MPSC ‘scamster’ they knew as a ‘social worker’

Investigators said she was ‘‘the Woman Friday’’ of Controller of Exams, S. Sarode, among the first to be arrested for his role in the scam. The MPSC office, situated in the Bank of India building at Fort, keeps regular timings — 9.30 am to 5 pm. However, Sarode accompanied by Nichat would often be at the office by 7 am.

They apparently did ‘‘social work’’ till the staff came in, then Sarode signed the muster declaring 9.30 as his entry time, sources said. He would also stay back till after office hours on the pretext of ‘‘completing the workload’’.

Nichat is believed to have acted as his conduit. She had her own network, scanned list of candidates who would not make the mark and approached them help to crack the exam.

Her ‘‘fees’’ were dependent on the marks to be revised and these were shared with accomplices, including Sarode. The raid on her house yielded hall tickets and names of candidates. She has since been charged with conspiracy, forgery, cheating and theft and remanded to judicial custody till July 10.