Investigations into the recent question papers leak racket that forced the Pre-University Department to reschedule examinations point out to collusion of college managements in the episode.
So far, investigations by security agencies have revealed that managements of at least four colleges were involved in the racket.
Question papers of Mathematics and Physics were sold to aspirants before the examination, and this threw the academic schedule — not to mention holiday plans and preparations for professional courses entry — out of gear for nearly five lakh students in the State.
The scam rocked the Karnataka Assembly and the government had asked the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe into the matter. While the CID arrested 10 persons, the City Crime Branch (CCB) in Bangalore arrested three.
Management involvement
Of these 13 persons, one was as a D.Ed. lecturer in a private college in Bangalore. Three were government school teachers and one was an employee with the State sub-treasury in Kadur.
Terming the racket “well-established”, a CID official said: “We cannot rule out the collusion of college managements in the racket.”
“We have listed 30 suspects from at least five colleges, who allegedly sold the question papers to students,” said a senior officer of an investigation agency who didn't want his name published.
Among the institutions under the scanner of the CID and CCB are a private college in Bangalore, Venkatadri PU College, Royal PU College and Pragati PU College in Chintamani and Shantiniketan PU College in Chickballapur.
Why this happens
According to the officer, the managements allegedly connived with the scamsters to “improve the performance of their colleges” by getting a large number of students obtaining high grades.
“With this, the colleges can advertise [themselves] as having high-quality faculty,” said the official.
Citing the example of a private college, which was de-recognised by the PU Department a few years ago, the officer said: “After de-recognition, it failed to attract students. However, quite suddenly after 2007, over 95 per cent of its students cleared science papers with high marks. Subsequently, the college has seen a bit increase in student enrolment.”
