A professor at Bharti Agriculture College in Durg has been arrested for using a sophisticated endoscope camera and a needle to leak an Entomology exam paper. The paper was allegedly sold for ₹11,000.
- Professor Yogesh Sonkesariya identified as the mastermind behind the leak.
- Used a thin endoscope camera and a needle to view questions through a sealed envelope.
- The leaked paper was sold to students for ₹11,000.
- IGAU has cancelled the examination and announced a re-test.
In a startling breach of academic integrity, the Raipur Police have arrested six individuals, including a professor, in connection with the leak of a B.Sc. (Agriculture) second-year Entomology examination paper. The incident occurred at the Indira Gandhi Agricultural University (IGAU), causing widespread disruption across 28 affiliated colleges.
The mastermind of the operation has been identified as Yogesh Sonkesariya, a 38-year-old professor at Bharti Agriculture College in Durg. Since 2019, Sonkesariya has been entrusted with the sensitive task of transporting examination materials—a responsibility that he allegedly exploited using highly unconventional and criminal methods.
The Modus Operandi: High-Tech Deception
According to investigative reports, Sonkesariya utilized a thin endoscope camera to bypass security measures. After collecting the question papers from the main agricultural college in Raipur, he took the Entomology paper home instead of submitting it to his institution. He then used a needle to puncture a tiny hole in the sealed envelope and inserted the endoscope camera to read and record approximately 15 questions through the device.
The use of specialized medical technology to commit academic fraud marks a sophisticated evolution in the methods used for paper leaks in India.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this incident highlights a critical vulnerability in the physical handling of examination materials. While universities are moving toward digital security, the human element—specifically the trust placed in senior faculty—remains a significant loophole. The breach not only compromised the fairness of the exam for 1,200 students but also damaged the institutional reputation of IGAU.
The economic scale of the crime was surprisingly small, with the paper being sold to a group of students for just ₹11,000. Following the leak, the university has moved to implement a more rigorous protocol, involving One-Time Passwords (OTP) for digital access to papers to prevent such physical tampering in the future.
| Feature | Old Protocol | New Protocol (Implemented) |
|---|---|---|
| Paper Delivery | Physical transport by Professors | Digital via Email |
| Access Method | Physical Seal | OTP-based Digital Access |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What action has the University taken regarding the cancelled exam?
The university has cancelled the affected examination and has constituted a committee to improve security protocols and conduct a re-test.
2. Who are the other people arrested?
Besides the professor, five students were arrested, including Ajay Nayak, who allegedly facilitated the distribution of the leaked paper.
