The North Division Cyber Police managed to crack the SSLC Preparatory Examination question paper leak case and arrested eight people: the principals, teachers, and minor students. The investigation was initiated after local authorities reported that the Hindi subject question paper was being shared on social media platforms and YouTube ahead of the exam.
The Crackdown: Educators Under the Scanner
The arrests came after a formal complaint was filed by officials of the Department of Pre-University Education. The investigation identified a coordinated leak among staff from several schools around the state. These documents were leaked online by the accused, who used their access to the papers to compromise the sanctity of the preparatory exams, police reported.
Details of the Arrested Accused
- V.D. Girish: Headmaster of a Tumakuru school.
- Amjad Khan: Assistant Teacher from Ramanagara.
- Shahida Begum: Headmistress, Kalaburagi.
- Mohammed Sirajuddin: Teacher, Kalaburagi.
- Fahmida: Assistant Teacher, Kalaburagi.
- Farzana Begum: Teacher of Kalaburagi.
- Two Minor Students: Whose identities have been held back; now being interrogated about their part in distributing the papers.
The Modus Operandi
The leaked information was first uncovered after a YouTube channel hosted the Hindi question paper on Jan. 8, 2026, the day before the exam. Investigators from the CEN (Cyber, Economic Offences and Narcotics) Police determined the digital version was genuine. The police are now also investigating whether money was exchanged or whether the leak was being used to artificially boost certain schools’ results. Authorities, too, are investigating whether other subject papers were leaked through the same means.
A Blow to Academic Integrity
The incident has drawn widespread concern among parents and students across Karnataka. Although preparatory exams serve as a "mock drill" for final board exams, even higher school officials have shown themselves involved in the leak, which has triggered serious questions around security protocols of KSEAB. The Education Department will ensure stronger digital control, and OTP-based download systems will be reinforced to prevent such recurrences in the next SSLC final examinations.
