The Maharashtra TET leak scam has triggered a major uproar in the state’s education system. Kolhapur Police arrested 18 people for leaking the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) question paper. The exam was scheduled for November 23 and is essential for the recruitment of teachers in primary and upper primary schools.
Police Raid Leads to Key Arrests
The investigation began after police received a credible tip-off. Acting quickly, a joint team from the Local Crime Branch and Murgud Police raided a furniture shop in Songe village, Kagal tehsil. During the raid, officers caught five candidates waiting to receive the leaked question paper. One of them, Rahul Patil, told investigators that he planned to buy the paper for ₹3 lakh from the main suspect, Mahesh Gaikwad.
Soon after this revelation, police located Gaikwad in Karad, Satara district. They arrested him and later held several others linked to the scam. A senior officer stated that the number of arrests may rise because the probe is still underway. He also noted that the team is tracing financial transactions and identifying more facilitators.
Investigation Widens as New Links Emerge
The police team is now examining the entire network involved in the leak. Moreover, they are questioning several intermediaries who may have helped circulate the paper. As the case expands, officials expect to uncover more evidence and identify additional suspects.
Concerns Over Exam Integrity
The TET exam is a key gateway for aspiring teachers. Therefore, the leak has raised serious concerns about the fairness of the recruitment process. Authorities have assured that they will take strict action. They also plan to strengthen the exam system to prevent similar scams in the future.
