CID arrests five youths including two examinees

Kolkata: The state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested five youths including two Madhyamik examinees on Sunday night, in connection with the circulation of question papers through WhatsApp.

The incident of question papers circulating through the messaging app was repeated on all four days of the Madhyamik examination, soon after its commencement.

The CID sleuths conducted raids in various parts of the state on the basis of specific tip-off and made the arrests. Sahabul Amir (18) was arrested from Kaliachak in Malda, whereas Sahabaz Mondal (18) was nabbed from Kaithan Hatpara in Katwa, East Burdwan. Both of them are students of Class XII.

Another youth Sajidur Rehman was held from Pandua, Hooghly. "The two others arrested are Madhyamik examinees," a senior CID official said.

The CID had taken up the case a few days ago, on the basis of a complaint lodged by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) at Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station on February 12, the very first day when the allegations of 'paper leak' surfaced from several districts of the state.

A senior CID official said that the arrested persons had opened a WhatsApp group specifically for sending out images of the question papers.

"So far, it has been found that the question papers were sent outside via phone for solving and dissemination of answers, after the start of the examination," he added. The CID sleuths have not ruled out the involvement of more persons in the racket and raids are still underway.

Meanwhile, senior officials of the state Education department on Monday held a meeting with

District Magistrates, Police Superintendents and top officials of WBBSE at a state government IT office in Salt Lake sector V. The district and WBBSE officials were instructed to step up vigilance in the examination halls.

Later in the day, state Education minister Partha Chatterjee reviewed the situation. "The administration has taken proper measures. I have sought a report on the current situation from WBBSE," Chatterjee said.

Amidst the strong measures taken by the Board, a portion of the Mathematics question paper was also circulated through WhatsApp on Monday. The Chatra Parishad on Monday staged a protest in front of the WBBSE board office at Park Street, protesting against the circulation of papers.

A total of 10,66,000 students are appearing for the Madhyamik examination this year.