Retired Professor Arrested in REET 2021 Question Paper Leak Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested retired professor Dr. Pradeep Parasher in connection with a money laundering investigation into the 2021 REET question paper leak. Parasher, who was tasked with overseeing the exam, allegedly orchestrated the theft and dissemination of the exam papers in collusion with an assistant.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday announced the arrest of retired professor Dr. Pradeep Parasher as part of its investigation into the 2021 question paper leak from the Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers (REET). Parasher's arrest follows that of his assistant, Ram Kripal Meena, who was previously taken into custody.

According to an ED statement, Dr. Parasher was taken into custody on Wednesday and will remain in ED custody for three days, as ordered by a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Jaipur. Parasher had been appointed by the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) to coordinate the REET exam, which was held on September 26, 2021, across various locations in the state.

The ED alleges that the retired professor unauthorizedly appointed Meena, granting him access to the secure room where the question papers were stored. On the night of September 26, 2021, Parasher and Meena allegedly stole the exam papers and disseminated them. The investigation has so far resulted in multiple searches, recovery of incriminating documents, digital records, and the seizure of large amounts of cash.