MPSC Drug Inspector Exam Scam: Paper Leak, Rs 5 Lakh Deal and Breakup Expose Alleged Recruitment Fraud

A leaked question paper, an alleged Rs 5 lakh payment and a relationship that ended in a bitter breakup have become central to the investigation into the Maharashtra Drug Inspector recruitment examination paper leak.

The Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating allegations that the question paper for the Maharashtra Public Service Commission's Drug Inspector examination was leaked before the screening test held on March 22.

The investigation has so far resulted in the arrest of six people, including MPSC Additional Secretary Abhijit Lendwe and three other officials, as authorities examine how the alleged question paper leak was carried out.

According to investigators, the alleged leak came to light after Gaurav Patil, who was in a relationship with a woman candidate, raised concerns about her having access to the question paper before the examination.

Sources said the candidate allegedly received the question paper two days before the screening test.

Investigators are examining allegations that the candidate's father paid Rs 5 lakh in advance to Pravin Patil, a coaching-class operator in Nandurbar, where she was reportedly preparing for the examination.

The woman allegedly shared the question paper with Gaurav Patil. She later appeared for the examination and qualified for the Drug Inspector recruitment process.

However, after their relationship ended, Gaurav approached the MPSC and complained about the alleged paper leak. He later sent another email claiming that he had fabricated the allegations, creating further complications in the investigation.

Authorities are now examining both versions and investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged leak.

Investigators are also scrutinising a phone conversation between the woman candidate and the coaching-class operator after the examination. During the call, she allegedly said she had attempted 78 questions and claimed that around 90 questions and their answer options matched the question set she had received earlier.

According to sources, investigators suspect that she may have deliberately attempted fewer questions in the examination to avoid attracting suspicion.

The controversy also gained attention after another candidate, Gangurde, publicly questioned the recruitment process. He raised concerns on social media about the publication of a category-wise list without marks and questioned how candidates had been shortlisted for interviews.

Sources said Gaurav later came across the video and contacted Gangurde, helping bring further attention to the alleged irregularities.

Amid the growing controversy and investigation, the MPSC cancelled the entire recruitment process for Group-B Drug Inspector posts under the Food and Drug Administration.

A fresh examination will be conducted, although the new date has not yet been announced. Candidates who had applied for the original examination will not be required to submit fresh applications or pay another examination fee.

The original screening examination was conducted offline on March 22 across six divisional headquarters in Maharashtra. The results were declared on June 12, following which 506 candidates were initially found eligible for interviews.

Interviews of 488 candidates were subsequently conducted between July 1 and July 22. The commission later released a provisional merit list containing 488 candidates, including 485 eligible candidates and three candidates declared ineligible.

The Crime Branch investigation is continuing as authorities examine the alleged paper leak, the suspected financial transactions and the possible involvement of individuals connected to the recruitment process.