Paper leak: misconduct found on part of Bawana principal

The principal of Mother Khazani Convent School was questioned for hours on Tuesday and the police claim to have found “grave misconduct” on his part. However, the teams are investigating criminal culpability.

A senior officer probing the CBSE paper leak of Class XII Economics question paper said the investigation so far has revealed that the principal, who was the examination incharge, allowed the paper’s seal to be opened earlier, around 9 a.m.

Also, he had allegedly told the teachers to share questions with the students for better marks.

“The principal and other staffers have been questioned for hours. It has come to the fore that he allowed the seal to be opened and told teachers to share them with the students for better marks. However, no monetary transaction has been found in the act so far, therefore, the criminal culpability is being probed,” the officer said, adding that arrest can only be made only after its found.

The investigation so far has also revealed that the principal had no clue that Rishabh Antil and Rohit Vats (teachers at the school) who were arrested along with Tauqeer (tutor) were carrying mobile phones to the premises where the seal was opened.

“The teachers had signed the document which was maintained to record if the phone was submitted before taking the question paper. It’s suspected that they were hiding another phone using which they clicked pictures. It’s also suspected that the principal did not know they were sharing the paper for money,” he said.

The police are deliberating on writing to the CBSE about the misconduct found on the part of the school principal but the decision is yet to be made, sources said.

“From the investigation so far, misconduct on his part has been found and discussions are on whether to write to the CBSE to take action against the principal, its teachers, or school, or whether he can be arrested under the Indian Penal Code,” the officer added.

Criminal offence

However, our primary objective is to find if a criminal offence has been committed by the principal and denied deliberating on writing to CBSE, Joint Commissioner of Police Alok Kumar said.

Special Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) R.P. Upadhyay said, “His role is being examined and action will be taken based on the findings”.

Police custody of the three accused has been extended by two days and they will be produced before the court on Thursday.