A Special Investigation Team on Monday filed a chargesheet more than 4,000 pages long in the Bihar toppers scam, naming 32 accused including former chairperson of the Bihar School Examination Board, Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh. Others named in the chargesheet include Singh’s wife and former Janata Dal (United) legislator Usha Sinha, former principal of VR College Bachcha Rai, as well as four fake ‘toppers’. VR College had several ‘toppers’ this year.
Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj told The Indian Express that the investigation revealed several other scams including schools and inter-colleges affiliation scams and even printers scams, and that he would not be surprised if the number of accused rose to 100.
Investigators found that Lalkeshwar Singh had changed examination centres to benefit institutions like Vishun Roy College in Vaishali and that evaluators had tampered with answer sheets. Singh and his wife allegedly gave candidates higher ranks for money ranging between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh a student. Prosecutors have charged those involved in the case under sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, The Times of India reported.
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