Entrance exam scam: former head of exam board surrenders

Former chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (JKBOPEE) chairman Mushtaq Ahmad Peer on Wednesday presented himself before the crime branch for questioning in a multi-million scam unearthed recently.

Former chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (JKBOPEE) chairman Mushtaq Ahmad Peer on Wednesday presented himself before the crime branch for questioning in a multi-million scam unearthed recently.

HT Image

"There was no formal arrest. Peer was summoned for questioning and presented himself before the crime branch this morning. He is being questioned," said crime branch inspector general (IG) Javed Geelani.

The crime branch on Tuesday had disclosed that it had unearthed a multi-million scam wherein candidates seeking admission to professional colleges allegedly paid huge sums of money to get the question papers, and stayed in a private hotel to write their tests. Professional entrance tests are conducted every year in Jammu and Kashmir by the BOPEE for selecting candidates from thousands of aspirants for medical, engineering and other degree courses.

The crime branch had registered the case following complaints about selections made in 2012, after the finding that students who had topped the entrance exams had 'poor academic history' had raised eyebrows.
Peer's role has been questioned as he was the head of BOPEE at that time. The crime branch had earlier raided Peer's residences in Srinagar and Jammu.

According to sources in the crime branch, his bank accounts were also under the scanner.