New Delhi/Mumbai: The investigation into the alleged Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test 2026 paper leak has taken a major turn, with investigators identifying Bijendra Gupta, a resident of Samastipur in Bihar, as the alleged mastermind behind the examination paper leak network. Gupta is currently absconding, and police teams are conducting raids across Bihar, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to trace him.
Mastermind Link Under Probe
Investigators believe the three accused arrested so far were allegedly operating under Gupta’s instructions. According to the probe, his name has surfaced in several recruitment examination paper leak cases over the years.
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Authorities allege that Gupta has been associated with organised examination paper leak networks for nearly 25 years. Although his name reportedly appeared in multiple previous investigations, he allegedly managed to evade arrest. Following the latest developments in the Maharashtra TET case, efforts to apprehend him have been intensified.
The investigation began after police received intelligence that a group of individuals from Delhi and Haryana had travelled to Maharashtra to negotiate deals for selling the TET question paper before the examination.
Crore-Value Paper Deals Suspected
Acting on the information, investigators laid a trap and arrested three accused. During the operation, four sets of the alleged TET question paper were recovered. During interrogation, the accused allegedly disclosed Bijendra Gupta’s role, prompting investigators to expand the probe across several states.
Investigators said preliminary findings indicate that the question paper was allegedly being sold through deals worth crores of rupees. Authorities are currently verifying whether the material recovered during the operation is the actual TET question paper or a mock test paper.
The outcome of this verification will determine the next course of legal and investigative action.
SIT Probe Expands Across States
Following allegations of a possible paper leak, the Maharashtra government postponed the TET 2026 examination scheduled for June 28 and constituted a Special Investigation Team to investigate the case. The Education Department is also conducting a technical examination of the seized material to determine whether the confidentiality of the examination was compromised.
Investigators are now analysing digital devices, mobile phones, bank accounts, call detail records and financial transactions linked to the accused. The probe is also focused on identifying individuals from other states who may have been involved in the network and determining how the question paper was allegedly distributed to candidates.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said organised examination paper leak syndicates have evolved into sophisticated criminal networks that rely on encrypted communication platforms, digital technology, financial channels and interstate coordination.
He said dismantling such syndicates requires digital forensic analysis, financial investigation, intelligence sharing and close coordination among law enforcement agencies across multiple states.
Investigators believe the arrest of the absconding accused could provide crucial information about the structure of the network, the source of the leaked question papers, financial transactions and other beneficiaries linked to the alleged racket.
