Bengaluru: In 2012, the police, investigating the PU question paper leak case, arrested a treasury officer in Tarikere. They found the question paper was leaked from Malur, Kolar. Year 2016. The PU Chemistry paper. Also, leaked in Malur. Sources privy to the working style of the PU Board told Deccan Chronicle that the similarities between 2012 and the leak this year were striking, which meant that those who were behind the 2012 scam might be the same people who are involved in this year's leak too. Did they set the question papers or the PU board officials? Or both?
Unlike the UPSC, the PU Board does not have a foolproof system to keep the question papers secure and away from the hands of dubious officials. It begins with the setting of question papers. The established code prescribes that the lecturers should not bring any material from outside on the day of setting question papers. This is rarely followed, with lecturers not body checked when they leave the premises. “The code is stringent on paper but is never implemented. While leaving the premises, the check is casual, even cursory and anyone can leave with the answer papers tucked away on their person. They are never stopped, and if they are carrying the papers, no-one can do a thing," said an insider. From there, copying it on to CDs and sending it out on mail is easy.
Was honest IAS officer the target?
The question of why only the last paper was leaked has been the subject of much speculation. Sources said this was to put newly appointed director and upright officer Pallavi Akurati on the spot after she reportedly kept some officials away from examination work, effectively depriving them of the opportunity to make money off the scam.
Pallavi Akurati
The leak was revenge. And this is why, only the last question paper, the Chemistry test was 'intentionally' leaked. The conspirators were banking on her reputation being tarnished and action being taken against her. Instead, the government ordered a CID probe which might investigate the scam this year and preceding years, sources explained.
