Paper leak: 6 months on, CBI seeks records from Himachal police

Six months after the police constable recruitment exam paper leak sparked a political controversy in Himachal Pradesh, the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) has sought records of the case from the state police.

It is learnt that the central agency may probe the case afresh as interstate gangs were involved in the paper leak.

Kangra superintendent of police (SP) Khushal Chand Sharma said that the CBI has sought records from the district police. “The CBI had sought the records which we have submitted,” he said.

Around 75,000 candidates had appeared in the written exam for the recruitment of constables in the police department on March 27, the result of which was declared on April 5.

Soon after the exam, a WhatsApp chat was widely shared, triggering fear that the paper had been leaked. Senior police officials dismissed them as rumours.

The leak was detected on May 6 when Kangra police, on the basis of suspicion, arrested three candidates who later admitted to have seen the solved paper before the exam.

Subsequently, an FIR was registered in Kangra under Sections 420, 201, and 120B of the Indian Penal Code, while the state government cancelled the exam.

Two FIRs were registered at the state CID police station, Bharari, in Shimla and Arki in Solan district.