigation progresses. Officials said the probe remains ongoing and that more individuals linked to the alleged examination paper leak syndicate could be identified in the coming days.
