The Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested four more people, including two candidates and two alleged middlemen, in connection with the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) drug inspector recruitment exam paper leak case.
The latest arrests have taken the total number of accused arrested in the MPSC paper leak case to 11.
Candidates, middlemen arrested
The two candidates arrested have been identified as Sajid Sande from Sangli and Vijay Kingar from Buldhana. The Crime Branch also arrested alleged middlemen Sandeep Khalate and Bhairavnath Kadam from Navi Mumbai on September 24.
According to the investigation, the two candidates allegedly obtained the leaked question paper through illegal means, while Khalate and Kadam allegedly acted as intermediaries in the racket.
MPSC exam paper allegedly leaked for money
The MPSC conducted the screening examination for 154 Drug Inspector, Group-B posts under the Food and Drug Administration department on March 22, 2026. The examination was held at six centres across Maharashtra.
During the probe, investigators found that the confidentiality of the examination had allegedly been compromised after officials with access to the MPSC's confidential question-paper cell allegedly circulated copies of the expert-selected question paper for monetary gain.
The case was registered at Cuffe Parade Police Station on August 25 based on a complaint by then Acting Police Inspector Mangesh Desai.
It was subsequently transferred to the Crime Branch for investigation.
Seven people arrested earlier
Before the latest arrests, the Crime Branch had arrested seven people in connection with the MPSC paper leak case. They include MPSC Under Secretary Abhijit Lendwe, Assistant Section Officer Vishveshwar Nakate, who worked in the confidential cell, Assistant Section Officer Gopal Marathe, Kautilya Academy director Pravin Patil, alleged middlemen Amrut Patil and Lokesh alias Gaurav Patil, and candidate Rutuja Patil.
The Crime Branch said its special investigation team used technical and other investigative methods to trace the alleged leak and identify people involved in the racket.
Probe continues
The investigation is being conducted under the supervision of senior Crime Branch officers, with the Detection Unit and Property Cell involved in the probe.
The case has been registered under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Maharashtra Prohibition of Unfair Means in Competitive Examinations Act, 2024, and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The Crime Branch said further investigation into the MPSC paper leak case is underway.
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