From Teacher to Paper Leak Mastermind: Maharashtra Police Track Down Bijendra Gupta in TET Scam Probe
Maharashra : A major investigation into the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak has uncovered a wider criminal network, with police now tracing the alleged mastermind Bijendra Gupta, who is believed to have operated across multiple states using fake identities and a history of repeated arrests and bail releases.
The case has already led to the arrest of his wife, Suman Kumari, while Gupta remains absconding as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) expands its search across several states including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra.
Alleged background and repeated offences
According to police findings, Bijendra Gupta originally hails from Samastipur in Bihar. He comes from a modest family background, with relatives reportedly running a grocery shop and flour mill. After completing his science degree in Begusarai, he worked in coaching institutes in Patna before moving to Bhopal, where he continued teaching.
However, investigators say Gupta’s career soon took a darker turn, with allegations that he became deeply involved in exam paper leak networks operating across multiple states.
Police also revealed that Gupta was previously arrested in a murder case in 2003 while he was a student. Though he was later acquitted, authorities say his name resurfaced in several other criminal investigations over the years.
Pattern of arrests and disappearance
Investigators claim Gupta has been arrested multiple times in different states, including a major case in Bhopal in 2011 related to a state recruitment exam paper leak. He was also reportedly arrested in connection with the 2023 Odisha Joint Entrance Examination paper leak.
In each instance, police say he managed to secure bail and then disappeared, allegedly resurfacing later under different identities. Authorities believe this pattern helped him continue operating within a wider examination fraud network.
Alleged network across states
The SIT probing the TET leak case believes Gupta was part of a larger interstate network involved in leaking competitive exam papers across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra.
Officials suspect that he played a central role in coordinating leaks, distributing question papers, and maintaining contacts within the network while avoiding detection through frequent changes in identity and location.
Wife’s arrest and family details
Gupta’s wife, Suman Kumari, was arrested in Patna as part of the investigation. During questioning, she told police that the couple had been married for around 15 years and had three daughters.
She also reportedly informed investigators that Gupta had been working as a property dealer in Patna and Delhi in recent years, in addition to his alleged involvement in other activities.
Police further revealed that the family had planned a birthday celebration for one of their daughters on July 1 and had even hired caterers. However, the situation changed dramatically when Suman Kumari was arrested on June 29, after which Gupta reportedly went into hiding.
Investigators believe he may have been planning to attend the family event but disappeared after learning about his wife’s arrest.
Fugitive history and evasion tactics
Police officers involved in the case say Gupta has a history of evading arrest. In one earlier instance, when he was wanted in another case, he reportedly attended a family funeral briefly after being assured of safety but left immediately after receiving a tip-off that police teams were approaching.
Authorities say such behaviour reflects a consistent pattern of avoiding long-term custody and quickly disappearing after bail or temporary release.
TET paper leak and political impact
The current investigation relates to the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), a key examination used for recruiting teachers in state-run schools.
The leak was discovered just a day before the scheduled exam, forcing authorities to postpone it and triggering widespread anger among candidates. Thousands of aspirants were affected, leading to protests and criticism of the examination system.
The incident has also created political pressure on the state administration, with opposition leaders targeting the government over repeated examination security failures. The issue has become particularly sensitive as it follows other national-level exam controversies, including allegations related to NEET-UG.
Ongoing investigation
The SIT continues to track Gupta’s movements across multiple states, examining digital evidence, financial transactions, and suspected associates linked to the network.
Officials say the investigation is still expanding and more arrests could follow as they uncover deeper connections within the alleged paper leak racket.
For now, Bijendra Gupta remains on the run, with police intensifying efforts to bring him into custody and dismantle what they believe is a well-organised exam fraud syndicate operating across India.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
