Assam HSLC paper leak case: Big breakthrough for Assam Police, nexus busted; 27 arrested; prime accused surrenders

The Assam Police has cracked the HSLC paper leak case for the subject of General Science. This indeed is a breakthrough since the epicenter of the paper leakage has been traced and prime accused as well as Kingpin of the entire paper leak fiasco Kumud Rakjkhowa surrendering before the police.
Less than a week since the Assam Police came to know about this on March 12, Assam DGP GP Singh led the investigations from the front and was monitoring it round the clock, which finally helped to crack the case.
Briefing newspersons, DGP Singh shared information as to how the CID Assam Police managed to access crucial leads and crack the case further.
DGP Singh said,”On 12 th of March we received information from social media, media and from channels that the General Science paper which is the 3C paper of Matric of Assam was leaked. Subsequent to that we had informed the SEBA and asked them whether the leaked paper is similar to what actually has been set by them. Late evening we were informed that yes it is the paper in some cases is same and in some cases similar.”
Then itself it was decided that a case would be filed with the CID in a bid to fast track the probe. The Assam DGP said,”So that time we had taken a decision that we would register a criminal case in this and we had directed the CID Assam to register a case in that. And immediately after that we had given instructions to OCs of all the police stations across the state that as is where is the condition the C 3 General Science paper of Matric of SEBA should be sealed in presence of centre in charge and wherever local responsible citizens and magistrate should be called, that was done.”
Preliminary probe indicated that the leaked paper of General Science C3 was in wide circulation in 5 districts of Upper Assam.
Sharing more details into this, DGP GP Singh said,”At the same time we had registered a case and initial information have revealed that the leaked paper was circulated in Upper Assam districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sadiya, Dhemaji and Lakhimpur. So after that we had started our investigation and we have established a chain of these paper had travelled through electronic medium.”
As the probe progressed, the Assam Police finally tracked down the brain behind and the nexus behind the paper leakage fiasco.
GP Singh informed,”And based on that after thorough investigation on March 15th evening, we had reached one epicenter of the leakage of paper which was the person called Kumud Rajkhowa, who was the teacher of Bakhlkata Higher Secodndary school in Panigaon in Lakhimpur district. So subsequently we tried to bring him . However technical evidences available with us indicated that his close relationship with some people and in this he was helped by his wife also. On the basis of that we had picked up a person called Prasanna Das, who is also a teacher of the Daphlakata HS school. Prasanna Das during examination intimated that the paper was given to Kumud Rakjhowa by a person called Pranab Dutta, who is the center incharge of Luit Khabolu High school in Panigaon area of Lakhimpur district. So immediately we had asked Majuli SP to carry out operation to locate him. He was located and towards the afternoon of March 16th he was arrested.”
“During examination he (Pranab Dutta) had conveyed that “Yes” he had given one set of general science to Kumud Rajkhowa. later in the evening he also conveyed that he has also given question paper of Assamese language which was sched to be held on March 18. And since the paper was still not held, we conveyed it to the Honourable Chief Minister of Assam and the Honourable education minister of ASsam and to the govt officials and subsequently they had taken a decision of rescheduling the paper, which has now been rescheduled,” GP Singh further said.
Speaking on the trail of investigation said, that police has already unearthed the chain through which the papers were leaked in lieu of money. GP said in this context said,”As far as investigation is concerned we know from where the question paper was taken out, we know how it had travelled and we also know step by step distribution of paper. The distribution was initially by Pranab Dutta for which he said he has taken Rs 5000 from Kumud Rajkhowa. However, we are convinced. We have also been made aware of a recent purchase of Thar Vehicle by him for which we are verifying the finances, whether it has been through nefariuous channels or regular channels. Than subsequent to that the paper was transmitted throuhg electric channels and payments we made through E wallets in the GPay PhonePay. So we are collecting information for that also.”
Regarding the number of arrests made into the case, the Assam DGP informed,”As far as the arrest is concerned as of now we have arrested 27 people of whom 14 are adult, 13 are children in conflict with law and lodged in juvenile homes. Last evening we have detained 4 more persons of which 3 are adults and 1 is a CCL. They have been arrested and will be brought here to CID (HQ) for further lawful action.”