Brahmapur: The MKCG Medical College in Odisha’s Brahmapur has constituted a five-member enquiry committee to investigate the alleged malpractice in the July 27 PG MD/MS examination during which photographs of the question paper were allegedly shared on WhatsApp groups.
The exam is conducted by the Odisha University of Health Sciences (OUHS).
The committee, headed by the Dean and Principal, has been tasked with probing the incident and submitting its report within three working days. Its members include Prof Sudepa Das, Superintendent; Dr. Sweta Kumar Dash, Registrar (Administration) as Member Convener; Prof Siba Prasad Pattanayak, HOD of Surgery; Prof Chandra Sekhar Tripathy, HOD of Psychiatry; and Prof Debabrata Nath Sharma, Professor of Anesthesiology.
“A five-member committee headed by the superintendent of the medical college was formed on Thursday evening. The panel has begun its investigation into the incident. The committee will submit its report in 72 hours,” MKCG Medical College and Hospital Dean-cum-Principal Harekrushna Dalai told PTI.
Preliminary findings indicate that photographs of the question paper were transmitted from inside an examination hall at MKCG around 9:58 am, minutes after papers were distributed to candidates, and reached a private medical college in Bhubaneswar, where a student alerted authorities. Allegations further claim that answers were circulated from certain WhatsApp numbers during the test.
Dalai further clarified that that the incident does not constitute a traditional paper leak, stating it occurred after distribution inside the hall rather than beforehand, while assuring that strict action would follow against anyone found guilty and that enhanced security measures, including bans on mobile phones and electronic devices, are being implemented for the remaining examinations scheduled for August 1 and 5.
Around 154 postgraduate students from MKCG are appearing in the exams, which began on July 21 across multiple subjects.
Meanwhile intensifying its attack on the ruling party, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) demanded the immediate resignation of Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling along with a thorough investigation.
Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, senior BJD leaders including MLA Arun Sahoo and senior vice-president Pratap Jena accused the government of playing with the futures of lakhs of meritorious students. The party raised serious concerns over how question papers and answer keys were allegedly leaked and questioned how candidates were permitted to take mobile phones inside the examination hall.
“Parliament is discussing anti-paper leak legislation and even Union Education Minister has resigned over such controversies. But in Odisha, question papers and answer keys are being leaked due to the government’s negligence. Mobile phones were allowed inside exam centres, breaking the morale of meritorious students,” Sahoo said.
Taking a sharp dig at the state government’s track record, the BJD leader likened the frequency of paper leaks to a sports league. “In 24 months of BJP governance, 23 question papers have leaked. It appears that instead of the Indian Premier League, an ‘Indian Paper Leak’ match is being played every single month under this double-engine government. The state government is supporting a multi-crore rupee syndicate, which is thriving on exam leaks,” he alleged, urging Higher Education Minister Nityananda Gond and Health Minister, to set an example by resigning from their posts.
He further stated that if accountability had been fixed in previous cases, the situation would have improved.
Senior BJD leader Pratap Jena stated that the primary reason behind such incidents is the state government’s total lack of control over administrative systems. He cited administrative irregularities in the appointment of Controller of Examinations of OUHS without a required No Objection Certificate. “There are serious questions regarding the appointment of the OUHS Controller of Examinations. How are mobile phones reaching examination halls despite strict checking? These issues require a comprehensive investigation,” Jena said, while demanding an independent probe and stringent action against those responsible.