The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak has made a major breakthrough by arresting three more accused, including wanted suspect Kapil Dahiya. With the latest action, the total number of people arrested in the case has increased to seven as investigators continue their hunt for the alleged mastermind, Bijendra Gupta.
Wanted Accused Kapil Dahiya Held In Punjab
According to investigators, Kapil Dahiya had been on the run since the paper leak racket was exposed. A Look Out Circular (LOC) had already been issued against him before he was finally traced and arrested in Pathankot, Punjab.
Police allege that Dahiya played a crucial role in identifying buyers for the leaked TET examination paper in the Kongaon area of Bhiwandi. After several co-accused were arrested, he allegedly fled first to Pune and later went underground after travelling to Delhi.
Two More Arrested For Helping Mastermind Evade Police
The SIT also arrested Sonu Singh and Mithun Singh for allegedly assisting Bijendra Gupta in escaping law enforcement.
Investigators said Sonu Singh, who operates a photocopy shop in Hajipur, Bihar, allegedly prepared forged identity documents for Gupta and printed multiple copies of the leaked examination papers. During the search, police recovered fake identity cards allegedly created for the absconding accused.
Mithun Singh, who is related to Bijendra Gupta through family ties, is accused of participating in the conspiracy and accompanying Kapil Dahiya to Pune to identify potential buyers for the leaked question papers before the racket was exposed.
All three accused were produced before a court in Bhiwandi and remanded to police custody until July 9.
Probe Reveals Extensive Fake Identity Network
The investigation has uncovered what police describe as a sophisticated network used to conceal the identity of the alleged mastermind. Officers recovered forged PAN cards, Aadhaar cards and a driving licence bearing the name “Abhishek Mahto” but allegedly carrying Bijendra Gupta’s photograph.
Police also seized printers, computers, hard disks and several electronic devices during the operation. Digital copies of the TET examination papers in Marathi, Hindi and English were recovered from Sonu Singh’s computer. These documents have been sent to the Education Department for verification.
Earlier Arrests Strengthen Investigation
Earlier in the investigation, police arrested Suman Kumari, the wife of Bijendra Gupta, from Patna. Investigators claim she remained in contact with her husband through encrypted messaging platforms and allegedly did not cooperate during questioning.
On June 27, Dheeraj Singh, Akash Kumar and Rajiv Kumar were arrested in Kongaon while allegedly attempting to sell the leaked TET examination papers. They remain in police custody as the probe continues.
Undercover Operation Exposed The Racket
Officials said the paper leak network was exposed after Bhiwandi police received confidential intelligence about the sale of leaked question papers. Acting on the tip-off, officers launched a covert operation in which a police inspector posed as a prospective buyer.
After the suspects allegedly agreed to the deal, police laid a trap at a hotel in Kongaon and arrested three accused while they were allegedly attempting to hand over the leaked examination papers. Investigators believe Kapil Dahiya had already left the area to locate additional buyers.
Hunt Continues For Alleged Mastermind
Police have identified Bijendra Gupta as the alleged mastermind behind the paper leak. Investigators claim he has a history of involvement in examination paper leak cases in multiple states and has previously faced arrest in a murder case. According to officials, Gupta repeatedly secured bail in earlier cases, changed his identity using forged documents and continued operating in different states.
The SIT has now expanded its search across several states to trace and arrest the absconding accused while continuing to investigate the full extent of the examination leak network.
