Viral CCTV footage shows BPSC candidates snatching, tearing questionnaires over paper leak rumours: Report

The viral CCTV footage show how the enraged BPSC aspirants rushed into a room where the exam officials were present. The crowd then pushed aside the officials and raided the boxes that contained the question papers.

An exam centre of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) on Friday saw order break down entirely for a few chaotic minutes after a delay in the distribution of question papers.

Suspecting a paper leak, candidates went berserk. Apparently, what aggravated the situation was that some of them objected to the sealed boxes of exam papers not being opened in front of the candidates in the exam rooms, to allay fears of foul play.

The viral CCTV footage shows how the enraged BPSC aspirants rushed into a room where exam officials were present. The crowd then pushed aside the officials and raided the boxes that contained the question papers.

The officials, as per an NDTV report, tried to explain to the upset students that they would get additional time to complete their papers because of the 40 to 45-minute delay in distributing the question papers. But the candidates, and the crowd that collected because of the ruckus, did not want to listen to reason.

The viral videos of the chaotic scenes that unfolded show some people tear the question papers, while others ran out carrying them and then distributed the same to the people gathered outside. Candidates also apparently spread rumours that the exam had been cancelled.

"After opening the sealed box of the question paper in a proper manner, the sealed packet of question paper and OMR sheet were made available in different rooms of each block. When there was a delay of 40-45 minutes in distribution of the question papers, some candidates started creating ruckus despite the superintendent and invigilators explaining that extra time would be given for the delay," the exam authorities claimed in the police complaint, as per the news report.

"The candidates demanded to know why the sealed box was not opened in their room. On hearing noise, some students from other rooms also came and started snatching and tearing the booklets and attendance sheets," the police complaint stated.

"One of those candidates looted a packet of question papers from the (storage) trunk, broke the gate and went out with a group waving it in his hand. The candidates went to many rooms and damaged attendance sheets and other forms," the police complaint added.

Thankfully, the situation was quickly brought under control by the authorities with the help of the magistrate and the police present at the venue. Afterwards, the exam was conducted as per protocol.

A total of 5,674 candidates took the exam, with all the five floors of the exam centre filled with candidates.

Authorities, speaking on the ruckus, said the sheer number of students at the centre made it difficult to distribute the question papers quickly to everyone and start the exam on time.