The investigation into the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak case gathered further momentum on Sunday after a court in Bhiwandi remanded two more accused to police custody until July 30. The latest development comes as investigators continue to unravel what they describe as a well-organised interstate network involved in leaking the 2026 TET question paper before the examination.
The two accused, Vijendra (Bijendra) Kumar Gupta, believed to be the alleged mastermind of the racket, and his associate Indrajeet Singh, were recently arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Patna in Bihar after remaining on the run for several weeks. Both were produced before a court in Maharashtra, which granted police custody to allow investigators more time to question them and trace the wider conspiracy behind the paper leak.
According to police, Gupta is suspected of playing a central role in coordinating the leak, allegedly working through a network that included individuals linked to a private printing press, middlemen and agents responsible for distributing the leaked question paper to candidates before the examination. Investigators believe the operation was carefully planned and involved multiple states, making it one of the most significant examination fraud cases in recent years.
Officials said the SIT is now examining digital evidence, financial transactions and communication records to identify everyone connected with the racket. They are also trying to determine how the confidential examination material was accessed, copied and circulated before the test. Police have not ruled out further arrests as the investigation expands.
With the latest arrests, the total number of accused in the case has risen to 14. Investigators have already questioned several suspects, including individuals allegedly involved in printing, transporting and selling the leaked papers. Authorities are also probing whether similar methods were used in other recruitment or competitive examinations.
The Maharashtra government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring strict action against those responsible for compromising the integrity of public examinations. Officials said the investigation would continue until the entire network is exposed and everyone involved is brought to justice. The case has once again highlighted growing concerns over examination security and the need for stronger safeguards to protect the credibility of recruitment and eligibility tests across the country.
