Daijiworld Media Network - Pune
Pune, Sep 7: Tensions flared in Pune on Monday as hundreds of Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants took out a massive "Aakrosh Morcha" protest march over alleged irregularities in the Drug Inspector examination conducted by the Commission.
NCP(SCP) working national president Supriya Sule joined the protesting aspirants and extended her support to their demands.
"It is unfortunate that our children in Maharashtra are protesting. A similar atmosphere to Jantar Mantar is visible in Pune. I appeal to the government to send a responsible person, and a discussion should happen. These children are suffering from injustice. It's a question about their career," Sule said.
The protesters carried placards targeting the MPSC leadership, with slogans including "MPSC Adhyaksh, Go Back!" and "MPSC Bewafaa Hai". Demonstrators also waved the national flag while raising slogans demanding accountability from the Commission.
The protest comes days after NCP(SCP) leader Rohit Pawar, who also joined Monday's demonstration, demanded the resignation of MPSC chairman Vivek Bhimanwar over the controversy.
Bhimanwar, however, clarified that he assumed charge as MPSC chairman on March 3 and said the alleged irregularities took place in January 2026, before he took over. He had taken the oath of office on February 18.
"It has come to my notice that certain personal allegations are being made against me in connection with the leak of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission's Drug Inspector Examination paper. On this background, I consider it necessary to clarify certain important facts," Bhimanwar said.
He said the Commission had filed a police complaint following the cancellation of the entire recruitment process for Drug Inspector posts in the Food and Drug Administration department after irregularities were reported.
The Commission has also constituted an internal high-level committee to examine the matter and recommend reforms to prevent such incidents in the future.
The screening examination for Drug Inspector posts was conducted offline on March 22 at six divisional headquarters across Maharashtra. The results were declared on June 12.
Following the interview process, the Commission published a provisional merit list containing 488 candidates, including 485 eligible and three ineligible candidates.
Between July 22 and July 26, the Commission received complaints by email from candidates and public representatives alleging that some candidates had obtained the question paper or questions in advance on March 20.
The allegations led to further investigation into the examination process. On August 26, the Crime Branch arrested six people in connection with the breach of confidentiality related to the examination.
Accused Rutuja Patil was subsequently arrested from Nandurbar by the Property Cell of the Crime Branch.
The case has been registered under the Maharashtra Competitive Examination (Prevention of Malpractices) Act, 2024, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The protesting aspirants are demanding accountability and corrective action, maintaining that irregularities in the recruitment process could adversely affect the careers of candidates who prepared for the examination.