Plans to steal answer sheets were hatched at central canteen

Vadodara: The exam answer book scandal that is haunting the MS University (MSU) since the past couple of days had started as a casual chat between two students of Faculty of Arts and two peons at the central canteen located in the boys’ hostel campus. The canteen is located right opposite the MM Hall and near the chawl where the accused peons stay.
This is what Sayajigunj police learnt on Saturday as it started recording statements of all those connected with the central assessment cell.
According to police sources, the two accused in the case Ankit Phanse and Chirag Vadadra had developed friendship with two students of the faculty when they used to meet at the central canteen. Over several conversations so much trust developed between four of them that Phanse and Vadadra decided to pilfer answer sheets for the two students.
In their statement, Phanse and Vadadra told cops that after the two students’ exams got over, they told the two peons that the exams did not go well.
When the students learnt that Phanse and Vadadra were working in the central assessment cell, they requested them to bring out the answer sheets for a short time so that they can write answers before placing them back as it is. “The peons told the students that never in the past have they brought the answer sheets out, but they will try their best,” said the police source. On April 21, the two peons decided to try their luck and managed to bring out one answer sheet during the recess hour.
Phanse and Vadadra immediately called the two students to meet them near the central canteen so that they can hand over the answer sheet to them. “The two peons handed over the answer sheet to the students and asked them to return it within an hour so that they can place it back when they return to the assessment cell after recess,” a police official said.
The four met again near the central canteen where the students returned the answer sheet following which Phanse and Vadadra placed it as it is, but in folded or crumbled form. They repeated the same stunt on April 29.
“As of now they have admitted of bringing only two answer sheets, while we have received information of more. We are investigating the case and will find out of more such incidents that have taken place,” said the police official.
On Thursday, the police also took statements of professor Pratapchandran S, who was the coordinator of the assessment cell, assistant professors Varda Vasa and Natwar Parmar, who were the assistant coordinators and of vigilance officials Chandan Rathod and Piyush Pathak. The in-charge registrar N K Ojha has also been asked to furnish additional details related to the case.