Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered forensic audits of MHT-CET examination centres against which complaints have been received, along with a separate probe into an alleged data leak, after teachers and students raised concerns in Mumbai.
A delegation representing teachers and students from across Maharashtra met Fadnavis in Mumbai and presented complaints related to the examination. Following the meeting, the chief minister directed that all centres named in the complaints undergo forensic scrutiny.
The directions also include registration of first information reports based on the complaints raised by the teachers. The investigation will be handled by the Joint Commissioner of Police, according to the report. The instructions were issued to the Mumbai Police Commissioner with immediate effect.
A separate forensic audit has been ordered into the alleged data leak. The police investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the allegation, alongside the complaints against individual examination centres. The available information does not establish whether a leak occurred or identify any person responsible.
The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test, or MHT-CET, is a state-level entrance examination used for admissions to professional courses. Any confirmed irregularity at examination centres or compromise of examination data could affect the credibility of the testing process and the students who depend on its results. The government’s directions, however, do not constitute a finding of wrongdoing against any particular centre or individual.
The chief minister has directed that strict action be taken against those found guilty. The next steps are the registration of FIRs, forensic audits of the complaint-hit centres and the investigation by the Joint Commissioner of Police. The outcome of those processes will determine whether the complaints and data-leak allegation are substantiated.
