Thane, Feb 27 (News18) : The crime branch of Thane Police detained over 350 students and 18 accused from Pune, Nagpur, Nashik and Goa late on Saturday night on the suspicion of leaking question papers related to Army recruitment, a police official said.
Meanwhile, the Army on Sunday cancelled examinations in six centres in western India for some lower level posts following an alleged leak of question papers.
The examination centres where the tests were cancelled include Kamptee, Nagpur, Ahmednagar, Ahmedabad, Goa and Kirkee, army sources said.
The examinations were held for a number of posts including soldier clerk and strongman and soldier tradesman in 52 centres across the country.
The sources said army has ordered an internal enquiry and further action will be taken based on the findings, adding that tests at more centres are likely to countermanded.
The exam for various posts in Army was held on Sunday.
Thane Police had received a tip-off that around 350 candidates were made available with the leaked question papers by coaching institutes late on Sunday night in exchange for Rs 2 lakh.
The students were allegedly given the exam papers by those who run various coaching classes and some army employees to write the answers in lodges and other places, Senior Police Inspector of Thane Crime Branch Unit-I, Niteen Thackeray, said on Sunday.
The Army has been informed about the case by the police.
A FIR will be registered and proper verification of the question paper is being post the exam.
Police are trying to find out the source of the leaked papers. Further probe in the matter was on.
In 2013, Vyapam scam was unearthed in Madhya Pradesh where in over 100 students who allegedly cleared the Pre-Medical Test (PMT) through unfair means were arrested by the Special Task Force from different districts.
The scam was took place in admissions and recruitment in state government jobs which involved politicians, senior officials and businessmen.
The name of late MP Governor Ram Naresh Yadav (89), also figured in the scam. An FIR was filed against him on February 24, 2016 in connection with the Forest Guard Recruitment in 2014.