Police to be on their toes to prevent PU question paper leaks

DPUE writes to state police chief, seeks safety of confidential material

 The Department of Pre-University Education (DPUE) has requested the police to secure II PUC examination centres and ensure the safety of question papers and other confidential materials.

“We have written to DG&IGP Rupak Kumar Dutta, requesting him to direct SPs in all districts to ensure security in and around II PUC exam centres. We have also sought police protection for places where confidential material will be stored,” C Shikha, director, DPUE, told DH.

She said the department had requested the police to keep an eye on people involved in question paper leaks in the past. “It’s a routine letter the department writes to police every year. But we have not specifically referred to those accused of leaking question papers in 2016 as has been reported in a section of the media,” she said. Attached to the letter are details of examinations and a list of places where confidential material will be stored.

Dutta said he had directed all superintendents and commissioners of police to make security arrangements in and around examination centres. They will keep an eye on habitual offenders and take action against suspicious people under CrPC sections 107 (security for keeping the peace in other cases) and 110 (security for good behaviour from habitual offenders), he added.

“DPUE officials have also requested us to check attempts to take question papers out of exam centres. In view of the question paper leak last year, we will be extra-cautious and will take adequate steps to ensure smooth conduct of exams,” he said.

CID to tip off police

Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is probing last year’s question paper leaks, said it would not be keeping an eye on those suspected of leaking question papers. “We will just share information on habitual offenders with local police, if asked for,” a senior CID officer said. The CID had arrested 18 people over the question paper leaks in 2016 and booked 11 of them under the stringent Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA).

While some of them have been released on bail, the suspected kingpin Shivakumaraiah alias Guruji, his nephew Kiran alias Kumaraswamy, Santosh Parashuram Agasimani, a second-division assistant at the Hangal sub-treasury, and Eeramallappa are still in jail as the high court has rejected their bail applications, according to the officer.

PUC helpline

The helpline of the Department of Pre-University Education (DPUE) will be operational from March 6 onwards, ahead of the II PUC exams which are set to begin on March 9. Students, parents and the general public may call the helpline (080-23083900) between 8 am and 8 pm for exam-related queries.