Uttarakhand’s week-long paper leak protest called off after CM assures CBI probe

A week-long, Statewide protest against frequent paper leaks in Uttarakhand was called off on Monday (September 29, 2025) after Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami personally met the demonstrating students in Dehradun and assured them of a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe in the matter.

Vexed with the recent paper leak in the Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UKSSSC) graduate-level examination held on September 21, students across the State launched massive protests forcing the government to form an SIT under the chairmanship of a retired High Court judge to investigate the leak. The students, however, remained adamant for a CBI probe.

The Opposition Congress also supported the students’ protests and termed the BJP’s anti-cheating law as an “eyewash” that has failed to deter cheating mafias. Videos of students raising slogans like ‘paper chor gaddi chod’ (paper thief, leave the seat), ‘Dhami tere raaj me paper bikey 15 lakh me’ (it’s under your government Dhami that question papers are being sold for ₹15 lakh), went viral on social media drawing support for the demonstrating students.

After receiving criticism from parents of the agitating students, academicians and Opposition, Mr. Dhami paid a surprise visit to students demonstrating at Dehradun’s Parade Ground on Monday. Making an emotional appeal to them, the Chief Minister said he cannot see the future of the nation, i.e., youth, sitting in scorching heat to protest for something that is their birthright.

Will ensure justice: CM

“BJP government’s sole commitment is to ensure a completely transparent examination process. Over the past four years, my government has worked with the same aim and spirit. I will continue to do whatever it requires to ensure that you get justice,” he said.

Pointing out that Uttarakhand’s youth prepare for government jobs after studying for years, Mr. Dhami said it was very “painful and disheartening” that question papers get leaked, killing their dreams and hardwork. “It not just impacts a student but their family as well,” he added.

“The recent incident of paper leak in UKSSSC exam that was held on September 21 is being investigated by an SIT under the supervision of a retired High Court judge. The committee has begun work, but the youth are still demanding a CBI investigation. Therefore, the government will recommend a CBI inquiry into the matter from the Centre,” he announced.

He also committed to the students that if any cases were filed against the youth during the protest, they would be withdrawn.

‘Suspend protests’

Tribhuvan Chauhan from Swabhiman Morcha announced from the protest site that students have collectively decided to suspend the same considering the Chief Minister’s verbal approval for CBI probe. The students gave time to the government till October 10 to order for investigation by the Central agency.

The Uttarakhand Police has made a few arrests so far in the paper leak case, including a sibling duo. Two policemen and a teacher were suspended for their alleged involvement in the matter. Hakam Singh, the alleged mastermind of paper leak scams that have rocked the State in the past, was arrested on September 20, just a day before the present paper leak. Police claimed that Mr. Singh was promising a question paper to an aspirant for a sum of ₹15 lakh.

Mr. Dhami also faced criticism from Congress for his ‘nakal jihad’ (cheating jihad) remark, which the Opposition termed as giving a communal colour to a sensitive matter like paper leaks. In a political event last week, he had said that coaching mafias and cheating syndicates are collectively working to spread nakal jihad and further attempting to disrupt exams and spread unrest in the State.

“I want to make it clear that my government will not spare these cheating mafias and ‘nakal jihadis’, and we will not rest until all cheating mafias in the State are behind bars,” he had said.