SC takes strong view of bail to accused in Karnataka paper leak case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday took a strong view of the Karnataka High Court's order granting bail to an accused allegedly involved in the paper leak of 2016 PUC and 2019 police constable recruitment examinations, saying those ruining the education system should sternly be dealt with.

A bench presided over by Chief Justice S A Bobde said, "We want to send a message. These people are ruining the education system."

"We know what happened in Madhya Pradesh in the Vyapam case, in Bihar also. We are coming across cases where the education system is being distorted and perverted," the bench added.
The court issued notice to accused Shivakumariah alias Guruji and sought his response on a petition filed by advocate V N Raghupathy on behalf of the Karnataka government against the High Court's order of February 28, 2020.

The High Court had rejected a plea by the state government for the cancellation of Shivakumariah, though he was a repeat offender and violated the bail conditions by indulging in similar activities, the state government contended.

In a connected matter, the court stayed the High Court's order of September 13, 2019, setting aside trial court's order framing criminal conspiracy charges against co-accused Obalaraju in the in 2016 Pre University Board Examination paper leak case. Obalaraju was working as an assistant director in Small Savings and Pension Department, whose son had appeared in II year PUC examinations.

The accused were represented by senior advocates Ranjit Kumar and S Guru Krishnakumar and advocate Nishanth Patil.

A case was registered with Malleshwaram Police Station in Bengaluru on March 22, 2016, for cheating, theft and other offences under the Indian Penal Code and violation of the Karnataka Education Act, 1986 on pilferage of question paper of Chemistry.

The examination was rescheduled. However, once again, the Chemistry question paper was leaked. The investigation was then handed over to the CID which filed a charge sheet against 18 people and invoked stringent KCOCA charges in the matter.