Question paper leak case: Telangana High Court quashes case against Bandi Sanjay

Telangana High Court quashed the FIR against Union MoS Bandi Sanjay Kumar in the Class 10 Hindi question paper leak case, citing insufficient evidence. The court observed that the prosecution failed to establish any direct link or instigation by Sanjay Kumar.

Hyderabad: Justice Jukanti Anil Kumar of the Telangana High Court on Thursday quashed a criminal case registered against Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar in the Hindi question paper leakage case registered at Kamalapur police station of Hanamkonda district.

The FIR alleged Sanjay Kumar’s involvement as the ‘main conspirator’ behind the leak of Class 10 Hindi examination paper. Senior Counsel L Ravichander, appearing for Bandi Sanjay, argued that the FIR was politically driven and based on assumptions rather than concrete material. He submitted that there was no direct link between Bandi Sanjay and the alleged offenders, and that the investigation failed to establish any act of instigation or participation that could attract conspiracy charges.

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According to the prosecution, the co-accused allegedly stole the question paper from the examination centre and circulated it on WhatsApp, said to be at the instigation of Bandi Sanjay, who was then the BJP State president. The police claimed the leak was part of a conspiracy aimed at creating public disturbance and undermining the examination process.

After hearing both the sides, the High Court held that the prosecution’s case did not disclose the essential ingredients necessary to continue proceedings against Bandi Sanjay. The court observed that the material placed on record was insufficient to connect him to the alleged offence and that continuing the investigation would amount to abuse of process.