The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Maharashtra Teachers Eligibility Test (Maha TET) paper leak case has intensified its crackdown on the alleged interstate examination fraud network with the fourth arrest in the case. Police have arrested Suman Kumari Gupta (40) from Patna, Bihar. She is the wife of the alleged kingpin, Bijendar Kumar Baleshwar Kumar Sah, who remains absconding. Investigators allege that she was aware of the financial transactions linked to the multi-state racket and had interacted with other accused persons. A court has remanded her to police custody until July 6.
According to investigators, Suman Kumari Gupta’s alleged role surfaced during the examination of financial transactions and communication links among members of the suspected paper leak network. Police claim that the investigation uncovered indications suggesting she had knowledge of the movement of funds connected to the alleged racket. She has been arrested and is being questioned to help investigators establish the operational structure of the network and trace the flow of money.
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Meanwhile, police have issued Look Out Circulars (LOCs) against two absconding accused, including the alleged mastermind Bijendar Kumar Baleshwar Kumar Sah and Kapil Dahiya. Investigators allege that Dahiya travelled under an assumed identity and was part of the group that allegedly reached Bhiwandi to sell the leaked examination paper before the scheduled test. Police claim he fled the area before law enforcement could apprehend him.
According to the investigation, Kapil Dahiya, a resident of Sonipat in Haryana, was allegedly working with Dheeraj Balraj Singh of Panipat, who had earlier been arrested during a police trap laid for individuals allegedly attempting to sell the leaked question paper ahead of the examination. Investigators allege that two separate teams from Haryana and Bihar travelled to Maharashtra with the intention of distributing or selling the leaked examination paper. Although the two groups reportedly did not know each other personally, police believe both were being coordinated by the absconding alleged kingpin, Bijendar Kumar Baleshwar Kumar Sah.
Police further allege that the alleged mastermind arranged airline tickets and local transportation for the accused and remained in constant contact with them throughout the operation. Investigators claim that Sah went into hiding soon after the first three accused were arrested. When police teams reached his residence in Patna last week, he had already fled before their arrival.
The SIT has constituted 10 dedicated investigation teams to probe various aspects of the case. Investigators suspect that the absconding alleged mastermind may attempt to leave India. Since Sah is reportedly from Samastipur, Bihar, police believe he could try to escape through the Nepal border. The issuance of the Look Out Circular is intended to prevent any attempt to leave the country and facilitate his apprehension.
A Researcher at Algoritha Security said that organised examination fraud extends beyond the illegal sale of question papers and frequently involves coordinated financial transactions, encrypted communications, travel logistics, and interstate operational networks. The researcher noted that stronger intelligence sharing between investigative agencies, advanced digital forensic analysis, continuous monitoring of financial trails, and coordinated interstate enforcement can significantly improve the detection and dismantling of organised examination fraud syndicates while strengthening the integrity of public recruitment and competitive examinations.
