Mumbai, Jul 27 (PTI) NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Monday stepped up his attack over the alleged paper leak in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examination for recruitment of drug inspectors.
The MPSC, however, said it had found inconsistencies in the complaint, adding that it would lodge an FIR to protect its credibility.
The controversy intensified through the day with Pawar meeting Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe along with competitive examination aspirants.
In a post on X, Pawar said he urged Mundhe him to ensure an “independent, impartial and time-bound inquiry” into the alleged paper leak.
A memorandum had been submitted to Mundhe, Pawar said while expressing confidence that the MPSC, which conducted the exam, would take appropriate action after receiving all relevant documents.
Meanwhile, MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar issued a detailed clarification.
MPSC had conducted the drug inspector examination on March 22 for around 31,000 candidates and declared the results on June 12. Interviews were held from July 1 to July 12, following which the provisional merit list was published, he said.
“The commission received an email on July 21 alleging malpractice and seeking cancellation of the examination but found the complaint vague and asked the complainant to furnish evidence. Another email received on July 23 contained screenshots of WhatsApp chats claiming the March 22 question paper had been circulated on March 20,” he said.
The complainants were contacted and asked to submit evidence, and they were also asked to visit the MPSC office but no one turned up, Bhimanwar said.
He said the Commission had also summoned candidates whose names figured in the complaint.
“On July 26, the complainant sent another email claiming the allegations were based on incorrect assumptions and admitting he had attempted to create doubts over the examination after failing to qualify because the recruitment was being held after 12 to 14 years and might not be conducted again for another decade,” he said.
“However, to maintain the stature of the Commission, we are in the process of filing an FIR. Whatever the police probe reveals, we will take action accordingly,” Bhimanwar said.
The complainant’s name is Gaurav alias Lokesh Patil and the candidate’s name is Rushikesh Gangurde, he informed.
“However, Gangurde has posted a statement on Instagram saying he is firm on his complaint. We will hear him out and police will carry out their probe. We want students to have confidence in MPSC,” Bhimanwar added.
In a post on X, Gangurde said he had not withdrawn his allegations. “I have not withdrawn my complaint. Gaurav and his father came to me. They said they want to live there. They are under pressure,” he said in a social media post.
Gangurde urged students to file their complaints with the MPSC and seek clarification.
Addressing a press conference earlier, Pawar alleged the recruitment process had been compromised and demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
“The entire MPSC paper may not have been leaked, but the person who set the paper was compromised. The question paper was allegedly shared with candidates through WhatsApp and deleted within five minutes. The matter came to light after one of the recipients forwarded the questions to a friend,” he claimed.
The NCP (SP) leader alleged that students had submitted a complaint to the MPSC on July 21 but no action was taken and that they were instead threatened with police action.
Pawar also questioned how the son and daughter of a deputy tehsildar secured 13th and 16th ranks in the examination. His party had found a “Barshi connection” in the alleged irregularities, he added. Barshi is a tehsil in Solapur district.
Pawar said one of the accused in Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak case was associated with the BJP.
Responding to the allegations, Kautilya Academy director Pravin Patil denied any wrongdoing.
“I have committed no offence. I have never heard of an MPSC paper leak. The students concerned visited me only for guidance on interview preparation. The WhatsApp chats and recordings are being presented in a misleading manner. I am ready to face any inquiry. The allegations against me are false,” Patil said.
Later in the day, Pawar questioned a handwritten statement purportedly by some students claiming the complaint about the alleged paper leak had been made in jest.
In a post on X, he asked how the authorities could describe the complaint as a joke while simultaneously acknowledging screenshots of the question paper.
He also questioned why an inquiry had been initiated if the complaint was not genuine.
“Students may have been threatened into writing the statement, but the truth can never be hidden. Every attempt to suppress it only exposes more inconsistencies. The youth are intelligent and will ensure that the truth comes out,” Pawar said.
The Maharashtra Congress, in a post, sought a thorough probe, adding the party would stand with students if MPSC was using pressure tactics against them.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare alleged pressure had been exerted on the complainant and claimed he is not reachable now.
She also asked why Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had not spoken on the issue. PTI ND BNM BNM
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