The investigation into the alleged Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Drug Inspector examination paper leak has taken a significant turn with the arrest of a candidate who secured seventh rank in the recruitment examination.

The Mumbai Crime Branch’s Property Cell arrested Rutuja Patil from Nandurbar on Tuesday. She was subsequently produced before a court and remanded to the custody of the Mumbai Crime Branch, officials said.

With Patil’s arrest, the number of people taken into custody in connection with the alleged paper leak has risen to seven.

Police allege Patil received leaked paper

According to investigators, Patil allegedly obtained access to the examination questions before the test.

Police further allege that she was advised to deliberately give 10 incorrect answers during the examination so that an unusually high score would not attract suspicion. These allegations are part of the ongoing investigation and have not been established by a court.

Patil had appeared for the Drug Inspector Group-B screening examination conducted on March 22, 2026, and subsequently secured seventh position in the provisional merit list.

Six others already arrested

Before Patil’s arrest, the Crime Branch had arrested six people, including three MPSC officials.

The arrested officials are Assistant Section Officers Vishweshwar Dattatraya Nakate and Gopal Bhattu Marathe, and Under Secretary Abhijit Ganpatrao Lendwe.

The other accused include Pravin Dilip Patil, director of Kautilya Academy in Nandurbar, along with alleged associates Amrut Namdeo Patil and Lokesh alias Gaurav Rajendra Patil.

Investigators allege that confidential examination questions were accessed before the test, compiled into a separate set and circulated to unauthorised individuals.

How the alleged leak surfaced

The case came to light after complaints were submitted to the MPSC alleging that some candidates had obtained questions before the examination.

One of the people who initially alerted the commission was Lokesh alias Gaurav Patil. Police later alleged that he himself had received the leaked material and had become involved in the alleged racket.

Investigators are now examining the alleged links between MPSC officials, intermediaries, candidates and others who may have benefited from the leaked material.

MPSC cancels recruitment process

The controversy has already forced the MPSC to cancel the entire Drug Inspector recruitment process.

The screening examination was conducted on March 22 for recruitment to 154 Group-B gazetted posts under Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration Department. Around 44,500 candidates reportedly appeared for the examination across six divisional centres.

Results were declared on June 12, with 506 candidates qualifying for interviews. A provisional merit list of 488 candidates was later published.

Following the investigation and confirmation of a breach in examination confidentiality, the MPSC cancelled the recruitment process and announced that the examination would be conducted afresh. Candidates who participated in the cancelled process will not have to apply again.

Investigation continues

The Crime Branch is continuing to examine digital communications, financial transactions and other evidence to determine how the confidential examination material was obtained and circulated.

Authorities are also investigating whether anyone else benefited from the alleged leak.

The case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices at Competitive Examinations Act and Prevention of Corruption Act.