Maharashtra TET paper leak case escalates as STF detains three during raid in Bihar

The Maharashtra STF has extended its TET paper leak probe to Bihar, detaining three suspects during a midnight raid at a Hajipur cyber cafe. The multi-state racket previously forced the cancellation of the exam, affecting over 4.28 lakh candidates

Patna: The investigation into the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak has expanded to Bihar, with the Maharashtra Special Task Force (STF), assisted by Vaishali Police, conducting a late-night raid at a cyber cafe in Hajipur.

Three individuals, including the cafe operator, were detained for questioning.

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According to the police, a team from the Maharashtra STF and the Thane Police, with support from the Vaishali Police, raided a cyber cafe located on Kachhari Road in Hajipur on Wednesday night.

The search operation continued until around 1:00 A.M. on Thursday, during which investigators examined documents and digital devices inside the premises.

Police said three individuals, including cafe operator Sonu Kumar, were detained following the raid.

The detained individuals are currently being questioned by the Maharashtra STF.

No formal announcement of their arrest has been made in the information provided, and the investigation is ongoing.

According to police sources, investigators recovered several digital items and documents during the operation.

These materials will undergo forensic examination as part of the investigation.

A Maharashtra Police official said, “This case is linked to the Maharashtra TET paper leak. We came here to investigate in connection with this matter; we have recovered some suspicious documents, and further action is underway.”

Sonu Kumar’s elder brother, Jitendra Kumar, said Sonu had left for Hajipur on Wednesday evening but did not return home.

According to him, Sonu’s wife informed the family that he was not answering his phone, prompting them to search for him throughout the night before learning about the police action on Thursday.

The Maharashtra TET paper leak investigation has already led to arrests in Maharashtra, Bihar, and Haryana.

Police investigations have identified Bijendra Gupta, a resident of Bihar’s Samastipur district, as the alleged mastermind behind the network.

Investigators have been conducting raids in multiple states in an effort to trace Gupta.

Earlier, the Maharashtra STF also detained and questioned his wife in Patna as part of the financial investigation into the alleged paper leak.

More than 4.28 lakh candidates had registered for the Maharashtra TET examination.

However, after the question paper was allegedly leaked approximately 24 hours before the scheduled examination on June 28, the Maharashtra State Examination Council cancelled the test.

The Maharashtra Police team continues to investigate the case in Bihar, while officials say further action will depend on the evidence collected during the ongoing probe.