Peon Caught Evaluating MP College Exam Papers; Officials Suspended
Shaheed Bhagat Singh College guest lecturer paid peon to check answer sheets; probe uncovers bribery, major lapse in oversight
A major controversy has erupted in Madhya Pradesh’s Shaheed Bhagat Singh Government PG College after a video surfaced in January 2025 showing a peon evaluating undergraduate exam answer sheets, prompting disciplinary action and a full-fledged investigation by the Higher Education Department.
The viral video showed Pannalal Pathariya, a fourth-class employee of the college in Pipariya town, checking answer sheets instead of guest faculty member Khushboo Pagare. The incident sparked outrage, with students filing a complaint with local MLA Thakur Das Nagvanshi. However, departmental action was taken only after the video gained traction on social media.
An inquiry committee submitted its report on April 3, revealing that Pagare had outsourced the task due to health issues. She paid Rakesh Meher, another university employee, Rs 7000 to find a replacement, and Meher paid Pathariya Rs 5000 to mark the papers.
The Higher Education Department has directed strict action against both Pagare and Pathariya for breaching academic norms. In-charge principal Rakesh Kumar Verma and Professor Ramgulam Patel were also suspended for their failure to supervise the exam process.
Officials condemned the incident as a “grave violation of academic integrity” and vowed to prevent such lapses in future.