An FIR has been registered with the Gandhinagar Police Station and a probe is underway.

“Yesterday morning, I was intimated about missing papers from the examination centre. I rushed to the spot. I noticed a broken window and some scattered items. I instructed a few faculty members to lodge an FIR,” said Vice-Chancellor Alok Sharma.

Seeking answers

Following the incident, Vice-Chancellor Sharma issued separate show-cause notices to School of Biotechnology director Archana Tiwari and the post-graduate examination controller, directing them to submit written explanations in three days.

“As Controller of Examinations, it is expected of you to ensure the confidentiality and security of question papers. Due to this incident, serious doubts have been raised about the management of university examinations. Therefore, you are directed to mandatorily submit your written clarification within three days of receiving this letter,” stated one of the notices.

Anti-national move, says V-C

Sharma alleged that the theft was part of a larger attempt to tarnish the university’s reputation.

“This is the handiwork of people who are hostile to the university and to Madhya Pradesh,” he said.

Sharma added that the university has sought explanations from the heads of departments concerned and that it was in the process of constituting an inquiry committee to examine the security breach.

The incident has raised fresh concerns over the security of examination material and the university’s protocols for storing and handling confidential question papers.