3 min readMumbaiUpdated: Aug 26, 2026 05:32 PM IST
“Our probe has found that Bijendra Gupta was the mastermind and we have technical evidence like calls exchanged between the accused, CCTV footage along with seizures made from the residence of the accused including fake documents to prove the crime,” the officer said.
The Maharashtra government last week approved the appointment of a Special Public Prosecutor in the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak case that led to the exam originally meant for June 28 being postponed. According to an official, considering the gravity of the case, the government approved the proposal put forth by the Thane Police.
The official further said that this case will be tried by a Bhiwandi court, which is designated as a special fast-track trial court to carry out trials in exam leak cases. PM Narendra Modi had announced that special fast-track courts would be set up to try examination malpractice cases in the wake of the NEET paper leak controversy and the nationwide student protests that followed.
A senior officer from Thane Police told The Indian Express, “We had sought government permission from the Maharashtra government to appoint a special public prosecutor in the case, given the sensitive nature of the case. The same was approved by the government, and Ajay Misar has been appointed as the Special PP in the case.”
When it comes to sensitive or complex cases, the government designates a specific, experienced outside lawyer to handle a particular criminal case instead of using the regular panel of public prosecutors available for other cases being tried in the same court.
An officer said the police are also likely to file a chargesheet in the next 10 days against the 16 accused, naming Bijendra Gupta as the mastermind. According to the officer, while they have a 90-day period to file a chargesheet in the case which extends to September last week, they will likely file a chargesheet under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices at
University, Board and other Specified Examinations Act, in the next 10 – 12 days.
“Our probe has found that Bijendra Gupta was the mastermind and we have technical evidence like calls exchanged between the accused, CCTV footage along with seizures made from the residence of the accused including fake documents to prove the crime,” the officer said.
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While we have arrested 16 persons, with the latest accused being a coaching class teacher from Solapur on August 11, two persons will be named as wanted accused in the case. The arrested accused are currently in judicial custody, the officer added.
The leak came to light two days before the examination when the Thane City police received a tip-off from a person in Bhiwandi who claimed he had been approached by three people with a copy of the TET question paper. A raid was carried out, and it turned out that the accused actually had the question papers meant to be used for the TET examination.
Eventually, the police traced the paper leak to an Agra-based printing press, Mahim Patran Pvt Ltd, where two current employees and a former employee are alleged to have hidden the question paper beneath their shoe insoles and walked out of the press. They had allegedly been cultivated by the main accused for just Rs 8,000.
Mohamed Thaver is a highly specialized journalist with the Expertise and Authority required to report on complex law enforcement and legal issues. With a career dedicated to the crime beat for over a decade, his work provides readers with informed and trustworthy insights into Maharashtra's security and justice systems.
Experience & Authority
Core Focus: Has been exclusively covering the crime beat for over a decade, building deep, specialized knowledge in the field.
Geographical Authority: Currently focuses heavily on law enforcement and policy in Maharashtra, providing authoritative coverage of the state's security apparatus.
Key Beats:
Law Enforcement: Reports on the operations of the Maharashtra Police and the Mumbai Crime Branch.
Policy & Administration: Covers the Maharashtra Home Department, focusing on policy matters related to handling law and order and the evolution of the police force.
Judiciary: Has significant past experience covering the courts, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the entire criminal justice process from investigation to verdict.
Specialized Interest (Cyber & Forensics): Demonstrates Expertise in modern investigative techniques, with a keen focus on cyber crime and forensics, reporting on how these technologies assist complex crime investigations.
Content Focus: His reports revolve around police probes, the evolution of the force, and state policy, ensuring his content is highly relevant and detailed.
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Mohamed Thaver’s long-standing specialization in the crime beat—combined with his focus on technological aspects like cyber crime and his direct coverage of major institutions like the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Maharashtra Home Department—underscores his Trustworthiness and status as an expert source for detailed and reliable journalism on law and order.
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