Aligarh: Police in Uttar Pradesh have arrested the alleged mastermind of a D.El.Ed examination paper leak who had been absconding for nearly eight months. The accused has been identified as Nitesh Pandey, a resident of Sitapur. According to police, Pandey allegedly supplied the question paper for the first- and third-semester D.El.Ed examinations to members of the network before the examination. The paper was allegedly circulated to candidates along with answers through social media, with payments collected through UPI. Following his arrest, Pandey was produced before a court on Saturday and sent to judicial custody.
According to police, Nitesh Pandey is the son of Naresh Kumar Pandey and a resident of Ambikapuram Nepalapur in the Kotwali Dehat area of Sitapur district. His alleged role emerged during an investigation jointly conducted by the Special Task Force and Iglas Police. He had remained on the run since his name surfaced in the case and was eventually arrested in Lucknow.
Case linked to November 2, 2025 examination
The case relates to the D.El.Ed first- and third-semester examinations held on November 2, 2025. After information emerged about an alleged question paper leak and an attempt to compromise the integrity of the examination, authorities launched an investigation against the suspected network.
The Lucknow unit of the Special Task Force and Iglas Police worked together to identify those involved in the alleged leak. During the initial investigation, police arrested Pushpendra, a resident of Nagla Harikarna Bharatpur in the Iglas area, and his brother Dharmendra. Both were subsequently sent to jail.
Police said the investigation indicated that Pandey had allegedly supplied the question paper to Pushpendra and Dharmendra, who then helped circulate it further among candidates.
Question paper allegedly circulated before examination
Investigators allege that Pandey provided the D.El.Ed question paper to the two brothers before the examination. The accused allegedly used social media platforms to distribute the paper, along with answers, to candidates before they entered the examination.
The alleged operation involved digital communication and online payments. Candidates were reportedly asked to pay money through UPI in exchange for access to the question paper and answers. Police are now trying to determine how many candidates received the leaked material and how much money was allegedly collected through the operation.
Digital and financial trails under investigation
The investigation has now expanded beyond the arrests. Police are examining the digital distribution of the question paper, social media communications and UPI transactions associated with the suspected network.
Investigators are attempting to establish where the question paper first originated and how it moved from its original source to the accused and then to candidates. The mobile phones and digital devices linked to the accused are also being examined for evidence of communication, file transfers and financial transactions.
Police are also investigating Pandey’s contacts to determine whether other people were involved in the alleged operation. The financial trail is expected to be an important part of the investigation, particularly in identifying the accounts used to receive payments from candidates.
Accused had been absconding for eight months
According to police, Pandey had been wanted in the case for around eight months. Investigators continued efforts to trace him using technical inputs and other information gathered during the probe. The police team eventually located and arrested him in Lucknow.
Iglas Circle Officer Kamlesh Kumar said the accused was produced before a court on Saturday and was subsequently sent to jail. Police are now questioning him to establish the complete chain through which the question paper was allegedly obtained, circulated and monetised.
The investigation will also examine the roles of Pushpendra and Dharmendra, who were arrested earlier. Authorities are trying to determine whether the alleged group was involved in leaking question papers for any other examination before or after the November 2025 D.El.Ed examination.
Police are also expected to examine the digital and financial evidence to establish the number of candidates who allegedly received the leaked paper, the amount of money collected and the identities of any additional members of the network. The complete picture will emerge after the investigation and verification of the evidence are completed.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
