The Gujarat Police on Monday arrested four persons, including one police officer and two members of the Bharatiya Janata Party, in connection with the alleged leak of the question paper of police constable recruitment examination.
The examination for the Class III grade was to be held on December 2, but was cancelled at the last moment after the authorities got to know about the paper leak.
Nearly 8.75 lakh people were to appear in the examination.
Head of the recruitment board concerned Vikas Sahay said that they had no option but to cancel the examination and that a new date of the test would be announced soon.
Gandhinagar SP Mayur Chavda said that the alleged mastermind, Yashpal Solanki, was yet to be arrested.
According to police, Solanki, a resident of Lunawada and a temporary employee of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation, went to New Delhi and obtained the question paper, apparently with the answers, and flew back to Vadodara on December 1.
Those arrested include police sub inspector of wireless department P.V. Patel, Rupal Sharma, who works in a private firm, and BJP leaders Manhar Patel and Mukesh Chaudhary.
The accused have been booked under various sections of the IPC, including 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy), 206, 209 and 420.
Both Manhar and Mukesh have been suspended from the party with immediate effect. The duo were also to appear in the examination.
Primary investigations have revealed that the arrested policeman's relatives were to appear in the examination and that he was involved in the paper leak.
Police said they had traced Solanki's location and he would be arrested soon.
Even as the opposition Congress lashed out at the government over the paper leak, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced that the aspirants would be given the bus fare when they appear for the examination on the new date.
Gujarat state BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said that the police was swift to arrest the accused and the party has suspended both Manhar and Mukesh.
While the monetary link has not been established so far, what is heard on the grapevine is that the papers were sold for Rs 5 lakh.
Congress party on Monday staged statewide demonstrations over the paper leak.