Photographer detained for ‘uploading’ used question paper

Guwahati: Assam Police has detained an official photographer for allegedly uploading on social media a question paper of the Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE) that was held on Sunday under stringent security measures, including suspension of internet services state-wide to prevent malpractices.
As the issue questions the integrity of the exam, principal controller of examinations, Secondary Board of Examinations, in a statement said, “The initial inquiry reveals that the used question paper uploaded on the social media indicated that this question paper was used in Upendra National Academy, Simen Chapori, Dhemaji district.The paper was photographed by Mangal Singh Basumutary, one of the photographers engaged by SERA after 1.30 pm at the examination centre.”
The controller said mobile internet services were suspended from 10 am to 1.30 pm, precluding the possibility of any upload or transfer before or during the examination.
“The used question paper circulated on social media surfaced at 16.15 hours on 16.09.2024, i.e., more than 30 hours from the commencement of the examination,” the controller added.
“The availability of these question papers in any form after the examination does not impact the purity and sanctity of examination process. Certain individual seems to have circulated question papers after the examination creating a false impression of paper leak. Since this appears to be done with mischievous intention to spread rumours and confusion in the minds of the people, strict legal action is being taken against such persons. In this regard, police investigation is underway,” the controller stated.
“Since question papers after the examination are no more confidential, in future, it is also being considered to allow the question papers to be taken away by the candidates after completion of the examination. The board assures the entire examination process was conducted following the highest standards ensuring absolute sanctity of the process,” the controller said.
Assam Police DGP GP Singh wrote on X that the detained person “has confessed the photography of the paper after the examination was over. His mobile devices have been seized for further investigation. He also circulated the paper after clicking the pictures to a few individuals who are being identified for further action. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the criminal conspiracy behind this act to defame the examination process.”