Maharashtra Board Exam Paper Leak Fraud Busted in Pune; Police Arrest 18-Year-Old
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 13th March 2026: The Shivajinagar Police in Pune have uncovered the modus operandi used by an 18-year-old accused in connection with the alleged Maharashtra board exam paper leak scam, revealing how he used the messaging platform Telegram to deceive students and parents.
According to the police investigation, the accused, identified as Chaitanya Vinod Shende (18), allegedly created the impression that he had access to the examination question paper before the scheduled exam. During interrogation, he disclosed that he exploited a feature on Telegram that allows uploaded files to be replaced while retaining the original upload time.
Police said the accused would first upload a password-protected PDF file on Telegram a day before the examination. He then posted messages in a group claiming that he could provide the Maharashtra board exam question paper for ₹600.
Students who believed the claim transferred money to him. However, once the payment was received, the accused allegedly blocked the victims immediately.
Investigators found that after the examination concluded, the accused would obtain the actual question paper and replace the previously uploaded password-protected file with the real paper. Since the platform retains the original timestamp and only marks the file as “Edited,” it created the impression that the question paper had been uploaded before the exam began.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Krushikesh Rawale said the accused used the feature to create a misleading timeline and gain the trust of victims.
“He uploaded a password-protected PDF file a day before the exam and claimed that it contained the question paper. After collecting money from students, he blocked them. Once the exam was over, he replaced the earlier file with the actual question paper to make it appear as if he had access to the paper before the examination,” DCP Rawale said.
Police said the case was registered at Shivajinagar Police Station and further investigation is underway to determine how many people were cheated and whether others were involved in the operation.
Officials have also appealed to students and parents not to fall for claims of leaked question papers circulating on social media.
