CID questions 15 for PU paper leaks

The Karnataka Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Thursday detained and examined about 15 persons suspected to be part of a network of racketeers involved in a series of II Pre-University question paper leaks, with its investigation so far indicating the connivance of officials of the Department of PU Education (DPUE).

Among those questioned are two women, a few lecturers and some middlemen suspected to have been involved in the leakage and dissemination of the leaked papers, including Mathematics, Physics and Biology, at Chintamani in Chikkaballapur, Kolar, Chikmagalur and Bangalore.

While CID officials remained tightlipped over the detentions, reliable sources said the scope of the investigation had narrowed down the suspects to some DPUE officials, lecturers and middlemen.

The CID, which also recorded statements of some of them, remained non-commital about the antecedents of these persons.

Officials in the DPUE commissioner’s office are under suspicion, but information with the state intelligence bureau (IB) points to the probable involvement of some DPUE officials who do not work at the headquarters here at Malleswaram anymore.

“The DPUE Commissioner (Rashmi Mahesh) has ushered in some reforms and was also responsible for several transfers of officials, some of whom could have conspired with lecturers and middlemen to defame her as well as the department,” the source said.

He added that about eight to 10 assistant directors were transferred since Mahesh took over last year. However, attempts to get confirmation on the transfers from Mahesh went in vain.

The source, while pointing out that among several measures like expediting the process of issuing duplicate marks cards and attempts to wipe out bribery, Mahesh wanted more seats in private colleges for meritorious students.

“She wanted the management quota in private colleges to reduce to 50 seats from 100,” the source said. It is widely suspected that the network that leaked the papers had support from the private college and tuition lobby.

 had said in the Legislative Assembly that a private tuition centre was responsible for the leaks earlier this week.

When asked if investigations have found evidence to indict any DPUE officials (including those transferred) in the leak racket, he said the matter was internal and would not be approriate to reveal at this juncture. But he emphasised that the “the commissioner will not go, she will stay.”

In a statement, the DPUE appealed to students not to heed to any rumours as the department has taken all precautionary measures to conduct the examination in a free and fair manner and maintain the sanctity of the examination.