In a shocking incident that has raised serious questions about exam security, 175 answer sheets from the Maharashtra State Board’s Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams were destroyed in a fire at a teacher’s home in Vasai earlier this week. The blaze, which broke out on March 10, has led to legal action against the teacher and her college principal, exposing glaring lapses in protocol.
The Incident: Flames Engulf Answer Sheets
Around noon on Monday, neighbors in Virar’s Nanbhat Road area noticed smoke billowing from the home of Priya Rodrigues, a moderator at Utkarsh Vidyalaya and Junior College. By the time locals rushed to help, flames had already consumed a sofa where a bundle of 175 HSC answer sheets—belonging to commerce students—had been stored. Though the fire was extinguished before the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation fire brigade arrived, most of the papers were reduced to ashes.
“We found charred remnants of answer sheets on the sofa,” said a fire department official. “Our priority was clearing the smoke to prevent further damage.” The surviving papers confirmed the destroyed bundle was from the February 15 Organization of Commerce and Management exam.
Why Were the Papers at a Teacher’s Home?
According to Maharashtra State Board rules, exam moderators—responsible for rechecking graded papers—are strictly prohibited from taking answer sheets outside designated evaluation centers. However, Rodrigues had carried the bundle home, a decision that has now backfired spectacularly.
Police reports reveal that the answer sheets had already been evaluated and marked by an examiner. Rodrigues, as the moderator, was supposed to review them for accuracy. Instead, the papers sat unattended in her house for days. “No one was home when the fire started,” said Bolinj Police Station officer Prakash Sawant. “We’re investigating whether negligence caused the blaze.”
FIR Filed: Who’s Responsible?
The Maharashtra Board’s Mumbai Divisional Office swiftly filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Rodrigues and the college principal, Mugdha Lele, under sections 188 (disobeying public servant orders) and 435 (mischief by fire) of the Indian Penal Code. “Moderators cannot take answer sheets home. This is a clear violation,” a board official stated.
Authorities are also probing whether the fire resulted from an electrical fault or careless handling of flammable materials. Meanwhile, students and parents are demanding answers. “How could something so important be treated so carelessly?” asked Rohan Mehta, father of a Class 12 student. “Our children’s futures are at stake.”
The Aftermath: What Happens to Students?
The destroyed papers have left the board scrambling to address potential academic fallout. While a few answer sheets survived, the majority are irrecoverable. Board officials have not yet clarified if affected students will be asked to retake the exam or if their scores will be based on internal assessments.
“This isn’t just about lost papers—it’s about accountability,” said education activist Anjali Deshmukh. “The board must ensure such lapses never recur.”
Broader Implications: A Wake-Up Call
The incident has ignited a debate about the pressures faced by educators during exam season. Over 15 lakh students appear for HSC exams annually in Maharashtra, with thousands of teachers tasked with timely evaluation. However, experts argue that workload cannot excuse protocol breaches.
“Secure handling of answer sheets is non-negotiable,” emphasized board official Rajesh Tandon. “We’re reviewing guidelines to prevent similar incidents.”
For now, the focus remains on the ongoing police investigation and disciplinary action against Rodrigues and Lele. As the education department faces mounting criticism, this fire serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of trust in India’s examination system.
