Bhubaneswar, Feb. 19: The state government has ordered a crime branch probe into the leakage of a question paper of the Biju Patnaik University of Technology B. Tech final-year examinations.

The question paper of the Controlling Engineering System of Electronics and Telecommunication examination, which was scheduled to be held on January 9, was leaked the previous night and put on the Internet.

Around 5,000 students were supposed to appear for the exam.

The university cancelled the examination after the authorities came to know about the leak.

In a letter to the director general of police, secretary of technical education C.S. Kumar has requested for a speedy investigation into the case.

Earlier, the university authorities had asked principals of all colleges to return the sealed question papers. They had also served showcause notices to colleges that delayed returning the sealed boxes.

“Nothing substantial emerged out of the boxes. It was difficult for us to detect the manipulation,” the university’s registrar B.L. Agarwal said.

“The FIR at the Airfield police station also proved to be of little help,” he said.

Student bodies have welcomed the government’s decision. “This step will go a long way in improving he image of the university. The culprits must be immediately arrested and punished,” said Biplab, a student.

According to rules, sealed question papers are despatched to colleges the evening prior to the examination day. The seals are to be broken only 15 minutes before the exams.