Chhattisgarh Professor Arrested for Leaking Exam Paper

A professor at Bharti Agriculture College in Durg, Chhattisgarh, has been arrested for allegedly leaking a B.Sc. Agriculture Entomology examination paper. Yogesh Sonkesariya, 38, collected the question papers from the Agricultural College at Jora, Raipur, on August 17, but instead of handing them over to his college authorities, he took them home.

He then used a small endoscope camera to view and copy around 15 questions from the paper through a tiny hole made in the sealed envelope. A day before the examination, Sonkesariya sold the paper to three students for ₹11,000. The students then shared the paper with four other students.

The second-year B.Sc. Agriculture Entomology examination was scheduled to take place on August 20, but it was cancelled after the university received information that questions were circulating before the test. Around 1,200 students were expected to appear for the examination, which was to be held at 28 agriculture colleges affiliated with Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV).

The university has announced a re-examination. The accused were arrested within 36 hours of the complaint being received. Police traced the suspects by examining the leaked paper, screenshots, photographs, messages, social media posts, and other digital evidence.

They seized ₹11,000 in cash, six mobile phones, a video-recording device, cables, a mobile connector, a needle, a sharp instrument, a notebook, and adhesive. Following the leak, the university changed its examination procedure. The question paper for the next examination was sent by email and could be accessed only through a One-Time Password (OTP) shortly before the exam.

An FIR has been registered under Sections 4, 5, and 10 of the Chhattisgarh Public Examination Act, 2008, and Section 316 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police are continuing to question the arrested accused and are searching for two other suspects who are currently absconding.

The incident highlights the need for stricter security measures to prevent exam leaks. The university's decision to change its examination procedure is a step in the right direction. The incident also raises questions about the integrity of the education system and the measures in place to prevent such leaks.

The arrest of the professor and the other accused is a significant development in the case. It is expected that the investigation will reveal more details about the leak and the involvement of the accused. The incident has caused inconvenience to the students who were scheduled to appear for the examination, and it is hoped that the re-examination will be conducted smoothly.

In conclusion, the leak of the B.Sc. Agriculture Entomology examination paper in Chhattisgarh is a serious incident that highlights the need for stricter security measures to prevent such leaks. The arrest of the accused and the change in the examination procedure are positive developments, and it is hoped that the incident will serve as a wake-up call for the education system to take measures to prevent such leaks in the future.