UP premedical test cancelled over suspected paper leak, Akhilesh orders probe

The Uttar Pradesh Combined Premedical Test (UPCPMT) was cancelled on Sunday over suspected question paper leak after the seals of two boxes containing them were found to have been tampered with, prompting the state government to order a high-level probe.

More than a lakh students were to appear in the test for admission to various medical colleges in the state. "Papers of the test were sealed in 40 boxes which were kept in two banks in Ghaziabad. When officials went to these two bank branches this morning, they found that the seals of two boxes had been tampered with.

The exam was cancelled thereafter," Ghaziabad District Magistrate SVS Ranga Rao said. Coordinator of UPCPMT AK Singh said that a report was received in the morning regarding suspected tampering of question paper boxes in Ghaziabad following which it was decided to postpone the test after consulting the state government.

He said that July 20 has been proposed as the fresh date for the examination, although a final decision in that regard would be taken by the state government. Rao said that the district administration would be sending a report in this matter to the state government. Directing that stern action be taken in the case, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav asked the Chief Secretary to constitute a high-level committee to probe the entire matter.

"The CM has directed Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan to constitute a high-level committee to probe the paper leak and cancellation of CPMT," an official release issued in Lucknow said. Yadav also said take stern action against those involved in "playing with the future of students". Meanwhile, BJP state President Laxmi Kant Bajpai demanded a CBI probe into leakage of UPCPMT paper.

He questioned that on whose order the paper was kept in the strong rooms of banks without CCTVs, when there was a rule and tradition that the boxes be kept in the strong room of government treasuary. Bajpai also demanded that transport allowance, food and lodging facilities should be provided to the applicants when the examination is held again.

"This amount should later be realised from those found guilty," he said. The examination was to be held across 213 centres in 15 cities of which 45 were in Lucknow.