HSC Marathi paper leaked to students via WhatsApp

The Marathi language paper in the Class 12 HSC exam reportedly leaked on WhatsApp minutes before it began on Thursday.

Narendra Bambwani, the owner of a coaching centre in Mira Road, reported the matter to the board through the media after he recieved an image from a student of the paper, which was circulated on WhatsApp at about 10.46 am in the morning.

"We alerted the board officials as soon as a few students sent us images of the paper. Students said such messages were forwarded on March 1, but due to the lack of evidence, we could not report it then. The board should now take strict action in the case," said Narendra Bhambwani, who is also the former president of MCOA.

According to Bhambwani, a female student from Mira Road first alerted him about the matter. But after appearing for the exam, a number of students confessed that they had received an image of the paper about half an hour before the exam.

Until late Thursday evening, the board did not term the incident as a 'leak' as an investigation was needed to establish the authenticity of the claim. "We received a complaint about the Marathi paper being leaked today (March 2). We are probing the matter. If we can confirm the leak, we will initiate action," said SY Chandekar, Mumbai division secretary of the board.

MCOA plans to file a PIL in the Bombay High Court in this regard. "We have been reporting leaks to the board for the past several years, but the board has not taken any concrete steps to stop it. This is an injustice to students who study for the exam," said Bhambwani.