Just a few hours after the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026 paper leak came to the fore, the state government vowed strict action against the ones responsible behind the malpractice. Maharashtra Education Minister Dadasaheb Bhuse asserted that no one involved in the scandal shall be spared. 

Bhuse said on Saturday evening that the state had already initiated a crackdown by arresting three persons allegedly connected to the case. His remarks come a few hours after the Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) deferred the TET exam following the discovery that several questions from the actual exam had allegedly matched those found in an unauthorised question paper seized by cops during a raid in Bhinwandi. 

Bhuse said, “The exam was scheduled to be conducted tomorrow at 1,028 centres across the state. However, the paper was leaked at several unidentified locations. Those responsible will face strict action.” 

Maharashtra CM orders SIT probe

The Education Minister went on to say that Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis has sought a comprehensive report on the incident and has directed authorities to conduct an in-depth probe. On the other hand, CM Fadnavis has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident, which shall be headed by Thane's Joint Commissioner of Police, Panjabrao Ugale.

Police are continuing the probe to ascertain how the accused managed to access the confidential examination material and circulated it before the commencement of the test. The investigation is also aimed at unearthing the potential involvement of a larger network in the breach. 

Notably, the exam’s postponement has affected thousands of aspiring teachers who were due to take the test. 

3 held in Bhiwandi police raid

As per an official press release issued by the Maharashtra State Council of Examination, the cops received an anonymous tip-off on Saturday, which indicated that several people in Bhiwandi had been possessing exam-related material. 

The cops sprung into action immediately and conducted a raid, from where they laid hands on three suspects. During the probe, officials found that several questions from the TET examination matched those contained in the unauthorised question paper recovered from the possession of the accused. 

After confirmation of the paper leak, the MSCE deferred the exam to safeguard the integrity of the recruitment process. 

Dy CM to hold discussions with CM

In a parallel development, Maharashtra’s Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said he would hold detailed discussions with CM Fadnavis on the possibility of invoking the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused.