MUMBAI: Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) chairman Vivek Bhimanwar has said the question paper leak in the Drug Inspector (Group-B) examination took place before he took charge of the recruitment body, amid demands for his resignation.In a statement issued on Wednesday, Bhimanwar said the incident relating to the Drug Inspector examination occurred in January 2026, while he took charge as MPSC chief on February 18 and assumed office on March 3, news agency PTI reported.“It is necessary to take into account the facts regarding the period of the incident,” Bhimanwar said, referring to allegations being levelled against him over the paper leak.He said the MPSC had taken serious note of the alleged question paper leak and lodged a complaint, adding that police were investigating the matter.The Mumbai police have arrested seven people, including Rutuja Patil, who had secured seventh rank in the examination, in connection with the case.According to Bhimanwar, the commission has also constituted a high-level internal committee to recommend preventive and security measures to ensure that such incidents are not repeated, PTI reported.The state government has separately formed a high-level committee to suggest necessary improvements in the overall examination process, he said.Several important reforms have been initiated to make the examination and recruitment system more robust and secure, particularly as the commission has been entrusted with increased recruitment responsibilities, he said.“Safeguarding the commission’s high traditions, impartiality and credibility, and providing millions of candidates a fair and equal opportunity, is my constitutional responsibility. I am committed to discharging this responsibility with complete transparency, impartiality and integrity,” he said.Bhimanwar said elected representatives, candidates and citizens had every right to raise questions and express concerns regarding public examinations.“I welcome such questions in a democratic system. However, any serious allegation should be assessed only on the basis of facts, official records and evidence,” he said.He appealed that sensitive issues involving the future of millions of young candidates in public recruitment processes should not be turned into personal allegations or political controversies, PTI reported.Allegations have surfaced on social media claiming that Bhimanwar had a role in the paper leak episode.The recruitment process for Drug Inspectors had been initiated through an advertisement issued on July 29, 2025.The screening examination was conducted offline at six divisional headquarters across Maharashtra on March 22 this year.The result was declared on June 12, after which 506 candidates were found eligible for the interview stage, the commission had said earlier.Of these, 488 candidates appeared for interviews conducted between July 1 and 22.After completion of the interviews, the MPSC published a provisional general merit list comprising 488 candidates, including 485 candidates found eligible for appointment and three declared ineligible, it said.However, complaints concerning the conduct of the screening examination were received by the commission between July 22 and 26 through e-mail from some candidates as well as public representatives.(With agency inputs)
