The case concerns the alleged leak of questions for the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examination for 154 Drug Inspector posts, which was advertised on July 29, 2025 and held on March 22, 2026.
A special court has refused bail to Gaurav Rajendra Patil (26) in the 2026 MPSC drug inspector paper leak case. It observed that he cannot be regarded as a whistleblower at this stage, as he allegedly held on to the leaked questions for four months and discussed selling them.
Special Judge Shayana Patil said the investigation was still underway and that Gaurav’s alleged role needed closer examination. Based on the material gathered so far, the court held that this was “not a matter of mere exchange of any expected question bank on WhatsApp” but part of a larger transaction meant to favour candidates for monetary gain.
The court added that the alleged offence strikes at the confidentiality and sanctity of competitive examinations. “It has adversely affected the youth honestly contesting the public competitive examinations with dreams of securing good employment,” the judge said.
The judge also observed that the offence harms the public interest and weakens society’s trust in institutions such as the MPSC. “It is the offence of misuse and manipulation of the competitive exam-system at the hands of responsible persons/public servants inside the system with the help of private persons outside the system like the present accused,” the judge said.
The prosecution’s case
According to the prosecution, Vishveshvar Nakate, an examination coordinator appointed by the MPSC, allegedly stole 294 questions prepared by experts and handed them to Abhijeet Lendve, an under secretary, in the parking area of the MPSC building. Lendve allegedly passed the question bank to Gopal Marathe, who gave it to Pravin Patil. The set allegedly reached candidate Rutuja Patil through her father, a co-accused, and she forwarded it to Gaurav on WhatsApp two days before the exam.
On July 21, Gaurav emailed the MPSC, claiming he had received 294 questions from a friend on March 20 and that around 78 of them appeared in the exam. He also alleged that Rutuja, who had sent him the questions, ranked seventh in the merit list.
Withdrawn complaint and the whistleblower claim
The court noted that Patil later withdrew his complaint, stating that no paper had been leaked and that his earlier allegation was made “for sake of mischief or fun”. The judge said this contradictory stand prima facie pointed to a lack of veracity and sincerity.
Patil argued that he was the original complainant and a whistleblower. He claimed he was merely a passive recipient of WhatsApp messages, was neither a candidate nor a beneficiary, and had no part in any conspiracy.
The prosecution opposed bail, citing chats with phrases such as “Paper bhetla”, “80 questions fix yetil”, “Paper devu ka tula”, “Viral kuthe karu nako” and “Viku ka mi” (Got the paper. 80 questions are guaranteed to come. Should I give you the paper? Don’t make it viral anywhere. Shall I sell it?).
The court said these exchanges pointed to possible misuse. It observed that Patil waited four months before complaining, and that he could be treated as a whistleblower only if he had reported receiving the questions immediately, without discussing their circulation or sale.
