Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Maharashtra TET Leak: All 18 Chargesheeted Accused Arrested
Police are investigating a suspected leak of the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test paper.
The problem was discovered on June 27, just one day before the test was supposed to happen.
Police seized four sets of papers in Kongaon and officials said they matched the real exam paper.
The exam was then postponed.
Investigators say papers may have been taken from a printing press in Agra inside workers’ shoe insoles.
They allege the workers were paid Rs 8,000 each.
Police have now arrested all 18 people named in their chargesheet, including the two latest suspects.
Investigators are checking phones, money transfers, documents, and possible buyers.
The allegations still have to be examined through the judicial process.
Police arrested Prakash Digambar Misal and Ashok Baboolal Sav, bringing all 18 chargesheeted accused into custody.
The alleged racket surfaced on June 27, one day before the Maharashtra TET scheduled for June 28.
A trap in Kongaon led to the seizure of four question-paper sets later verified as matching the actual examination paper.
Police allege two Agra printing-press employees removed papers in their shoe insoles after receiving Rs 8,000 each.
Investigators are examining alleged buyers, financial transactions, communications, and a network spanning several states.
- Who
- Thane and Bhiwandi police, assisted by a Special Investigation Team, arrested Prakash Digambar Misal and Ashok Baboolal Sav; 18 accused, including alleged mastermind Bijendra Gupta, are named in the chargesheet.
- What
- An alleged Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test question-paper leak and distribution network is under investigation.
- When
- The alleged leak was exposed on June 27, before the scheduled June 28 examination; the latest arrests were reported on September 20.
- Where
- The alleged network spans Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, with the papers traced to a printing press in Agra and seized in Kongaon.
- Why
- Police are investigating how confidential papers were removed, circulated and allegedly offered to candidates for sale.
Police and Investigation Theory
Judicial Due Process
Alleged responsibility
Police and Investigation Theory
Police allege that members of a multi-state network removed, transported and circulated the confidential papers, with Bijendra Gupta identified as the alleged mastermind.
Judicial Due Process
The allegations against Gupta and the other accused have not been finally adjudicated and will be tested through the judicial process.
Meaning of the arrests
Police and Investigation Theory
Investigators say the arrests of Misal and Sav will help clarify the alleged movement of papers, contacts and money.
Judicial Due Process
Being arrested and named in a chargesheet does not by itself establish guilt.
Possible wider network
Police and Investigation Theory
Police are examining alleged buyers, a list containing about 150 names, and financial transactions linked to proposed sales.
Judicial Due Process
The articles do not establish that the listed candidates or other possible buyers participated in the alleged leak.
- Accused in custody
- All 18 people named in the chargesheet have been arrested.
- Latest arrests
- Prakash Digambar Misal and Ashok Baboolal Sav.
- Chargesheet
- The 3,472-page chargesheet reportedly includes statements from 55 witnesses and documentary and digital evidence.
- Alleged source
- Mahim Patran Pvt. Ltd., an Agra-based press contracted to print confidential TET material.
- Alleged smuggling method
- Two employees allegedly concealed papers inside their shoe insoles and were paid Rs 8,000 each.
- Initial seizure
- Police recovered four question-paper sets during a trap operation in Kongaon.
- Evidence under examination
- Investigators are examining financial records, phones, call-detail records, digital devices, CCTV footage and communications.
Sources
Maharashtra TET leak: Two key suspects arrested, all 18 accused named in chargesheet held so far
Maharashtra TET Paper Leak Probe: SIT Arrests Two More Accused, Total Arrests Reach 18 As Money Trail Is Probed