Maharashtra TET Paper Leak: Question Papers Smuggled Out Of Agra Printing Press Hidden In Shoe Insoles For ₹8,000

A nearly 3,500-page chargesheet filed by the Thane City police states that two employees from an Agra printing press smuggled out question papers for the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) hidden in shoe insoles for just Rs 8,000. The chargesheet, presented before a local court in Bhiwandi on Friday, names 18 accused, including mastermind Bijendra Gupta, who has a prior conviction for an Odisha paper leak.

Sixteen suspects have been arrested, while two key accomplices remain at large. The inquiry began after a tip-off that three men were attempting to sell exam papers to a Bhiwandi resident, leading police to intercept the suspects and seize four sets of the actual question papers. The accused face charges under various Indian laws, including cheating, criminal breach of trust, and criminal conspiracy, as well as Maharashtra's examination malpractices and unfair means statutes.

Police believe the leak originated from Mahim Patran Pvt. Ltd., the Agra-based printing press entrusted with producing confidential TET examination materials. The workers, paid Rs 8,000 each, were promised land plots in Agra in exchange for stealing the exam materials. Police are investigating the supply chain, which includes the discovery of an original question paper at a relative's residence in Bihar.