In a breakthrough in the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak case, police have arrested the alleged mastermind, Birendra Kumar Gupta, from Bihar. 

The former coaching class teacher was brought to Pune Airport after his arrest and will now be taken to Bhiwandi, where investigators are expected to question him over his alleged role in the paper leak racket and the wider network operating across states.

Gupta's arrest comes after Maharashtra Police earlier arrested three other accused, Kapil Dahiya, Mithun Singh and Sonu Singh, from Bihar and Punjab in connection with the case.

Investigators suspect the trio played different roles in procuring and circulating the leaked examination papers before the test.

Police believe the leaked question papers were printed through facilities allegedly linked to Singh. 

They are also examining Singh's alleged association with Gupta, who is also from Samastipur, with investigators suspecting the two have known each other for years.

Officials are tracking the movement of question papers, financial transactions, communication records and the role of intermediaries as they attempt to unravel the alleged interstate racket.

Gupta had already come under the scanner of investigative agencies in 2024 after an undercover operation by India Today/Aaj Tak allegedly highlighted his involvement in examination-related irregularities.

The Maharashtra TET paper leak case revolves around allegations that question papers were illegally procured and circulated before the examination, raising concerns over the integrity of the recruitment process.

Following the controversy, the Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) postponed the Maharashtra TET that was scheduled for June 28.