Daijiworld Media Network – Bhopal

Bhopal, Jul 5: Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV) cancelled a second-year postgraduate Computer examination of its School of Biotechnology after sealed question papers allegedly went missing from the examination centre, officials said.

The examination, scheduled to begin at 11 am on Friday, was called off shortly before commencement and has been postponed until further notice.

According to university authorities, nine sealed packets containing the question papers were allegedly stolen during the intervening night of Thursday after unidentified persons broke into the examination centre through a window.

Police said the theft came to light on Friday morning when university officials discovered the missing question papers.

An FIR has been registered at Gandhinagar Police Station, and an investigation is underway.

Vice-Chancellor Alok Sharma said he rushed to the examination centre after being informed about the missing question papers.

"I noticed a broken window and scattered items inside the room. I immediately instructed faculty members to lodge an FIR," Sharma said.

Following the incident, Sharma issued separate show-cause notices to School of Biotechnology Director Archana Tiwari and the postgraduate examination controller, directing them to submit written explanations within three days.

The notices stated that the Controller of Examinations was responsible for ensuring the confidentiality and security of question papers and that the incident had raised serious concerns about the management of university examinations.

Describing the incident as an attempt to damage the institution's reputation, Sharma alleged that those behind the theft were acting against the interests of the university and Madhya Pradesh.

He said the university would constitute an inquiry committee to investigate the security lapse and examine the circumstances leading to the theft.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over the security arrangements for storing and handling confidential examination material at the university.