Karnataka's II PU paper leak: Principal, director among 3 arrested

Raichur: Competition between two educational institutions led to the drama of a II PU accountancy question paper leak in Manvi on Monday. The plot unravelled with the arrest of three people, including the director and principal of a private college. The complainant himself turned out to be the main culprit.

Police said Sharanabasava Bettadur, director of Kalinga College, was the brain behind the “question paper leak”, which was enacted to tarnish the image of rival Gandhi Memorial College.

Two other arrested – principal Mahesh and lecturer Siddangouda Patil – colluded with him. The accountancy question paper appeared on WhatsApp around 11.30 am, an hour after the exam began, which sent officials into a tizzy.

The message said the paper was leaked at Gandhi Memorial College. After Bettadur filed a complaint, a case was registered. Primary and Secondary Education Minister Tanvir Sait, who is Raichur district in-charge minister, directed the DC and the DDPI to conduct an inquiry.

During investigation, the police found that the photos sent on WhatsApp were taken by lecturer Patil after question papers were distributed. Patil told the police that he uploaded the photos at the behest of the principal and director.

It’s not a leak: Tanveer Sait
The Pre-University department has decided to withdraw the affiliation for Kalinga PU College in Manvi following findings that its director, principal and a lecturer were involved in accountancy question paper leak scam.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Tanveer Sait said that Monday's incident was not a question paper leak. “The incident was reported around 11.40 am, nearly one hour after the examination started. Just two sheets of the 18-page question paper were in circulation through the social media. Students need not bother about it,” he said.