Polytechnic question paper leaked just before the exams were to commence in Telangana

Following reports that question papers of the polytechnic diploma third and fifth semester exams held on February 8 and 9 were leaked, the State Board of Technical Education and Training (SBTET) has decided to re-conduct the examinations on February 15 and 16.

The Board had found that question papers of the examinations were leaked at Swathi Institute of Technology and Sciences in Batasingaram.

“A password for opening the question papers is sent to the college 30 minutes before the examination. So, after downloading the question papers for exams held on February 8 and 9, officials of the college circulated them among their students via Whatsapp 20 minutes prior to the exam. So we have decided to re-conduct those exams on February 15 and 16. The Board has filed a police complaint as well,” SBTET secretary C Srinath said.

Apart from suspending the chief superintendent and joint chief superintendent deployed for conducting exams in the college, the SBTET has issued a show cause notice to the college. The Board will initiate action



including disaffiliation of the college and students will be shifted to other colleges, officials said.

According to the police, just before the exams were to commence at 10 am on Tuesday, the question papers of the exams were posted and widely shared on WhatsApp groups.

“The question papers were leaked on WhatsApp with the watermark of the institution, by its employees. The principals of colleges in the districts informed the board,” an official said.

Based on a complaint from SBTET Secretary on Thursday, the Abdullapurmet police have booked a case. Investigation revealed that the question papers were allegedly leaked out by Venkateshwarlu, Chief Superintendent, Krishna Murthy, Administration Officer and Krishna Mohan, a lecturer.

“Preliminary investigation and scientific evidence indicate they have a role in leaking the question paper. We are investigating if anyone else is involved,” police said.

Sources said the suspects were taken into custody for questioning.