MDCAT leak probe: Students share paper sellers' contacts with FIA

The Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) Cyber Crime Circle has intensified its investigation into the alleged leak of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) exam paper in Karachi.

According to FIA sources, around 150 students have been summoned for questioning, with 96 students reportedly attending interviews at the agency’s office on Friday.

FIA officials revealed that statements from students were recorded in the presence of their parents, with details regarding the leaked or “guess” paper reportedly provided by the students.

Some students disclosed that they received a similar paper via WhatsApp a day before the exam.

As part of their testimony, students shared phone numbers of individuals allegedly selling the paper in question.

Despite these developments, sources noted that the investigation has yet to confirm a 100% match with the leaked paper.

The FIA plans to analyse all collected statements in the coming days to move forward with further investigative actions.

It has also been disclosed that the students summoned for questioning scored 190 out of 200 on the MDCAT exam, leading the agency to scrutinize these cases closely.

On October 30, FIA summoned students who scored 97 per cent marks in the test scrapped by the Sindh High Court (SHC) over irregularities.

As per a letter issued by FIA Cyber Crime, the investigation into the MDCAT paper leak revealed that some students received more than 97 percent marks.

The inquiry was initiated on the complaint of Bilawal Mallah from the Human Rights Justice and Defenders Organization.

During the investigation, it was discovered that some students secured 97.5 percent marks out of 200 marks in MDCAT. Apparently, it seems impossible for students to get such exceptional marks, which raised suspicions about the integrity of the medical colleges' admission process.

There is a possibility that students are involved in the paper leak and aware of facts and circumstances leading to the paper leak.

The students, who were summoned by FIA, come from different higher secondary boards. The students were directed to appear at the FIA Cyber Crime Branch on November 1 (yesterday).

FIA may conduct a mock test of the students as part of the investigation process. Students' statements will be recorded under Cr.Pc 160 to make the process transparent.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Sindh High Court had ordered retest of MDCAT in four weeks while hearing pleas against alleged irregularities in the test.

The fact-finding committee chairperson Shireen Narijo had presented a report in the court over MDCAT irregularities. She told the court that the committee found flaws in the MDCAT, and the system was compromised at various points. A team of 40 members was responsible to conduct MDCAT.