Ex-MPSC chief arrested for exam malpractice

The arrests come after five days of interrogation that began soon after Karnik arrived from Delhi on July 9 on a summons from the ACB.

‘‘Interrogations and careful scrutiny of papers showed that Karnik was involved in the conspiracy. Therefore, we decided to take action against him,’’ an ACB official said, adding the UPSC chairman in New Delhi would be informed of the arrest. He said, ‘‘there was no need for any permission from UPSC. But we will inform them of the step.’’

Karnik who has been charged with cheating, breach of trust, forgery and criminal conspiracy, was remanded to police custody till July 20 by the Special Session court today.

With these arrests, eight persons, including a DSP, Baban Kadam, and a woman conduit Manisha Pravin Nichet have been arrested in connection with the scam involving malpractice in exams for the posts of sub-inspectors, sales tax inspectors and assistants for the state secretariat. DSP Kadam has already been placed under suspension.

Among those arrested are MPSC exam controller S.G. Sarode, MPSC computer operator Farooq Ghadge and two Mantralaya clerks Sunil Patil and Eknath Bendre. A police inspector, Sanjay Patil, from crime branch is among those wanted who is still at large.

Karnik’s advocate, Satish Maneshinde is likely to move high court tomorrow for his bail.