History repeats: II PU exam paper out!

The second day of the second year Pre-University final examinations turned out to be a murky one, with swirling rumours of a paper leak leaving the students confused and angry.

The examination was scheduled for 9am, but rumors of the Biology question paper being leaked began circulating right from 5 am. Many students got the question paper on their mobiles and also on their email. Some students tried to get the paper by paying upto Rs35,000 and some managed to get free of cost!

It all started at a roadside eatery in Tumkur district around 11.30pm Wednesday night. A group of students sitting at the eatery were talking about how they had got the Biology question paper scheduled for Thursday. The conversation attracted the ears of posse of policemen seated nearby. They questioned the students and managed to trace the kingpins behind the leak who were staying at a private hotel in Tumkur. They arrested two persons and registered a case at Hosa Badavane station.

Police officers from Tumkur confirmed the reports. Raman Gupta, Tumkur SP, said: "We have arrested two persons by name Mallesh and Dharmendra following the question paper leakage on Thursday. For inquiry, a special team of four officers has been set up and further action will be taken after the inquiry."

Sources in police confirmed that the leaked question paper was identical to the paper provided to students on Thursday for the exams. However, officials of the PU education department did not bother to take action, nor did not they even contact the Tumkur police.

"We have no information on leakage and the examination was conducted smoothly at all the centres across the state and there is no question of re-examination or postponement of the examination," Mattur, Joint Director (examinations) of PUE department told DNA.

That attitude is in stark contrast to the action initiated by Rashmi, director of PUE department in 2012. Concerned over reports of leak of Biology, Mathematics and Physics papers in the PU II exams, she filed a complaint, and postponed the Mathematics and Physics exams.

Such proactive atmosphere is missing the PUE department this year. Before the exams began, the officials repeatedly said they had taken all preventive steps to prevent leaks. After the Biology paper was leaked, they were refusing to even take calls from the media.

Furious over the complacency of the PU officials, a senior police official said: "Question paper leakage has become common. And it is due to the irregularities within the PUE department."

As per the information available, the leaked question paper was sold for upto Rs35,000. The accused who have been arrested were involved in fake marks card case and eight complaints are pending against them.

@DNA