TU MBS Question Paper Case: CIB Arrests One, FSU Questions Inquiry Committee
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has arrested one person in connection with the circulation of a first-semester MBS question paper under the Faculty of Management of Tribhuvan University within minutes of the examination beginning.
Meanwhile, the Free Student Union (FSU) has questioned the impartiality of the inquiry committee, stating that it was formed by the Dean’s Office, which was itself responsible for conducting the examination. The union has also demanded the resignation of the dean.
The examination for “MGT 515: Organizational Behavior” was held from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, Shrawan 8, 2083 BS. The question paper was circulated through WhatsApp and other social media platforms within two to six minutes of the examination beginning.
The question paper reached WhatsApp at 12:02 p.m. and had been widely circulated on social media by 12:06 p.m.
CIB Investigation and Arrest
According to CIB Senior Superintendent of Police Anupam Shumsher JBR, 33-year-old Sandip Singh has been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the incident.
Singh is a permanent resident of Ghodaghodi Municipality-11, Kailali, and is currently living in Bhaktapur. He is being investigated for an offence under the Education Act, 2028.
The Cyber Bureau stated that, of the two people previously arrested, one was released after no involvement was established.
On Saturday, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Management Dr. Bharat Rai wrote to the Cyber Bureau requesting an investigation based on evidence received at around 10:00 p.m. on Shrawan 8 through a Facebook account named “TU Student.”
Inquiry Committee and Conflict-of-Interest Concerns
An emergency meeting held on Sunday morning after the question paper incident formed a three-member inquiry committee under the coordination of Prof. Dr. Achyut Gyawali of the Tribhuvan University Central Department. Another account identifies the coordinator as Prof. Dr. Achyut Wagle.
The committee includes Pushkar Raikhola, Deputy Director of the Central Monitoring Directorate, and Mahesh Raj Ojha, a member of the Central Examination Committee. It has been given seven days to complete its work.
However, university officials and stakeholders have questioned the committee’s impartiality. They argue that allowing the Dean’s Office, which has the authority to designate examination centres and conduct examinations, to form the inquiry committee itself creates a conflict of interest.
Committee coordinator Prof. Dr. Gyawali stated that tracking was underway in coordination with the CIB and that the committee had already begun its work.
FSU Demands Resignation
The Free Student Union of University Campus, Kirtipur, stated that it had taken serious note of the incident. It demanded the dissolution of the current committee and the formation of an independent and impartial inquiry mechanism within two to three days.
A statement issued by FSU Chairperson Deepak Raj Joshi warned that if the facts were not made public within the specified period, the dean of the Faculty of Management and the assistant dean responsible for examinations should accept moral responsibility and resign.
The FSU also demanded that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology accept administrative and moral responsibility for the incident.
Statements from the Dean and Education Minister
Prof. Dr. Mahananda Chalise, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Acting Registrar of Tribhuvan University, claimed that the question paper had not been leaked before the examination.
He stated that someone had photographed the question paper with a mobile phone from inside the examination hall and sent it through WhatsApp. He also said that anyone found responsible would face strict action in accordance with the law.
The Education Minister stated that the incident had been taken seriously and that police had begun an investigation in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to the preliminary report, tuition teachers from outside the university may have been involved in the incident. The minister stated that further details would become clear after the police complete their investigation.
