MPSC drug inspector paper leak: 4 more arrested, total reaches 11
Synopsis
A personal breakup reportedly cracked open one of Maharashtra's biggest recent exam fraud cases. The MPSC Drug Inspector paper leak — allegedly engineered by serving officials who sold question papers for money — has now led to 11 arrests, including bureaucrats, academy directors, middlemen, and candidates. The SIT is still probing how far the network extends.
Key Takeaways
The Mumbai Crime Branch SIT arrested 4 more accused on 25 September 2026 in the MPSC Drug Inspector exam paper leak case.
New arrests: candidates Sajid Sande (Sangli) and Vijay Kinger (Buldhana); middlemen Sandeep Khalate and Bhairavnath Kadam (Navi Mumbai).
Total arrests in the case have now reached 11 , including former MPSC Under Secretary Abhijit Lendve and Kautilya Academy Director Praveen Patil .
The leak allegedly came to light after a personal dispute between two accused candidates — Lokesh alias Gaurav Patil and Rituja Patil .
Thousands of MPSC aspirants protested in Pune on 7 September , demanding transparency and removal of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar .
SIT is continuing its probe to identify all individuals in the paper-circulation chain.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested four more accused in the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Drug Inspector exam question paper leak case, pushing the total number of arrests to 11. The latest detentions were carried out across multiple cities in Maharashtra on 25 September 2026.
Who Was Arrested
The four new arrests comprise two candidates and two alleged middlemen. Candidates Sajid Sande and Vijay Kinger were taken into custody — Sande from Sangli and Kinger from Buldhana. The two alleged middlemen, Sandeep Khalate and Bhairavnath Kadam, were arrested from Navi Mumbai, according to investigators.
Earlier Arrests in the Case
Seven individuals had been arrested before this latest round. They include former Under Secretary Abhijit Lendve, Assistant Chamber Officers Visheshwar Nakate and Gopal Marathe, Kautilya Academy Director Praveen Patil, alleged middlemen Amrit Patil and Lokesh alias Gaurav Patil, and candidate Rituja Patil. The presence of serving MPSC officials among the accused points to an alleged breach deep within the commission's administrative structure.
How the Leak Was Exposed
The investigation took an unusual turn when a personal dispute reportedly became the catalyst for the case coming to light. According to the Crime Branch, Lokesh alias Gaurav Patil, 24, had himself received the leaked question paper from his then-girlfriend, Rituja Patil, ahead of the 22 March examination. After the two separated, Patil reportedly approached the MPSC and informed the commission about the alleged leak. Investigators allege he was concerned that Rituja Patil would secure a government job and move on from the relationship.
What the Probe Has Uncovered
The SIT's investigation has revealed alleged violations of the confidentiality and fairness of the MPSC examination. Probe officials are examining allegations that official duties were misused to unlawfully access, withdraw, and exchange question papers for financial gain. The Crime Branch is continuing to establish the full chain through which the paper was accessed and circulated, and the precise roles of all individuals involved.
Protests and Aspirant Anger
The case had already ignited widespread public anger among MPSC aspirants. On 7 September, thousands of candidates took to the streets in Pune, demanding greater transparency in the commission's functioning and calling for the removal of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar. This is not the first time the MPSC has faced scrutiny over exam integrity — critics argue that systemic oversight failures have repeatedly exposed government recruitment processes to manipulation.
With the SIT examining possible involvement of additional individuals, further arrests in the case cannot be ruled out.
Point of View
Not merely opportunistic. The fact that exposure depended on a lovers' quarrel rather than any internal audit or whistleblower mechanism is itself a damning indictment of oversight. With 11 arrests and the SIT still counting, the deeper question is whether the MPSC has the structural safeguards to prevent a recurrence — or whether the commission will revert to routine once the media glare fades.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been arrested in the MPSC drug inspector paper leak case so far?
As of 25 September 2026, a total of 11 people have been arrested, including former MPSC Under Secretary Abhijit Lendve, Assistant Chamber Officers Visheshwar Nakate and Gopal Marathe, Kautilya Academy Director Praveen Patil, alleged middlemen Amrit Patil and Lokesh alias Gaurav Patil, candidate Rituja Patil, candidates Sajid Sande and Vijay Kinger, and middlemen Sandeep Khalate and Bhairavnath Kadam.
What is the MPSC Drug Inspector paper leak case about?
The case involves the alleged unlawful access, withdrawal, and exchange of question papers for the Maharashtra Public Service Commission Drug Inspector examination, reportedly for financial gain. The probe points to misuse of official positions by MPSC insiders working with external middlemen and candidates.
How did the MPSC paper leak come to light?
According to the Crime Branch, the leak was exposed after a personal dispute between two accused — Lokesh alias Gaurav Patil, who had received the leaked paper from his then-girlfriend Rituja Patil, reportedly approached the MPSC after their separation, concerned she would secure a government job. The tip-off initiated the formal investigation.
Why did MPSC aspirants protest in Pune?
Thousands of candidates demonstrated in Pune on 7 September, demanding greater transparency in the MPSC's functioning and calling for the removal of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar. The protests reflected broader frustration over recurring exam integrity concerns in Maharashtra's public service recruitment.
What is the SIT investigating next?
The SIT is working to establish the complete chain through which the question paper was accessed and distributed, and is examining the possible involvement of additional individuals. Further arrests have not been ruled out as the probe continues.
