Half-yearly question papers go missing in Sivaganga school

The incident came to light when M Venkatachalam, the headmaster, came to his cabin around 9.30 am on Sunday. Sources said question papers of all subjects for Classes 10, 11 and 12 were kept inside the room. Nearly six covered bundles were found tampered, with one question paper in each of the bundles reportedly missing. Venkatachalam has lodged a complaint with the Devakottai Town police.

When contacted, Sivaganga Collector J Jayakanthan said the incident was reported at NSMVPS Higher Secondary School. After conducting an enquiry, the collector said, “One or two question papers seem to be missing from the covered bundles kept in the headmaster’s room. There are three keys for the room. Some staff members who have developed a grudge against Venkatachalam should have indulged in this act. They might have done this to bring him into disrepute.”

Superintendent of Police T Jayachandran, along with personnel attached to the Devakottai Town police, inspected the school and held inquiries. “Since the question papers were kept safe inside the headmaster’s room, some staff members could have done this. The possibility of an outsider involving in such acts is remote,” he said, adding that there were no CCTV cameras within the room’s vicinity.