THE Crime Branch of Thane police in Maharashtra on Saturday night conducted raids and arrested 18 persons from Nashik, Pune, Nagpur in Maharashtra, and Goa on charges of leaking the exam papers of the Army Recruitment Board. Nearly 350 students have also been taken into custody.
The exam for various posts in Army was held on Sunday around 11am throughout the country. However, with the police exposing the paper leak, examination across the nine centres in Maharashtra currently stand cancelled.
The raids were carried out following a tip-off and police found some students writing the papers at different places in Thane. The students were allegedly given the exam papers by those who run various coaching classes and some army employees to write the answers in lodges and other places. The students allegedly were to pay Rs 2 lakh each to the accused for the leaked exam papers.
The Army headquarters has been informed of the matter and investigation is underway. Multiple cases have been filed. The police suspect the involvement of top army personnel.