4 arrested for leaking Bar council exam paper

Four individuals were arrested in connection with a cheating incident during the All India Bar Examination held on December 22, 2024, at Khanna High School in Kolkata. The accused have been identified as Alok Adhikari, Subrata Sarkar, Masasul Hossain, and Jagannath Manna. They have been charged with criminal conspiracy, cheating, and violations under the Bar Council of India’s examination guidelines.

The case came to light after a complaint was filed by Shri Rahul Deo Sharma, Teacher-in-Charge of Khanna High School and Centre Superintendent for the examination. According to the complaint, the accused entered the examination hall between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM with mobile phones, despite the Bar Council’s strict prohibition on electronic devices during the exam. The individuals allegedly photographed the question paper and sent the images electronically to others, thereby compromising the integrity of the examination process.

The investigation revealed that the accused were acting in furtherance of a common intention, with the aim of gaining an unfair advantage in the examination by distributing the question paper to others. This led to potential wrongful gains for some candidates and caused wrongful loss to others. Such malpractice is in direct violation of the Bar Council of India's regulations, which mandate strict adherence to protocols to ensure fairness and transparency in the examination.

Following the filing of the complaint, Narkeldanga Police registered the case under Narkeldanga PS Case No. 377/2024, initiating a full investigation into the matter. The accused individuals were arrested and are now facing charges under sections 3(5), 61, 318(4), and 223(a) of the Indian Penal Code related to criminal conspiracy and cheating. Police are continuing to investigate the full scope of the conspiracy and whether other individuals were involved in the act.