Needle, tiny hole, endoscopic camera: Chhattisgarh professor's exam paper leak exposed

NEW DELHI: A college professor allegedly used an endoscopic camera to copy questions from a sealed examination paper of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV) in Chhattisgarh, with the leaked questions later being circulated among students. The professor, identified as Yogesh Sonkesariya of Bharti Agriculture College in Durg, and five students have been arrested in connection with the alleged leak of the B.Sc Agriculture second-year Entomology examination paper, police said.

The examination, scheduled for August 20 from 10 am to 1 pm at 28 agricultural colleges affiliated with IGKV, was cancelled after purported questions began circulating before the test. The university received an email alert about the leak at 8.41 am, while other officials were alerted at 8.54 am. Students also informed the university through WhatsApp.

According to the police investigation, Sonkesariya had collected examination papers on August 17. He allegedly took the sealed Entomology question paper to his residence and made a small hole in the envelope using a needle and a sharp instrument. He then allegedly inserted an endoscopic camera, reportedly purchased for Rs 2,500, through the opening and captured images of the questions without breaking the official seal. Police said he subsequently reconstructed the questions and sold the leaked paper for Rs 11,000 to a student and two others. The questions were later circulated among other students through social media.

The police investigation traced the circulation of the leaked material through screenshots, photographs, messages and social media posts. Sonkesariya and the five students were arrested within 36 hours of the complaint being received, police said. Two other accused are reportedly absconding.

Police are also examining whether an earlier B.Sc Agriculture first-year Plant Pathology examination may have been compromised.
The university has constituted a five-member inquiry committee following the leak. The cancelled Entomology examination is scheduled to be conducted again in the first week of September.