Army recruitment paper leaked, exam cancelled in six centres; 18 arrested
Sources said army has ordered an internal enquiry and further action will be taken based on the findings.
The army on Sunday countermanded examinations in six centres in western India for some lower-level posts following an alleged leak of question papers.
The examination centres where the tests were cancelled include Kamptee, Nagpur, Ahmednagar, Ahmedabad, Goa and Kirkee, army sources said.
The examination papers of Army Recruitment Board were allegedly leaked following which the Thane Police’s Crime Branch conducted raids and arrested 18 persons from Maharashtra and Goa.
The examinations were held for a number of posts, including soldier clerk and strongman and soldier tradesman, in 52 centres across the country.
The sources said army has ordered an internal enquiry and further action will be taken based on the findings, adding that tests at more centres are likely to countermanded.
Sources said prior to the exam the army had told police and intelligence agencies to ensure that a fair exam is held.
Nearly 250 students have also been taken into custody in connection with the paper leak.
The students were allegedly given the exam papers by those who run various coaching classes and some army employees to write the answers in lodges and other places.
Meanwhile, Goa Police sources said a raid was conducted in Goa by the Thane crime branch late on Saturday night. The raid was carried out after reports came out that the question paper of the army recruitment exam was leaked.
The sources said Goa Police was not informed about the search operation but senior policemen were told about the matter.
“We were not part of the operation, as the action was taken as per the Thane crime branch only. But there was communication with senior officials in Goa after the operation,” said a senior Goa Police official.
Meanwhile, sources said 49 candidates from Goa have been detained while three accused -- who were allegedly a part of the team which leaked the army recruitment paper -- have also been detained.
Officials, however, did not disclose from where in Goa the accused were detained.
The army area in the state is located in Navelim and Bambolim.
(With inputs from PTI)
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